We celebrate today an amazing mystery — God is born in time. The eternal God shares our nature, he has pitched his tent in the midst of humanity. With joy in our hearts, we contemplate the mystery of the Word made flesh.
We gather with joy in our hearts to celebrate the birthday of our Saviour. The rising sun of this winter morning reminds us that Jesus, who is born for us, rose from death as our undying light, our hope and our salvation.
Let the gloom and darkness, which exemplify the fallen and corrupt nature of the human race, be lifted, ushering in a new age of glory to God and peace on earth. And so an angel of the Lord appeared to some humble shepherds…
Opening Comment In the dark of this winter night, we proclaim the new light that has shone on the world: Jesus Christ is born! With the angels, we worship God who saves us — for through the life, death and resurrection of this child Jesus, salvation is ours. Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal) Good…
Today’s gospel is an attempt, in simple language, to describe what happened on that day, so long ago, when Jesus was born. It was the second of heaven and earth, in the incarnate Word of God …
The naming of a child is an important decision. People will have different ideas about what is most meaningful. But ultimately, it is the choice of the parents. Their relatives and neighbours expected Zechariah and Elizabeth..
22 December. Tuesday of Advent, Week 3 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Samuel’s mother, Hannah, dedicates her young son to a life of service to God When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to…
Mary and Elizabeth felt the saving grace of God flowing through their lives and were not afraid to encourage each other by saying so. Many of us were raised on the principle that ‘God helps those who help themselves’…
Advent is drawing to a close; we have just a few days left to prepare for the birth of Christ. On this Sunday, we’re invited to follow Mary’s example and imitate her faith.
We like to be the givers, the organizers, the achievers. To let others give to us is to acknowledge our need, our dependence, our limitations, and that does not always come easy…
Luke has annunciation stories to both Zechariah and Mary, which are parallel in various ways. When startled at the angel’s appearance, both are told not to be afraid. Each is promised a child and given a hint of ths child’s future greatness…
God was doing something new, something extraordinary, in the life of Mary and of Joseph, indeed, in the life of the human race…
There is an understandable interest in learning about our family tree; most people want to know their genetic background. “Who are the people who have helped to make me who I am?”
When we come to God in our brokenness, in our poverty, in our weakness and need, we will experience his presence as healing and life-giving and renewing. That is good news for the church, especially in these times…
The infant Christ recalls our basic humanity as created by God. He requires of his followers to give each person a chance to be truly who he or she is, respecting them as God’s image as truly as we ourselves are…
The officials who administered the Temple certainly had not given Jesus permission to drive out the merchants or disturb the business of the money changers and others who were making the temple a market-place…
We’re midway through the season of Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is very near.
The Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness, a voice to invite people into relationship with God. We too are asked to use our voice to make Christ known…
John the Baptist was martyred, because “they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased.” This rejection of the Baptist would also become the experience of Jesus himself…
We are called dance to the music of Jesus, the music of his Spirit in our lives. If we tune in to the Lord’s rhythm and melody it can shape all that we say and do. That is our Advent calling in preparing for the birthday of Jesus…
