Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of John (5: 1-3, 5-16) in which Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, who had been at the Pool of Bethzatha for many years. Fr Paul says today we hear the story of Jesus’ marvellous healing at the Pool of Bethzatha (Bethesda). Jesus’ reflection on [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of John (4: 43-54) in which an official from Capernaum went to Jesus and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. Fr Paul says the story of the official’s son comes in three of the Gospels (not Mark), with slight [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (18: 9-14) in which, a tax collector, visits the temple and, not even looking up to heaven, beat his breast saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner’. Fr Paul says Luke is the evangelist of prayer, and he frequently hints about it. In [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (12: 28-34) in which, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (11: 14-23) in which Jesus says, “Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses”. Fr Paul says in the Gospel passage Jesus is accused of being in league with the Prince of Demons. The name of [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (5: 17-19) in which Jesus says, “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to complete them”. Fr Paul says God’s covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai was the basis of [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (1: 26-38) in which Mary is greeted by the Angel Gabriel saying “Rejoice so highly favored! The Lord is with you” and she responds to God’s request saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me”. Fr [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (4: 24-30) in which the people in the synagogue at Nazara were upset when they heard Jesus say, ‘no prophet is accepted in his hometown’. Fr Paul says the full impact of this Gospel scene becomes apparent only when we remember that it occurs [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (15: 1-3, 11-32) in which Jesus tells a parable of the man with two sons, the younger one of whom asks for his share of the estate and then goes and squanders it. Fr Paul says today’s gospel reading gives us a particularly attractive [...]
Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (21: 33-43, 45-46) in which Jesus tells a parable about the landowner whose vineyard is leased to wicked tenants. Fr Paul says Jesus’ understanding of the power or authority of God brought him the violent opposition of some of the Jewish leaders. In the [...]