The grim picture presented by divorce statistics.
We are told that during the last three years the divorce rate in the U.S has gone above 43%, although
it is still less than that in
Russia (65%), Sweden (63%), U.K (49%) and Australia (49%). In 1998 there were 19.4 million divorced adults in the U.S.A. Each
year
2.5 million more couples get divorced. A greater number of
divorces occur within the Christian churches
than in marriages made outside the church.
An ABC broadcast reports
that the divorce rate in the "Bible Belt"
is 50% higher than in other
areas of the country.
This affects the
lives of one million new
children every year, 84% of whom live in single parent homes. Statistics for the U.S. predict the possibility of 40% to 50% of
marriages ending in divorce if current trends continue.
People
between the ages of 25 and 39 account for
60% of all divorces.
More people are in their 2nd marriage than 1st (www. dicorcenter.com). With divorce being so
common
today, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.
26 Sunday B
Thomas O'Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
We gather here as a community, but we are not a club. A club
is a group of like-minded people who see themselves or their interests as
distinctive from others. We are a community whose deepest desires are pursued
by every human being of good will. Whoever is seeking to do what is right;
whoever is seeking peace; whoever is bearing witness to the truth; whoever is
caring for the creation; whoever is helping the poor – with all these we make
common cause and, gathered here, we commend them to our heavenly Father.
25 Sunday B
25 Sunday B September 23
Thomas
O'Loughlin
Introduction to the Celebration
Each week when we gather here we renew our commitment to being disciples: to following the way of the Lord on our pilgrimage through life. And as a pilgrim people we have been listening to Mark during this year as he reminds us of the demands of discipleship. Today we hear Mark reminding us as disciples that the core of the mystery we celebrate is that Jesus, the Son of Man was arrested, put to death, and rose again. This is the mystery of faith. But we also hear him warning us about how we can be distracted in our discipleship: instead of seeing this community as the group which must model the way God's people should live, it can all too easily degenerate into being a group where people argue and compete for honours and position. We as disciples have to both be focused on the Lord and recognise how often we fail as disciples.
24 Sunday - B
Mark 8:27-38 - "Why Must We Carry a Cross?"
James 3:1-12 - "Good Gossip" by Leonard Sweet
________________________________________
James 3:1-12 - "Good Gossip" by Leonard Sweet
________________________________________
Introduction
by the Celebrant
A. Do We Go Jesus' Way?What are we looking for in life? Good health, happiness in our families, in our job, in our faith, good relationships with ourselves, with people and with God. When Jesus tells us today that we have to follow him in taking up the crosses that come our way, do we accept that as disciples of Jesus today? Do we take that as a part of our faith or do we say, "Lord, everything - but not that!"? Jesus assures us: "Anyone who loses his or her life for my sake will find life, will save life." Come, let us meet the Lord who speaks to us.
A. Do We Go Jesus' Way?What are we looking for in life? Good health, happiness in our families, in our job, in our faith, good relationships with ourselves, with people and with God. When Jesus tells us today that we have to follow him in taking up the crosses that come our way, do we accept that as disciples of Jesus today? Do we take that as a part of our faith or do we say, "Lord, everything - but not that!"? Jesus assures us: "Anyone who loses his or her life for my sake will find life, will save life." Come, let us meet the Lord who speaks to us.
Enneagram - 9 Numbers - GIFTS & FLAWS
If you are ONE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
J Idealistic J Principled J Orderly
J Diligent J Honest J Conscientious
J Fair J Dependable J Ehical
L Uptight L Critical L Impatient
L Judgmental L Inflexible L Controlling
L Moralistic L Puritanical L Dogmatic
As a Perfectionist you strive so hard to make everything and everyone as good as possible that you have become deeply angry at any imperfection. But you are so oblivious to your anger that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.
Enneagram: TWO
In General
☺ Caring ☺ Considerate ☺ Generous
☺ Sympathetic ☺ Supportive ☺ Self-Sacrificing
☺ Helpful ☺ Adaptable ☺ Loving
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
L Dependent LNeedy L Possessive
L Flattering L Interfering LManipulative
L Hysterical L Seductive L Self-Important
Enneagram: THREE
In General
If you are a THREE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
☺ Adaptable ☺ Energetic ☺ Self‑Confident
☺ Outgoing ☺ Efficient ☺ Pragmatic
☺ Industrious ☺ Optimistic ☺ Goal‑Oriented
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
L Devious L Vain L Image-Conscious
L Pretentious LCalculating L Manipulative
L Misleading L Narcissistic L Callous
Enneagram: four
In General
If you area FOUR, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
☺ Intuitive ☺ Creative ☺ Sensitive
☺ Expressive ☺ Cultured ☺ Stylish
☺ Original ☺ Artistic ☺ Empathic
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
LMoody L Possessive L Self‑Conscious
L Obstinate L Critical L Spiteful
L Hypersensitive L Depressive L Masochistic
Enneagram: FIVE
In General
If you are a FIVE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
☺ Observant ☺ Perceptive ☺ Reflective
☺ Self‑Contained ☺ Analytical ☺ Detached
☺ Wise ☺ Objective ☺ Sensitive
L Withdrawn L Cerebral L Stingy
L Arrogant L Superior L Remote
L Non‑Assertive L Unfeeling LUninvolved
As an Observer you strive so hard for meaningful information that, when you get it, you hoard it rather than part with it. But you are so oblivious to your avarice that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.
Enneagram: SIX
IN GENERAL
If you are a SIX, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
J Loyal J Dutiful J Hospitable
J Caring J Idealistic J Prudent
J Respectful JTrustworthy J Courageous
L Fearful L Timid L Suspicious
L Indecisive L Defensive L Anxious
L Authoritarian L Aggressive L Paranoid
As a Supporter you strive so hard to belong that you become fearful of not honoring your commitments. But you are so oblivious to your fear that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.
Enneagram: SEVEN
IN GENERAL
If you are a SEVEN, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
J Optimistic J Fun‑Loving J Gregarious
JCreative J Joyful J Childlike
J Imaginative J Adventurous J Resilient
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
L Escapist L Distracted L Superficial
L Unreliable L Hedonistic L Undisciplined
L Narcissistic L Addictive L Manic
As an Optimist you strive so hard to be happy and avoid pain that you become addicted to pleasure‑seeking. But you are so oblivious to your gluttony that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.
Enneagram: EIGHT
IN GENERAL
If you an EIGHT, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
J Resourceful J Earthy JSelf‑Confident
J Energetic J Direct J Fearless
J Just J Powerful J Passionate
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
L Aggressive L Domineering L Insensitive
L Possessive L Confrontational L Controlling
L Intimidating L Vindictive L Punitive
As a Leader you strive so hard to control and experience life to the full that your passion becomes overwhelming. But you are so oblivious to your list that you deny how controlling and destructive it is.
Enneagram: NINE
IN GENERAL
If you are a NINE, you are gifted in many ways. In particular, you are:
J Peaceful J Calm J Accommodating
J Unpretentious J Reassuring J Tolerant
J Gentle J Patient J Imperturbable
However, like everyone else, you have your flaws. For example, you can be:
L Indolent L Forgetful L Indecisive
L Apathetic L Oblivious L Obstinate
LObsessive L Addictive L Nihilistic
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