Reflections

5th day of the octave of Christmas – 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 There is a fall and a rising, a moment of refusal and the sharp sting of a…

Monday of Advent 3 – Num 24:2-7; Matthew 21:23-27 Balaam was a pagan prophet, summoned to curse, yet he ends up blessing. He blesses Israel against the king’s wishes because…

Second Wednesday of Advent – Is 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Jesus’ call is…

Second Tuesday of Advent – Is 40:1-11; Matthew 18:12-14 Time moves on. In childhood we are buds; in youth we blossom; in maturity we bear fruit. Yet when the winds…

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Gen 3:9-15,20; Ps 97:1-4; Eph 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38 How does the universe work? I’ve watched programmes with titles like…

First Saturday of Advent – Is 30:19-21,23-26; Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 There’s a time when our Christian message needs to be loud – loud as it can be. And there are moments…

First Friday of Advent – Is 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus speaks with two blind men who beg for mercy. “Do you believe I can do this?” “Sir, we do.” He…

First Thursday of Advent – Is 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21,24-27 We’d always pick a spot close to the shore, where the sand was dense with seawater and held its shape. Ideas…

First Wednesday of Advent – Is 25:6-10; Matthew 15:29-37 The phone rings: her condition has suddenly worsened. The sacraments are needed. It will take six hours to reach her. Will…

Tuesday of Advent 1 – Is 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24 When someone makes us a promise, it’s natural to be a bit sceptical. We’ve learnt from experience to be cautious; prudence…