This Sunday, as the Christmas season draws to a close, the Church brings us the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. The word Epiphany means “to manifest” or “to reveal”. So what does the story of the Magi in their pilgrimage to seek Jesus reveal to us about our pilgrimage of faith? The Gospel tells the fascinating age-old story [...]
Are we listening? Are we seeing? Can we hear? Can we see? Are we able to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and see with our hearts as Simeon did? In Luke 2:27-32, Simeon was moved by the promptings of the Holy Spirit and went into the temple courts where he met Jesus. Holding Jesus, he could “see” [...]
We look at artistic renditions of Christmas with Christmas carolers singing with gusto, on a still winter night, as snow falls gently; families joyfully gathered together and saying Grace for the food with hearts brimming with thanksgiving and love; the Holy Family painted serenely beaming as they welcome the shepherds, the magi, and according to the carols, yes even the [...]
The first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel is dedicated to the Genealogy of Jesus: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was the father of Jacob, and…” (Matthew 1: 1-17) and if you are like me, but hopefully not, you would likely skip this [...]
How are we waiting? Whenever I pray the rosary and meditate upon the first Joyful Mystery, I always wonder how Mary felt at the time when angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced such a life-changing revelation from God. I wonder what her thoughts are as she hears His plans for her. Jewish women were typically betrothed around the age [...]
Luke 1:1-7 gives us an account of what happened in the days leading up to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem: “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph [...]
On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to the colour rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. It takes its name from the first word of the entrance antiphon – “Rejoice in the Lord always!”(Philippians 4:4). But why are we joyful? Simply because our Saviour is near! In the first reading, we hear the joyful [...]
In today’s readings, we read about God’s promise of the coming of Christ. Isaiah comforts the people with the prophecy of the redemption of God’s coming. However, he talks also about having to reconcile with our one true living God. Through Isaiah, we learn that God cares for us and that He will not leave us or forsake us. His [...]
When the Archangel Gabriel had visited Mary, and she heard the news that her “kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age” had “also conceived a son” and was in “her sixth month” (Luke 1: 26), Mary’s response was immediately attuned to the needs of Elizabeth. She did not spend time glorifying herself – oh I am the Mother of the Messiah, [...]
Luke chapter 1 presents to us the juxtaposition of Zechariah and Mary. Both had received an angelic revelation and message. Both had encountered the Divine as they were going about their ordinary activity – It was Zechariah’s turn for temple duties, and Mary was going about her every day. Yet the response that each person gave differed. Zechariah doubted despite [...]
