Reflections & Homilies

Second Sunday of Advent The prophecy of Isaiah about the coming Messiah is worth our reflection . Why? Because it gives to us a vision of what the Messiah brings and just what manner of person he shall be and in that way we, who know the revelation of our true Messiah the Lord Jesus, might take from the gifts, attributes and promises of Isaiah's words, tools for our spiritual and daily life-for we... Read More

In the last prayer intention for 2025, the Pope asks us to pray "that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope." On the eve of his first apostolic journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, the Holy Father invites us to not "fall into indifference," and to be "builders of unity," praying together with him to the "God of pe... Read More

First Sunday of Advent I believe that the following words from our second reading from the letter to the Romans at Mass today, gives us the clarity of vision we need to begin a good Advent: '…the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armour of light".(Rm 13: 12) . In a world where we face many problems due to environmental and climate... Read More

RESOURCES CAFOD is offering Advent reflection emails, starting on 30 November, the first Sunday of Advent. They will share scripture reflections, stories of our global family, prayers and practical ideas for action, as we take time to prepare for the coming of Christ. Advent prayer resources for parishes and schools is also available. See: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/advent-prayers Catholic Union's ... Read More

In Africa, we have had some excellent kings who have served their people with dedication and commitment: Moshoeshoe, the founder king of the baSotho, brought his people high into the Maloti Mountains to escape the difaqane wars of the 18th Century. He was a skilful diplomat and a man of peace. Goodwill Zwelitini of the Zulus was a largely powerless and ceremonial monarch, and yet a great force for... Read More

Christ the King Hidden Image of Christ How do you envisage the Lord Jesus? For many of us that question doesn't appear too often, and I suppose we fall back on the images we have been used to from childhood-yet there are many different depictions of Jesus the Christ from his life as Jesus of Nazareth to the one hinted at in this feast, Christ the Ruler of All, a cosmic Christ difficult for our hum... Read More

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time A form of behaviour The writer of 2 Thessalonians is clear on what behaviour is required of us as Christians in our daily lives, reminding us of something we indulge in far too often and suggesting that we change our manner of behaviour, so as not to be idle and refrain from being busybodies:' We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderl... Read More

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Church of Saint Anselmo on the Aventine Hill in Rome on Tuesday, 11 November, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of its dedication and encourages the Benedictines in their mission. He invited the Benedictines to respond to the challenging times we live in, by placing Christ at the centre of their lives. "The sudden changes we are witnessing provoke and quest... Read More

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. In the UK, Remembrance Sunday. This time of year is one in which our beloved dead are especially remembered, not only have we had All Souls, but our own religious commemorations of the faithful departed and the annual services of Remembrance make sure that those gone before us are not forgotten but recollected, remembered, and cherished. It is a wonderful gift ... Read More

In The Pope Video for November 2025, the Holy Father asks us to pray for those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. He reminds us that all of us are vulnerable and that Christian communities must be welcoming, open to listening, and full of hope. Every day about 2,000 people in the world take their lives. It is the third leading cause of death among young people.In this context, we are inv... Read More

The Most Reverend John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark, gave this homily today at the Mass of Thanksgiving in St George's Cathedral, Southwark, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Archbishop Romero Trust and the 10th anniversary of the Oscar Romero Trust Award Hebrews 10:32-36 · Psalm 125 (126) · Luke 24:13-35 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ If you didn't know it already, like so many o... Read More

Fr David M Neuhaus SJ writes: When good Pope John XXIII was thinking about the "aggiornamento" of the Church at the end of the 1950s and the convening of a council, the Church's attitude towards other religions was not on the agenda. However, in June 1960, the Jewish French historian Jules Isaac visited him and raised the issue of the Catholic teaching of contempt for Jews and Judaism through the ... Read More

Canon Pat gave this homily at Holy Apostles, Pimlico, today: On the rare occasion when I drive on the motorway behind those lorries carrying huge containers, I find myself thinking of those 39 people who were discovered inside one some years ago. No one knew their names, their nationalities or where they had come from. They were nobodies who had been shoved in there - into a sealed, refrigerated,... Read More

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Those who enter into that extraordinary yet simple relationship with the Living God in prayer, often find that their spiritual journey is not only adventurous at times, but sometimes has moments when they also face the aridity of absence, of a type of desolation where the Lord appears not to be present. The great spiritual guides are clear that this can be part an... Read More