Oh, she is the salt of the earth,’ we often say when we are referring to a person who is straightforward, honest and without guile: in the words of another saying, in such an individual ‘what you see is what you get.’ In today’s reading, Jesus’ description of his disciples as ‘the salt of the […]
Message for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
God promised to confer glory on the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations’ by shining a great light upon them, a light that would dispel the darkness of those living in a land of deep shadow. This light would confer glory upon them by increasing their gladness, giving them joy in God’s presence
Message for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – A Read More »
Today we consider an incident, which in the view of some, caused embarrassment in some quarters of the early Church: Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river. This incident — rather like the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery -reveals something rather shocking and scandalous about Jesus. Since the baptism instigated by
Message for the Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord Read More »
The image of the three wise men has become increasingly used over recent years by Christmas card manufacturers who want a product which has a seasonal flavour, but presents the Christian message in a slightly oblique way. Some manufacturers’ catalogues, especially those targeted at business users, have precious little artwork that would indicate the Christian
Message for the Solemnity of the Epiphany Read More »
Marriage in Israel took place in stages. There was engagement, betrothal and then the marriage. The betrothal was the point when the engagement became legal. It took a divorce to break it. Mary and Joseph were at the betrothal stage. On discovering that Mary was pregnant two possible scenarios must have presented themselves to Joseph
Message for the 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
In today’s Gospel we see John basically doubting who Jesus was. He wasn’t sure and wanted to be convinced. Some suggest that his incarceration was taking its toll. Lack of light, lack of sleep, and lack of food and water soon break even the strongest of men. Also, Jesus was confounding the Jews’ expectation of
Message for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Perhaps people of every age have struggled with the stern and somewhat harsh message of John the Baptist. Living and preaching in the wilderness, dressed in rough clothing woven from camel hair, and eating locusts and wild honey was pretty strange and outlandish even then! Most people would run a mile from John the Baptist
Message for the Second Sunday of Advent Read More »
Advent is a season of light. It is a time in which the light of Christ shines forth into our lives and onto our world, and we receive a great gift: ‘to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.‘ In John’s Gospel, Christ says of himself: ‘I have come as light
Message for the 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
The idea of kingship is one, which was better understood by the ancient and medieval world than it is today. Monarchies are less prevalent today, although of course Elizabeth II has served the British people as their queen for over fifty years. Her role as sovereign has decreased politically over the years but her regal
Message for the Solemnity of Christ the King Read More »
In Jesus’ day there were two dominant groups within Jewish society – the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus crossed swords with both of them. Today it is the Sadducees who confront the Lord. The Sadducees were an elite aristocratic group – a kind of club of socially aspirational and religiously conservative men. They rejected most
Message for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »