A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Tag Archive for ‘hope’

Third World Day of the Poor

17 November Daily we encounter families forced to leave their homeland to seek a living elsewhere; orphans who have lost their parents or were violently torn from them by brutal means of exploitation; young people seeking professional fulfilment but prevented from employment by short sighted economic policies; victims of different kinds of violence, ranging from […]

Wednesday 30 October

Romans 8:26-30; Psalm 13; Luke 13:22-30 Only a few saved? Jesus, the “narrow door”, opens himself and his kingdom to those who love and serve him and their neighbour. He warns people who knowingly ignore his call: “I tell you, many will try and enter and will not succeed”. No one enters through Jesus on […]

Saturday 26 October

Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 24; Luke 13:1-9 God makes his home in you The interior conflict between our unspiritual self and our spiritual self continues in today’s first reading. While we are saddened by our unspiritual self asserting itself over our spiritual self, Paul reminds us that our true self in Christ will be victorious ultimately […]

The Role of Law in the Catholic Church

A sanctuary in the city Just a few kilometres from central Wellington is an extraordinary sanctuary – Zealandia – where dozens of endangered New Zealand species thrive. What makes it a sanctuary is the mesh fence that surrounds it, bending sharply outwards at the top and sitting deeply under the ground to keep out climbing […]

Monday 19 August

Judges 2:11-19; Psalm 106; Matthew 19:16-22 The Lord has pity In the Book of Judges, people are making appalling choices, yet the Lord has pity on them. God’s insistence on our freedom amazes and confuses me, yet gives me hope when I fail, and hope for others who make destructive life choices. The Lord has […]

Monday 22 July

St Mary Magdalene Songs 3:1-4; Psalm 63; John 20:1-2 , 11-18 Called by name Pope Francis calls Mary Magdalene the ‘Apostle of the Apostles’, and the ‘Apostle of the new and greatest hope.’ “How beautiful” he says, “to think that the first appearance of the Risen One took place in such a personal way! That […]

Sunday 9 June

PENTECOST SUNDAY — Vigil Mass Genesis 11:1-9; Romans 8:22-27; Psalm 104; John 7:37-39 The Promises Jesus promised to send his Spirit to be with us until the end of time. He promised to provide fountains of living water for those who believe in him. When Paul writes his epistle to the Romans, he speaks eloquently […]

Wednesday 15 May

Acts 12:24-13:5; Psalm 67; John 12:44-50 Tūmanako – hope A lovely word and concept. When we are bewildered by awful world events, by chronic pain or family bereavement, Jesus' words bring hope. The word of God our Creator is conveyed to us by Jesus Christ, God's Son. He didn't come to judge but to save […]

Saturday 23 February

ST POLYCARP, BISHOP AND MARTYR Hebrews 11:1-7; Psalm 145; Mark 9:2-13 Unseen realities It is faith that gives meaning to our lives and that assures us of the ‘blessings we hope for’. The ultimate blessing, foreshadowed on the mount of the transfiguration, is the new creation in Christ Jesus, our bodies and lives transformed in […]

Thursday 31 January

ST JOHN BOSCO Hebrews 10:19-25; Psalm 23 (24):1-6; Mark 4:21-25 The Lamp It takes one small candle to break the deepest darkness. God wants us to shine in the darkness so people can see convincing signs of hope, love, justice and mercy with their own eyes. If God asks this of us, he will give […]