Sunday Reflections
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 September 2021
The apostles were specially chosen by Jesus and it seems they were beginning to think of themselves as an exclusive group. They scolded a man who cast out devils in their Master’s name. We can…
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
19 September 2021
Jesus has been beginning to reveal to his disciples what lay ahead of him in Jerusalem. It is a terrifying prospect; the Romans had no mercy on those who were seen as a threat to their authority.…
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
12 September 2021
Jesus had been teaching in Galilee, where he got a reasonably friendly reception. Now he was moving northwards. Caeserea Philippi was situated about forty kilometres from the sea of Galilee, at…
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
5 September 2021
Isaiah spoke about what happens when God is present to people. Life is restored in that the desert is watered and people are healed of their disabilities. The prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus, who…
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
29 August 2021
Jesus directed some of his harshest criticism towards the pharisees and scribes. They were supposed to give leadership to the Jewish people, since they were experts in the Law. He in fact…
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
22 August 2021
Today’s theme is commitment. Joshua asked the Israelites to make a choice between the God who brought them out of Egypt or the gods of their neighbours. It is easy to look on “gods” as belonging…
The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven
15 August 2021
The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic tradition teaches that when Mary’s life came to an end she fell asleep. This is called the Dormition and is depicted in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Galway…
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8 August 2021
John developed his theology of the Eucharist, starting with his account of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus, having shared out bread - which was the staple of the society of that day - went…
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 August 2021
The people of Israel must have had very short memories if they looked back to their captivity in Egypt with nostalgia. It is doubtful that their slave-drivers would have fed them as well as they…
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
25 July 2021
A boy is at the centre of the drama in today’s gospel. He offers his small portion of food to Andrew. Barley loaves were the food of the poor and the fish were probably small, like sardines. He…