Jesus in this Sunday's Gospel teaches His apostles how to interpret the Scriptures. He tells them that all the Scriptures of what we now call the Old Testament refer to Him. He says that all the promises found in the Old Testament have been fulfilled in His Passion, death, and Resurrection. And He tells them that these Scriptures foretell the mission of the Church—to preach forgiveness of sins to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
In today’s First Reading and Epistle, we see the beginnings of that mission. And we see the apostles interpreting the Scriptures as Jesus taught them to. God has brought to fulfillment what He announced beforehand in all the prophets, Peter preaches. His sermon is shot through with Old Testament images. He evokes Moses and the Exodus, in which God revealed himself as the ancestral God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Exodus 3:6, 15). He identifies Jesus as Isaiah’s suffering servant who has been glorified (see Isaiah 52:13).
John, too, describes Jesus in Old Testament terms. Alluding to how Israel’s priests offered blood sacrifices to atone for the people’s sins (see Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9–10), he says that Jesus intercedes for us before God (see Romans 8:34), and that His blood is a sacrificial expiation for the sins of the world (see 1 John 1:7).
Notice that in all three readings, the Scriptures are interpreted to serve and advance the Church’s mission—to reveal the truth about Jesus, to bring people to repentance, the wiping away of sins, and the perfection of their love for God. This is how we, too, should hear the Scriptures. Not to know more “about” Jesus, but to truly know Him personally, and to know His plan for our lives.
SECOND COLLECTION
The Second Collection next week is for the Priest Training Fund. This collection helps to meet the cost of training students for the priesthood and the permanent diaconate. Please use your Gift aid envelopes if you can.
FUNERALS
· Victoria Vickers on 22nd April, 12.00noon in Sevenoaks
· Peter Ringham on 24th April, 11.30am in Borough Green
· Joyce Manners on 26th April, 11.30am in Borough Green
· Patricia Neville on 30th April, 11.00am in Sevenoaks
· Veronica Dowling, details to follow
CANON DAVID GIBBONS
Fr David is to be formally installed as a Canon of the Cathedral on Tuesday 23rd April at the Chapter Mass at 6:00pm, in St George’s Cathedral. All parishioners are welcome to attend.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT COMES TO SEVENOAKS 2024
Confirmation, which most of us have received, strengthens us in the Holy Spirit, but have we truly discerned the gifts that He makes available to us in the sacrament. For some He gives the gift of prophecy, for others the gift of healing, teaching, discernment, patience, wisdom and many more. These gifts empower us to be more effective in responding and fulfilling our unique purpose which is His plan for our lives. But we have free will and it is only in exceptional cases that His will is overtly revealed – like with St Paul, Job, Jonah and some of the Saints. For the rest of us we need to come to Him in prayerful humility seeking to discern the gifts he has given us and how we should be using them. Life in the Spirit helps us to reflect, to better understand these charisms of the Holy Spirit – transforming our lives. This year we have the privilege of a Hub at St Thomas, Sevenoaks 8pm to 9.30pm, on Tuesdays from 23rd April to 28th May 2024 - retreat day Saturday 18th May. Talks delivered at the Cathedral will be live streamed. Please listen to that still small voice inside you and register to attend under St Thomas of Canterbury, Sevenoaks using the link: bit.ly/LISS2024
GIFT AID ENVELOPES
Thank you to everyone for your continued support this year. Everyone's contribution whether small or large is important. In the 2023/2024 tax year we will able to claim back from the Inland Revenue nearly £57,000. It has been boosted this year, by donations towards the refurbishment of the parish centre. It is a big part of our income and allows us to fund our four Mass centres and contribute to the diocese.
Those who are registered as Gift Aid'ers in our Parish can now collect their boxes of weekly envelopes at the back of church. Please take your box home.
There is small bundle of envelopes at the back of church for those who donate by standing orders. Each bundle is in an envelope with your name on it. Please find your envelope and take it. Many thanks.
LISTENING TO YOU Anyone is welcome to join on Monday 15th April on the Presbytery.
CONFIRMATION 2024. Attention all those currently in Year 7 or above: Registration for this year’s Confirmation Programme is now open. Please register online at sevrcparish.org.uk. A welcome meeting for parents, candidates and catechists will be held on Wednesday 22nd May 2024 from 7:30pm-9:00pm in St Thomas’ church. Closing date for registration: Tuesday 30th April 2024.
THE PARISH SUMMER PARTY will be on Sunday 7th July 2024 at 12:30pm in the Presbytery Garden. Join us for an incredible social gathering that brings together young and old, families, and retirees from Sevenoaks, Otford, Borough Green, and West Kingsdown. Entry is free! Enjoy a BBQ with plenty of food and drinks provided. The event will feature many attractions, including a performance by St. Thomas’ Primary School Choir, a variety of stalls from popular Bottle and Toy stalls to other Parish group offerings, and a raffle to raise funds for the Parish. We promise great fun and a wonderfully enjoyable atmosphere. If you have any ideas to make this event even better, please contact Fr Piotr or Ben Andradi
SAVE the DATE: 21st June 2024.
We are delighted to be able to host the world renowned choir, The Sixteen conducted by Harry Christophers, CBE, at St Thomas’, for a specially-curated gala evening concert, with poetry readings by Actors Antonia Christophers and Noel Byrne. Tickets to go on sale soon: watch the Parish website and the newsletter!
The proceeds of the ticket sales will go to our St Thomas Parish Community projects, specifically the Most Holy Trinity, Otford.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY WORKSHOP DAY organized by the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Southwark. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 27 April 2024 in St Thomas’ Parish Centre. Participants will have the opportunity to share the joy of this ministry, be formed, and gain valuable insights. Booking required. More details on the Poster & the QR code.
St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Bernadette, pray for us.
St Edith of Kemsing, pray for us.
