The Baptism of the Lord: Luke 3:15-22 The seriousness of baptism is made clear by the metaphor of the threshing floor. It is a discriminating rite. It is not an act that one may undergo lightly, but is linked to…

The Feast of the Epiphany They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed…

A Christmas Reflection for today: John 1:1-18 This magnificent passage provides a powerful opening to this gospel. It lays out the main themes of John’s gospel – life, light, truth, the world, testimony and the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. He…

The 4th Sunday of Advent: Luke 1:39-45 Today we hear the account of the Visitation of Mary to her relative, Elizabeth. This event anticipates the birth of Jesus. Mary’s journey to Elizabeth immediately followed the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel…

The 3rd Sunday of Advent: Luke 3:10-18 As Christians, whether lay persons, religious or priests we are called to bring people face to face with Jesus and also to a conversion that brings a real joy and happiness into their…

The 2nd Sunday of Advent: Luke 3:1-6 We are always invited to open ourselves to further conversion, to an ever deeper change of heart, to a deeper listening to what Jesus is asking of us, “Lord, what do you want…

The 1st Sunday of Advent: Luke 21:25-36 Advent is a season of hope and expectation. We are invited to prepare joyfully for the coming of Christ. He comes in history (his conception and birth), in mystery (through the sacraments, and…

Celebrating the Feast of Christ the King: John 18:33-37 Established in the 20th century — this feast is designed to give special recognition to the dominion Christ our Lord has over all aspects of our lives. But why and how…

The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 13:24-32 As we approach the end of the liturgical year the readings remind of us this aspect of Jesus’ teaching: his insistence on the urgency of our situation and the need to decide…

The 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:38-44 As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats…

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:28-34 All who debated with Jesus that day knew God’s law. The Pharisees certainly did. They were the teachers of Israel. The Sadducees knew it as well—at least well enough to know what…

The 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:46-52 In the final verse, Jesus names faith as what impels Bartimaeus. The rest of the story shows us what that faith is. Bartimaeus’s faith is not about reciting the correct confession or…