In the United States, we were told in March that we all needed to do was “stay home and stay safe.”  Even though the number of COVID 19 cases were few and the percentage of deaths were small, we were warned that this “invisible” virus was increasing quickly. So, unless we listened to infectious disease…

Proper 19, 13 September 2020 If Jesus is the centre, love draws and glues us together as the body of Christ, and forgiveness brings healing to the body. There remains a gap between what we learn at school and the reality of things: life has ways to confront us that aren’t in the textbook.  When…

Proper 17, 30 August 2020 In last week’s reading, Peter confessed, “You are the Son of the living God”; Jesus praised him for receiving divine revelation.  In today’s reading he was off track and was rebuked.  We need to be praised, and also corrected at times.  Jesus spoke of His death, suffering and resurrection; this…

Proper 16, 23 August 2020 In today’s Gospel we heard again how Jesus asked His disciples questions.  Children don’t have to be taught to ask a lot of questions: they have a strong desire to learn and know.  The Sacraments are there to provoke children to ask questions.  The Church’s Catechism is based on questions,…

26 July 2020 Many people have asked, what will life be after the lockdown?  It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been affected.  You’ve heard phrases like “new normal”, but as Christians we approach it differently, because we want what God wants for our lives.  There are things to be unlearned and things to be…

19 July 2020 Because God is a God of promises, we have hope.  Many of us have made promises which we haven’t fulfilled – but not God, because otherwise He can no longer be God.  If He promises something, surely it will come to pass. One of the promises God has given us is His presence…

2 July 2020 The book of Exodus tells the story of a people in slavery set free by God to have their own identity and dignity and to become His witness to the world.  It tells how God in His power and might intervened to free slaves and make them a people unto Him.  God…

Pentecost, 31 May 2020 Acts 2:1-21 When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they didn’t know America or the Philippines existed; they only knew the world around them.  Everyone believed the earth was flat, and if you sailed far enough you would fall off the end.  That was how they understood…

The Ascension, 21 May 2020 Today is the Feast of the Ascension.  Often it’s not given much importance, but it’s very closely linked with Resurrection. Imagine the roller coaster ride experienced by the disciples:  during the Lord’s Crucifixion they were scattered and hid;  at the Resurrection they were shocked and perplexed or confused, and even…

Easter 5, 10 May 2020 John 14:1-14 The thief comes to steal and destroy (John 10:10). Satan, the adversary, is against you and against God’s plan in your life. He steals our peace and joy, and wants us to lose our trust in God and His Word. That’s the original temptation: you can’t trust God,…