Sunday Reflections
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…
Feast of Corpus Christi
The Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted as a result of the visions of a nun, St Juliana of Liege, who had a great devotion to the eucharist. She saw the moon with a dark stripe crossing it. She…
Feast of the Holy Trinity
This icon, taken from the orthodox calendar, shows three angels like figures representing the Trinity. They have a feminine appearance. God is neither male nor female but is always referred to as…
Pentecost Sunday
“When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” (…