News and messages archive for 2010
The role of St Joseph identifies the right combination of righteousness and mercy
Posted on December 19th 2010 in Weekly messages
There must hardly be a person left unaffected by the chaos caused by the recent snowfalls. The much trumpeted new style internet Christmas looks to be sinking amidst logistical nightmares relating to the transportation of goods. Perhaps in many areas…
The Feast of Tabernacles, 7:1-10:21, (Part 2 Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for the Feast 7:14-30)
Posted on December 19th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
At the start of the festival the people realise that Jesus is in the vicinity, and thus different opinions emerge as to His identity, origin, destiny and whereabouts, questions that emerge throughout the Gospel. ‘The Jews’ say ‘He is leading…
The Feast of Tabernacles, 7:1-10:21, (Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for the Feast 7:1-9)
Posted on December 12th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
This section begins with Jesus’ final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. He will not return to Galilee again. The relationship between the Synoptic Gospels and St John will never be fully answered, but this journey, and the time spent in…
The cultivation of silence is a prerequisite for a living faith
Posted on December 12th 2010 in Weekly messages
Last week the Diocese arranged for an Advent day of recollection to be given by Fr Tony Philpot a retired spiritual director from the English College in Rome, who spoke about the need to rediscover silence for our spiritual sanity.…
Jesus: The Bread of Life, chapter 6. (Part 4) I am the Bread of Life. (vv52-58)
Posted on November 28th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
Jesus concluded the previous section with the statement, ‘I am the living bread come down from heaven’, and that this flesh ‘is for the life of the world’. The Chapter began with the feeding of the five thousand, later followed…
The connection between the three time frames of Advent is the source of true hope
Posted on November 28th 2010 in Weekly messages
This Sunday the Church once again begins her Liturgical Year. There could be no better time than for us to examine personally the state of our faith, and rediscover the hope that Christian faith carries within itself. Advent is the…
Jesus: The Bread of Life, chapter 6. (Part 4) I am the Bread of Life. (vv41-51)
Posted on November 21st 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The conversation between Jesus and the crowds about the ‘Bread of Life’ now becomes confrontational over the origins of Jesus. The crowds have become ‘the Jews’. The complaints of the crowds recall the murmuring of the people in the desert.…
The kingship of Christ is made known through the beauty of the saintly life
Posted on November 21st 2010 in Weekly messages
Two weeks ago Pope Benedict consecrated the cathedral of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. He spoke in his homily about the genius of Guadi, that allowed him to create this ‘visible sign of the invisible God’ and his three sources of…
Jesus: The Bread of Life, chapter 6. (Part 3) Jesus answers the questions of the Jews (vv30-40)
Posted on November 7th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The Jews now demand a sign from Jesus to confirm His teaching on the food that ‘endures to eternal life’ (v27). The Jewish tradition combined Moses, the Exodus and the gift of the manna together in the celebration of the…
The month of the Holy Souls unlike the modern funeral helps find meaning in life after death
Posted on November 7th 2010 in Weekly messages
The month of November is traditionally the month to pray for the Holy Souls. This seems the most appropriate time of year as autumn gradually gives way to winter, the days become shorter, the trees have shed their leaves, and…
Jesus: The Bread of Life, chapter 6. The miracle of feeding (vv1-15)
Posted on October 24th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The arguments between Jesus and the Pharisees have now drawn to a conclusion. Jesus leaves Jerusalem for Galilee. His next miracle, the feeding of the five thousand on the Passover will initiate another set of arguments and revelation as to…
Searching for ‘Big Society’ in government thinking gives the Church opportunity to shape society
Posted on October 24th 2010 in Weekly messages
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI, coming as it did with a change of government, has seen a shift in the perception of faith groups, whether as institutional churches, individual charities, or simply faithful people. No longer are they considered…