Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have... Continue Reading →
20 July, Monday — Signs
Jul 20 – Memorial for St. Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr According to tradition, Apollinaris was a native of Antioch in the Roman Province of Syria. He was made the first Bishop of Ravenna by St. Peter during the persecutions of Emperor Vespasian (or Nero, depending on the source), On his way out of the city... Continue Reading →
23 March, Monday — We judge too easily
Monday of the 5th Week of Lent Dan 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62Jn 8:1-11 “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Did she sin? – Yes Did she get caught sinning? – Yes Was she repentant? – Yes It does seem like a perfect ending... Continue Reading →
22 March, Sunday — Gazing upon Jesus
5th Sunday of Lent Ez 37:12-14Rm 8:8-11Jn 11:1-45 “Let us go too, and die with him” Persecution is a real struggle for all around us. It is often understood to be the death of physical life for the sake of Jesus but instead, we need to understand that persecution can be subtle. It can take... Continue Reading →
21 March, Saturday — Pride & Prejudice
Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent Jer 11:18-20Jn 7:40-53 “...see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.” One of my favourite Jane Austen novels of all time is ‘Pride and Prejudice’. The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennett, comes from landed gentry, but they are seen as beneath the social standing of the wealthy Mr.... Continue Reading →
12 December, Friday — The Book of Love
Dec 12 – Memorial for Our Lady of Guadalupe Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town which grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as... Continue Reading →
11 September, Thursday — ‘Love Your Enemies?’
Thursday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time Col 3:12-17Lk 6:27-38 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will to be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned.” Yikes! If you thought the Beatitudes were a high calling, today’s Gospel is a whopper. It is so... Continue Reading →
14 August, Thursday — Seventy-Seven
Thursday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time Jos 3:7-10,11,13-17Mt 18:21-19:1 Jesus answered, “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.” In the Bible, the number seven often symbolizes completion, perfection, and divine wholeness. It signifies a sense of fullness and is used to highlight key ideas and themes throughout both the Old and New Testament.... Continue Reading →
7 April, Monday — We judge too easily
Monday of the 5th Week of Lent Dan 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62Jn 8:1-11 “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Did she sin? – Yes Did she get caught sinning? – Yes Was she repentant? – Yes It does seem like a perfect ending... Continue Reading →
6 April, Sunday — Holding Back From Sin
5th Sunday of Lent Isa 43:16-21Phi 3:8-14Jn 8:1-11 “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” In today’s hyper-connected world, it is not uncommon for people to air their complaints and grievances online. This is especially the case when it comes to... Continue Reading →