We tend to think of Lent as a time for stepping up acts of personal devotion and piety without giving much thought to its real purpose, which is an invitation to repent, be converted and return to the Lord our God. Like the Jews in the gospel today, we can fool ourselves into feeling that […]

The purpose of the Transfiguration on the mountain that is described in the Gospel today was to make the apostles aware of the divine presence in the person with whom they walked and talked and to establish beyond all doubt in their minds that Jesus was the Son of God.  It revealed to the disciples […]

At the beginning of Lent the church places us before an open doorway and invites us to embark on a journey of spiritual growth.  Like Jesus in the wilderness, we are being led by the Spirit into a forty-day period of prayer and fasting, to help us reflect on the direction our lives are taking.  […]

In the Gospel today our attention is drawn to a number of practical points on Christian living, which are broad in scope and rich in truth.  Following Jesus is a serious occupation and leaves no room for comfortable complacency.  Our words and conversation, the fruit of our tongues are a true indication of our spiritual […]

One of the key tasks facing any Christian community is to put into action the gospel of forgiveness, by refusing to harbor thoughts of hatred and revenge for our enemies.  Christ calls us to a radical re-ordering of our lives when he warns us to be on our guard against the all too natural temptation […]

The Beatitudes are such a familiar part of the gospel that when we hear them read we can easily miss their meaning.  The message they contain may take a lifetime to learn, but unless we take it to heart there will be no entry into the kingdom of heaven.  Following Christ is not meant to […]

The Gospel today presents us with Peter after his faith and perseverance were rewarded, realizing he was in the presence of the almighty Lord.  What happened to Peter is what happens to us.  When we recognize our own sinfulness the power of Christ becomes available to enrich us, so that we can offer ourselves to […]

When Jesus began his public ministry in his home town, the initial reaction of the locals to his preaching was very favourable.  However, as time passed, they felt threatened because they realized that they were being challenged to change their ways.  What he made clear to all was that he was not in the popularity […]

What Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue was a declaration that the moment of salvation had arrived and that he was the long-awaited Messiah. The message of the gospel, first preached in Galilee, is to be spread today through us. The Word of God which first came to birth in our souls at baptism is anxiously […]

The story of God calling Samuel by name is almost magical.  As he is lying asleep, he’s awakened three times by a mysterious voice calling him by name.  In no way does Samuel suspect that the Lord is calling him, but the priest Eli makes it clear that the voice he is hearing is the […]