5th Sunday of Easter, Year A – 2020

In this period of pandemic, the prevailing mood of most people is not that of exuberant joy, and this is an understatement. Sadness, loneliness, and for some even hopelessness, characterize their days. Downcast, dejected, discouraged, would describe many people.   In the first line of this Sunday’s gospel (Jn.14:1-12) Jesus […]

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2020

The 1st reading on this 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year A – Exodus 17:3-7) presents us with a scene known to many of us. The people of Israel complain that they have no water and accuse Moses of bringing them to a desert place. He, in turn, complains to the […]

1st Sunday of Advent, Year A – 2019

Many people resent being told what to do! And… we know that the giving of advice is not always welcome. Of course, much depends on who gives the advice! During the period of Advent starting today, the Scripture readings often remind us about living with careful attention. We are told […]

Feast of the Holy Trinity, year B

Promises – they are important, we rely on them, especially when they are from people who are trustworthy. And then… there are very special promises: those from… God himself! In today gospel, on the Feast of the Holy Trinity (Year B – Mt.28:16-20), the last verse gives us precisely this: […]

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, 1st January, Year B

At times, we think that to understand God’s words and ways we need long studies and much wisdom. Wisdom? Yes, but not necessarily the one coming from intellectual achievement! The wisdom of ordinary people, of ‘simple folks’, as they are sometimes referred to, is closer to genuine insight. The gospel […]

Feast of the Transfiguration, Year A *

* (This feast takes the place of the 18th Sunday of Year) The gospel of this Sunday (Feast of the Transfiguration, Year A – Mt.17:1-9) presents us with a scene that is rather unusual in the life of Jesus. It is no wonder that the apostles are startled and even […]

15th Sunday of the Year, A

The words we use can express different levels of meaning. Some words go deeper than others, we know it. To get a glimpse of something or to catch sight of someone, is different from truly looking at the thing or the person. Looking at a scene, staring at somebody, this […]

3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A

“We had hoped…” “We had thought this would happen…” “We expected we could do this…” “We had anticipated the coming of…” “We had prepared for that event…” The very mood of two disciples on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus (Lk.24:13-35) after the terrible event of the past Friday. They […]