Year II. The reading from Sirach is a hymn of praise in honour of the fiery prophet Elijah. Gospel. In the words of Jesus, Matthew gives us today a catechesis on prayer. The reason and basis of our prayer should not only be merely that we need something and we should not think that our […]
Year II: What a bold question of the prophet Elisha to ask that he be given a double share of the prophetic spirit that was in the prophet Elijah! May the Lord give us the Holy Spirit to a great measure. Opening Prayer Lord our God, You let your Holy Spirit fill us spontaneously with
Year II: It is the ungrateful and risky task of the prophet to speak out against injustice, even when committed by the mighty of this earth. Gospel: Jesus concludes part of his Sermon on the Mount with the words “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” A goal not easy to attain! Our
Year II: It is the continuous temptation of people to get what we want, if necessary by unjust means and by exploiting others, like Ahab expropriating the vineyard of Naboth. Gospel: Jesus tells us not to repay the unjust with revenge. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” is not Christian.
Greeting (See Second Reading) God loves us, even though we sin. By dying for us, Jesus brought us reconciliation and has filled us with joyful trust in God. May the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you Introduction by the Celebrant Many in our society and our communities are in need
Year II: Today’s first reading from the Book of Kings gives us a good example of the radical demands made on people God will send for a radical mission. Elisha is up to the call. Gospel: Why do people require that, at special occasions, a statement be backed up by an oath? Is it that
The celebration in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is closely linked to the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, which follows it by one day. This is not by accident. When we honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we simply celebrate our Lord’s great love, which he showed by dying for us and which
Greeting (See second reading) God loved us before we could love him. He sent us his Son as our Saviour and let us share in his Holy Spirit. May this love always be with you. R/ And also be with you. Introduction by the Celebrant When we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart or
Year II. Elijah prayed, and the rains came. Faith can move mountains. The believer draws on his faith to do what seems impossible. If he trusts God, he becomes strong with God’s power. This is the impact and intent of the “fioretti” of Elijah. But the theological ground of it is solid: God does not
St. Paul owed very much to this missionary, for Barnabas involved Paul in his work among the Christians of Antioch, who were of pagan origin. Acts called Barnabas “a prophet and teacher” and “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.” He was an open spirit, convinced that if one had faith,
