I Cor1: 26-31 When I saw the theme of this Sunday’s so beautifully entwined readings, I immediately thought of Gladys from San Nicolas, a town near Rosario, in Argentina, and just 10 minutes drive from our own community in Sanchez. [...]

In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard how Jesus was baptized by John, the Baptist in the River Jordan. On that occasion John declared: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) We too [...]

The Sermon of “St John the Baptist”, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1566, Museum of Fine arts, Budapest We Do Not Have To go Through this Life Alone The above painting by Bruegel is a perfect example of the [...]

Many of us are familiar with personal identity documents, compulsory in some countries and non-compulsory in others. These documents are updated at different stages in a person’s life. The first one is given in childhood, it is renewed in the [...]

Mary, Mother of God If You Want If you want, The Virgin will come Walking down the road Pregnant with the holy, and say, “I need shelter for the night, Please take me inside your heart, My time is so [...]

The only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. A tradition that has grown very dear to me, a blow-in to Dublin, is the pre-Christmas performances of Handel's Messiah. For many, the Oratorio is a must-see during Advent. [...]

The maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, a name which means, “God is with us”. These words came from Isaiah around 740 BC. We often say that God’s ways [...]

This Sunday is “Gaudete Sunday” which means “Rejoice!”.  In times past when this was a time of fasting, the third Sunday was seen as a little respite from fasting.   It was a time to rejoice that Christmas was very near [...]

Today’s Gospel introduces John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, who came as a witness to speak for the Light.  There had not been a prophet for 100 years in Israel. Prophets were the conscience of the people, encouraging them to [...]

Isaiah:2:1-5  -  St Paul: Romans:13:11-14  - Mt: 24:37-41 In today’s first reading, Isaiah holds up the vision for the season of Advent. A vision to prepare us for the reality of the birth of the Christ-child. What is the source [...]

Feast of Jesus Christ Universal King. Those of us who live in the north eastern corner of Ireland recently witnessed the death of a monarch Elizabeth 11 and witnessed her son succeeding her as King Charles 111. Those who saw [...]

Mourning our Losses. Too many of us, live with our regrets.  The very sudden death of Siobhan leaves us with questions.  Though Siobhan didn’t talk freely, freely, about her illness, we were still free to ponder with her. I still [...]

Thirty Second Sunday - Luke 20:27-38    Second reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 The start of this Sunday’s Gospel text sets the scene of an encounter between some Sadducees and Jesus. Their question is one that many of us can identify with.  [...]

EVANGELIO SEGÚN SAN LUCAS 19, 1 -10 En estas líneas del evangelio nos encontramos con un tema preferido de la Comunidad de Lucas, “la Conversión y sus exigencias”, en todo tiempo y a destiempo de nuestra experiencia humana, cristiana y  [...]

Luke 18: 9-14:   The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector When Dominican Sisters or Brothers make profession – take their first or final vows - they are asked during the ceremony “What do you desire?”  the response is, [...]

Luke 18:1-8 In the parable in today’s gospel reading, the woman kept asking, and eventually the judge gave her what she wanted. It’s so easy to focus on the last bit: the woman got what she wanted. But the fact [...]

2Kings5:14-17 Naaman and Elisha were both men who wielded much power, Naaman as a successful military man and great favourite of the King of Damascus,  Elisha a Man of God  with a reputation for healing among the Israelite community. Unfortunately [...]

1st Reading God's plans are not always the same as our plans; they are often invisible to our eyes, incomprehensible to our living and feeling. How many times do we ask ourselves like Habakkuk, where are you my God? But [...]

Amos 6: 1, 4 – 7, I Timothy 6: 11 – 16,  Luke 16: 19 – 31 Over many years I have found reading the Scriptures in the ancient process of Lectio Divina to be very nourishing and enriching. Lectio [...]

Amos 8:4-7,  Psalm 113:1-2,4-6,7-8, 1Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13 We should cease being surprised by scripture. Today’s readings challenge us to look honestly at our way of life, our attitude to others, our concepts of justice and mercy, our priorities, and [...]