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 [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (6: 45-52) in which Jesus seeing the storm, comes to his disciples, walking on the water, and says to them, ‘Courage! It is I – do not be afraid’. Fr Paul says the story of the walking on the water is less dramatic [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Mark (6: 33-44) in which Jesus, using a few loaves and a couple of fish, feeds a large crowd – all ate, all were satisfied. Fr Paul says this story can be read on several levels. It is a foretaste of the Eucharist, the [...]
Today Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (4: 12-17,23-25) in which Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum after hearing that John had been arrested. Fr Paul says this is the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. The first thing Matthew does is introduce us to Galilee, characteristically quoting [...]