Reflections

Rejoice in the Lord (John 3:14-21) “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.  Be joyful, all you who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” Lent may be a penitential season but that does not mean it is all doom and gloom.  As Jesus said, “When you are fasting, do not put…

  A Touch of Kindness  (Mark 1:40-45) We will commence Lent next Wednesday.  During Lent we are encouraged to give up and to take on.  Giving up means denying oneself something we like.  Taking on means acts of kindness and generosity.   The Gospel for this Sunday (Mark 1:40-45), the story of Jesus healing a leper,…

  The Quiet Power of Jesus (Mark 1:21-28) Many scholars say that Mark wrote his Gospel for the Christian community in Rome when Nero began the persecution of Christians there.  Mark wrote in the form of a drama as this was the most popular form of writing at that time.   It’s a drama of battles…

Let us Dream like Jesus (Mark 1:14-20) At the height of the Covid 19 epidemic, Pope Francis, with the assistance of journalist Austen Ivereigh, published a book entitled “Let us Dream.”  In his dream for a better world, he was following his Master, Jesus, who began his public mission by proclaiming his dream which he…

  Baptised with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:7-11)  Mark, our evangelist for this year, gives no account of the birth of Jesus or his early life.  He plunges straight into the mission of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.  John foretells the mission of Jesus. “Someone is coming, someone who is more powerful…

The Joy of Believing (John 1:6-8, 19-28) The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete, the Sunday of Joy.  We are coming closer to the birth of the Saviour.  Last Sunday we heard John the Baptist say that his task was to prepare the way for someone more powerful coming after him.  “He will baptise…

Prepare a Way for the Lord (Mark 1:1-8) Two great prophets, Isaiah and John the Baptist, stride into our liturgical readings for the Second Sunday of Advent.  We usually think of prophets as people who foretell the future but that is only partially true.  The real meaning of prophecy is unveiling and proclaiming God’s presence…

Advent, the Season of Hope (Mark 13:33-37) The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year.  Advent means coming: the past coming of Jesus Christ at the first Christmas; the future coming of Christ at the end of life; and the everyday coming of Christ in a daily relationship. In preparation…