Sunday Reflections
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
The role of the bridesmaid in the time of Jesus was an important one. They were young women, friends or relatives of the bride, who would assist with the preparations, help the bride to dress and…
All Saints
The Book of the Apocalypse is a fitting finale to the Bible, because it foretells the coming of God’s Kingdom and the triumph of good over evil. Apocalypses are written in times of struggle and…
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Your God is too small." (JB Phillips)
It can be easy to create an image of God that is just not big enough. The Law bound the Jewish people together in the worship of the one God. It gave…
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
There is a sharp contrast between the rule of Cyrus the Great, in the reading from Isaiah, and that of the Imperial government of Rome, referred to in the gospel. Cyrus had the reputation of being…
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
A wedding is often used as a symbol of God’s union with his people. In the Apocalypse John is told to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Apoc.19:…
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
It is easy to look back and feel complacent about the condemnation of the leaders of the Jews in today’s parable. Its meaning is clear. The servants were the prophets, like Jeremiah, who was…
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus has made a triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, hailed by the crowds (Matt. 21:1-10). He has also cleansed the temple, throwing out the money-changers and traders (Matt. 21:12-17). The children…
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In last Sunday’s gospel and in today’s, Jesus paints a portrait of his heavenly Father which contrasts sharply with the image usually projected by the leaders of Israel. He is a father who…
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus preached very often about the need to forgive, pointing to the example of his heavenly Father. He himself showed extraordinary forgiveness on the cross when he forgave those who had treated…
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The prophet Ezekiel lived in the sixth century BC. He was attached to the Temple staff and was exiled to Babylon when Jerusalem fell in 597 BC. God appointed him as sentry or watchman for the…