Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (18:21-35) where Jesus shares the parable of the unmerciful servant. Fr Paul says, this is a favourite parable of Matthew, and it continues and concludes his theme that forgiveness is the life’s blood of any Christian community. Matthew gathers together into one chapter the special [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (4:24-30) where Jesus spoke to the people in Nazareth and said, ‘Truly I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his country’. Fr Paul says, the full impact of this gospel scene becomes apparent only when we remember that it occurs at Nazareth, and [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (15:1-3, 11-32) in which Jesus shares the parable of the Lost Son. Fr Paul says, today’s gospel reading gives us a particularly attractive Lukan story of forgiveness. The story of the Prodigal Son is told with all Luke’s love, artistry and delicacy for the three [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (21: 33-43, 45-46) in which Jesus tells the parable of the Tenants. Fr Paul says, Jesus’ understanding of the power or authority of God brought him the violent opposition of some of the Jewish leaders which we hear of today. In the Gospels of Mark [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (16: 19-31) in which Jesus tells the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Fr Paul says, this story about Jesus only happens in the Gospels of Luke and it is another stark warning of the danger of wealth. Fr Paul says, for him there [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (20: 17-28) where Jesus said to the other ten, ‘whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, just as the Son of Man came to serve not to be served’. Fr Paul says, the Gospel today gives us the third of Jesus’ great prophecies [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (23: 1-12) in which Jesus tells his disciples, ‘the greatest among you will be your servant…’. Fr Paul says, this chapter of Matthew’s Gospel contains the worst of what Matthew has to say about the scribes and Pharisees. It introduces in fact a sevenfold curse upon them. [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (6: 36-38) in which Jesus tells his disciples, ‘The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back’.Fr Paul notes the theme of today’s reading is, ‘Grant pardon and you will be pardoned…’The atmosphere of today’s Gospel, says Fr Paul, is given by [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (5: 43-48) in which Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, tells the people it is easy to love those who love you, but much harder to love your enemies.Fr Paul says the theme of today’s reading is Pray for those who persecute you. He [...]
Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (5: 20-26) in which Jesus tells his disciples to go and be reconciled with anyone they are angry, or have difficulties, with before offering their gift at the altar.Fr Paul says the theme of our reading today: ‘Anyone who is angry with another will answer [...]