Sunday Reflections
Second Sunday of Christmas
The prologue to the gospel of John introduces the reader to the themes of the gospel which he is about to encounter. The last gospel was written probably around 100 AD and therefore is the product…
Solemnity of the Holy Family
The story of Hannah and Samuel is extraordinary. What mother would part with her child? Like many bible stories it is symbolic in nature, like that of Abraham, who was asked to sacrifice Isaac (…
Fourth Sunday of Advent
We actually know relatively little about Mary, mother of Jesus. Most of our information comes from Luke, who narrates a fairly full account of the conception, birth and early childhood of Jesus (…
Third Sunday of Advent
Today the message is one of joy, reflected in the colour pink. There is also a message about social justice. We are bombarded with pictures in magazines and on television, of tables groaning under…
First Sunday of Advent
Today we begin the journey towards Christmas. The reading from Jeremiah reminds us of the long wait of the chosen people for the coming of the Messiah. The genealogies at the beginning of Matthew…
Solemnity of Jesus Christ, Universal King
“My Kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus to Pilate (John 18:36). Today we celebrate a kingship which is very different to most of those that have existed throughout history. Pomp, splendour,…
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the month of November, the liturgy draws our attention to the last things and the end of time. We will soon be celebrating the first coming of Christ; now we are reflecting on his Second Coming…
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Mark has skilfully placed Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes together with the story of the widow and her mite. Many books of the Old Testament speak about protecting vulnerable…
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus has entered Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11) and has had several confrontations with the priests, scribes, Herodians and Saducees, who questioned him about a variety of isues in the hope of trapping…
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark is the only evangelist who names the beggar by the roadside. Bartimaeus means "Son of Timaeus", which translates as "honourable". At first sight the poor man seemed anything but honourable.…