We've recently spent time with Jesus as the "Bread of Life". In maintaining that Eucharistic theme, He's now relating himself to the other part of that last supper - the vine that produce fruit for making wine. This image of God being the vinedresser, Jesus being the vine and each of us being the branches … Continue reading we are the branches
Category: Gospel Reflections
journeying to our perfect room
We've all been asked the question, "if you won the lottery, what would you do?" It's a way of trying to get to what it is we really want, our unique recipe for happiness. Sure, there's a subtle lie in there that what we really want is unlocked with more money, but it starts to … Continue reading journeying to our perfect room
a light and a picture
Think of a teenagers bedroom, complete with balled-up clothes and all kinds of remnants of unfinished activities strewn about. This "mess" is a lot like the state of our souls. The thing is, that bedroom is in total darkness - making it hard to realise there's even a mess there. We trip over things without … Continue reading a light and a picture
It’s about time
Today is the feast of the English Martyrs here in the UK. The gospel may be different based on where you live - but given the state of things throughout the world today, the message from Jesus is incredibly timely and relevant. We're all called to suffer. In fact, many are suffering right now, either … Continue reading It’s about time
the gate is the only way
We all know Jesus as the "Good Shepherd". One of the more memorable parables about the lost sheep teaches us how relentless Jesus is with each of us - how He'll never give up seeking us. In the parable from today's Gospel (John 10: 1-10), Jesus throws us a curveball when He is neither the … Continue reading the gate is the only way
the standard of the cross
So often we feel light as can be and are able to joyfully serve. Other times it's a slow, painful slog. As the journey gets harder, temptations set in - causing us to question our decision and beliefs. In today's gospel (John 6: 60-69), we're given a glimpse into what Jesus' disciples chose when they … Continue reading the standard of the cross
Nourishment for our souls
We all learned as children the amazing nature of caterpillars and how, through metamorphosis, they become butterflies. One thing completely transformed into something entirely different - and far more amazing (don't mean to offend those who prefer caterpillars!). Keep that picture & process in mind as we read through today's gospel (John 6: 52-59). My … Continue reading Nourishment for our souls
God’s School of Holiness
We are all students in God's school of Holiness - awareness of this is important, but it's just the start. Once aware, we need to study and do our work if we're to progress through His school. Jesus has laid out a rough curriculum for us in John 6: 44-47. In this we can begin … Continue reading God’s School of Holiness
finding rest for our souls
On this feast of St. Catherine of Siena, let us begin with something she wrote in Dialogue, a series of conversations between God the Father and the soul. This, as you'll certainly have guessed, is God the Father speaking: "Do you know daughter, who you are and who I am? If you know these two … Continue reading finding rest for our souls
the better food
We all have our wish list - the things that we'd love to have, places we want to go, things we want to do. Perhaps these are things we include in our prayer intentions or perhaps they're just goals we've set - but how many of these are things that will matter once we reach … Continue reading the better food