Today's gospel, 14 November
Please scroll down for notices, including of Christmas service arrangements:
Today's gospel Luke 17: 26-37
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.
Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.’ Then they asked him, ‘Where, Lord?’ He said to them, ‘Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.’
Comment
This gospel passage makes for rather bleak and unsettling reading. It is what is known as apocalyptic writing, a genre that uses symbolic language to reveal divine mysteries, often focusing on the end of the world and the triumph of good over evil. The key point of this section in Luke's gospel is to urge the reader to live with focus on God's plans and ways ('the kingdom of God') and with spiritual readiness, and not to allow ourselves to get so caught up with our everyday life and plans that we forget about God and God's presence and greater plans
It serves as a call to be prepared for "the day the Son of Man is revealed". This time is variously understood as: (1), a (future) event named in the Apostles' Creed, when Christ will "come again to judge the living and the dead", that is, to make right all that is wrong in the world and in us; (2), the (past) destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, which took place in AD 70; and, (3), the end of our individual human lives in the present.
The reassurance for the Christian is that our faith is in God, "great and good", and who is love (1 John 4:7-12) and who in Jesus Christ, his Incarnation, Cross, Resurrection and giving of the Spirit, has acted to bring about creation's (and our) healing, wholeness and salvation. We can trust God with the past, the present and the future, even in times of uncertainty.
A further helpful reflection on this gospel can be found in today's Christian Art (below).
Christian Art
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-17-26-37-2025/
Sacred Space
You can find a simple prayer guide and reflection here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-11-14
Notices
- This weekend - Westport Sunday Club: Sunday 16 November and Sunday 7 December, starting at 12 noon in the Holy Trinity service in St Mary's, and moving to Carrowbeg House for Bible story, music, snacks and activities.
- Friday 14 November, 7.30pm, Westport-Dugort Select Vestry meeting, Carrowbeg House
- The next Sunday Club is on 16 November, starting in the HTW service at 12 noon in St Mary’s Church Westport, and moving to Carrowbeg House.
- Ecumenical Prayer Service for those Bereaved by Suicide, Friday 21 November , 7.30pm in Holy Rosary Church, Castlebar
- Sat 29 November, from 12.30, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Dove-making workshop for all.
- The First Sunday in Advent 2025 is 30 November.
- Everyday in Advent - Castlebar. Everyday in Advent Christ Church Castlebar will be open from 7.00 - 8,30 am for private prayer and reflection, a meditative space. You can drop in at any time. For more information, contact Kenn McLaughlin - number on request.
- Sat 6 December, 7.30pm, Christmas Concert with Bella Capella in Christ Church Castlebar. Charity fundraiser, details on Bella Capella Facebook page. (See https://www.facebook.com/reel/712336474483871 .)
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- Saturday 6 Dec, 7pm, Crib Service (All-age Nativity) in Turlough Church. Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to.
- Sunday 7 Dec, 10am, Crib Service (All-age Nativity) in Christ Church Castlebar. Children are invited to come along in simple nativity costume (-tea towel headdresses, dressing gown robes, tinsel halos, angel wings, etc.) and to bring their soft toy animals if they would like to.
- Monday 15 December at 7.30pm, Castlebar Community Carol Service (traditional 'Nine Lessons & Carols'), in Christ Church, Castlebar, with Holy Rosary Choir and Castlebar Community Silver Band.
- Sunday 21 Dec, 11.30am, 'Crib Service' (All-age Nativity) in Holy Trinity Westport (subject to change).
- Chapel Street Gospel Choir concerts, Sunday 21 December, at 5pm and 8pm, in Christ Church, Castlebar. Info., Roslyn Potter, Turlough (number on request).
Regular Service Pattern
in the Aughaval Parishes
(subject to change)
Turlough
Saturdays Weekly at 7pm:
Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.
Castlebar
Sundays Weekly at 10am:
Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
Morning Prayer on 2nd and 4th.
Open church every Friday from 11am - 1pm.
*Christ Church Castlebar is a registered charity: Registered Charity No. 20206867
Westport
Sundays Weekly at 12 noon, Holy Communion or (occasionally) Morning Prayer
Wednesdays at 10.30am.
Services are in St Mary's RC Church, South Mall, Westport, while Holy Trinity Church is closed for safety repairs.
Dugort, Achill: October - April inclusive
2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 3pm. Evening Prayer/ Holy Communion
Inishbiggle
As announced
Pastoral care and enquiries:
Revd Suzanne Cousins
Aughaval Group of Parishes,
United Dioceses of Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe, Church of Ireland
Tel. 083 800 3233
Email aughaval@tuam.anglican.org
Aughaval Parishes' Website aughaval.tlk.ie
