Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (19:3-12) in which the Pharisees test Jesus with questions about divorce and marriage. Today’s Gospel is interesting, Fr Paul notes, because initially it is the Pharisees who come to Jesus and they put a test to him about marriage and divorce. As we hear, Jesus quotes [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (18:21-19:1) in which Jesus shares the parable of the unmerciful servant. Fr Paul says this parable continues and, in fact, concludes the theme of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the life blood of any Christian community. If we reflect, constantly throughout our lives, we knowingly or unknowingly upset [...]
Today, as we remember and celebrate the life of St Clare, Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (18: 15-20) in which Jesus shares with his disciples a way for resolving conflicts with each other. After the Gospel, Fr Paul shares a little about the life of St Clare. Fr Paul [...]
Today, as we remember and celebrate the life of St Lawrence, Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of John (12: 24-26) in which Jesus tells his disciples that if a person serves him, they must follow him… ‘for where I am, my servant will be there, too. If anyone serves me, my Father [...]
Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, uses the reading for the memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, whose life we celebrate today. It comes from Matthew’s Gospel (25: 1-13) in which Jesus tells the story of the ten bridesmaids – five foolish and five wise. The [...]
Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, reads and reflects on the Gospel from Matthew (17: 14-20) in which Jesus says, “if your faith were the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for [...]
Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, reads and reflects on today’s Gospel from Mark (9: 2-10) as we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Before reading the Gospel, Anne explains that the Transfiguration of the Lord refers to a mysterious event during which Jesus is [...]
Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, reads and reflects on today’s Gospel from Matthew (16: 13-23) in which Simon Peter declares of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The expression ‘Rock’ or ‘Rocky’ seems to have been popular for sports people and celebrities. [...]
Today, as we remember the life of St John Vianney, Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, uses the Gospel reading of the Feast day in the Proper of the Saints from Matthew (9:35-38 – 10:1) in which Jesus says, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few'. After [...]
Anne O’Brien, Director of Mission at St Agnes’ Catholic Parish and a friend of Fr Paul, reads from the Gospel of Matthew (14: 22-36) in which Jesus comes to his disciples walking on the water of the lake, saying ‘Courage, it is I… do not be afraid’. Anne says this Gospel presents [...]