Tag Archive for ‘church’
Tuesday 23 April
Acts 11:19-26, Ps 87, John 10:22-30 Anonymous Disciples The account in Acts today is remarkable in that the preachers from Cyprus and Cyrene who converted the Greeks in Antioch were nameless. There are some who want to be named and noticed when they do something worthwhile. These men did not, yet they will be forever […]
Monday 15 April
Acts 6:8-15, Ps 119G, John 6:22-29 Glimpse of the Future Stephen preached that the Temple would pass away and Jesus came to complete the Law. Both these were holy and unchangeable to Jews. They couldn’t withstand his arguments, so they took him by force. His preaching was the first sign that Christianity was not exclusively […]
Friday 12 April
Acts 5:34-42, Ps 27, John 6:1-15 Over-reaction Both readings show over-reaction that was avoided. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill the apostles, but were persuaded by pragmatism while the apostles no doubt prayed in the courtyard. The 5,000 whom Jesus fed wanted to force him to be an earthly king, but Jesus escaped to pray. […]
Tuesday 9 April
Acts 4:32-37, Ps 93, John 3:7-15 United in heart and soul The disciples were under pressure from the Jews. They had to gather together to pray and support one another. They had a great sense of responsibility for one another and a real desire to share what they had – spiritually and temporally. Is that […]
Pope’s Resignation a Gift to the Church
No one saw it coming. Out of the blue at a Consistory summoned to announce three new saints, the Holy Father stunned his audience by dropping a bombshell – his resignation from the papacy at the end of the month. The reasons given were he lacked the strength to fulfil the office of Pontiff. The […]
Good Friday 29 March
Psalm 31, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 John 18:1-19:42 A place of refuge Psalm 31 teaches us how to live and how to die. In trusting his life to God, the psalmist has found a place of refuge, an unshakeable rock, a strong fortress. His whole life depends on God who delivers, turns, comes, saves, […]
Tuesday 26 February
Isaiah 1:10,16-20, Ps.50, Matthew 23:1-12 A critical obedience Jesus frequently criticised the scribes and Pharisees yet they were the religious authorities and, as such, entitled to the obedience of the people. Through the ages people, including many of the saints, have had difficulties with church authorities. It seems to me that patient, loyal acceptance of […]
Friday 22 February
CHAIR OF PETER, APOSTLE 1 Peter 5:1-4, Ps.23, Matthew 16:13-19 One Church, one Faith This feast has been celebrated, I believe, since the fourth century. It is a day to remember, and to celebrate the unity of the church. When I became a Catholic, many years ago, one of the things I found most compelling […]
Monday 12 November
SAINT JOSAPHAT Titus 1:1-9, Ps. 24, Luke 17:1-6 Good leaders Jesus gives a stern warning about the responsibility of leaders to care for the faith of those in their care. In our modern world political and religious leaders are subject to extensive inquiry and criticism. Although this can be viewed positively as a means of […]
Thursday 1 November
ALL SAINTS Apocalypse 7: 2-4, 9-14, Ps. 24, 1 John 3: 1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 Perseverance Today we celebrate all those people of faith who have gone before us and are now in God’s kingdom in heaven. All those, from popes, martyrs and doctors of the church to the grandmother, the parent, the teacher who influenced […]
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