Positive Thinking: Tomorrow we begin the new year 2015. Even though we are in mid winter, we know that each day is now that little bit longer than the previous one….

The widow Anna in today’s gospel is one of those lovely characters that feature in Luke’s stories about Jesus’ childhood. What distinguishes Anna from the others is her age, eighty four years old, and . .

Holding the Child: Babies are endlessly fascinating; they engage us at so many levels. There is something about holding this bundle of new life which is very special. We focus on them and…

He who recognised: It is right to celebrate Saint John the evangelist soon after Christmas Day. The opening lines of his gospel sum up in a few words what we are celebrating at Christmas, ‘the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ This, the last of the four gospels to be written, is based on the…

The power of example: The one who would later become great missionary Saint Paul was present at the death of Stephen and entirely approved of the killing. Saul would go on to become the great apostle to the Gentiles. Perhaps the courageous witness of Stephen left some kind of impression on Saul and sowed a seed which would later bear much fruit…

Zechariah who has had nothing to say since the annunciation of John’s birth because he was struck dumb now breaks out into a great hymn of praise. At the beginning and the end of his hymn he refers to God’s visitation of his people…

A costly Yes to God: The gospel records the moment when Mary said “yes” to God’s call to be the mother of God’s Son. It suggests that her “yes” did not come without a struggle. When God first spoke to her through the angel Gabriel, Mary was “deeply disturbed” . . .

The Converter of Hearts: Christians have seen in John the Baptist the messenger promised by Malachi, preparing for the Lord to “suddenly come to his temple. ” In other words, John was the messenger of the covenant, now offered to us all, in the Jesus in whom we delight. ..

Luke’s account of the annunciation concludes with Mary’s total response of acceptance, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Greatly favoured, she responds generously, with her whole life, to the grace she has received. For St. Luke, Mary is not simply the mother of Jesus; she is the perfect disciple of Jesus…

Luke has annunciation stories to both Zechariah and Mary, in parallel yet distinctive accounts. Each is startled at the angel’s appearance. Gabriel instructs each not to be afraid…

Joseph: God’s devoted servant. Today we find Joseph struggling to do the right thing, what he believed God wanted of him. Mary’s unexplained pregnancy left him in a very difficult situation…

Believe the Good News: The angel Gabriel is sent to Zechariah to bring him the good news that his wife, Elizabeth, who has been barren will soon give birth to a son, and a special son at that, someone whose calling it would be to prepare for the Lord a people fit for him. However, this good news was too much for Zechariah to hear and he could not bring himself to believe…

We value people who keep their word to us. We appreciate those who are true to the promises that they make to us. The Lord also appreciates our efforts to be true to the promises we make to him. In the parable in the gospel today, one of the sons of the father

Facing up to the truth: We must be honest with ourselves, with others and with God who is over all. We cannot forever dodge questions, camouflage the truth, and bluff our way along. ..