It is an interesting experience to read a Gospel passage, close your eyes, and say to yourself, “If I was actually there, listening to Jesus say these words, what would be my gut reaction to his words?” The temptation is to quickly say, “I would believe what he said with an open heart”, and then...

Sunday February 5th 2023, Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time The sudden shift from the gentle “Blessed are’s…” of last week’s Gospel, to talk this week about ‘salt and lighted lamps’ seems, at first glance, a bit jarring and awkward. However, when we realise that what Matthew is doing is giving us a collected summary of...

In August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. climbed the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and gave his famous, “I have a dream” speech to 250,000 people. Today, there are very few people on the planet who have not, at least, heard of that speech, if not read it or listened to it themselves....

I have often wondered what it would have been like to live in Galilee at the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. Imagine actually listening to John and watching the lines of people going into the river for baptism. If I had been there, would I have had the courage to join them? Now...

John’s Gospel, as we discovered when we read his ‘Christmas story’ at the start of his Gospel, was the last one written and it approaches the life and mission of Jesus in a highly reflective way. His account of Jesus’ baptism by John does not disappoint in this regard. What we have in today’s Gospel...

Even a cursory glance at US politics highlights the importance and power of endorsement when seeking to move into public life. Having the voiced support of Donald Trump, until very recently at least, was much sought after in the Republican Party. Likewise, well known actors, sportspeople, pop stars and social media gurus will be paid...

Sunday January 1st 2023, Feast of Mary Mother of God Just like everything in life, another Christmas has come, and it is now almost gone. All the weeks of planning and buying presents; all the days of food and table preparation, all the welcoming of family and friends, the eating and drinking, the exchange of...

Imagine! A Christmas morning Gospel without a manger, angels, shepherds and a chubby-cheeked infant in the manger. This would be, very definitely, not the Gospel you’d choose to explain the Christmas story to children. It lacks the drama and imagery of Matthew and Luke and seems, in some ways, dry and without much emotion; more...

The Aboriginal peoples of Australia are recognised as being one of the oldest cultures in the world. For them all of creation was ‘dreamed’ into existence. It is called the “Dreamtime” and is the foundation of their rich spiritual beliefs and culture. Indeed, ‘dreaming’ is central to all cultures of the world. It is the...

Sunday December 11th 2022, Third Sunday of Advent Imagine for a second that John the Baptist, and not Jesus, was the ‘promised one’, the Messiah, the one who would usher in the kingdom of God? Imagine for a second that it was John who rose from the dead, and it was his message about the...