God is faithful from generation to generation13th Week in Ordinary Time: Friday 5th July 2019Gen. 23:1-4,19; 24:1-8,62-67; Ps. 106(105):1-2,3-4a,4b-5; Mt. 9:9-13 (Ps Wk I) We can follow Abraham’s family from generation to generation. After so many years and countless adventures, Sarah and Abraham passed from this life. It was time for a new generation to…
Abraham's unwavering obedience to God - What about you?13th Week in Ordinary Time: Thursday 4th July 2019Gen. 22:1-19; Ps. 115(114):1-2,3-4,5-6,8-9; Mt. 9:1-8 (Ps Wk I) A great difficulty in reading the Old Testament is a lack of attention to the fact that it was written several thousands of years ago when, among other things, there…
Feast of St Thomas, ApostleFeast of St Thomas, Apostle: Wednesday 3rd July 2019Gen. 19:15-29; Ps. 26(25):2-3,9-10,11-12; Mt. 8:23-27 (Ps Wk I) In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul uses images, such as a house and its household to emphasise the close and unique relationship that exists between God and His people. According to Paul, all…
Jesus calms our storms in life13th Week in Ordinary Time: Tuesday 2nd July 2019Gen. 19:15-29; Ps. 26(25):2-3,9-10,11-12; Mt. 8:23-27 (Ps Wk I) Matthew presents his Gospel material in such a way as to draw deeper meaning out of it. Originally this was simply a miracle story, but in Matthew’s context it is a lesson in…
Following Christ...regardless of the cost!13th Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 1st July 2019Gen. 18:16-33; Ps. 103(102):1-2,3-4,8-9, 10-11; Mt. 8:18-22 (Ps Wk I) We live in a moral universe. There is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, and we are accountable. This is a comforting thought, especially when we are faced with the profound injustice and corruption of our…
World Communications Sunday13th Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 30th June 20191 Kgs 19:16,19-21; Ps. 16(15):1-2,5,7-8, 9-10,11; Gal. 5:1,13-18; Lk. 9:51-62 (Ps Wk I) Through concrete stories, Scripture teaches us lessons which nowadays we would express in more abstract terms — lessons about commitment and responsibilities, personality types and character differences, generosity and unconditional love, reluctance…
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, ApostlesFeast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Saturday 29th June 2019Acts 12:1-11; Ps. 34(33):2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8,17-18; Mt. 16:13-19 (Psalter proper) This was a time of great persecution of the church. James was killed and then Peter was arrested during the Passover season — just like Jesus. Peter was…
The Most Sacred Heart of JesusSolemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Friday 28th June 2019Ez. 34:11-16; Ps. 23(22):1-4,5,6; Rom. 5:5-11; Lk.15:3-7 (Psalter proper) The Opening Prayer for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “…we rejoice in the gift of love we have received from the Heart of Jesus, Your Son.”…
12th Week in Ordinary Time12th Week in Ordinary Time: Thursday 27th June 2019Gen. 16:1-12,15-16; Ps. 105:1-2,3-5; Mt. 7:21-29 (Ps Wk IV) It is a pity that the verses of Gen. 16:13-14 were omitted from today’s first reading. They would have provided a comforting hint that, even in the harshest of events, the God who loves…
12th Week in Ordinary Time12th Week in Ordinary Time: Wednesday 26th June 2019Gen. 15:1-12,17-18; Ps. 105(104):1-2,3-4, 6-7,8-9; Mt. 7:15-20 (Ps Wk IV ) Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel can easily apply to the Church in our present age, beset as it is with the appalling sexual abuse scandal throughout the world. It will have come…