Theme Tyranny and oppression still flourish in many parts of the world. Other facets of unfairness and structural abuses often stare us in the face, closer to home, such as long-term poverty, unemployment and homelessness. Christ’s message calls for our solidarity with people in dire need. How seriously do we take his call and challenge,…
Hebrews 13:15ff. God raised up the great Shepherd of the sheep from the dead.May he enable you to do his will. Mark 6:30ff. Jesus invites the apostles to come aside and rest, though he pities the people, as sheep without a shepherd. Consistency between Prayer and Life The theme of peace in today’s readings is…
Hebrews 13:1ff. Recommendations to good morals, hospitality, contentment, to be mindful of prisoners and the persecuted. Mark 6:14ff. Herod is curious about John the Baptist and about Jesus.Mark recounts the martyrdom of the Baptist. Entertaining Angels Unaware Today we commemorate great precursors of Jesus, people like John the Baptist in the gospel, and the long…
Hebrews 12:18ff. In Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the blood of Jesus, outpoured in sacrifice, establishes the new covenant. Mark 6:7ff. Jesus sends out the twelve, two by two, to preach, anoint the sick, and work many cures. Divided Loyalties “Remain faithful to me with whole heart and with whole soul.” Loyalty…
Also celebrated as World Day for Consecrated Life Mal 3:1-4. When the special messenger comes to the Temple, the sacrifices offered there will again be pleasing to the Lord. Lk 2:22-40: Luke’s account of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and the welcome he receives from the faithful “anawim”, Simeon and Anna. Predicting…
Job 31:16-20; 24-25; 31-32. An account of Job’s lavish generosity towards the poor and needy; clearly reflected in St Brigid’s many works of charity. Luke 6:32-38. In Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” Jesus gives his ideal of unselfish generosity – giving of oneself, in imitation of the creative love of our heavenly Father. St Brigid…
Hebrews 11:32ff. After a litany of heroic men and women who overcame hardships of all kinds, we are called into their company. Mark 5:1ff. Jesus cures the demoniac and then commissions the man to proclaim the good news to the ten cities. Tested on Our Pilgrimage The Scriptures respect our human situation, yet they also…
Zeph 2:3, 3:12-13. The “remnant of Israel,” a people humble and lowly, who trust in the name of the Lord – will escape the severity of divine judgement at the end of time. 1 Cor 1:26-31. Paul reminds his community in Corinth that their first converts came from among the poorer, socially deprived classes. They…
Hebrews 11:1ff. Faith is our certainty that we await a better hereafter, with God in whose promises we trust. Mark 4:35ff. Jesus quells the storm at sea, showing his divine power in overcoming the forces of nature. Limitations and Ideals We are just human beings, neither angels nor gods; we live on our lovely, fragile…
(Today may be celebrated as the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas; but what are given here are the readings from Ordinary Time. ) Hebrews 10:32ff. Do not abandon your patience and fidelity. If you do the will of God you will receive his promises. Mark 4:26ff. The seed sprouts and grows mysteriously. The mustard seed…
Hebrews 10:19ff. We are assured of entrance into the Holy of Holies by the new and living path Jesus has opened for us. Mark 4:21ff. To those who have more will be given; from the have-nots, the little they have will be taken away. Promise Surprisingly Fulfilled The new life-path which Jesus has opened up…
(Today may be celebrated as the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus; but what are given here are the readings from Ordinary Time.) Hebrews 10:11ff. Jesus offers one sacrifice for sin that forever perfects his people, inscribing the new covenant on their hearts. Mark 4:1ff. Parable of the sower and the mystery of Jesus’ words…
Acts 9:1-22. The change in young Saul, from fiery, zealous persecutor of Christians, to becoming a totally devoted follower and missionary of the crucified and risen Christ. Mark 16:15-18. The promises of Jesus Christ to be with his followers is at the heart of the Gospel’s life-giving truth power. Mark lists various “signs” that will…
(This can also be celebrated as the feast of St Francis de Sales, with a different set of readings) Hebrews 9:15ff. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice once for all, and so puts an end to the many sacrifices in the temple. Mark 3:22-30. Jesus does not cast out devils by the power of satan….
Is 9:1-3. Isaiah foretells the coming of a Saviour to Galilee of the nations, to the people who walked in darkness. This is perfect background for Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. 1 Cor 1:10-13,13. Even in the early Church there was disunity and the dangers of rivalry and schism. Paul appeals to his Christians to stay…
Hebrews 9:2ff. Jesus enters the true Holy of Holies, not of human making, to cleanse our conscience to serve the living God. Mark 3:20ff. Jesus and the disciples return home, and is mobbed. His relatives fear that he is out of his mind. God Caters for our Human Needs We see Jesus retire, either into…
Hebrews 8:6ff. Jesus, our high priest is mediator of a new and better covenant between God and us, as was announced by the prophet Jeremiah. Mark 3:13ff. Going up a mountain, Jesus commissions the twelve to preach the good news and to expel all evil spirits from the hearts of those who turn to him….
Hebrews 7:25ff. In Jesus we have the supreme high priest, who serves in the true tabernacle of heaven. This was a great source of confidence in the author’s time (late first century), when Christians had been excluded from both the temple and the synagogues; indeed, it remains a supportive Christian conviction to the present day….
Hebrews 7:1-3ff. The priesthood of Jesus is of mysterious origin, like Melchisedek’s, which lasts forever. Just as Melchisedek blessed Abraham, so the priestly influence of Jesus is above and beyond that of the Jewish temple priests, and has worldwide power to save. Mark 3:1ff. Jesus asks if it is permitted on the sabbath to do…
Hebrews 6:10ff. After waiting patiently Abraham obtained the long-delayed promise of a son. We too must learn patience from the example of Jesus. Mark 2:23ff. Jesus defends his disciples for eating on the holy day, since “the sabbath was made for us, not we for the sabbath.” Am I a Minister of Life? The Scriptures…
