The Feast of Our Lady of Knock calls to mind the Image that appeared on the gable wall of the Church in Knock on 21^st August 1879. Has this image anything to say today as we approach the year 2000? The following thoughts come to mind.

When Christ first came into our world the way was prepared by St. John the Baptist. I wonder what he would  say to us today? Interestingly the parish of Knock is dedicated to John the Baptist. 150 years ago he did preach here! On the gable wall of his Church an image was seen - a sermon not in words but in a picture. What does that image say to us today?

The centre of that image is the Lamb of God, Jesus, once slain but now risen at the Father's right hand. Above Him circle the angels signifying that He is in Heaven with His Father. He stands on the altar - the altar of the Mass in which the Risen Crucified Jesus makes Himself present in our day and age, he is the link that unites heaven and earth. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world who exists in eternity but in each Mass breaks through into our world.

What does the Mass mean for me? Like the discouraged disciples at Emmaus do I experience Jesus each time at mass? Do I allow Him to touch me, to heal me, to forgive me? Am I regular in my attendance? John the Baptist says to us - to prepare for the millennium of Christ look to the Mass and ask what does it mean to you?

To the To the left of the centrepiece of the vision stand three figures. Nearest the Lamb stands John the Evangelist with the open gospels. In the figure of John the Evangelist with the open bible we are asked what do the gospels mean to us? Are they a closed book? Do I open the gospels and read them prayerfully, allow Christ to speak to me from them. Do I find in them the love of Jesus for me, the guidance for my life? Do I experience what the disciples on the road the Emmaus felt - their hearts burning within them? What joy filled their lives!


Beside St. John stands Our Blessed Lady and on her

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