Sunday Reflections
Third Sunday of Advent
Today the message is one of joy, reflected in the colour pink. There is also a message about social justice. We are bombarded with pictures in magazines and on television, of tables groaning under…
First Sunday of Advent
Today we begin the journey towards Christmas. The reading from Jeremiah reminds us of the long wait of the chosen people for the coming of the Messiah. The genealogies at the beginning of Matthew…
Solemnity of Jesus Christ, Universal King
“My Kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus to Pilate (John 18:36). Today we celebrate a kingship which is very different to most of those that have existed throughout history. Pomp, splendour,…
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
In the month of November, the liturgy draws our attention to the last things and the end of time. We will soon be celebrating the first coming of Christ; now we are reflecting on his Second Coming…
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Mark has skilfully placed Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes together with the story of the widow and her mite. Many books of the Old Testament speak about protecting vulnerable…
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus has entered Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11) and has had several confrontations with the priests, scribes, Herodians and Saducees, who questioned him about a variety of isues in the hope of trapping…
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark is the only evangelist who names the beggar by the roadside. Bartimaeus means "Son of Timaeus", which translates as "honourable". At first sight the poor man seemed anything but honourable.…
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Sunday’s readings give a threefold view of Jesus and his teachings. The letter to the Hebrews, written about AD 63, was originally attributed to St Paul, but it is generally agreed now that…
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The late Enda Lyons described Jesus as self-portrait by God. Who could describe God better than the second person of the Trinity? Jesus had been painting a picture of his heavenly Father in the…
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Anyone who has worked with engaged couples knows that generally they are dwelling in the land of Grimm’s fairy tales and firmly believe that nothing will ever go wrong in their relationship.…