Welcome to a special space designed just for you to explore and reflect on the Sunday Gospels! Here, you’ll find insights that help make the messages of the Gospel come alive in your everyday life.
You might be wondering about the difference between a homily and a reflection. A homily is typically delivered during Mass, focusing on the teachings of the Gospel and how they connect to our faith. On the other hand, a reflection invites you to think deeper about the scripture, encouraging personal thoughts and feelings.
This area is your opportunity to break open the Gospel, connecting its themes to your own experiences. Whether you’re looking to gain understanding, find inspiration, or simply ponder life through the lens of the Gospel, you’re in the right place. Dive in, and let’s journey through these powerful messages together!
We aim to update these regularly with various Deacons and those training to become Deacons contributing!
Some time ago, I read an article about a person who was caught stealing. He was arrested and brought before a judge, who asked him why he had committed the theft. The man explained that he understood what he had done was wrong, but he believed the stores were so profitable that they could easily absorb the loss. While this man awaited sentencing, another man was brought into the courtroom; he too had stolen from the same shop, but had taken twice as much as the first. The judge posed the same question to him: Why was he stealing? The second man explained that he had lost his job, was on the verge of losing his home, and his family was hungry. When the judge asked if he understood that stealing was wrong, he replied yes and expressed his remorse.
After hearing both cases, the judge summoned both men to the front of the court and imposed the same punishment on them. The first man became angry and protested that it was unfair. The judge responded, "You stole out of greed; this other man stole out of necessity." He challenged the first man, "Do you think that stealing less makes you less of a thief? You need to remove the plank from your own eye before you can address the splinter in someone else’s." This echoes a sentiment from Jesus, reminding us not to condemn others without first examining our own actions, like the thief who believed he deserved a lighter sentence simply because he stole less.
We should all remember the old saying that applies when pointing fingers at others: one finger points outward, while three point back at ourselves.
The first few lines in this Sunday’s Gospel have given me pause. As someone who is on a journey to the permanent diaconate, a prayer rises up from my heart, praying that I don’t become a blind guide, that I may be not so blind as to lead both myself and the people who are in my care into the pit.
This also highlights that shepherds of the flock have to be careful not to lead their sheep down a wrong path. So too do the people of God; they, too, have to be attentive not to let themselves be led down a wrong path. In both cases, they must have the courage to point out where it is they are going wrong. This verse goes to show why we must pray for each other as children of God.
Lord, in Thy mercy, open my eyes and reveal to me where it is I am going wrong in my relationship with You, so that I may not lead, or even worse, let Thy people be led down a wrong path. Teach me to be a good shepherd of the sheep that could be put into my care, and not to be blinded by the plank of my own pride as to not see the pit that is opening before me. Amen.
The first line in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, “I am talking to you who are listening.” Jesus, like us all, when talking, wants to know we are being listened to; that’s how important he thought his words were. For us, when we look around the world, what do we see? A world full of war, conflict, selfishness; people without forgiveness, people self-centered; countries denying their people’s rights, and poverty in countries that are rich in natural resources. Are we listening?
Where is our compassion? Do we have compassion when it comes to the hungry, to the pain of the innocent, to the victims of abuse, to the hurt within families, to the crying mother who has lost a child, to the people without freedom, to the people without a voice, to those who are sick in body and mind, to those who are homeless? Jesus asks, are we listening?
Where is our compassion? We are told that the amount of compassion we give will be given back to us. So let us give compassion to the poor, listen to the victims, hug the broken-hearted, stand up for those who have no one, and give the homeless a home. Let no one go hungry or thirsty. For we are rich in love for all our brothers and sisters.
In doing all these things, we let Jesus know we are listening.
John was walking down a main street and saw a young woman who was unable to stand due to a large amount of alcohol. She didn't appear to be creating any obvious annoyance to anyone, she had no alcohol in her hand or even around her. John said he would have probably walked past this woman as she was sitting upright on a bench, eyes closed head upwards to the sky. John would have actually thought that she was simply taking a moment in the busyness of life to collect her thoughts. However when he was walking close by her John heard her quietly crying and so simply asked if she was ok.
The woman was a little startled not aware of his presence, she was not expecting attention.
After chatting for a while she told him about her long battle with Alcohol and how despite a number of sessions in rehab she constantly struggled, she spoke about how she was a third-generation alcoholic. Then she told him how she managed to get her child, a little girl, 6 years old, to school each day clean and tidy, she spoke about how well her daughter was doing. The woman detailed her routine to John which sadly contained the fact that 4 days per week she drank early in the morning, as soon as she dropped her daughter to school at 8am she drank but stopped about 1 hour later so she could collect her child each day from school sober.
She told him how her daughter had never seen her drunk and told him all the activities that they have done together, days away to the zoo, swimming and the fact that her daughter always got to go on the school trips. Her daughter does not want for any basics in her life because she is determined that her daughter will not end up like her, an alcoholic.
The lady was crying that morning because she had been shouted at a person, the man used various unpleasant language including telling her that she was a waster, a disgrace, a poor excuse for a mother. The lady was crying not because of the names she was called but because of the way it made her feel, the fact that her daughter may not be happy. She wondered if other parents spoke badly about her to their children perhaps, and if their children might be hurtful to her daughter, a daughter that she loves dearly.
The woman cared nothing about the names she was called, only worrying if the daughter was being hurt in any way. This confirms something which psychologists will often speak about, the fact that we do not know how to love ourselves, how to care for ourselves.
Today's Gospel gave us a phrase we use very often in our world, to treat people how you would like to be treated.
While that sentiment is good, it supposes that we all care about ourselves when in actual fact we really don't care for ourselves that well.
A significant amount of us don't really look after our health, we eat more than we need, some of us smoke and drink when we know it does us harm, so to say to treat others how you would like to be treated doesn't do justice to today's Gospel in today's world!
Instead I ask you to think of the person who you love the most in life, perhaps a child, parent, grandparent, husband, wife or partner, whoever it is....... now whoever that person is that you’re thinking about imagine them being treated the same way as we treat each other.
And so the next time WE MIGHT think about spreading a rumor about someone ask yourself if you would like someone spreading that same rumour about the person you love most.
Imagine when WE MIGHT think about judging or ridiculing the person on the street, the alcoholic, drug addict imagine that is our loved one, would we attack them or would you ask how can I help that person, can we remember that person in our prayers.
The person who verbally abused that lady did not treat her as their loved one, had he of seen her as the person he loved most he might have offered her words of encouragement, telling her how despite having an illness of addiction she was looking after her daughter well, and was giving her a loving home.
Today in the gospel God asks us to love, yes, he says to offer the other cheek etc., but if we all thought about carrying out our action on the person we loved most we would never hurt anyone, because we would never want to hurt the person we loved most.
I wonder if Israeli and Palestinians would have harmed each other had they been told that the person they loved most was on the receiving end of their bombs or guns?
Peace in our world seems very hard and yet it could be very easy if we just treated every single person regardless of colour or creed the same way we would want them to treat the person we love the most.
Let us be the people who see our loved one in every other person.
By the way, the young woman spent time in Sr Consilios and goes to regular support meetings, she is a regular Mass attender, she hasn’t drunk in 3 and a half years, her daughter is in secondary school, doing very well. Recently she was at a small event telling her story, she spoke about how her life changed that day, not because of the man shouting abuse at her but because of Love.
She spoke of the Love John showed her, the love of people who helped while she was receiving treatment, the help of the Catholic Food Banks, St Vincent De Paul, the local religious sisters, and the wonderful caring staff at Sr Consilios, she spoke about how the Love shown to her get her through each day, the love of Catholics, all of us doing a little can help a lot, it did to this young woman and her daughter.
Love really does conquer all, but we all know that because God's Love conquered even death for us all.
In today’s Gospel, we read where Jesus lays out the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke. So, what are Beatitudes?
Beatitudes are acts of virtue arising from the influence of actual grace in the soul. Jesus said, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.” Does this mean that only the poor will see heaven? No, even the great St. Basil said that “for many are poor in their possession, yet most covetous in their disposition.”
It comes down to the rejection of what the world sees as a good thing, such as power and wealth. If one rejects these, then in the eyes of the world you are poor, but in the eyes of God, you are blessed.
This makes one ask the question: When I read this Gospel, how does God view me? Am I blessed or not? It’s okay to be hungry and not to share in the gluttony of the world, to weep over your sinful condition, or when people speak mockingly about you because you have chosen to follow the law of God.
Remember what it says in today’s first reading, where Jeremiah quotes Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord; he is like a tree planted by water.” The soul that puts his trust in the Lord will be sustained in this life and grow to live out the Beatitudes.
As I read the Gospel of Luke, I was struck by the words of Jesus: “From now on it is men you will catch.” Over the years, I’ve reflected on what this means for me, and I’ve admired the bravery of the apostles who dropped everything to follow Him. They left their families and jobs behind, prompting me to ask myself the crucial question: Could I do the same? Am I willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus?
Not everyone is called to be a missionary traveling the world, but we can all serve as missionaries in our own homes. I'm not suggesting we stand on street corners with loudspeakers preaching the gospel, as some do in various towns. Instead, we can live lives that exemplify Christ’s teachings by loving our neighbours. When we treat others with respect, share what we have, and care for everyone—regardless of their background—we embody the spirit of Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke's Gospel.
In a world where it can be challenging to stand out, remember that while we are many, we are one in Christ. Just as the apostles did, we can join Him on His mission. Don’t think, “I’m too old,” “I’m too young,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m too sick.” Embrace your role as a disciple of Jesus in your unique way, as we are called to do in our Baptism. Follow God's mission by being a local missionary in your street, neighbourhood, or church. “From now on, let us be called to be fishers of men,” just like the apostles.
Mary Grimes was celebrating her 66th birthday, Avril Monaghan was pregnant with twins and holding the hand of her 20-month-old toddler, Maura, and Fernando Blasco, a 12-year-old exchange student, staying in Buncrana was exploring the American Folk Park. What should have been a joyful day tragically became their last on earth when they were killed in the Omagh bombing on August 15, 1998. An inquiry into their deaths began this past week.
Many of you may have heard stories of people who are seriously ill, holding on to life while waiting to see a loved one—perhaps a family member from afar. It is often only upon that reunion that they let go and ascend to Heaven.
The victims of the Omagh bombing did not have the luxury of awaiting a loved one; their lives were abruptly taken by an act of evil.
These deaths remind us that none of us can predict what any day will bring. However, we are not called to lead lives filled with doom and gloom or despair; we are a people of hope.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which invites us to remember when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God, as required by the Law.
Simeon and Anna were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Christ, the one who would bring about the Kingdom of God. We, gathered here today, are aware of that Kingdom because, like Jesus, we were brought to the Church and we were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
At our Baptism, we were essentially presented to God. Our parents and godparents made a promise to support our growth in the Catholic Faith—a promise that lasts a lifetime.
Albert Einstein once said, "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Today, our world is perilous because many have lost sight of the guiding light that is Christ and His teachings of Love.
Simeon declared, “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations, a light to enlighten the pagans.”
As horrific as the Omagh bombing was, I believe that those victims are now with the Lord. The testimonies from the families of the Monaghan/Grimes family spoke of their deep and unwavering Catholic faith. Similarly, Fernando's family shared a piece of work he had done before leaving Spain, where he expressed that his most important aim was to reach Heaven.
These families knew God and lived their lives following Him, and while their lives were taken so suddenly, I am confident that, like Simeon, they recognized God when He welcomed them on that tragic day.
We are gathered here tonight because we know God and wish to be with Him one day. But what about those who have drifted away from the Church or have never heard of Him? We must do whatever we can to guide them to Christ.
This evening, we gather to celebrate the Feast of St. Brigid and to mark the closing of the 1500th anniversary of the life and ministry of our beloved local saint. Just think the very spot where you are sitting this evening could have once been graced by her presence. St. Brigid was born nearby in Faughart in the year 451 or 452 and passed away in Kildare on this day in 525. As a young woman, she turned down many marriage proposals, clearly attuned to God’s call for her. Brigid founded the renowned convent of Cill Dara, meaning “the Church of the Oak,” which is now modern-day Kildare.
Numerous stories exist about St. Brigid, highlighting her remarkable gifts like turning water into beer and her legendary cloak, which she used to claim land for her convent. While there are many stories to choose from, one story resonates deeply with me—perhaps due to my roots in the orchard county, but more likely because it beautifully illustrates Brigid’s ability to follow God’s will and guide others. Though versions of the story may vary, the core message remains unchanged.
There was once an orchard owner who spotted Brigid approaching. Eager to gain her blessing for his orchard, he gathered the finest apples and presented them to her. However, as soon as she accepted the fruit, she distributed all off the apples to the poor. Initially disappointed, the owner observed Brigid’s profound love for those in need, and his heart softened. He then asked Brigid to bless his orchard, promising to ensure that the poor could always reap its harvest. Brigid’s blessing resulted in the orchard yielding twice as many apples, ensuring plenty for the poor and the generous orchard owner.
This story underscores the importance of sharing what we have, whether we resemble the rich orchard owner or the generous St. Brigid, who gave selflessly. It emphasizes the need for us to trust that God will provide for our needs if we place our faith in Him.
Brigid gave all that she had—the apples—to those who were poorer and in greater need. She reminds us to recognize that while we may not possess much, we have more than others, and with Christ in our hearts, as St. Brigid did, we have all we truly need.
Tonight, you all hold St. Brigid’s crosses, a tradition begun by Brigid herself to teach a dying chieftain about Christ, who was later baptized into the Christian faith. Brigid converted the chieftain not only through her teachings about Christianity but also through her actions. She took simple green stalks, which grew without care, and wove them into the crosses used in her ministry, proclaiming Christ.
This illustrates that even the most ordinary of things can be transformed into great beauty when shaped in the presence of God.
In today’s society, many of us feel pressured to be the best—striving for the latest car, the largest house, the newest phone, and the highest income. This relentless pursuit of success often distracts us from what truly matters: family and faith. It is during the darker moments of our lives that we come to realize it is family and faith that anchor us. The converted Chieftain had everything and yet he had nothing until he had Christ.
Perhaps, as we honor St. Brigid’s feast, we can be reminded that the simplest acts of creation, done with love—for God and for one another—are the ones that endure. St. Brigid’s crosses are made across the globe—in schools, nursing homes, and family homes. What began over 1500 years ago continues today, symbolizing the Irish people's faith in Christ and the enduring love of St. Brigid.
Ultimately, it is not merely the image of St. Brigid or her cross that we should focus on, though they serve a purpose. Instead, let us concentrate on the profound message of St. Brigid—a message of hope, love, peace, and charity that we can embody in our daily lives. We do not have to look far to see someone who is in need of knowing Christ and His message.
Let us commit to keeping the spirit of St. Brigid alive by nurturing our faith in Jesus Christ within our communities. Let us resist the pressures of a secular world that might lead us away from our beliefs and resolve to live out St. Brigid’s message every day.
While we conclude our 1500th celebration of St. Brigid’s life and ministry today, her message and spirit continue to thrive within each of us as long as we follow her example.
May St. Brigid, Mary of the Gael, Patroness of Ireland, watch over us, guide us, and support us each day as we strive to live out our Catholic faith.
For you of an older age, you would remember a show on television called *This Is Your Life*, but for those who don’t, I will explain what it's about. The show was hosted by an Irish man named Eamon Andrews. Each week, he would have a different famous person and then go back to the television studio with them.
There, Eamon would bring their parents and friends onto the stage, and as the night went on, they would go through the story of their life: how they first started out, who helped them, and what made them successful. These people would come from the back of the stage, and people in the audience would talk about the sort of person they were, their success in the things they did, and the people they brought with them, as well as those they helped along the way.
Now imagine you’re sitting in the audience when all of a sudden, Jesus walks onto the stage with His apostles. First to speak is St. Peter; he tells us how he became a friend and follower of Jesus. He talks about His message and their times together. Then St. Paul comes onto the stage, and he talks about how he persecuted the Christians, his conversion, and how Jesus came into his life, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
Out of the blue, you are called onto the stage and asked what you know about the life of Jesus and His teachings, and how His death and resurrection influenced your life.
Would you be caught out? Do you know His ways? Do you know His words? Would you be able to recite His parables and His words of salvation with the Father?
Jesus is no movie star or well-known singer; He is the biggest star of all, and we should strive to know His life and follow His ways: love one another as He loved us, and reach out to the poor and the outcasts.
St. Luke was the researcher; he found out who Jesus was and the things He did. Jesus was famous not for a talent but for a life of love for others. We need to know Jesus so I won't be surprised someday when asked who Jesus is, and I can say, "This is his life."
This Sunday, we celebrate the “Sunday of the Word of God,” a celebration established by Pope Francis in 2019. This occasion seeks to place focus on the Word of God, the Bible!
We are reminded that the Bible is not a history book; yes, it contains history, but it is a book that is alive today—a guidebook for us and how we live our lives. I often come across a passage that I have read numerous times, but the passage says something different to me each time I read it, depending on the challenges, worries, or feelings within my life at that particular moment. The words read by the Lector, Priest or Deacon at Mass are not just history; they should be seen as they are—words from God for each of us today.
There is a very clear challenge for us all in today's Gospel. We heard in today’s passage that Jesus read from the scroll. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for He has anointed me; He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free.” I want to offer my interpretation on this for you:
“The Spirit of the Lord has been given to us in Baptism. God invites us to bring the good news of Him to everyone we meet, to those who have not yet heard about Him, to proclaim freedom to those who are held captive by the things of our world: money, television, social media, alcohol, gambling, or drugs, and so many other things. We are invited to help those people know that when the things of this world are controlling them, God is there waiting to free them. We are called to help those who are afflicted, the poor, and the marginalized in our society.
There are things that we can all do; we can do it in various ways because of the gifts we are given. As St. Paul reminds us in the first reading, we are all given the same Spirit because of our Baptism, and so while we have different gifts, we are all part of the same body. Some of you today will be happy to directly invite people to get to know God; others will spread this message of God through the example of your everyday life. I particularly think of parents and grandparents whose gifts allow them to pass on the message of God to their children and grandchildren. Some people will assist with spreading God’s message through their works by volunteering in a soup kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Church Choir, or by joining the local Legion of Mary.
The last line read by Jesus from the scroll in today’s Gospel is, “To proclaim the Lord’s year of Favour.” We are indeed in a Year of favour because this year we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope. A jubilee year occurs every 25 years in the Church; it is a year where we are invited to repent of our sins and to forgive others, perhaps to heal old wounds. Above all, it is an invitation to every single one of us to build up our spiritual lives.
Sometimes we may find it a challenge knowing what to say to someone in relation to God; evangelizing does not perhaps come easy to us. So let me suggest that you simply share with someone why God is important to you, what you feel when you come from Mass, or why you spend time praying each day. Sometimes we underestimate what that can do, what it can mean to simply give witness. Many people do not know the peace that comes from knowing Christ.
I have a friend who is not Catholic, and on occasion, they would come to family gatherings with us, such as and anniversary Mass. They told me recently that they noticed a difference in people after Mass. They were very specific; they observed people coming and going from Mass with a noticeable increase in happiness and joy as they leave the Church, refreshed for the week ahead.
You may have heard the saying that just because a person holds a spanner doesn’t mean they are a plumber. Similarly, just because I hold a Bible doesn’t mean I’m a Christian.
And so, I invite you to join me in getting to know the Word of God and putting it into practice each day of our lives. Let us grow in a greater appreciation of the Eucharist, get to know God, and help others know Him also. The only way to be able to bring God to others is by making sure we spend regular time with God. Let us, in the spirit of this Jubilee of Hope, begin that deeper relationship with God and share that knowledge with others.
Everyone needs hope, and we deserve to experience the gift of joy that comes from knowing Christ. So let us share how we know Christ with all whom we meet this week.
In this Sundays Gospel we read about the wedding at Cana in Galilee. While most commentators all talk about the miracle that Jesus did at the wedding at the behest of his mother Mary. That of changing the water into wine, but what is also interesting is the relationship between mother and son, while no one ever doubts the love Jesus had for his mother or the devotion that Mary had for Jesus. At the wedding when his mother said to Jesus “they have no wine.” It is Jesus’ response that is interesting when he says “woman, why turn to me”? whatever Jesus’ response meant, it did not stop Mary. In fact, Mary would go on to say to the servant’s “do whatever he tells you.” Which shows what faith Mary had in Jesus and trust that Jesus would do something. Its seems that Mary became a disciple of Jesus. Likewise, we too need to follow Marys perfect example in becoming a disciple of Jesus and ask God for our needs and have faith and trust in him to be able to provide for us. So always ask Mary to help you when you are in need, Jesus will always listen to his mother.
Mary Mother of God pray for us.
“They have no wine.” “Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus was being clear to His mother that this was not the time He intended to begin His ministry, and yet He did what His mother asked Him and ensured that the wedding was a great feast, that the Bride and Groom began their wedding with a joyful celebration.
An act of kindness on Jesus’ part indeed, but more importantly, Jesus changes His plans to help His Mother, someone who cared for Him throughout His life, but perhaps even more importantly, someone who knew Him intimately and who loved Him and never left Him.
Mary answered God’s request to be the Mother of Jesus; she followed His instructions, cared for Jesus, cried when she watched Him in agony at His Crucifixion and Death, and waited in the upper room for Him to return. A lifetime of Mary showing Jesus love and loyalty!
So how could Jesus refuse her? They had such a close relationship.
There is a saying that churches flourish in times of war! The saying comes from the fact that more people turn to prayer in times of turmoil in their lives.
Certainly, for me, there was a time my prayers increased when I needed help with something, when someone was ill, or during a challenging time in my life.
I wonder, why is that the case? Why do we feel we need to pray more during challenging times, like illness, war, etc.?
Perhaps what we should really be doing is trying to build a stable relationship with Christ, beginning a routine of prayer, ensuring that our day begins and ends with prayer, attending weekday Mass if possible, and spending a little time reflecting on scripture daily, ultimately building up an intimate and loving relationship with Christ.
I am not suggesting that by doing this we will get everything we ask Jesus for, and when we don’t get what we want, that’s when we need to remain loyal to Him and understand that He has a plan. A routine of prayer would mean that we had a stronger relationship with the person we are asking to help us.
I recall going to the wake for a religious sister; the sister had been ill for some time. When I went into the convent, I offered my condolences to one of the other sisters. She looked at me and, in a very gentle voice, said, “Brendan, don’t be sorry. It will be wonderful for her to be gazing into the eyes of the Lord tonight.” I think that was one of the biggest realizations for me; someday I hope to be able to gaze into the eyes of the Lord, so I want to get to know Him as much as I can now so that I recognize Him as a best friend when we meet. And so, a routine of prayer also prepares us for the day that we hope to look into the eyes of Christ.
This passage tells us of the benefits of knowing Jesus. The Bride and Groom invited Jesus to the wedding, and we hear how much of a benefit it was to them that He was with them, that they invited Jesus into their life. We are also reminded about the benefit of having Mary intercede for us as she did for the wedding party.
So let us take from today’s Gospel three messages that may help us in our lives:
One – Invite Jesus into our life, be loyal to Him even on the difficult days, and build up a relationship with Him.
Two – Remember that Mary is the Mother to us all, and she will intercede for us.
Three – It is always easier to go on a journey with someone we know, so let’s not wait for God to call us home; let's get to know Him now so we are simply traveling with a friend.
If we can do this, then just like the six jars of water, our life will be transformed with Christ and will overflow with an abundance of grace, joy, and love.
Anyone who has attended a baptism recently will recall the scene upon arriving at the church: the family seated eagerly, anticipating the start of the service. The mother, father, and godparents, alongside the child, sit with a mix of excitement and nervousness as they await the ceremony. They are greeted warmly at the door by the priest or deacon, and the celebration begins with the Word of God. The child is then anointed with the oil of catechumens, and the family renounces sin while professing their faith. Next, the child is baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Following this, the child is anointed with Chrism oil, symbolizing the anointing of kings, and the godparents light a candle, signifying the child's reception of the light of Christ.
You might be wondering, "Why is he sharing this?" Most of us don't remember our own baptisms, having been infants at the time. However, it's essential to reflect on what we received when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist—the descent of the Holy Spirit. At our own baptisms, that same Holy Spirit came upon us.
Pope Francis emphasizes the significance of baptism and its celebration, the Church even dedicates a day to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus. A few years ago, the Pope asked a crowd in St. Peter's Square if they remembered the day of their baptism. He encouraged them to discover its date, as it marks a new birthday—the day they were born into a life of grace. So, the next time you witness a baptism and observe the ceremony, remember the gifts of grace from the Holy Spirit bestowed upon the child. Also, recall that you have received these same gifts. As you celebrate the child's baptism, take a moment to celebrate your own, expressing gratitude to God for the invaluable gifts you have been given—gifts that cannot be purchased.
Today’s Gospel is probably one of the longer gospels we hear during the year, and unlike the other weeks this Gospel passage is read every year and doesn’t follow the normal 3-year cycle, this is because St John tells us perfectly about the Incarnation of Christ.
This passage makes it clear how God who created the world, the animals, the land and sea and humankind chose to join us on earth in the form of Jesus Christ.
There is a lot in this passage to reflect on, far too much for me to speak about today let’s look at the just a couple of lines in this passage, “All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of humankind, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower”
Many of us will probably be taking our Christmas decorations down over these days, I love sitting in my living room looking at the Christmas tree lights, especially on a cold winter’s evening, I always think it’s very heart warming. Christmas tree lights of course began on trees as a representation of the Light of Christ. Today we still use candles to represent that light of Christ. However, today’s Gospel reminds us that the light of Christ is not something external it is internal, it is something that we as Christian carry within us.
At our Baptism we received the candle representing that family of faith and light that we were baptised into. The candle was, at that time, the outward expression of what is inside us. Our parents and Godparents took on a duty to guide us in our faith and to keep the light burning inside of us.
For some people the light has burned brightly, but for many of us, during difficult moments in our life, perhaps during our teenage years when faith or God wasn’t cool or during problems at work the light dimmed a little, but that light has never went out.
This gospel is a call for us took look after that light within us and to help others also.
How can we do this, well for ourselves it is about continually getting to know God better, read the Sunday Gospel at home and reflect on the passage or commit, as we begin this New Year to sit down faithfully for some time each day to be with God in prayer, either spoken prayer or silently just beginning simply by saying “Lord I want to spend time with you, open my heart” or for others it may mean a commitment to visiting Jesus in Adoration. Just please consider spending more time focusing on the Light of Christ within you.
I believe we also must help others, people who have wondered away from the faith over the years and who perhaps don’t know how to come back to it, you can be that invite, it doesn’t have to be an invite to Mass or even to the Church, it might be simply an invitation to pray with someone, someone who is lonely, sick or a neighbour or friend. You can help brighten that light because it is still there, perhaps just a little dimmer than it once was.
You and I are Blessed, we don’t have everything that we want, we may have worries, but we have something that will never leave us, we have the light of Christ within us.
I have a friend who taught for many years, and she told me about taking a school group to a church, she had been telling the Children about some of the Saints depicted in the stained-glass windows. During the week the local Parish Priest came into the school and asked the Children what they had been learning about religion, one child told the Priest they had learned about saints, she continued by saying that a saint is someone that the light shines through”
I’ve always thought that was a beautiful description of a person, so perhaps that is something that we could all try to do better, let us, you and I try this week to let the Light of Christ within us shine through to everyone we meet, not everyone will be having a good day, but a simple Hello can make it better for them.
Let us focus on carrying out the Mission similar to John the Baptist, leading people to the Light, the Light of Christ.
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family.
If you were to ask anyone to describe the perfect family or even their own family, they would only be able to talk about their experience of family life.
Some families have a mother and father, some families are based on one parent, and there are many other types of family. From the moment you are born, our parents love us, and so do all our family and friends.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, gives the foundation for all family life. For Paul, talking about the family of God and how we treat one another is essential. Paul tells us that as the Lord forgives us, so we must forgive others. For it is by letting the Lord Jesus come into our hearts that we share in the richness of Jesus' words and his ways.
In his letter, Paul instructs the Colossians on relationships, and even though his language may seem old-fashioned or strange, the message is still relevant as it is all based on love. He starts with the love of wives for their husbands, husbands' love for their wives, and parents' love for their children. It seems in his letter Paul recognized that relationships and family life can be difficult for everybody. It is hard to believe that was about two thousand years ago. Society hasn’t really changed that much when we look around the world; if anything, it seems to have gotten worse, with family breakups and children caught in the middle, and parents not involved in their children’s lives. The term family has changed, but we must look for the good and the betterment of all those concerned. As the Beatles song from the nineteen sixties says, ALL WE NEED IS LOVE, for love shows kindness, forgiveness, and how to forgive. It's also about our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his influence on every aspect of our lives.
You are to be an example to your children. Parents, be a parent; don’t try to be a friend. Advise your children wisely, be like the father of the prodigal son, and be like the Lord who forgives us.
If we do all these things, the peace of Christ will reign in your heart. For when we act for the good of one part of the body, we act for the good of the whole body. Everything we do should be in the name of Jesus, for it is through him that we give thanks to the Father of all.
For what is a Holy Family but a family that lives in holiness?
We all know the passage read on this Christmas Day very well, the story of the birth of Jesus. Many of us will have played our part in the School Nativity play, when tea towels were placed on the heads of shepherds and communion dresses or white sheets were used for angels' costumes; of course, these were adorned with silver tinsel around two metal clothes hangers, which provided excellent wings.
Today, things have changed. Many of the nativity plays have sadly gone, and if I ask people if they are ready for Christmas, they don’t talk about being ready for Christ; they talk about secular things. They haven’t got the outside lights up, they still have gifts to buy, they haven’t got new clothes for the Christmas work party, they have to book a visit to Santa, their hairdressing or nail appointment is still to be made, or the house still needs to be cleaned.
There isn’t anything wrong with those things, but it is important that when we are preparing for these secular things, we do not forget to prepare ourselves. We cannot forget the reason for the season; we cannot forget the birth of Christ.
The Nativity story is still one that most of us could recite without any need for a script, and it is our role to ensure this story is still told and spread because it is more than just a story; it is the path to love. Yes, the Nativity does give us the account of Christ’s birth, but it is only the beginning of the story, a story that has not yet ended.
Some believe the story ended with Christ’s death and resurrection; however, we know that Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection could be better described as the introduction. The story continues because we are the continuation.
We have spent Advent preparing for Christ’s birth, and perhaps some people feel that they have accomplished it, that they are prepared. If you are, then I congratulate you; you are better prepared than I am.
While I journeyed through the four weeks of Advent, I certainly accomplished some of the preparation. I attended Sunday Mass each week, Confession, and Adoration, but I don’t feel that I am quite prepared for this Christmas Day. However, I am content with where I am, even though everything isn’t perfect.
I am content because I can look back on the Nativity and realize that things were not perfect there either. Yes, the perfect child was born, but a child who was born in a stable surrounded by livestock. A child who, before His birth, was rejected by the innkeepers who could not make room for Him. A child who, from His birth, had people wishing to kill Him. However, despite all these things, a child who was surrounded by pure love and a child who loves us.
So, as we begin our Christmas celebrations, let us take an example from the Nativity. Let us listen for God’s voice and answer Him positively, as Mary did when she gave her yes to accepting Jesus into her womb. Unlike the innkeepers, let us make room for Christ in our homes, and let us spread the message that He came to give, the message of love. Love to our family, friends and the stranger.
If we have love in our hearts, and if we can share that love with our family and friends at Christmas and throughout the year, then that is how we can continue the Nativity story; that is how we can continue to bring the joy to the world that Christ brought.
A joyous Christmas to you all!
We have reached the 4th Sunday in Advent, with just one week to go to Christmas. Most people are rushing around trying to find gifts or finish up projects at work for the holidays.
For me this has been a week of memories of a person who journeyed with me and my brother deacons, through doubts, frustrations, laughter and then, a band of brothers, seeing the pandemic through on weekly get-togethers on Zoom to boost each other’s morale.
At times none of us knew whether we would make it to the end. Of the 14 who started in the propaedeutic year only six began the diaconate studies. For one reason or another the journey had come to an end for 8 of us.
For the following two years things were as normal as could be. Michael (not his real name) often arrived late but had good reason. Unlike most of us who only travelled a few miles to be in Dromintine, Michael’s journey often started several continents away with multiple flights. He could have been in Afghanistan or from New York, where he may have been involved in some kind of mediation to bring two warring sides together.
Michael always brought a fresh perspective to our conversations and challenged our perspectives, making us think differently. Yet, he was always humble, uncertain of his capabilities of study as his own academic ventures, to him, seemed so far away, when he studied for an honour’s degree at Queens University in Belfast some forty years ago.
I heard recently that while at Queens he was involved in setting up a counselling service for students, with a colleague who became a lifetime friend of his. The same person mentored Michael through the diaconate having previously travelled the same path a few years before.
Michael had a rich fascination for monastic chant and music. Arranging a weekend for his cohort of diaconate students up to Portglenone, where we all rose early, as in 2pm and 4pm, to join the monks of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, part of the Cistercian Order under the Rule of St. Benedict. A journey of seclusion with communal intercession and contemplative prayer. This way of life supported by manual labour and craftwork. The chants were of interest some but not to everyone’s taste. However, through gentle persuasion, Michael managed to nurture within us all as sense of this form of spirituality in our prayer life.
We all felt our journey to become deacons could end at any time. During the pandemic one in our group felt his path lay elsewhere. He had retired and needed to be involved with others, and so become a porter in a local hospital. Very much at service for the community and he thrives in that role. He also continues to support the rest of us, being present at our ordination last January. He still is very much part of our brotherhood.
Five of us were ordained. Three from Armagh Diocese and two from Dromore Diocese. We were thankful we were able to be ordained together as none of us saw ourselves as being separate but as one group.
Over the past eleven months we have each been designated parishes to serve. Michael was in Rostrevor. Formation weekends were set up for us and Michael was at all but the last one. He had come off his bicycle and complications ensued. I only found out because when I found myself in hospital and was telling the lads through WhatsApp, it turned out he was just two floors below where I was. He was in good spirit, telling us the ‘craic’ in his ward.
I went home and a few days later so do Michael. Over the last weekend, I had gone to the formation weekend at Dromintine with others who were ordained deacons. We had heard Michael was back in hospital so kept him in our prayers. We all believed it would be a short stay and he would be home, as before. Sadly, last Tuesday, 13th December, we were sent a message to say he had passed away.
For those of us who journeyed with Michael into the diaconate, it is still hard to take in. He is with us. He is in our thoughts. I see his smile. Images of him with his puppets used to entertain his grandchildren. He is part of us, as a brother.
On Saturday we will all be in Newry Cathedral at his funeral mass to say goodbye.
Though we are just a week away from Christmas, the stark realities of life are ever present, just as they were for St. Joseph as he pondered divorcing Mary, knowing she was carrying someone else’s child. He didn’t want to disgrace her, so he intended to do it informally. But it was an angel who encouraged Joseph to stay the course and see things through, because the child was special, conceived through the Holy Spirit and Joseph had been chosen to be Mary’s spouse.
We must all remember, in difficult times, when we don’t know how to go on, ‘God is with us’ and will help us get through. When Joseph woke, he took his wife, Mary home. What we who remain are encouraged to remember is that Our Lord Jesus Christ has taken our friend home. Michael’s journey is complete, and it is time for him to rest in peace.
I had the opportunity this week of going to the Cinema with family to watch the 1940’s classic Christmas movie “it’s a wonderful life” which I highly recommend. The movie has become for me a kind of preparation for Christmas, not because it has Santa or lots of lights but because it demonstrates humanity at it’s best.
The movie follows the character of George Bailey through the turmoil of his life displaying sentiments of Love, Joy, and forgiveness opposite that of greed, selfishness and hatred.
The film ends heart-warmingly with the Hymn “Oh come all yeah faithful” the first line of which could be used to describe the call from God for the week ahead, today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, Latin for rejoice, we are called to Rejoice, to “Come all yeah faithful, Joyful and Triumphant”.
When we reflect on Luke’s Gospel today, we might believe that it was easy for people to follow John message telling the crowds, tax collectors and soldiers to change their ways. However, it would have been difficult to change, difficult because it was the common practice. Common for people to think of themselves above others, common to take more than needed so the tax collector could become richer, common for the soldiers to be ruthless and threat the non-roman people however they liked, being violent to them and enjoying the pain they were causing. This however is what John told them they must do to prepare for the Lord.
Unfortunately, a lot of these things are still prevalent today in our world, there are many people who look down on others for various reasons, perhaps because they are homeless, disabled, have a different colour of skin or have a smaller house. We still have people who are greedy and make money from those in desperate situations, money lenders with huge interest rates, landlords seeking extortionate amounts of rent for small accommodation which is barely habitable. We have drug dealers encouraging people to try drugs and charging huge prices to the addicted, all the time causing huge amount of illness to them and their families.
John message is for each of us, we may not be the greedy landlord or the drug dealer but all of us are called to review the way we live and the way we treat each other.
This week is one of rejoicing, the Celebration of the Birth of Christ is almost with us, we are called to rejoice and spread the message of Christ delivered by John in this week’s Gospel to everyone, and we are called to live it ourselves.
We can share what we have, for example we can donate to our local soup kitchen or to the work of Trocaire. We can look at how we treat our fellow human beings and consider if we have treated each other with the dignity and respect that Christ offered throughout his Ministry.
So, no matter how difficult it is to change, that is what we are asked to do.
God, knowing all that He does realises that despite our best efforts we will fail at times to be the best version of ourselves and that is why He gifted us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we have the opportunity to ask God to forgive us our sins through Confession. So let us make use of that Sacrament asking the Lord to forgive us for the sins of the past and step forward free from our past failings and rejoicing that we are Gods people and we will follow his message by being the best version of our self. Let us also demonstrate our faith as we journey through advent, let us show others that we are Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant because God is with us.
Returning to the Movie, the outcome is Joyful because good people, rich and poor, from every race unite in both Prayer and Action, together each doing what they can. They demonstrate that Love conquers evil always as long as we work together.
So let us try to improve our world by being the best version of ourselves and let us pray that our example will change the hearts of those, who, in our society treat people badly, that damages people and families for their own greed and enjoyment.
As our Entrance Antiphon today proclaimed “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near” Let us share the news that the Lord is near to everyone we meet this week by spreading Love and Care to everyone.
In this week’s Gospel we see people from all walks of life coming to John the Baptist and asking him how to live their lives. By asking him “what must we do?” It is clear that these are people who are truly seeking guidance. But what is striking is John’s response to them. It is by no means harsh, or over burdensome but it is fair. This is far removed from the fire and brimstone John we see at the outset. For those who have plenty, share with those who have none. To the tax collector’s he tells them to take no more than their rate. So, this Sunday, we too must ask ourselves with the help of God what is it that we must do? To live the life that God is asking of us. And at times this will be somewhat of a challenge, because you might not get the answer you want! But if you are truly seeking, God will reveal what it is that God wants of you. But we must not forget, that while at times it might be difficult. We too like the three kings in the Christmas story can lay are troubles in front of the child Jesus. And like the three kings we could find ourselves returning to our daily lives but this time by a different path. A path not of our own making, but of that which the Lord wants us to take.
Today, in our Gospel, Saint Luke tells us, "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill laid low; winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God."
As I reflect on this passage during the season of Advent—a time of preparation—I believe it encourages us to examine how we are getting ready for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Many of us have likely seen the humorous comic on social media depicting how the first Silent Night occurred—Mary expressing her frustration to Joseph for not securing a place to stay in Bethlehem. While this scenario may not be historically accurate, it does impart a lesson.
God, knowing that Mary was to bring His Son into the world, did not ensure that there was room for them in a guest house. Because of that, we can adore Baby Jesus in a stable.
Though there wasn’t the luxury of a hotel, the stable offered something eternally valuable—Love.
Today’s Gospel prompts us to prepare for Jesus, to prepare for Love. In today’s world, many of us spend excessive time decorating our homes to resemble something out of a magazine, succumbing to road rage as we shop for gifts, booking appointments for hair, tanning, or makeup, and searching for new clothes for Christmas. We must pause and ask ourselves—why?
While there is nothing inherently wrong with many of these activities (though road rage is certainly to be avoided), we should reflect on where, amidst all of this, we are genuinely preparing for Jesus.
Are the gifts we purchase for others intended to express our love, or are they merely obligations we feel compelled to fulfil? Is our home decorated so beautifully to honour Jesus, or to impress visitors with a perfect façade?
Is Christmas merely about our outward appearance, or is it about what truly lies within us?
I would argue that Christmas is about welcoming Jesus and embracing the values the Holy Family imparted to us. They taught us that it doesn’t matter how our homes are decorated or what we look like; what truly matters is that our lives and homes are filled with Love—for our family members, neighbours, and friends. They demonstrated that it is okay to give of ourselves; the shepherds came to Jesus with nothing but their love and devotion, while the Magi offered what they had.
My suggestion is that we express our love for our families, strive to mend broken relationships, and give what we already possess to others: our friendship, our support in difficult times, and the assurance that they can count on us during life's challenges—that is something money can’t buy.
So, let us take a moment today to reflect on what is truly important. If welcoming Jesus is our priority, then let’s consider the kind of welcome He desires. If it’s merely about having fun with presents and style, then perhaps some of us may not need to change at all.
Short Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent - Luke 3:1-6 by a Trainee Deacon
In this passage, Luke recounts John the Baptist's message of repentance and forgiveness of sins, urging us to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus. We can do this by examining our own lives and rejecting earthly distractions that fail to provide lasting fulfilment, such as the pursuit of power, money, and possessions, which offer only temporary joy. True happiness arises from following God's path, as revealed in the Good News brought to us by our Lord Jesus. He teaches us about the Father's ways, emphasizing that it is only by embracing these principles that we can find salvation and genuine joy. As a result, all humanity will come to witness the salvation of God.
The Season of Advent
This Sunday marks the first Sunday of advent, it is a time when as Christians we look forward to the coming of Christ. The term Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus which means ‘arrival. This is also reflected in this Sundays Gospel when we hear the words “be on guard,” for the coming of the son of Man. While the Gospel is talking about the end of the world, in very stark language. One cannot help seeing some parallels with what is happening on the world stage. There is a verse in the Gospel that I think is worth reflection on when it says, “hold your heads high”. We must never forget why we celebrate advent, why we look forward to the coming of Christ. It is only on that first Christmas night when Mary gave birth to Jesus that God has taken on human form. It is in that moment that Christ gives humanity a dignity. Which is greater than anything we could hope to have. God became man so it is in that light that we can hold our heads high. At the heart of the Gospel is a message of hope. It is telling us that while there might be trouble on the world stage, we as Christians should not allow ourselves to get caught up in it. But rather look to Christ our true hope. So, I conclude with the words of Jesus himself: "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”
On reading this Gospel it’s hard to believe that it was written nearly two thousand years ago. Looking now at our world, the weather is upside down, the oceans are overflowing and yes, we were all frightened of dying when covid came along.
Luke then goes on to talk about drunkenness and with debauchery in his time, you could nearly think he is describing many Friday and Saturday nights in some of our towns and cities were morals have all but disappeared. The value of life in our world has become so cheap, with governments throughout the world passing laws to allow us to have the right to take our own lives if we are ill in body and mind, but who decides?
I remember laughing at the signs quoting the end of the world is nigh – it doesn’t feel too far way now.
What Luke is describing in his Gospel is the second coming, but he gave us an assurance, that we as disciples of Jesus should stand up, lift our heads heavenwards in faith and joy, because when the world is nigh, we will know our redemption is near, so we need not fear.
