Tag Archive for ‘holiness’
Francis Speaks – Do Not Be Afraid
In these days, news reports and scenes of death continue to enter our homes, even as bombs are destroying the homes of many of our defenceless Ukrainian brothers and sisters. The vicious war that has overtaken so many people, and caused suffering to all, has made each of us fearful and anxious. We sense our […]
The Holiness of the Catholic Church
Symbols of hope Some years ago I visited the new cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. I was struck by the multi-coloured woven banners, each about five metres high, decorating both side walls and depicting saints of all the Americas, north, south and central. As well as bishops and nuns, there were married and single lay […]
Friday 13 December
St Lucy (M) Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; Matthew 11:16-19 Love now, not later “But wisdom is justified by her children” means much the same as “by their fruits, you will know them”. John was clearly more austere than Jesus, but he wasn’t holier than him. There is a time to weep and a time […]
Wednesday 23 October
Romans 6:12-18; Psalm 124; Luke 12:39-48 Don’t let sin reign The road to holiness is a daily battle between our bodily passions and the grace of freedom offered us by Jesus. St Augustine wrote: “Our pilgrim life here on earth cannot be without temptation, for it is through temptation that we make progress, and it […]
Saturday 7 September
Colossians 1:21-23; Psalm 54; Luke 6:1-5 Legalism and love Many times, we hear Jesus teaching his disciples that love is more important than the mere observance of the law. His most scathing words were for those who thought themselves holy because they scrupulously kept all the rules and despised those who were not able to […]
Friday 30 August
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Psalm 97; Matthew 25:1-13 Stay awake and listen God wants us to be holy. Holy persons try to love others as God loves, yet know they will never succeed perfectly. They take ordinary tasks and do them in freedom with generous love. They know they need God and call on the Holy […]
Wednesday 21 August
St Pius X (m) Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21; Matthew 20:1-16 Exposing our holy veneer This parable strips off our veneer of holiness, exposing our hidden jealousy and anger that God would flout our internalised justice. God’s radical mercy shocks us. Something screams at the idea that God is in total control and astonishingly chooses to […]
Monday 25 March
Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 40; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation By Mary saying, “let what you have said be done to me”, the whole of human history was changed. God was able to become human in the womb of Mary. In a certain sense we can give flesh to the Word as well. In acts […]
Sunday 3 March
eighth sunday in ordinary time Ecclesiasticus 27:4-7; Psalm 92; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-46 The store of goodness The readings today remind us that what is inside us will show itself by what we say and do. Most of us are a mixed bag, with goodness and sinfulness mixed together. Growth in holiness means accepting […]
Wednesday 26 September
Proverbs 30:5-9; Psalm 119 H; Luke 9:1-6 Single-heartedness A common theme from today’s readings seems to be purity, or, single-heartedness. The word ‘alloy’ is in the reading from Proverbs. Alloy – a metal that is a blend of pure metals as in the case of bronze made from copper and tin. God’s Word is unalloyed, […]
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