God is light and in him is no darknessFEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS : Saturday 28th December 20191 Jn. 1:5-2:2; Ps. 124(123):2-3,4-5,7,8; Mt. 2:13-18 (Ps Wk IV) Although we celebrate today the Feast of the Holy Innocents, rather than focusing upon the Gospel passage, I suggest we turn to our first reading from the First…
St John Apostle, and EvangelistSt John Apostle, and Evangelist : Friday 27th December 20191 Jn. 1:1-4; Ps. 97(96):1-2,5-6,11-12; Jn. 20:2-8 (Ps Wk IV) The last words of today's Gospel are as moving as they are significant. John entered the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid. The burial clothes were there, neatly arranged. He “saw…
St Stephen, the first martyrSt Stephen, the first martyr : Thursday 26th December 2019Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Ps. 31(30);3-4,6,8,16,17; Mt. 10:17-22 (Ps Wk IV) It has been noted that in the New Testament, there is no major passage dealing with the virtue of hope. St Paul frequently speaks of faith, hope and love. Faith and love are…
Nativity of Our Lord JesusChristmas Day : Wednesday 25th December 2019Is 52:7-10; Ps. 97(96):1-6, 11-12; Hebr.1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 (Psalter proper) Perhaps we can remember a time when we had some wonderful news to share and we couldn’t wait! We ran and breathlessly blurted out the good news. Isaiah paints a similar picture – someone running…
4th Week of Advent4th Week of Advent : Tuesday 24th December 20192 Sam. 7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Ps. 89(88):2-3,4-5,27,29; Lk. 1: 67-79 (Ps Wk IV) What does God need? Nothing – except our love and our fidelity. David was carried away by feelings of gratitude for all that God had done for him. He wanted to build God…
4th Week of Advent4th Week of Advent : Monday 23rd December 2019Mal. 3:1-4,23-24; Ps. 25(24):4-5,8-9,10,14; Lk. 1:57-66 (Ps Wk IV) Malachi prophesied that God would send a special messenger, a messenger of the covenant. This messenger would purify or cleanse the priests, the sons of Levi. They needed to be reminded of the covenant and…
Joseph’s YES allowed God’s plan to be fulfilled4th Week of Advent : Sunday 22nd December 2019Is. 7:10-14; Ps. 24(23):1-2,3-4,5-6; Rom. 1:1-7; Mt. 1:18-24 (Ps Wk IV) The Gospel account invites us to reflect on the Spirituality of Joseph which is the total submission to God's will as seen at different stages of his life. His…
The Lord calls us to “come” and to spend time with him daily3rd Week of Advent : Saturday 21st December 2019Song 2:8-14 or Zeph. 3:14-18; Ps. 33(32):2-3,11-12,20-21; Lk. 1:39-45 (Ps Wk III) The scripture passage in the first reading is a beautiful love song that begins with a young girl’s gentle longing for her lover.…
Nothing is impossible with God3rd Week of Advent : Friday 20th December 2019Is. 7:10-14; Ps. 24(23):1-2,3-4,5-6; Lk. 1:26-38 (Ps Wk III) Judah was facing a military invasion from her enemies. In the face of this danger, King Ahaz and his people became afraid. It is at this time that Isaiah goes to meet Ahaz. His…
Lead me, Lord, to do thy will3rd Week of Advent : Thursday 19th December 2019Jdg. 13:2-7,24-25; Ps. 71(70):3-4,5-6,16-17; Lk. 1:5-25 (Ps Wk III) The Good News according to Luke begins with an elderly childless couple, simple believers living in a remote corner of the world. God’s goodness and power would be shown to Elizabeth, mother…