News and messages archive for 2010
Jesus and the pagan court official 4:43-54
Posted on September 5th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
Jesus now departs from Samaria, and travels to Galilee. His denunciation of Galilee turns on His self-understanding of a prophet who is one who engages in good works and preaches the coming of God, but who does this because He…
The Pope’s visit may help rediscover that both Christians and secularists share a common language
Posted on September 5th 2010 in Weekly messages
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI has crept up on me, coming as it does straight after the summer holidays. The lazy days of summer make anything happening in September seems to belong to a different age. However, it is…
Jesus and the Samaritan woman (C4: 1-42) Part 3 vv31-42
Posted on August 15th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The disciples return from the town, and are both shocked and concerned about Jesus, and implore Him to eat. This obvious concern and puzzlement about his source of food is the opportunity for Jesus to explain the real food that…
The Church’s Marian dogmas are founded on the tradition of the Church as interpreter of God’s word
Posted on August 15th 2010 in Weekly messages
Last Sunday the Church was plunged into darkness as the electricity board renewed cables in the street. The fire-alarms were ringing away in the background, but at least one parishioner could see the bright side, when he said that this…
Jesus and the Samaritan woman (C4: 1-42) Part 2 vv11-30
Posted on August 8th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The conversation about the gifts that God offers attracts the attention of the Samaritan woman, who in a very practical way tells Jesus that he has no bucket, but who also asks about His identity. Could he be greater than…
The Feast of the Transfiguration gives a foundation of hope to a life of faith.
Posted on August 8th 2010 in Weekly messages
A recent analysis of the nature of happiness has drawn the very obvious conclusion that these feelings are most acutely felt either as anticipation for, or remembrance of, some special event whether it be a holiday, a visit to a…
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (4:1-42) Part 1
Posted on August 1st 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is the second of Jesus’ encounters after the Cleansing of the Temple (2:13-22). Both meetings, that with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman, involve water which becomes a symbol for the Holy Spirit.…
A miracle is not in conflict with the laws of nature.
Posted on August 1st 2010 in Weekly messages
Last week a rare meeting of doctors was arranged at Lourdes to examine the claims of an Italian woman that she had been cured of her wasting disease. The credibility of the case has now effectively passed its first test.…
Jesus and John the Baptist (Chapter 3:22-36)
Posted on July 4th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
Both John the Baptist, lasted mentioned in the first Chapter, and Jesus are baptising simultaneously in different neighbourhoods. The baptism of John is situated within the world of Judaism, and the purification rites of the Jews. The historic site of…
The mission of the Church is founded on the conviction of its truth and the gift of peace
Posted on July 4th 2010 in Weekly messages
To restrict the Gospels to the biography of Jesus would be to truncate the necessary connection between Jesus and the Church. This is the temptation for all those who think of Jesus as basically a good man, the purveyor of…
Jesus and Nicodemus (Chapter 3:1-21) (Part 2)
Posted on June 20th 2010 in St. John's Gospel
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus now broadens out into one between Christians and Jews with Jesus taking the initiative. St John, whilst writing the ‘history’ of Jesus, was simultaneously addressing the issues of Christian self-identity in relation to rejection…
Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ identity is a first step marking a new stage in the journey of faith
Posted on June 20th 2010 in Weekly messages
This Sunday, and the following, brings to a conclusion the recent Adult Confirmation course for Converts. Over the last four months this group has been meeting in the Presbytery to reflect on the different building blocks that comprise the Catholic…