This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent - a time of waiting and watching, for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The Gospel is a stark reminder for us all. The homilist reminds us of the analogy that Jesus uses to explain - "It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves … Continue reading Stay awake and watch
Who do you serve?
Today we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King and in the Gospel, Jesus tells us “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as … Continue reading Who do you serve?
No risk, no returns
Today's Gospel reading Jesus tells us about the parable of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his property to his servants. To one, he entrusted five talents, to another, two talents and a third, one talent. Upon his return, the first two servants who had traded with their talents returned double what … Continue reading No risk, no returns
Let our love lights overflow
This Sunday's Gospel tells us of the parable of the ten bridesmaid. Five of them were foolish and five of them brought extra oil for the wait. This is a popular parable and many of us are familiar with the idea that we need to be prepared for "you know neither the day nor the … Continue reading Let our love lights overflow
To be or not to be
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus presents us the beatitudes. The homilist reminds us that this is the key to joy - how we should "be" and our attitudes to our life. I am reminded of a clip we use often in Landings retreats. Bishop Barron could not have said it better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4Bb4UDypi0
Good grief
I have not mentioned my mum in a long while. But essentially she has been keeping close to the Lord and praying fervently, intercession prayers especially for the sick and dying and for the souls in purgatory. This pandemic period has allowed her to witness how God wills his people back to his fold. Whether … Continue reading Good grief
The great commandment
This Sunday's Gospel is a short and sharp one. After being asked by a lawyer what is the greatest commandment, because in the Jewish traditions there were 613 commandments, Jesus says “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great … Continue reading The great commandment
Politics and religion
This Sunday's gospel is a short one but a clever one. I like how Jesus comes up with answers that would render the accusers speechless. In this instance he escapes the entrapment by the Pharisees and Herodians by saying that we should pay our lawful taxes as we "Render therefore to Caesar the things that … Continue reading Politics and religion
Putting on the garment of Christ
In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us the parable where the kingdom of heaven is likened to wedding feast. A king sends servants out twice to those who were invited to his son's feast but they ignored him and killed his servants. The chosen people are widely interpreted to be the Jewish people whom many prophets … Continue reading Putting on the garment of Christ
Fruitful harvest
In today's Gospel, Jesus continues using the prophet Isaiah's imagery of Israel as the vineyard. He even uses his words to describe the vineyard’s wine press, hedge, and watchtower. Israel’s religious leaders, the tenants in His parable, have learned nothing from Isaiah or Israel’s past. Instead of producing good fruits, they’ve killed the owner’s servants, … Continue reading Fruitful harvest
