THE P RTAL
November 2013
Page 9
Review
Serving the King - David Mawson
Sundays of Year A – Thoughts and Meditations
by Laura Magson
Written by
Ordinariate
Priest Fr David Mawson,
Serving the King is the second in a
series of three books of thoughts and
meditations based on the Gospel
reading for each Sunday of the three
year cycle of readings. The Year C
version - Following the King, was
published last year, Serving the King
is the equivalent for the readings of
Year A. A Year B volume is still to
come to complete the set.
themes previously
preached
The books are a reflection on the readings for each
Sunday of the year. Organised by the seasons of the
year, each begins with a quote from the day’s readings,
followed by a reflection on the teachings of Jesus
about the Kingdom of God. The lessons are based on
themes previously preached in parish churches. The
translation used is the Revised Standard Version (2nd
Catholic Edition) as used by the Ordinariate of Our
Lady of Walsingham.
far from shallow
Each of the lessons is based on the Gospel reading
of the day expanded into a lesson that can be read in a
few minutes. Although Father Mawson describes the
teaching as basic and down to earth common-sense
rather than deep theology, the lessons are far from
shallow, and while being easy to understand can still
make you think about the gospel and its implications.
linking the day’s teaching
There is a theme throughout the lessons of the year:
the effect the teaching of Jesus has, or ought to have,
on us in our daily lives. Fr Mawson illustrates many
of the concepts with stories from real life that we can
all relate to, even linking the day’s teaching to things
as familiar as the Mr Men and Zippy from Rainbow!
Fr Mawson tells us that we do not leave Jesus behind
when we leave church. “We have to get on with living
in the real world…we need to remember Monday
morning is just as important as
Sunday”.
faith without works is
dead
He emphasises that faith without
works is dead; a Christian life
requires both worship of God
and the service of others.
We
are reminded that Christianity is
not a spectator sport and that the
kingdom of God will grow only if
we actively work for growth. This
is summed up in the conclusion of
the lesson for Easter Sunday, where
we are told that our Easter task is to go and tell others
of the good news we have received - “We are an Easter
people. Alleluia is our song.”
Serving the King - Year A
ISBN 978-0-9565118-6-7
Published by Jacquedaw 2013, £9.99(+ £2.50 p+p)
Available from: Jacquedaw, 17 Steepside,
Shrewsbury SY3 6DS (Cheques to ‘David Mawson’)
or buy online at
www.mawson.me.uk/jacquedaw.htm
‘
From the age of fifteen,
dogma has been the
fundamental principle of
my religion: I know no other
religion; I cannot enter into
the idea of any other sort
of religion; religion, as a
mere sentiment, is to
me a dream and a
mockery.
’
Bl John Henry Newman