After six weeks of waiting, we enter the central and most important week in the Christian calendar. It is the culmination of Jesus’ life and ministry and for those who believe it is the week that changed our world forever. Growing up in the sixties in Ireland it was so much easier to enter...

  What a beautiful encounter Jesus has with the woman in today’s Gospel. Even more beautiful is the God revealed to us in Jesus’ words and actions. Scripture experts tell us that this story was not in the early copies of John’s Gospel and was added at a later date, leading some to question whether...

  The parable of the Prodigal Son is probably the best remembered story in the Gospels. Even those of no faith, who might never open the Bible, will probably know and appreciate the story. The reason for this is not too difficult to understand. We all love books and movies with a ‘happy-ever-after’, second chance...

Why do bad things happen to good people?   The age old question which has exercised the minds of philosophers since sentient beings walked upon the earth. For those who believe in a God, particularly those who believe in one God who is omni (all)-everything (all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, all-good, all-merciful, all-everything), the question becomes this:...

  All of us, at different times, face moments of crisis or stress. They might be the anxiety of making major life decisions, dealing with illness or bereavement, worrying about family members or simply facing the reality of getting older. No matter what causes them, they can cause turmoil in our lives, sometimes a turmoil...

  I read recently that if all the miracles, parables, and stories we have about Jesus happened one after another they would account for about seven days of his life! Put another way John tells us at the very conclusion of his Gospel, “Now there are many other things that Jesus did. If they were...

  When Jesus began his ministry his message was a simple one. “The time has come…” he said, “…The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News.” (Mk 1:14-15) There is little doubt in my mind that Jesus, like many Jews of his time, believed that. Under the cruel, harsh rule of...

  How often have I watched the TV News or glanced at newspaper headlines and become despondent by the images of war, hunger, disease and terror displayed there? And how often have I gone to bed at night bemoaning some act of selfishness, or some words of anger or jealousy I have used during the...

  Ask anyone who is poor is it an enjoyable experience and I am certain they will tell you very plainly that it is not. Yet, in today’s Gospel Jesus says, “How happy are you who are poor….” Ask anyone who is hungry or anyone who struggles to feed themselves or their families is it...

  Luke 5:1-11 In the early Church stories about Jesus were the only way people could learn what Jesus said and did. People gathered in their homes, often in secret out of fear of the Jewish authorities or the Romans, to hear stories about his life, to share together a fellowship meal, and to celebrate...