There are people inside and outside the Church who think that Christ did not give the Church a mandate to speak about political matters…

These days young couples ask for their children to be baptised for a variety of reasons. Initially, it’s clear that for some, baptism is an elaborate naming ceremony, or the ritual preliminaries to having a ‘we’ve had a baby party’. For others, while they don’t quite know why they want baptism, they just know they do…

The metaphor of the vineyard, cherished by both ancient Israel and the early Christians, suggests that while vines might be hardy, they are also vulnerable…

A young priest was sent by his bishop to a parish that had a ‘red light district’ within its boundaries. On his first day in the parish a nun, who had worked in the area for many years, took him on a tour of her beat, the area where all the women-in-prostitution were plying their trade. As they went along Sister introduced the priest to her friends Bubbles, Ginger and Calamity Jane…

In 1907 one of the most important judgements in Australian history was handed down. It set the wage of an unskilled labourer at seven shillings per day…

The Jews were fascinated by the number seven. It reminded them of the seven days of creation and suggested perfection. So, when Peter queried whether he would be a great hero if he forgave someone seven times…

When couples who are going to be married in the Church come to see me for the first time, I get them to fill out a brief questionnaire. The last two questions on the form ask…

The gospel does not say that Jesus will gallantly step forward, take suffering upon himself, and thus demonstrate his power. Instead, his fate will be a demonstration of his vulnerability…

The readings highlight two different but related themes: the character of our understanding of Christ, and our understanding of discipleship that flows from it…

One bright Sunday morning, everyone in the town got up early and went to the local church…

Although divine power is manifested in dramatic ways, it is also present in what is unassuming…

Jesus nourishes us. In a world that is fraught with meaninglessness, he offers purpose; to a world that is stumbling in darkness and confusion, he provides direction…

Two themes seem to weave through the readings for this Sunday: treasure and delight. The treasure is the extraordinary gift that comes from God; the delight is the joy that we experience when we realise…

When words fail my mother who, to my knowledge, never recited the Rosary as such, in the last month or so of her life would constantly exclaim the words ‘Hail Mary’…

The readings for this Sunday call us to self-examination. The gospel describes various levels of receptivity, the willingness to allow ourselves to receive from another, to be influenced by another, perhaps even to be transformed…

The readings for today engage us in a reflection on the nature of the Trinity, as well as the ways that we are enriched by each of the divine Persons. The gospel acknowledges the sovereignty of God. This is followed immediately by mention of the handing over of all things to Jesus, making him a kind of vice-regent of God.…

Today we are faced with the cost of discipleship, but we are also comforted by the promise of the providence of God…

The demands of discipleship can be very difficult. The strength that is needed to continue on the chosen path despite its hardships can come only from God…

The major themes today are call and discipleship. Most of us are rather insignificant in the eyes of the broader society. And even those who are well known or in some way famous are still just simple human beings with needs and fears and dreams like the rest of us. Yet we have been called by God.

This feast harkens back to the celebration of Holy Thursday. By way of the metaphors of food and drink, its readings provide us with a look at the mystery of divine presence…