Reflections, sermons and homilies.
Concluding his General Audience series of catecheses on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis reflects on the path of hope and love, as the world continues to suffer.
Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican: " in recent weeks we have reflected together on how to heal the world from the suffering highlighted by the pandemic."
"As...
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Maybe I am naïve, but I have yet to find anyone who seriously tries to search for God and wrestle with their belief, who can be said to have an easy time! There are people of course, and blessings on them, who seem to walk gently in the way of the commandments without too much trouble - I envy them, in a good way, because they do seem to have...
Pope Francis looked to a post-pandemic world and reflected on the principle of subsidiarity - in which everyone has a role to play in revitalizing society - during his General Audience on Wednesday. Addressing pilgrims gathered in the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican, Pope Francis said: "Every one of us is called to assume responsibility for his or her part," and he highlighted th...
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The link between our first reading from Isaiah and the wonderful festival of Rosh Hashanah seems entirely apt if we immerse ourselves a little in the ancestral faith of Jesus, and so ours also. Just to...
Pope Francis has urged Christians to imitate God's merciful attitude, saying the world could be spared much suffering and many wounds and wars if forgiveness and mercy were "the style of our life."
Speaking to pilgrims gathered in a sunny St Peter's Square on Sunday, the Pope reflected on the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew's Gospel (18:21-35), the Gospel of the day.
A ...
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
William Blake's poem, 'The Poison Tree' exactly suits my own angry responses, having been taught, mainly by religious figures, to keep my anger in check, like the poet the resentment of having to shut up, put up, and overlook others' wrong doing doesn't always resolve the issue, in fact it can make it so much more worse so the opening verse is so pres...
During his General Audience today, with pilgrims gathered in the San Damaso courtyard, Pope Francis focussed his teaching on the 'common good', saying "it's time to improve our social love." Continuing his reflections on'Healing the World," Pope Francis said, we can emerge from the coronavirus crisis better than before "if we all seek the common good together." At the same time, he r...
Fr Rajiv Michael from Westminster Cathedral, writes in his blog Casting Fire:
Adele, the singer, has been all over the News and social media recently. She seems to have become the latest, but for...
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Do you believe in these words of Jesus: 'I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' (Mt 18:19,20) In one sense we are well prepared for the second part ...
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Rm 12:2)
Several key words jump out at me, I also hope for you, in this passage from Romans 12, do...
Pope Francis focussed his General Audience on the importance of equality and sharing of goods in order to reflect God's love for us and for Creation during this time of trial caused by the pandemic.
The Holy Father began his catechesis by inviting the faithful to "welcome the gift of hope that comes from Christ", especially during the pandemic, in which "many risk losing hope."
Chri...
Christian charity is not simple philanthropy, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square for the Angelus on Sunday. On the one hand, the Pope said, charity is looking at the other with the same eyes of Jesus, but on the other hand, it is seeing Jesus in the face of the poor. This is the true path of Christian charity, with Jesus at the centre, always.
The official English...
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
How often have I heard a sermon preached on these words of Jesus found in Matthew 16:18-20 : "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,*and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it" turn from an exegesis on the text to a gentle polemic on the importance of the Papacy as an office continuing the ministry of ...
The Assumption, Dormition of Our Lady
In many places, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary the mother of Jesus, which is also known as the Dormition (falling asleep) by our Eastern Churches, is kept on the date it falls, but in other places if Sunday follows or precedes then there is a transfer of the festival, so in England and Wales we celebrate it this year on the Sunday!
Our Lady...
