In this astonishing incident in Luke’s gospel, those listening to Jesus suddenly turn from praising him to rage against him. So intense was their anger that they attempt to kill him. And these are people from Jesus’ home town of Nazareth, who knew his family and had grown up with him. How do we explain this?
Be Open to God’s Message Read More »
Today’s gospel follows John the Baptist’s preparation of the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah. John’s mission is to communicate as clearly as possible that God’s people are in feeble spiritual health. John knows that God’s chosen one is coming to offer a new way of knowing and relating to God.
Repentance clears the way for hope Read More »
Of all Jesus’ miracles, we might think his turning water into wine is the least significant. However, for John, this miracle at the wedding feast of Cana takes pride of place as the first of the ‘signs’ given by Jesus.
Drinking the new wine Read More »
Today marks a turning point in the liturgical year when we move out of the Christmas festive season into Ordinary Time.
Inspired by the baptism of fire Read More »
What’s being revealed to us twelve days after Christmas, because this is what Epiphany means: something is shown, or revealed to us. We’re all in holiday mode and then these Magi, these wise men appear, following a star.
The child is revealed Read More »
Slim Dusty is fondly remembered as Australia’s ‘King of Country’. During his lifetime, Slim released more than a hundred albums, selling more than seven million records and earning over 70 gold and platinum album certifications.
Looking back, looking forward Read More »
What a year it has been as the pandemic raged across the world for a second year. It’s been a hard time in so many ways. But now, at last, it’s Christmas and we gather to give thanks for the many graces and blessings in our lives, despite the hard times, and to rejoice in the greatest gift of all, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, and our world and our destiny forever changed.
Time to reset our sights Read More »
Fresh from her encounter with the angel Gabriel, “Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country” to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was herself bursting with pregnancy in her old age. This meeting of two Spirit-filled pregnant women, seeking to understand what God is doing in their lives, is remarkable in the way it captures their very human interaction along with their prophetic voices.
In Scriptural terms, all this occurs with the highly unusual absence of male voices in the conversation.
The importance of women in the Church Read More »
I was surprised recently to hear one of my students describe Jesus as a “wowser” and Christianity as the world’s foremost proponent of “wowserism”. While I might be able to understand why a young person might express the latter sentiment (albeit unjustly), I find it difficult to see how anyone could accuse Jesus of being a “wowser”.
Dining at God’s table Read More »
John the Baptist is among the most theologically significant figures in the Gospels. In Luke’s gospel, his birth narrative parallels that of Jesus. His conception is announced by an angel, and his birth was a surprise gift to his aged parents. The expectant mothers of Jesus and John meet and rejoice that they have been blessed by God. The children are cousins, and both will begin their mission in the desert.
The need to forgive ourselves Read More »
