Jesus had just told his apostles that he would be going to Jerusalem to be killed and to rise again on the third day. The Gospel tells us that they were saddened at his words about death and did not understand his words about rising again. Jesus knew it and,...
A relative of mine was very good to my father in the last years of his life. I was abroad during those years and my siblings all lived at quote a distance from him with their families and commitments. My relative would keep an eye out for dad who was...
The darkness that covered the earth at the time of the Lord’s passing seems to have been covering the Church for the past generation or more, at least when it comes to the question of abuse. And as we open our newspapers, phones or tablets each day, it seems that...
There is something sacred about the pain you witness at a funeral. It is not only severe in its affliction but powerfully expresses a depth of love. The loss of a loved one to death seems to be a living death as well for the one left behind. And we...
David has to be one of the most attractive personalities of the whole Bible. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint a new king of Israel, David was not even considered a possibility by his father Jesse. He was the youngest, a shepherd. But Samuel insisted that Jesse call...
Well, I had a lovely break in Alicante with some priest friends. Plenty of sunshine and good food, although in the shade it could be chilly! Alicante has a lot of history and much of it is centred around St. Barbara’s castle and fortress, parts of which go back...
The people of Nazareth thought of themselves as faithful Jews. But when Jesus tells them that their faith is lacking they get so angry that they want to lynch him. Why would Jesus appear to provoke them so? We perhaps get a clue from the remark made by one of...
The presence of Jesus in person in his home town synagogue was electric. St. Luke’s account of what happened when Jesus did the reading and commented upon it conveys the powerful presence Jesus had. He is self-assured, deliberate; he is strong and clear; and his words about the scripture being...
At the moment of his conception in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, the Son of God began to exist as the man Jesus. You could say that, at that moment, God the Father said, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” At the moment...
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom, lead thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet: I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me. This first verse from the famous poem of...
