His Ascension and Ours
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by Conor McDonough OP
- Hits: 34
On the Gospel of Mark 16:15-20
Ascension Sunday
In case you didn't realise, the Church is still celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! As Catholics we like to fast and feast – we fast for forty days during Lent, but we feast for fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday! Ascension Sunday marks a high point in this season, when we celebrate Jesus' return to the Father, but it's a feast that's often poorly understood.
Love one another as I have loved you
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by Paul Hughes OP
- Hits: 112
From the Gospel of John 15:9-17.
The theme of this Sunday's Gospel is love. It is not the kind of love that is often presented as a kind of emotional attachment between people. The love that Jesus has for us is truly real. Real love is shown in action. Jesus tells us that "greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends"(John 15:13). Earlier Jesus tells us that "I am the good shepherd, I lay down my life for my sheep". (John 10:15). Jesus has shown us his love by carrying his cross up a hill, and then laying down his life upon it. Jesus valued our souls more than he valued his own life. When we read this Sunday's Gospel, we must remember that these words were carried out. Jesus really is that man who can have no greater love for us. This love that forgets itself is what love really is. Jesus also tells us that He loves us as the Father has loved Him. It is not possible for us to really comprehend what it means to be loved with a love that has no limit.
In Perfect Freedom
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by James Cassidy OP
- Hits: 132
On the Gospel of John 10:11-18
4th Sunday of Easter
Freedom is a wonderful gift. We can notice the difference that is made when someone is able to think for themselves and stand by their convictions. It has an inspiring effect on everyone they are close to, and makes others feel free to be themselves and stand up for what they believe in. And if the freedom to act is ever taken away, then we realise what a gift we had in our grasp the whole time.
You Are The Branches
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by Patrick Desmond OP
- Hits: 225
On the Gospel of John 15:1-8
5th Sunday of Easter
The imagery Jesus uses here is quite explicit. He is the vine and we are the branches. His Father is the vinedresser who tends the vine, ensuring it bears much fruit. The Father does this in two ways: He prunes those branches that bear fruit so that they will bear even more. Those branches that do not bear fruit however, He discards. Jesus is referring to the age-old reality of those who believe in Him and those who don’t. It is as pertinent today as ever. This distinction also mirrors the different ideas we have about what life is.
The Resurrection and the Eucharist
- Details
- Category: Weekly reflections
- Published Date
- Written by Ronan Connolly OP
- Hits: 173
On the Gospel of Luke 24:35-48
3rd Sunday of Easter
Amidst the joy of the season of Eastertide, the beginning of today's Gospel gives us a glimpse of life for Jesus' followers after the apparent tragedy of Golgotha. For many of those who knew of Christ's Passion and Death, Good Friday's aftermath brought pain, sadness and real fear for the future.