Sunday Reflections
Feast of the Holy Family
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…
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today we light the fourth candle on the Advent wreath. This is the angel candle or the candle of love. Our waiting is almost over as we reflect on Gabriel’s appearance to Mary. The Annunciation…
Third Sunday of Advent
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…