Traditionally, this day has been the memorial of St Martha but earlier this year Pope Francis changed this feast and included, as part of it, not only Martha but Mary and Lazarus as well. Today, as we celebrate the lives of these three siblings, Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of John [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 44-46) in which Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to hidden treasure and to a pearl of great value. In today’s Gospel, Fr Paul says, we have two little parables, and both emphasise that, yes, we may have difficulties in our lives, but [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 36-43) in which Jesus explains the parable of the darnel in the field to the disciples. In today’s Gospel, Fr Paul says, we hear Jesus offer an interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the darnel. This interpretation only occurs in the [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 31-35) in which Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds but grows into a large tree, giving shelter to birds. Afterwards, he shares a little about the lives of Saints Joachim and Anne, whose memorial we [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 24-30) in which Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a good man who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. Today, Fr Paul says, we hear another parable in which [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 18-23) in which Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower to his disciples. Fr Paul says in this Gospel we begin to hear about the factors that prevent a fruitful harvest in our lives. First and foremost, there is the lack of understanding. [...]
Today, as we celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene, Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of John (20: 1-2, 11-18) which tells of Resurrection morning when Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and of Jesus, subsequently, appearing to her saying ‘Woman why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’. Fr Paul [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 1-9) in which Jesus tells the parable of the sower and what happens when to the seeds, depending on the soil into which they were sown. Like all good teachers Jesus uses pictures or, in this case, parables. In this chapter of Matthew, [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (12: 46-50) in which Jesus says 'Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother'. Fr Paul says the Gospel we hear today tells us two things. The first is that there is no barrier for those who do [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (12: 38-42) in which Jesus responds to the Pharisees' request for a sign by referring to the Old Testament story of Jonah in the belly of the whale. Fr Paul says the Gospel we hear today uses the mysterious title ‘Son of Man’ and after the [...]