Two things dominate the human condition: war and fear. The opposite of war is peace; the opposite of fear is courage. Jesus taught that two significant fruits of being his disciples would be peace and courage. We can know these two blessings in our lives in a real and tangible way. This must be true […]
Message for the Sixth Sunday of Easter Read More »
If you are a Christian you really have to get your mind around sheep! The reason for this is because the Bible, and especially the New Testament, often refers to us as sheep. The French poet Jean de La Fontaine reflected amusingly, ‘A certain fox, it is said, wanted to become a wolf! Ah! Who
Message for Good Shepherd Sunday Read More »
Do you believe in the resurrection of the body? Every time we say the Creed we are asserting that we do. Today we encounter a risen body, the first fruits of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The risen Lord moves among his disciples, initially hidden from them and then cooking and sharing breakfast with them.
Message for the Third Sunday of Easter Read More »
Jesus knew and loved Thomas in all his unbelief — just as he loves everyone, even those who don’t believe in him. Thomas is a kind of modern patron saint — we too can be skeptical and cynical and often demand proof and evidence. This is not a bad thing because God has given us
Message for Low Sunday Read More »
Just as it takes two to tango, it I takes two to commit adultery (or does it?). Jesus’ teaching on adultery is so radical that it is rarely referred to, seldom spoken about and little understood. We shall come to this teaching in due course. What we encounter in today’s Gospel is much more than
Message for Passion Sunday Read More »
More than anything else the Parable of the Prodigal Son reveals God’s love for us. We can all, to some extent, have a wrong understanding of God. We can think of him as harsh, demanding, judgmental or condemnatory. But in today’s parable Jesus reveals the fatherly heart of God. The parable is, in fact, less
Message for the Solemnity of the Institution of the PNCC Read More »
In an age without newspapers, TV or the Internet tragic news still got out there. Jesus comments on two hot topics of discussion — two tragic accidents that had recently occurred. The first of these otherwise unknown incidents concerned the killing of some Galileans while they were offering sacrifice, probably in the Jerusalem temple at
Message for the Third Sunday of Lent Read More »
Why was Jesus transfigured? What purpose did it serve? Why did he take only three disciples with him? Why Peter, James and John? Why did Peter betray the Lord after having witnessed first hand such an amazing miracle? All interesting questions and ones about which the Spirit will surely enlighten us. The Transfiguration was a
Message for the Second Sunday of Lent Read More »
Simon and his companions were fishermen who came from a fishing community. It was something they had done all their lives, and they never anticipated any change in their lifestyle. They probably loved their work, but no doubt they had had many days like this one, with nothing to show for their efforts. At times
Message for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
At the point when today’s Gospel begins, Jesus has just read from the Hebrew Scriptures in the synagogue. His reading, from Isaiah, has been received with reverence. On sitting down, Jesus makes a shocking declaration. The promise of Isaiah is fulfilled here, today. The response of the people is fascinating. They embrace and accept him.
Message for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »