Sunday Reflections
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The parable of the Unjust Steward comes between the stories of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:19-33) and the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). These teach about squandering resources and sharing…
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
On 14 September 335 a relic of the cross, found by St Helena, was venerated by the people in Jerusalem. The cross, which was used as as an instrument of cruel and humiliating punishment,…
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
When Moses stood with God, receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites made a golden calf and worshipped it (Exodus 32:1-4). We may laugh at their credulity; but the message is a stark one.…
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The theme of today’s readings would appear to be the qualities required of someone seeking the Kingdom of God. We are all too well aware today of people who feel that greatness lies in dominating…
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Jews were the chosen people. God spoke to them first and guided them through a long journey, before Jesus, the Christ, was born from their race. They had a sense of being special and…
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah prophesied from 626 BC to 586 BC, mostly in Jerusalem. Like many people who speak against the status quo, he was often in trouble. The message from God was that Judah should not resist…
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The word “servant” evokes pictures of Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs and would seem to have little place in a modern republic. However, the story of Abraham would seem to…
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, Joseph did exactly the same thing as the Rich Fool. He stored large amounts of grain (Genesis 41:48-50). However, the situations were very different.…
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“God is the Supreme Spirit” are the words of the catechism. If God is spirit, he is neither male or female but can be described with the characteristics of both. He is certainly not an old man…
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Women will have great sympathy for Martha, for they know well what effort goes into entertaining an important guest. Jesus grew up in a loving family and he seems to have become part of the family…