Sunday Reflections

Our First Reading today is one through which God asks us through Isaiah “Whom will I send and who will go for Us?” Answer “here am I; send me to rebuild your Church.” The Second Reading is all about proclamation – strongly state to God (and others) that you will proclaim the Gospel.  In the Gospel Itself, hear Jesus say to you, “(Name,) do not be afraid; from now on you will catch people (to rebuild my Church).”

Once, when I was a seminarian studying theology, I was asked for some money by a man at the train station. I figured that he would buy alcohol with any money that I gave him, so I told him that I would not give him any money, but I would buy him something to eat. He seemed rather indecisive about this, but followed me into the cafeteria where I purchased a sandwich and coffee for him. When we walked outside, he took the sandwich and threw it at me, hitting me in the face with it. Of course, I was glad that he did not throw the coffee, too!

Jesus returned to Nazareth, where he grew up.  He was known in the city and in the temple, having completed his Sabbath faithfully.  There he heard the Scriptures and the promises of God, and the call of God.  So it was that, where it all began, he rose and read from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

     We are now in that part of the Church’s liturgical calendar that is called “Ordinary Time.”  This does not mean this part of the liturgical calendar is less important than other parts: what it does mean is that it does not have the specific focus that other parts have, e.g., doing penance in Lent or Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Time.  One other observation here.  I am privileged to be able to attend and celebrate Mass every day: if I am not careful, I can begin to take Eucharist for granted (do recall the old adage that familiarity breeds

The passage that appears before our Sunday gospel reading is about the preaching of John the Baptist.  John is clearly identified with the great Old Testament prophet Elijah.  By connecting John the Baptist to the prophet Elijah, Luke is making a clear statement about the long awaited day of the Lord—it is here!  This message is repeated in the story of Jesus’ baptism by John.  The story itself has three elements: the heaven opens, the dove appears, and a voice proclaims, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”  All three elements contain allusio

The three wise men followed a star from the east that announced to them that the Saviour, the King of the Jews, had been born.  Today many people follow ‘stars’, but these stars are some of the false gods that God warns us about – success, fame, possessions, beauty, and pleasure.  They can be as captivating as that star of Bethlehem, but leading and guiding us – not to the stable of the Christ Child, but – in the opposite direction, separating us from God and creating barriers with others.  Today we celebrate this star that leads us to Jesus Christ.  Even in this first s

                All Resurrectionists have a special interest in the Feast of the Holy Family because our mission, as Resurrectionists, is to “call others, especially youth and families, to communities of the Risen Lord in which faith, hope, and love radiate as a sign of union with Christ and his mother, Mary, in the Church” (Resurrectionist Mission Statement).   Contemplating and praying over the story of the birth of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel provides a particular way to think about how a virtue cultivated within the Holy Family might

 Today’s solemnity begins a new year (2019) and this highlights its importance; it is a good way to begin our new year!  Today’s feast is very beautiful but it also gives rise to many important questions for us as modern Catholics and Christians. Let us briefly reflect, in God’s grace and great love, some of these questions so that we may be bearers of God’s light and gifts to all people. 

Unfortunately, our materialistic and consumer society has convinced many that this great Feast that we celebrate is all about giving and receiving gifts.  If we faithfully followed our Advent journey, we re-discovered the true meaning of Christmas – celebrating the great gift of the Father in Jesus his Son, the Saviour of the world.  This gift is for each and every one of us, for our happiness and holiness, for our peace and joy, for our salvation and eternal life with God.  What gift are we offering to the Lord Jesus at his birth?  The greatest gift that Jesus awaits is

We quickly come to the end of this Advent Season. It has gone by so very quickly! Were we (individually and collectively) able to welcome our Coming God whose darlings we are in grace? In this encounter, God does all the work and all we have to do is openly receive! If you and I have been delinquent in this matter, may I suggest a drastic needed solution?