In the Sunday Gospel at Mass this week Jesus speaks of service when he hears that the apostles had been arguing about who is the greatest. Instead, Jesus says, if anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all. (Mark.9: 30 – 37) This stands in stark contrast …
This quote from the prophet Hosea chapter 8; 7 which was the first reading in Catholic churches today, refers to the Godless actions of the people of Israel. God is a God of mercy, but, mercy can only be received by repentant hearts. God is not a permissive God. Those who transgress the immutable laws …
On Tuesday 28 November 2023, Labour MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Stella Creasy tabled amendments NC1 and NC2 respectively to the Government’s Criminal Justice Bill. Both amendments would decriminalise abortion. On 25 January 2024, these amendments were debated at Committee stage and withdrawn. Now, Diana Johnson has tabled a very similar amendment, in the hope that it will be …
In this Sunday’s Gospel, the third Sunday of Lent, we hear about how Jesus drove the money changers out of the Temple with the words, “Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.” When challenged by the Jews and asked for a sign to justify this, Jesus says …
Today Lent begins where there is special emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For those with no relationship with our loving heavenly Father and Jesus, the only begotten Son sent into the world to save us, prayer is not possible – for those desiring such a relationship, our first prayer might be “speak Lord your …
When our life in this world is over, what will be our thoughts? I wish I had done this or that better? Why did I do so and so? For those with children. ” I could have loved them more… lived the moment better…” OR “so glad I did that?” “I made a difference to …
The poof of the Resurrection is inescapable. The gospels encapsulate and proclaim this reality. When all other explanations for the empty tomb run aground, all that is left is the truth of what happened. Jesus really did rise from the dead after three days. The seminal book “Who move the stone,” by Frank Morison explains …
Today is Palm Sunday. The account of the last hours of Jesus are read in churches the world over. The significance of the death of Jesus by crucifixion was not understood by anyone at the time, even the apostles did not fully understand. But Jesus’ sacrifice of his life changed everything for humanity forever and …
In this week’s gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent Jesus makes the promise that eternal life will be given to anyone who believes in him. But what does this mean? We hear the account of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days. The body of Lazarus would have begun to …
Truth of Faith In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus heals a man born blind. This does not persuade the Pharisees- the Jewish leaders, that Jesus should be listened to. They have their own agenda. They can’t see the reality in front of them especially given that that Jesus in their view broke the law by healing …