Bitter Sweet Crosses
Exaltation of the Holy Cross On this day, we commemorate the dedication of the Constantinian basilica at the site of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as well as the day the Cross was triumphantly recovered and brought back to Jerusalem by Emperor Heraclius. These historical events, in the 4th and 7th centuries, respectively, helped the […]
Contrition and Gratitude
13th Sunday after Pentecost The cry of distress found in today’s introit, taken from Psalm 73, seems to echo that of the ten lepers of the Gospel who cry out to the Lord for mercy. The psalmist, in a period of social upheaval and catastrophic events, cries out to the Lord not to forget His […]
Fighting on God’s Ground
12th Sunday after Pentecost One of the best-known passages of Holy Writ is given to us today. When we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, we instinctively think of a kind person who is always ready to stop and help, even if there is nothing in it for him. The Samaritan of the parable […]
The Providence of Prayer
11th Sunday after Pentecost He hath done all things well. These words of today’s Gospel give us some profound insights into the workings of Divine Providence, and they invite us to reflect on the way God ordains all for the good of our souls. Just a few weeks ago, we were told that this providence […]
A Book to Read Forever
10th Sunday after Pentecost Everyone who exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. The spectacle offered to us in today’s Gospel reading should put us on our guard against the Pharisee that we all have hidden in us. The Pharisee goes up to the Temple to pray, but he […]
Are There Ten?
9th Sunday after Pentecost The scene of today’s Gospel takes us back to Palm Sunday. As Our Lord and His disciples approach the city, they reach a promontory today known as the Dominus flevit, where Our Lord halts, takes in, across the valley, the spectacular sight of the holy city, and, unexpectedly, begins to weep. […]
Astute Financier
8th Sunday after Pentecost On this eighth Sunday, we find ourselves taken back to Pentecost. Indeed, at the very heart of today’s liturgy lies the resplendent mystery of the Church as presented in the great Pentecostal Psalm (Psalm 47). Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in […]
The Unhurrying Chase
7th Sunday after Pentecost In the epistle of today’s Mass, St Paul points out that if we have in the past handed over the members of our body to impurity, now that we are baptised, this is no longer possible, nor is it profitable. For indeed, the flesh produces death. If you live for the […]
You Are Not Yours
6th Sunday after Pentecost This morning at Matins, we were given to read of the exemplary penance of King David after his double crime of adultery and murder. David’s fall was tragic; it was a disgrace. After all he had received from God, he fell into the most abominable of crimes. And so far was […]
