Sunday Reflections
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
7 February 2021
Theodicy, the question of why a good God permits suffering, is one of the themes explored today. In ancient Israel it was thought that the just were rewarded with prosperity and long life and the…
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
17 January 2021
Eli’s advice to Samuel was very wise. To the voice that spoke in the night he told him to say: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Prayer consists of listening as well as talking.…
The Baptism of the Lord
10 January 2021
Mark was the first to write a gospel and to use the this term meaning “Good News. ” He writes succinctly and states his purpose immediately: “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the…
Second Sunday after Christmas
3 January 2021
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
The picture of the sun rising in the dawn over the dark blue sea can be seen as an image of Christ, as he…
Feast of the Holy Family
27 December 2020
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
20 December 2020
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
10 December 2020
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
6 December 2020
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
29 November 2020
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
22 November 2020
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…