Eph 4:1-7,11-13. Of the many gifts of God to the Church, the apostles are of the foremost importance for the spread of the faith.

Mt 9:9-13. The call of the tax-collector, to be an apostle.

About St Matthew

Knowing and Doing

Today’s Reading shows in what a variety of ways the will of God is made known and accomplished. Ezra refers to imperial decrees from the Persian kings Cyrus and Darius, messages of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (which will begin later this week), and financial help from Persian taxes, as supporting the sanctuary liturgy and the functions of priests and Levites.

The Power Of Cryptic Statements

Jesus’ word about the lampstand is clear, though startling in its implications; his next word, however, about having and gaining, or not-having and losing even that little, is enigmatic and baffling, like so many of the best proverbs in the sapiential literature.

Mysterious Potential

A divine potential simmers in the depths of each human being. Both Jesus and his apostle Paul compare it to a seed, buried in the ground. Looking at the seed before it is planted, one hardly suspects what a flower is to develop from it. The process by which the seed “dies” or disintegrates within the earth

Enthusiasm and Sobriety

Contrasting with the sombre reading from Timothy, is the tone of enthusiasm, hope and achievement in today’s Gospel story. While the Gospel has more appeal, the other text also have its necessary place in church life. Sometimes we need to be sobered up from intense excitement.

Devotion to our Lady of Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church. There is a devotional prayer which consists of meditation on her Seven Sorrows. They are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art. . Also, there is a corresponding devotion to the Seven Joys of Mary.

The Cross that Saves

It might seem an anachronism, trying to celebrate our passion for life while stressing the victory of the Cross, a sordid instrument of death. We’ve declared our position regarding torture and the

1 Tim 3:1ff. The qualities of bishop, deacon and deaconess – hospitable, respected, truthful, good managers.

Lk 7:11ff. Jesus raises to life the dead son of a widow at Naim. The people respond with awe.

Variety of Christian Tasks

If we read today’s scriptural selection in reverse, beginning with the Gospel, and then First Timothy, we detect stages of development in church leadership. In the Gospel, at the sight of

1 Tim 2:1ff. Prayers for the civil authorities that life may be peaceful, since God desires the good of all.

Lk 7:1ff. The Roman centurion has greater faith than all Israel and receives from Jesus the cure of his servant.

All are Called to Salvation

Different sides of the Church’s mission are seen in today’s texts.

1 Tim 1:15ff. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Anyone – even Paul – can have the grace of conversion.

Lk 6:43ff.   The house of faith built securely on rock, survives the flood.

Founded on Rock

A centre for our meditation today is how Jesus Christ displays his infinite patience .

Founded on Rock

A centre for our meditation today is how Jesus Christ displays his infinite patience . Patience is the virtue of that person who has built on rock. When evil times hit, when the heavens pour down uncontrollable floods, that house remains standing if it is built with deep foundations in the rocky subterrain.

Respecting Others’ Gifts

The readings centre mostly on leadership but their application reaches out to all human relationships. Very positively too we are asked to interact with one another, not so much as superior to inferior but as recognizing the unique gift of each person. It is because of diversity of strength and grace that problems arise and helpful direction is necessary.

Respecting Others’ Gifts

The readings centre mostly on leadership but their application reaches out to all human relationships. Very positively too we are asked to interact with one another, not so much as superior to inferior but as recognizing the unique gift of each person. It is because of diversity of strength and grace that problems arise and helpful direction is necessary.

A grace-filled birth

It is not certain exactly when or where Our Lady was born; but it was most likely about sixteen years before the birth of Jesus, and in Nazareth, where St Luke’s Gospel locates her, as she received God’s message from the angel. It was only after the Council of Ephesus in 431 – when Mary was designated as “Theotokos” (“Mother of God”) – that devotion to her spread far and wide in the Western Church. But well before that time, the exceptional circumstances of her birth were remembered and celebrated among the Christians of Palestine.

Col 3: :1-11.You have been raised from the dead with Christ. So set your heart where Christ is, at God’s right hand, and not on evil deeds.
Luke 6: 20-26. The Beatitudes, spoken on the plain to a large crowd.

No Lasting City

We have here no lasting city. The seriousness of Luke’s Beatitudes becomes more apparent as we compare them with Matthew’s which are

A Spiritual Dawning

We note a dramatic transition from death to life in Colossians, from public wrangling to a new life in Jesus and the Spirit in 1 Corinthians(*2); and in the Gospel from night-time to a new dawn. Night is the time of death and contention, as well as of rebirth and new awareness. At night we can lose our