Cathedral News

Fire was often used as a symbol of God’s presence in the Old Testament. Moses saw a bush burning without being consumed, and had his first encounter with God (Exodus 3).

Life in the west is very different to that of Jesus’s time. Only very rich people have servants.

Greed and its futility seem to be the theme of today’s liturgy.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was seen by the Old Testament writer as a punishment for grave sin. Recent archeological discoveries have pin-pointed the probable location of these cities.

Many people, especially feminists, might feel that Jesus was being very unfair to Martha, who was heroically trying single-handedly to provide him with the best possible hospitality.

The lawyer who questioned Jesus about how to obtain eternal life would have been versed in Mosaic law.

St Anne, mother of Our Lady and grandmother of Jesus, is remembered - together with St Joachim, her husband - on 26 July.

Luke is the only evangelist to mention 72 disciples sent out ahead of Jesus. This would indicate that he already had far more trusted followers than just the twelve.

Jesus has already started preparing his disciples for his coming death, and is setting out for Jerusalem. He had talked about entering through the narrow gate (Matt.

The eucharist is at the centre of our Christian faith. It is the commemoration of the loving self-giving of Jesus in his passion and death.