The secular roots of redemption

Leviticus 25 summarizes the sociological setting of ancient Israel. It states the secular context regulating land and family relationships, and roots these rights and obligations in Israel’s relationship to God. Another passage from this chapter, not cited today, gives the theological basis. Through

Martha’s Faith (Fr Bill Dinga)

Today we celebrate the feast of St Martha, who was sister both to Mary and Lazarus. We recently heard in a gospel passage how Mary “chose the better part” when Jesus came to visit their home – “better part” being her close attentiveness to Jesus at his feet. But, this does not preclude Martha’s

New Beginnings

Today we conclude the Book of Exodus, as important to the Old Testament as are the gospels to the New. We also conclude another of the major sections in Matthew’s gospel, on the reign or kingdom of God (Matthew 11:2–13:53). In these readings we find God’s merciful way of starting over

Ready for Radical Choices?

At crucial transitions in our life, and certainly at the hour of death, we are obliged to exchange all our possessions for the pearl of great price. Then the challenge of Joshua to the Israelites in the drama of covenant renewal at Shechem is leveled at ourselves: Now, therefore,

The Way of the Covenant

While the heart of the Mosaic Torah is found at Exodus chapters 19-24, there is a major theological commentary on it, in chaps. 32-34, which really provides the key to the entire Book of Exodus. Because the Way of the Covenant is a total way of life

The Apostle James

James, son of Alphaeus is often identified with James the Less, who is only mentioned three times in the Bible, each time in connection with his mother. Mark 15:40 refers to “Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses”, while Mark 16:1 and Matthew 27:56 refer to “Mary, the mother of James”.

What Bridget of Sweden can teach us today

(from an address of pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square, October 28, 2010.)

I would like to present the figure of St Bridget of Sweden, co-patroness of Europe, her message, and the reasons why this woman has much to teach — even today — to the Church and to the world. We know well the events of her life, because

Sermon for St Mary Magdalene

(by Jane Williams). In recent years St Mary Magdalene must have become one of the best known characters of the early church. Yet even before Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code she seems to have been a woman around whom myths and legends have gathered.

Priveleged Moments

The Scriptures identify two different moments in our lives: first, as in Exodus we are fired with dreams and visions; later these early ideals become memories to inspire us anew and correct our meandering ways. Sometimes in the gospel God speaks to us plainly, at other times in riddles.

Perseverance has its Reward

Today we begin reading from Jeremiah, one of the most influential prophets, whose impact on the popular piety of Israel was immense. The fame of Jeremiah probably explains why the book is textually so mixed up, between the Hebrew and its early Greek translation. A book that is in such

The Wider Family Circle

The Exodus text and the final prayer in Micah both tell of Israel’s liberation and journey towards the promised land; and each stresses Israel’s separateness from all other nations. Matthew, on the contrary, sees Jesus forming a new family of outsiders, based on “whoever does the will of my Father.” This qualification

Trust and Anxiety

How few of us are willing to really trust in God. We are like the Israelites, who after their release from Egypt were still fearful that God would abandon them in the desert. Unless they could see immediate solutions that did away with all risk, the people complained and put this bitter question to Moses:

People of Mixed Ancestry

Each of these responses, towards gentiles (foreigners) or natives (fellow-Israelites) is reflected in our own lives. These texts invite us to learn wisdom. Despite the stringent separation of the chosen people from the non-chosen Egyptians, foreigners continue to have a role in

Celebrating Life

Ther are various ways of responding to God’s law. Exodus provides a careful set of rules for the celebration of Passover , while Matthew give examples of adapting the law to meet the circumstances. In fact, Exodus 12 contains two sets of regulations for Passover.

The Ever-Present One

The long night is coming to an end. The yearning through the darkness is almost over and Israel is about to be liberated from slavery. We not only learn to appreciate God’s presence with us in our suffering, but come to realize that salvation must be shared before it can be accomplished.