Luke 20:27-38
The Sadducees try to ridicule Jesus by “catching him out” on a technical point. Jesus responds by raising the issue to a whole new level. The resurrection is not dependent on earthly factors such as birth and marriage since it is the fulfilment of life itself. Our God is the God of the living, who love is stronger than death.
– Fr. John Conway
I was under instructions from Gayle to follow up on getting a six-burner gas barbeque from our local Bunnings store in preparation for the Hospice’s Carols by Candlelight evening. The son of one of the hospice volunteers works there, and had phoned around the other stores for a cheap ex-floor stock model for us. “It will be about $300,” my boss said.
A message arrived to let me know the barbeque was ready for pick-up. The next morning I had a couple of volunteers lined up to collect it but ran into a small hitch. When I rang Bunnings to make sure we wouldn’t have any trouble picking it up, was told that one of the fellows who knew all about it was away for the day, the other wouldn’t be in until the afternoon. No problem, I figured I could just pick it up later.
As it happened someone else needed stuff from Bunnings that morning, and when to my surprise the guys returned with the barbeque as well I was delighted – one job I could cross off my list. Unfortunately, it turned out they’d been given the wrong barbeque – a more expensive one which cost $500!
I rang Bunnings again and they said we’d need to do an exchange. The volunteers had gone home for the day, but apparently one of them offered to come back in and swap the barbeques over for us.
So we finally got the right barbeque – but the price was still wrong. Bunnings charged us full price instead of the cheaper quoted price. I couldn’t believe it!
I ended up going into Bunnings myself the next day to try and sort it out. The guy who organised the special price for us was away, but luckily a supervisor was there who knew what was going on.
The final cost of the barbeque came to far less than $300 so I guess the extra bit of running around worked out in the long run.
My two eldest nephews must think their Aunty Liss is really slack; they have both had birthdays in the last couple of months and no gift! This will be remedied very soon; I have gifts for both, just had no time to deliver them. I will try and drop by on my way home from work this week.
Weather is heating up. Last week at Mass two people had turns, it was very stuffy in the church. I was keeping an eye on Dad at Mass this week, his first week back since his operation. Waved some air at him when it seemed a bit stuffy. Enjoyed driving his car.
Gayle is away on holidays now, I shall be working at the Hospice three days a week while she is away. There are a couple of events coming up in December that I need to get arrangements in place for, but I think it will be ok. I am really starting to enjoy my new job.
Went shopping at Keryl Lee’s Warehouse again and picked up some clothing bargains. Several tops, a new and some pyjamas for under $30.
Luke 19:1-10
“Today,” Jesus said, “salvation has come to this house”. There are moments of grace in the lives of all of us, moments we shall never regret, if we respond trustingly and generously to the call of God.”
– Fr. John Thornhill SM
Well it was a little bit crappy last Wednesday when it was stress city at work, and poor Dad was stuck in hospital, but it got so much better the next day.
My first taste of a fundraising event at hospice, a golf day in conjunction with the local newspaper. Quite an anti-climax when it was over – following weeks of preparation and the last minute stress attacks the previous day. But it was fun, and I felt like I pulled my weight and that I might just be capable of doing this job.
I had a surprise that evening when I went to visit Dad in hospital – his bag was packed and he was waiting impatiently for me to arrive so I could give him a lift home. We hadn’t expected that he would be able to leave so soon, I had to check with the nurse that it was ok for him to go as I couldn’t believe it! He was so happy to be going home he was almost his old self, such a contrast to the day before.
Still busy on my latest uni assignment – due last Friday but thankfully I was given an extension to this Friday. I have chosen the hospice Web site as my subject and I’m working on a complete re-design. For this assignment I am preparing the planning and design documentation, the next assignment will be the completed Web site. I’ll have to get stuck into the next assignment immediately, the faculty are a bit funny about late submissions. I am really looking forward to a break from study – only four weeks to go.
Got results back for my previous assignment the “CSS Zen Garden” design, went quite well 17/20. Tutor commented on what my colours might look like with a red filter (will have to try that out).
Luke 18:9-14
In a parable on prayer the arrogance of the Pharisee is contrasted with the honesty of the tax collector. The message here is a call to turn to the Lord in a spirit of repentance. No one is so ‘good’ as not to need God’s forgiveness. No one is so ‘bad’ that God will not forgive. Please, just turn to me, says Jesus.
“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
Both the first reading (Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19) and today’s psalm say clearly that the Lord hears the cry of the poor. Have I been given the gifts – of time or money or abilities – to be the means by which God answers their need?
– Fr. John Conway