Ending on a hopeful note: On this last day of the liturgical year we are told that while our passing from darkness to light is coming it may not come soon. Meanwhile we must live with faith in God’s eternal plan for us and for the entire world. Whether in darkness or light, we are not alone but are united with all of God’s holy ones who have gone before us…

Colourful symbols for here and now. . . While the Revelation text is typical of apocalyptic literature and full of elaborate symbolism, today’s gospel speaks in plainer language. From the example of the budding fig tree we know that summer is near; so when you see all the things happening, know that the reign of God is near….

Memorial of Saint Fergal, bishop and missionary. Fergal or Vergilius was a monk in the monastery of Aghaboe, Co. Laois, when in 745 he left Ireland on peregrination pro Christo (missionary pilgrimage for Christ). He settled first in France, later in Bavaria where he founded a monastery at Chiemsee, and then moved to Salzburg where…

By your endurance you will gain your souls: The Greek for endurance (hypomoné) is like our modern “hanging in there” and reflects an inner attitude of perseverance, consistency, not giving it. In hard times we must continue in our loyalty to God.. It has a nice ring in the Latin translation of Saint Jerome: in patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras..

When will that day come? Towards the end of the year we meet some of the most alien-sounding literature in the Bible, dealing with the end of the world, which also fascinates so many people. We must be careful in interpreting it, as the language is highly symbolic and non-literal…

Unconditional Love: Today we have the moving story of the widow who drops two copper coins into the treasury. Jesus declares that by giving what she could not afford, what she gave was worth more than the wealthiest donation. We too must be ready as and when the spirit inspires us to give until it hurts…

“At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” The woman who had successively married seven husbands is only a story that was told and repeated, probably to the embarrassment of women. Jesus wrong-foots his questioners by answering their question in an unexpected way, to reflect on the nature of life after death and the form human bodies will take at the resurrection…

Most Marian celebrations are based on some key Gospel texts. But of course the Evangelists tells us nothing about Mary’s early life. The inspired Word has no mention of the event celebrated on November 21st, her Presentation in the Temple, but ….

Tested, to serve our God: John, caught up in ecstasy on the island of Patmos, was saddened at the bloodied appearance of Jesus, bearing the wounds of his passion…

Foretaste of the Hereafter: When our world seems to be falling apart through severe trial or disappointment, we can recall those moments when the world seemed full of joy — precious moments when we taste the reality of the living God.

Let’s dine in your house: To be found by Jesus, Zacchaeus had to give up and lose much of himself. Maybe Jesus too had to lose some of his dignity as a “holy man,” by going to dine at the home of the unclean sinner…

What might conversion cost? Wanting the normal life that sight would allow him, the blind man at the Jericho gate begged for this gift, “Lord, that I may see!” But getting his sight back would involve new pressures, altering his relationships to family and friends, responsibilities, his whole way of life. He was willing and eager to accept these challenges..

Faithful and persistent: In a crisis, most of us will go the extra mile (Mt 5:41) – sometimes – but today’s Gospel asks for fidelity over the long haul, not the single heroic act but the persistence to stay with the daily routine of duty…

Distracted From God: It can happen that the good gifts of nature distract us from God. Or closer to home, once the good meal is on the table, we seldom remember to thank the cook…