Sunday Reflections
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
It must have taken a great amount of courage for Jesus to turn in the direction of Jerusalem, knowing what lay in front of him. It must have been difficult also to confront Peter, possibly an…
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel is a strange story. Picture Jesus merciful and compassionate, refusing to even acknowledge - let alone speak to - a distraught mother who pleads for her daughter to be cured.…
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (Franklin D Roosevelt)
Fear can paralyse us and prevent us from taking risks and achieving our potential. It can also prevent us from…
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The miracle in today’s gospel is the only one mentioned by all four evangelists. It is a stark contrast to the banquet held for Herod’s birthday, with the simple but nourishing food Jesus gave to…
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the time of Jesus, pearls were very valuable, since diving for them was very dangerous. As there were no banks, people often buried treasure to prevent bandits or enemy soldiers from stealing…
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Darnel is a noxious weed, which in the early stages resembles wheat. When it ripens it turns black, in contrast with wheat which turns brown. The seeds are poisonous and if mixed with those of the…
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Bible is full of stories and references to country life. Such imagery sinks deep into the consciousness of the listener, in a way that words do not. Jesus’ audience would have been very…
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The first followers of Jesus were simple, probably uneducated, people. They accepted Jesus in a way that the Jewish leaders did not. St…
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel contains part of the instructions that Jesus gave his disciples before he sent them out to “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” Matthew seems to include teaching that is found…
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah lived between the seventh and sixth centuries BC. He prophesied the fall of Judah and condemned the idolatrous practices of the people. The priests and rulers did not like what he was…