"Does anyone know what Christmas is all about"

 4 Sunday Advent, year C

"Does anyone know what Christmas is all about"? This is a question posed by Charlie Brown in "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Today in the Gospel (Luke 1:39–45), we hear the story of the Visitation. This meeting between two pregnant women, Mary and Elizabeth, teaches us some of what Christmas is all about: hospitality, welcome, service, and sharing the joy of Jesus.

Enluminure de Visitation, réalisée par un anonyme au XVe siècle, conservé au Musée Condé à Chantilly

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Why wait

3 Sunday Advent: Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

Advent is a time marked by the spirituality of waiting. Like when we sit in the arrivals area waiting for a loved one to return, the waiting of Advent reminds us of our need for Jesus and strengthens our desire to follow Him.

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Change our hearts change the world

 2 Sunday Advent, year C | Bar 5:1-9; Phil 1; Lk 3:1-6

In Luke's account of the Baptist's preaching, we are reminded that the scope of Jesus' salvation is universal. Christ came to change our hearts and all structures of the world. While we wait for Jesus' return and the full actualization of His kingdom, we care called to build a more just and peaceful world.

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Christ born in us (1 Sunday Advent)

1 Sunday Advent, year C | Jer 33:14–16; 1 Thess 3:12–4:2; Lk 21:25–36

During this season of Advent, we pray that the life of Christ may be born anew in our hearts, especially in circumstances that seem hopeless and lifeless. As the mystic Angelus Silesius once wrote,“Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem – but all in vain until He is born in me.”

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Rethinking power and influence

 Christ the King, year B

We can feel powerless and insignificant when we consider the incredible wealth and oppressive and even violent power of some people. The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that Jesus exercises ultimate power and influence in an unexpected way, through selfless service to the least among us. When we follow Jesus' call to love others as He has loved us, our actions truly has significance now and forever.

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A light in darkness

 33 Sunday OT, year B | Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32 

Apocalyptic literature, like we find in the first reading and Gospel today (Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32), are some of the strangest and most difficult to decipher genres in the Bible. At their core, these texts are meant to inspire hope in a persecuted community. They convey that God is in control and therefore their suffering will not last forever. These texts encourage the community to live in faithfulness to the covenant. The Gospel in particular reminds us that Jesus is a light in our darkness.

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People watching with Jesus

32 Sunday OT, year B | Mk 12:38–44

I think we all like to go people-watching from time to time. In the Gospel today (Mk 12:38–44), Jesus is in the Temple people-watching with His disciples. There he teaches them, and us, important lessons about who are the people worthy of our attention and imitation. Surprisingly, Jesus calls attention to a poor widow, calling us to imitate her sacrificial generosity.

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Back to Basics (31 Sunday OT, B)

 31 Sunday of Ordinary Time, B | Mk 12:28–34

In response to a question, Jesus gets back to basics, revealing the core of what it means to follow God's path: love God and love our neighbour (Mk 12:28b-34). In order to truly love our neighbour, we must get to know them so that we can serve them in the way that is truly best for them, not what we might think is best.

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A blind man who sees

(30 Sunday OT, B)

In the Gospel today, we meet Bartimaeus (Mark 10:45-52). Although he is physically blind, he has better spiritual vision than others around him since he is able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and knows Christ will heal him. We can become spiritually blind when we fail to see Christ present in our neighbour and daily experiences.

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Service and Synod (29 Sunday of OT, B)

29 Sunday OT, B | Mk 10:35-45

In the Gospel today, Jesus presents a vision of His community where all participate, all serve, and each and every voice matters. The Synod, currently happening in Rome, is an opportunity for the Church to become this kind of community.

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Decluttering and focusing on what brings joy (28 Sunday, B)

28 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B | Mark 10:1-30

In his interaction with the rich young man (Mark 10:17–30), Jesus gives guidance for how we can focus better on what bring our greatest joy – our relationship with Christ – by decluttering or putting in proper perspective things like possessions and even family. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to focus on what brings us joy.

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Marriage ministry of care and encouragement

27 Sunday OT, B

In discussing marriage, Jesus shows his care for married people who are vulnerable as well as emphasis on the goodness of marriage. As a Church, we are called to continue this ministry of care and encouragement. We care for those for whom marriage has been a source of pain, creating space for healing and welcome. We encourage those who are married, promoting the value and beauty of the sacrament of marriage.

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Jesus talks tough (26 Sunday, OT, B)

26 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Like parents warning their children from danger and harm, Jesus uses strong language to have us move away from the damaging impacts of sin (Mark 9:38-43; 45, 47-48). We all have behaviours that harm ourselves and those around us. The Gospel, as well as the writings of saints like St. Ignatius, give us helpful guidance for how to overcome temptation and live a fuller life.

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Finding meaning in routine

25 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

The Gospel today (Mk 9:30-37) teaches us that human fulfilment is not found in having power. Rather, we live a joyful life when we make of ourselves a gift to others. Doing this allows us to find meaning, even in the midst of routine and seemingly ordinary daily life.

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Peter (sort of) gets it right

24 Sunday of OT, year B | Mk 8:27–35

Our understanding of who Jesus is will impact how we think a follower of Jesus will act. In the Gospel today (Mk 8:27-35), although Peter correctly identifies that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter cannot grasp that the Messiah will be a suffering servant. Since Jesus is a Saviour who came to serve others, we are called to do the same.

Caesarea Phillipi

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New beginnings (23 Sunday OT, B)

23 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

The start of each school year is a time of hope and possibility. New beginnings are a time to choose new behaviours and attitudes. The second reading today from Saint James challenges us to behave with special care and attention for the needy (James 2:1–5). The healing in the Gospel (Mk 7:31–37), which we relive in the Ephphatha ritual in our baptism, reminds us that Jesus give us the grace to see the needy in our midst and respond to them in a positive way.

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Cause and cure of brokenness

22 Sunday OT, year B; Mark 7

In the Gospel today (Mark 7), Jesus is asked about what causes division, separation, and broken relationships. Jesus explains that it is not certain external observances which create problems. Rather, it is the human heart that has the power both to divide and to unite.

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Doubt and faith

 21 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Having doubts about what we believe is a common experience in our faith journey. In the Gospel (John 6:60–69), we find people experiencing doubts about who Jesus is. In the midst of this struggle, the Apostle Peter shows a way through doubt. Focusing on the person of Jesus can transform doubts into an opportunity to grow.

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Saying Amen to the Body of Christ

 20 Sunday of OT | Jn 6:51-58 

In the Eucharist, Jesus the Bread of Life nourishes us, and leads us into communion with God and each other. The Gospel this Sunday (Jn 6:51–58) focuses our attention on the precious gift of the Eucharist.

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The Word gives life

19 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

As we continue the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus describes today how He is the Bread of Life in His word (Jn 6:41–51). In the Sacred Scripture Christ nourishes us, giving us encouragement, direction, and hope. Do we read Scripture expecting Christ to speak personally to us?

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A sign of better things (18 Sunday OT, B)

18 Sunday, Ordinary Time, year B

Signs, like an Olympic medal, can be wonderful things. However, signs usually point to something more important. In the case of the medal, the sign points to the excellence of the athlete and the sacrifices they made. In the Gospel (Jn 6:24-35), Jesus reminds us to focus not only on the sign He has worked (the multiplication of the loaves), but to keep in view what the sign points to: Jesus is the bread of life. 

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God abundantly feeds the hungry (17 OT, year B)

17 Sunday in Ordinary Time, year B | 2 Kings 4:42-44 | John 6:1-15

On this Sunday we remember in a special way grandparents and elders in our community. Grandparents image the generosity of God. They often want to feed those they love! In the readings today, we see that God gives food in abundance. God satisfies more than just physical hunger. Like the boy in the Gospel who contributed five loaves and two fish, God wants us to contribute in this mission of satisfying those who hunger physically and spiritually. 

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Building bridges not walls

16 Sunday in Ordinary Time, year B

In Ephesians we discover that Jesus came to breaks down walls that separate people (Ephesians 2:13–18). As followers of Christ, we are called to build bridges, seeking to bring unity in the midst of polarization and division. We can do this by imitating Jesus the Good Shepherd, who sacrifices Himself out of love for others (Mark 6:30–34)

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The Church is made for mission

15 Sunday of Ordinary time, year B

As followers of Christ we are all sent out on mission (Mark 6:7-13). We carry out this mission in community. The witness of love, reconciliation, and peace, is one way we complete our mission. In addition, we are encouraged to rely totally on God in our mission.

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Jesus the rejected prophet

14 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

The Gospel today tells us about how Jesus was acting as a prophet, preaching the Word of God in his hometown Nazareth (Mark 6:1–6). Although we can be tempted to judge the people in the Gospel who reject Christ, we should remember that we too run the risk of rejecting Christ's life-giving words.

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Jesus restores life

13 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

How can a loving God allow suffering and death? This perennial question is tackled in today's readings. The book of Wisdom shows us that suffering and death was not part of God's original plan for humanity (Wisdom 1). Jesus came to restore life and overcome suffering (Mk 5). We are called to continue this healing and life-giving mission of Christ.

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Godzilla and Storm Sunday

12 Sunday of Ordinary Time

In the Old Testament, the sea epitomized the dangerous forces aligned against humanity. In the Gospel today (Mk 4:35-41), Jesus calms the storm which threatens His disciples on the Sea. In this way, the power of Christ to overcome all forces of evil is manifested. As we face our own storms, we take courage in the power of Jesus.

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God works in hidden ways

11 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

At times we can get discouraged because our prayers, acts of charity, or efforts to build God's kingdom seem small and insignificant. The Gospel today (Mark 4:26-34) encourages us to persevere. The work of God in the world is often humble and goes undetected. God, however, is always at work, taking what we offer Him and causing it to grow into something wonderful.

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Jesus has conquered Satan

10 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B | Mark 3:20-35

In the Scripture, we read about an entity, Satan, who works against the goodness of God. Whereas God is a communion of love, Satan brings division, separating people from God and one another. In the Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) Jesus declares he has defeated Satan. Christ has created one family of God. We have been given the grace to bring unity. Only we prevent this by happening, by rejecting the power of Christ, something Mark calls the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

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The Source and Summit

Corpus Christi, year B

On Corpus Christi, the readings today are rather gory! There is a lot of talk of blood and sacrifice. The particular readings for this current year invite us to consider the topic of covenant as it relates to the Eucharist. The first reading describes the important covenant God made with Moses and the people, in which blood was a central aspect (Exod 24:3-8). The second reading reminds us that the sacrifice of Christ for us creates a final covenant (Heb 9:11-15). The Gospel teaches us that the Eucharist is a renewal of this covenant (Mk 14:12-26). The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and life.

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What difference the Trinity makes

Trinity Sunday, Year B

Thinking about the Trinity can be complicated! When we get right down to it, however, our belief in the Trinity is central to who we are as baptized people. We are made for relationship and communion.

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We need each other – Pentecost 2024

Pentecost 2024 

James Joyce once said that Catholic means "here comes everybody". On Pentecost we read about the birth of the Church, a united family which has great diversity of languages and backgrounds. We remember on Pentecost that the Church is a diverse body unity by the Holy Spirit. Everyone in the Church matters and we all need one another.

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Ascension Separation Anxiety

Ascension, year B

At first glance, the Ascension seems like something we shouldn't really celebrate. Jesus leaves us behind and, to make matters worse, gives us an impossible mission before He goes. The Holy Spirit is the anecdote for the separation anxiety caused by the Ascension. The Comforter restores us and gives us the strength (Mark 16:15-20) for our mission of healing the separations (with God, neighbour, and creation) that resulted from the Fall.

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What is love?

6 Sunday of Easter, year B

The readings today encourage us to consider the reality of love. We learn that true love has its origin in God and always seeks the good of the other (John 15:9-17). As followers of Jesus, we are not meant to be motivated by fear. Rather, we are called to fall in love.

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Vine and Branches

5 Sunday of Easter, year B | John 15:1-8

In the Gospel today (John 15:1-8), Jesus speaks to us about our close connection to Him and, through Him, to other Christians. By abiding in Christ, aided by prayer and the Sacraments, we bring the love and peace of Jesus to those around us.

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Let Christ out

4th Sunday of Easter, year B

Good Shepherd Sunday

In our baptism we are linked to Christ and called to be good sheep as well as  shepherds in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd. On Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray that we can all follow our vocations faithfully, bringing Christ to the world!

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Definitely NOT a ghost!

 3 Sunday Easter, year B

The Gospel today (Lk 24:35-48) emphasizes that Jesus rose from the dead WITH His body. He was not a ghost! This shows us the importance of our own bodies. It is through our bodies that we show care, closeness, and charity to others. 

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Glorified wound - Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy, Year B

Why does the Risen Christ still have wounds? This is a puzzling feature of today's Gospel (John 20:19-31). We believe that our resurrected bodies will be free from suffering and decay. So why the wounds on Christ? From Jesus' encounter with Thomas, we discover His wounds have been glorified. They are a constant reminder of His love for us and now give life, not death. Likewise, through the mercy of God, our own wounds can become glorified and can become a channel of grace for others.

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I want to see your Resurrection! - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday, year B

As Christians we have Risen with Christ. Let us show to the world what this means in our life, bringing joy, peace and goodness to those around us. Let us show to all our own Resurrection.

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We are the sequel of Christ - Easter Vigil

 Easter Vigil, year B (Mark 16:1-8)

During the Easter Vigil, we hear the remarkable history of salvation history, from Adam to Jesus. At first glance, the Gospel telling us about the Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8) can seem like a definitive conclusion to the story. When we look closer, however, we find that the Gospel ends with a "to be continued". We, the baptized, continue the story Jesus. Through the Spirit, we keep His mission alive. We are the sequel of Christ.

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A light in the darkness of suffering - Good Friday

 Good Friday, year B

When Christ died on the cross, God joined Himself to all who suffer the darkness of pain, sickness, war, and grief. Because of Good Friday, we can be sure that we are not alone in our suffering. Jesus is always by our side. Because of Good Friday we have hope in the midst of our struggles. Christ has lit a candle in the darkness of our suffering.

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Washing the feet of an enemy - Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday, year B

On Holy Thursday our reality about who God is and how we are to act got upended. Jesus, the great "I Am", the almighty, came and washed feet in an act of humble service. Christ went further and even washed the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve all, even those who we find difficult. The Eucharist, the gift of Christ Himself, gives us the strength to follow this radical call.

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Why wave palms on Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday, year B

As we hold palms this Palm Sunday, we are connected to those who waved palms when Christ entered Jerusalem. Why did these people wave palms in the first place? Who did they think Jesus was? As we wave our palms this Sunday, let it be an opportunity to reflect of the kind of Saviour we think Jesus and the consequences this has for our life of discipleship.

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A software update for the heart

5 Sunday Lent, year B

Every so often, our phones need a software update to repair some critical issue in the program. Perhaps this can be an image of what Jesus does for us. After we were created in God's image, something within us became broke. A virus entered our system. Jeremiah 31 looked forward to a time when God would heal our heart in a definitive way. God promised to make a new covenant, writing the law on our hearts. Christ brings about this new covenant. By His death and resurrection, He saves us and makes us new, ensuring we will never again need any kind of update to our hearts. Lent is a time for us to participate more and more in this transformation Christ is working, providing the ultimate "software update" for the human heart.

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Multiplying love

4 Sunday Lent, year B

Nicodemus undergoes an incredible transformation in John's Gospel. Nicodemus moves from someone who is afraid to be seen with Jesus, to having the courage to be one of the few to bury Jesus. The message of today's Gospel, Jn 3:14-21, is what transforms Nicodemus. He learns of the generous love of God and how when we give love, God multiples it.

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How you can overcome procrastination

2 Sunday Lent, year B

We often procrastinate when we come up against a task that we know will be difficult: filing our taxes, forgiving someone, having a difficult conversation, or getting healthier. The story of Jesus cleansing the Temple (Jn 2) gives us some helpful pointers for how we can overcome procrastination and live a fuller life.

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The power of generosity

 2 Sunday Lent, year B

The story of Abraham in the first reading (Gen 22) as well as the Gospel (Mk 9:2-10), show us how God can take our generosity and sacrifices and transform them into something remarkable.

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We are being made new

1 Sunday Lent (year B)

Since sin entered the world, God has been planning to make all things new. The flood was a part of this plan (Gen 9:8-15). With Christ, humanity is created afresh, given new hearts to love and serve God (Mk 1:12-15). Lent is a time to remember that we are being made new. This project begun at baptism and continues with God's grace and our cooperation.

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