Paul is eloquent about how Christ helps us in every circumstance. Whatever hardships we face, we can win through “because of him who loved us.” The love of Christ is the secret ingredient that tilts the balance in our favour…
In contrast to the image of the narrow door, there are other Gospel sayings about the generous help of grace for our salvation. It is God’s will that people from east and west, north and south, will enter the Kingdom…
Both parables, about the man (gardening) and the woman (baking), have the same moral teaching. Each contrasts very small beginnings with the great effect they can have. The mustard seed grows large encough to shelter nesting birds. A tiny pinch of leaven ferments a basin full of flour…
“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but .. members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” Simon and Jude were part of the foundations…
The Gospel story of the Pharisee and the tax collector is read today. It reminds us of the value of being humble before God. In today’s gathering, we praise God who is always merciful to us. Penitential Rite: To begin, we recall our sins in the context of divine mercy: (pause) I confess…
Opposites can attract: In marriage and other human relationships we often notice how unlike personalities complement each other. But opposites can also be far apart, like the tax collector (far off), and the Pharisee, (confident and up-front)…
“If the Spirit dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also” Like the barren fig-tree, we too can hope for better things…
“Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Paul offers an existential view of hope. He describes his struggless not with calm detachment but in the emotional language of his own complicated self…
Jesus desperately wanted to get through his ordeal, so that the fire of the Holy Spirit could begin to blaze. This ordeal must also include his disciples…
Imagine the master inviting his servants to sit down at table and then waiting on them. The scene would be bizarre, totally at odds with the normal practice of those days…
Abraham grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised..
Today is World Mission Sunday, which this year has the theme: “TOGETHER WE ARE MISSION, changing the lives of others!” The readings point to the value of persistent prayer, which can be a real support to missionaries in their work. If you want results, pray without ceasing, says Jesus. God will listen and help.
There was something the widow badly wanted, and, despite has heartlessness, the judge had to give in to her eventually, as she showed no sign of giving up…
Abraham himself never witnessed how marvellous the promised land would be. His only son Isaac was the channel of hope towards the future…
We celebrate the amiable Saint Luke, “the beloved physician” and Paul’s companion on his journeys, as implied by the “We”-passages in the Acts of the Apostles…
For Paul it was absolutely central that Christ’s death and resurrection were and are life-giving…
Jesus did not reject all rules and regulations, but taught that the love of God and social justice came before all other obligations…
The warning “not to miss the wood for the trees” tells us not to lose sight of the essentials. An example of this was when a Pharisee who had invited Jesus to a meal was taken aback that his guest did not wash his hands before eating. ..
1st Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Jesus, descendant of David is recognised as Son of God by the resurrection Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from…
The Gospel gives the story of the ten lepers, of whom only one came back to thank Jesus. We praise and thank God who continues to do great things for all peoples.
