Today we take light for granted. Hard as it to believe, there was time when there was no electricity and immediate light at the touch of a button was unheard of. This made dispelling the darkness difficult, if not impossible. The poor could not afford candles or oil lamps or even wood for the fire....

Given what is happening politically around the world these days, we might be tempted to believe that the wealthy, powerful and those concerned with their own well-being are now in charge, making our laws, and running our governments. Yet the protests that took place around the world after the inauguration of the American president show...

During these early and dark days of the New Year, we are encouraged with a great message of hope in the first reading this Sunday. The Prophet Isaiah tells us that the people in darkness have seen a great light; on those who sit in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.’ This...

And so with the Season of Christmas behind us, we begin the Sundays of ordinary time. Immediately our attention is drawn to the person of Jesus Christ. This Sunday, John the Baptist, the great voice and prophet of Advent makes another great proclamation about Jesus, ‘Look, there is the Lamb of God who takes way...

In the Book of Genesis, we hear these words dramatic words from God, ‘Let there be light.’    (1.3). In John’s gospel, Jesus describes himself with these equally profound words, ‘I am the light of the world.’ (8.12). Today we celebrate the great festival of light, the Epiphany of the Lord. As the church, we remember...

In ancient times, the Romans had a god for everything and every occasion. One of their gods was called Janus. Janus was a two-headed or two faced god. One face looked back to the past and the other looked forward to the future. Janus gave his name to our month January. So as we celebrate...

The shopping is done, all the presents are bought and wrapped, the house is clean and the tree with all its decoration is shining brightly. So what has all this hectic busyness been about? When we have a birthday in our own family, what do we do? We gather around the person whose birthday it...

This is the last Sunday of Advent. Our time of preparation is almost over. Despite what the media, the shops and all the adverts tell us, it is still not Christmas! Let us hear the words from last Sundays second readings again, ‘be patient, until the Lord’s coming. Think of farmers, how patiently they wait...

This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday to Rejoice. This weekend we light the pink or rose coloured candle on our Advent Wreath. The opening antiphon this Sunday encourages us with these words of hope, ‘rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.’ The first reading from...

At the time of Jesus, people knew where to go to experience and hear the Word of God; the Temple in Jerusalem. This had been the place of Divine Revelation for centuries; from where else would God the Almighty speak? The Scribes and the Pharisees were the ones who knew the ancient scriptures. They knew...