Sunday Reflections
Feast of the Holy Family
27 December 2020
The four gospels each have their own way of describing Jesus’ origins. Mark, the first of these to be written, begins his story at the Baptism of Jesus, with the voice from heaven proclaiming him…
Third Sunday of Advent
10 December 2020
Today we light the third candle on the Advent wreath, called the Shepherd Candle. In the past two weeks we have reflected on people waiting for the Lord’s coming: the prophets and Mary and Joseph…
Second Sunday of Advent
6 December 2020
Today we light the second candle on the Advent wreath. This candle is called the Bethlehem candle, recalling the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, or sometimes the preparation candle. The…
First Sunday of Advent
29 November 2020
Today we celebrate the beginning of the Church’s new year. We light the first candle, which represents hope. The reading from Isaiah dates from the time when the Jews returned from exile in…
Christ the King
22 November 2020
Matthew would appear to be the only gospel in which the Last Judgement is described in the imagery of sheep and goats. In Palestine sheep and goats lived together by day but were separated at…
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
15 November 2020
As we approach the end of the Church’s year, Matthew’s gospel is describing the time when Jesus was approaching his passion and death. His parables draw our attention towards our final reckoning…
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8 November 2020
During the month of November, when we remember our dead, we are also reminded in the Sunday liturgy of the “last things.” Matthew in particular lays emphasis on final judgement. Today’s parable is…
Solemnity of All Saints
1 November 2020
The process of formal canonization can be very selective and even sometimes political. Men greatly outnumber women, there are few married saints and of those most are royalty and many are widows.…
Thirtieth Sunday in ordinary Time
25 October 2020
Throughout his ministry, Jesus was constantly harassed by both the Saducees and Pharisees. The Saducees did not believe in the resurrection and had previously posed a trick question (Matthew 22:23…
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
18 October 2020
The Pharisees and the Herodians would not usually be on the same side. The Pharisees were anti-Roman and believed in a coming Messiah. They kept the Law assiduously and Jesus did not match their…