Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (22: 1-14) in which Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet. Fr Paul says a wedding is normally a time of joy and completion after many preparations. In this story of the royal wedding however two things go very, very wrong. Firstly, the original invited [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (20: 1-16) in which Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Fr Paul says, we need to be mindful, as we read this Gospel, of Peter’s question from yesterday, which was basically, we have given up everything for you, what’s in it for [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (19: 23-30) in which Jesus astonishes his disciples by saying, ‘it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven’. Fr Paul says, the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (19:16-22) in which the rich young man asks Jesus, ‘what good deed must I do to possess eternal life?’. The story of the rich man starts with the man calling Jesus ‘Master’; the disciples call Jesus ‘Lord’ so, Fr Paul notes, even in this language, this [...]
Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (19:13-15) in which Jesus says, ‘Let the little children alone and do not stop them coming to me’. After reading the Gospel, Fr Paul shares a little about the life of St Maximilian Kolbe who memorial we celebrate today. Fr Paul says, Maximilian was born in January [...]
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 [...]