Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (2: 18-22) in which Jesus, when asked why his disciples were not fasting, replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of fasting while he is still with them. But the time will come for the bridegroom will be taken from them, and [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (2: 13-17) in which some Pharisees ask why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners and Jesus says, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners’. Fr Paul says [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (19: 16-26) in which a rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Afterwards, Fr Paul shares a little about St Anthony of Egypt whose memorial we celebrate today. Fr Paul says St Anthony is the originator of the [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 40-45) in which the leper says to Jesus, ‘If you want to, you can cure me’. Fr Paul says Mark shows the warmth of Jesus’ humanity and his concern for the leper. The leper had no right even to approach Jesus, but [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 29-39) in which Jesus, while in Capernaum, heals many people but also takes time out in quiet places to pray. Fr Paul says the snippets gathered in the Gospel reading give us a sample of Jesus’ life at Capernaum, which is a [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 21-28) in which the people of Capernaum were amazed at Jesus’ teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Fr Paul says this story takes us a step further in showing the growing [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 14-20) in which Jesus, seeing brothers Simon and Andrew casting a net into the lake says, “Follow me and I make you into fishers of men.” Fr Paul says we could ask ourselves the question, what is going on? In the Gospel [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of John (3: 22-30) in which John the Baptist says, ‘The bridegroom’s friend who stands there and listens is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This same joy I feel, and now it is complete. He must grow greater; I must grow smaller’. Fr [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (5: 12-16) in which Jesus, reaches out to the leper, touches him and heals him. Fr Paul says the meaning of ‘epiphany’ is ‘manifestation’, ‘appearance’. In the Eastern Church this is the major festival, greater that the celebration of the birth of Jesus. [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Luke (4: 14-22) in which Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Nazareth where he had been brought up and read from the scriptures in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Fr Paul says Luke adapts and expands Mark’s story of [...]