Reflections

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…

A Kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace  (Matt 25:31-46) On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate Jesus Christ, the Universal King. Today’s gospel depicts the end of time when the Lord will take his seat on the throne of glory.  A hugely important criterion for entry into heaven is the way we…

  Well done good and faithful servant (Matt 25:14-30) The parable of the talents is a contrast between the productive life and the unproductive life.  The productive person is faithful in the little things of everyday life … keeps on going …doesn’t look for notice … doesn’t wait around for the big event to get…

Keep your Oil topped up (Matt 25:1-13) Some people get a bit sore about this parable of the sensible and foolish bridesmaids.  They feel it was very selfish of the ones who had oil in their lamps not to share it with others.  But that is to miss a very important part of the lesson. …

Towards a humble Church (Matt 23:21) “Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus was very merciful regarding sins of weakness but he could not stand religious hypocrisy. He specifically highlighted three temptations likely to affect religious leaders. They do not practise what they preach. They tie…