Jesus tells the disciples their sorrow will turn to joy As we continue the journey towards the Ascension in John’s Gospel (16: 20-23), Fr Paul says we hear again about the highs and lows of building the Kingdom. Jesus acknowledges that in our lives there are times when we will glimpse God [...]
Jesus wants his community to be filled with the Spirit Fr Paul says we see a familiar pattern in John’s Gospel (16:16-20) today: Jesus says something to the disciples, they are confused or don’t understand and then Jesus goes on to teach them again. In this particular Gospel, Jesus wants the community [...]
Jesus tells the disciples there is so much more he wants to share with them After reading today’s Gospel (John 16: 12-15), Fr Paul sets the scene for our reflection by taking us on a journey to stars to consider the vastness of the universe in the context of God. Just as [...]
Jesus outlines 3 things the Spirit will help the disciples realise Fr Paul says two themes continue to run through our Gospel John (16: 5-11) today – the approaching departure of Jesus and the coming of the advocate, the Holy Spirit. Jesus balances any negativity the disciples may feel about his going [...]
Jesus promises to send the Spirit Fr Paul says, this week, starting with today’s Gospel from John (15:26 -16:4), we are pilgrims on the journey to the Ascension next Sunday. Jesus is talking to his disciples, preparing them for the fact that he is leaving them that he is going to return to [...]
The world loves its own In this passage from John’s Gospel (15: 18-21), Jesus talks about persecution, his and those who choose to follow him. Fr Paul says that, after cleansing the temple at the beginning of his ministry, the temple authorities in Jerusalem were wary of Jesus. From then on, his life [...]
Love one another as I have loved you In John’s Gospel (15: 12-17) today, Jesus commands us to ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. Fr Paul says this is the only time Jesus gives a command – not a request, not a hope, not a recommendation. Jesus explicitly commands us to [...]
Feast of St Matthias Matthias is elected to the twelve For today’s Feast of St Matthias Fr Paul reads from the Acts of the Apostles (1: 15-26) about Matthias’ election to the twelve, which is the only time he is mentioned in the scriptures. Fr Paul draws our attention to some interesting [...]
I am the vine, you are the branches In today’s Gospel (John 15: 1-8) we experience a part of the Last Supper discourse that Jesus shares with his disciples in which He is the vine and the Father is the vinedresser. Fr Paul tells us that Jesus takes a familiar image, that [...]
Jesus: Peace I leave with you Today’s Gospel from John (14:27-31) opens with Jesus giving a greeting of peace to his disciples. Fr Paul explains that the type of peace Jesus means is not just the absence of war. Peace, here, means peace within ourselves: Do we have a clear conscience type [...]