Reflections

The Marriage of Heaven and Earth (John 2: 1-11) John’s Gospel has been compared to a large swimming pool in which the infant can paddle and the elephant can swim.  It can be read on a superficial, literal level, or its deep symbols can be explored. “There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee.”  The bride…

God loves a cheerful giver (Mark 12: 38-44) Jesus had reached Jerusalem with his close band of followers.  They entered the sacred area of the temple.  Even at the age of twelve, the boy Jesus was upset by what he had seen in the temple.  He told Mary and Joseph that, come the time, he…

Purgatory: Therapy of Divine Love  (Mark 12:28-34) Purgation is a process of purification.  Purgatory is not specifically mentioned in the bible but the doctrine of purgatory is a beautiful development which holds in unity two ideas which might seem to be contradictory.  Firstly, the doctrine of God’s holiness reminds us of God’s unique otherness, glory,…

The Ascension of the Lord (Mark 16:15-20) The celebration of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven marks the definitive closure of his mission on earth. According to St. Luke, over a period of forty days the Risen Lord appeared to certain disciples in varied ways to prepare them for his final departure. The Apostles were…

This weekend as we celebrate ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ – we ask you to pray for vocations to our Irish Capuchin Province. We, like all religious orders, depend upon the power of prayer to sustain us and to inspire others to follow the way of St Francis as a Capuchin Friar. There are men out there…

Vocation of all Christians (John 10:11-18) Today’s Gospel is about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who is willing to lay down his life for his flock.  This Sunday we are encouraged to pray that all who are baptised will respond to their vocation to be active members of his flock. A new way of being Church…

A Mission of Mercy (John: 19-31) In the bible, the number forty is usually associated with a period of preparation.  Following the forty days of Lent preparing for Easter, there are forty days between the Resurrection and Ascension.  My very young grand-nephew asked me a deep question one day.  “Where was Jesus in the time…

Rising with Christ (John 20:1-9) When we are invited to proclaim the mystery of faith, one formula expresses it as an event of past, present and future.  “Christ has died,” an event of past history: “Christ is risen,” in present tense: “Christ will come again”, looking with hope towards the future of joining Christ in…

  Dying and Rising with Christ (John 12:20-30)   At the wedding feast in Cana the mother of Jesus asked him to do something about the embarrassing shortage of wine, but he replied “My hour has not come yet.”   In today’s Gospel some Greeks have expressed their desire to speak with Jesus. This indicates…