Reflections & Homilies

During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo says God's Kingdom grows quietly through humility, patience and love rather than power, urging Christians to trust in His hidden work and become "small seeds of the Gospel" in the world. Pope Leo urged Christians to reject the temptation to seek spectacular displays of God's power, reminding the faithful that the Kingdom of God grows quietly and patientl... Read More

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1.Romans 8: 26-27 The work of the Spirit "Brothers and sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will". This sh... Read More

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1. Becoming open to the healing Word I continue to write from St Luke's Hospital in Headington, where my recuperation and rehabilitation after my knee replacement continues. So I share my thoughts particularly with any of you who are house bound, undergoing some form of recuperation after illness, or face changed circumstances, particularly that of losing independence ... Read More

July 11th - Feast of Saint Benedict - Father of Western Monasticism - Patron of Europe A personal prologue Though I moved from being part of a monastic community to serve our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters as one of their byzantine priests, I have never lost my attachment to the spiritual tradition and basic practices of my formative years as a monk. I am also glad that links can be kept wi... Read More

Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin gave this homily during the 6pm Vigil Mass in Saint Mary's Cathedral, Dublin yesterday. "Come to me, all you who labour and overburdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). These words of the Lord in our Gospel today express the tenderness of the love which the Lord lavishes on those whom He invites to draw closer to the source of life. God's d... Read More

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time This past week has been one of new experiences, some good, some difficult, but all linked to the slow process of healing. I underwent a full knee replacement last Thursday, not the best of operations, and having two orthopaedic surgeon brothers it was a procedure which was explained to me in detail. I have to admit it has been a painful and difficult week, one in... Read More

Human life is a sacred gift that merits to be welcomed, protected and cared for in all its stages. Nevertheless, indifference, exclusion and violence threatening the dignity of the person, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, persists in many parts of the world. When respect for life diminishes, the throwaway culture grows, leaving many without the care, support and recognition they n... Read More

June 28th 2026 Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul We must try and avoid any form of triumphalism for this feast, that is not how the apostles witnessed to their faith in Jesus, rather it is more prescient to celebrate as we ought, with joy and thoughtfulness, grateful for the witness and ministry of these two key figures at the beginnings of our faith.. In our Catholic tradition we also pray for P... Read More

How do my Christian friends view my engagement with Muslims? I am often ask about my experience with Muslims. I tell them that I believe that I've been called by the Church to immerse myself among Muslims. The word "among" is key to understanding my mission. My purpose is to witness Christ's love among them. Over the years, I've become increasingly convinced that it is Christ's love that drives us... Read More

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV focused on the Eucharist as he continued reflecting on Vatican II's 1963 Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, underscoring that the sacred mystery enables us 'to adopt the very way of the Lord.' "Let us draw with faith from this source of divine life and allow ourselves to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate... Read More

Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Raphoe, delivered this homily at the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine of Knock in Ireland, for the Day for Life yesterday. "The Church does not proclaim the Gospel of Life in order to condemn. Christ always begins with mercy. There is no wound beyond His healing, no past beyond His forgiveness, no life beyond His love." My brothers and sisters, In today's G... Read More

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 1. Jeremiah speaks for our time. What a relief it is to hear those clear words of the prophet Jeremiah telling us not to listen to the babble of dissonant religious voices. It fills me with a new energy, because far too much, and too often in out present social media world , all kinds of people are allowed to say the most outrageous things about faith, cite script... Read More

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time The opening words of the gospel this Sunday present us the commissioning by Jesus of the twelve disciples, for what we can call their first missionary journey. At the heart of their mandate is the proclamation of the Kingdom, which remains a constant in every other missionary action from that initial trip of that first time to our mission as disciples of the Lord i... Read More

Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ It is quite exciting and wonderful how familiar passages from the Scriptures can suddenly open themselves out to us, and help us focus in a different way, by causing us to reflect in a deeper and more thoughtful way and make connections that enrich our faith journey! And so I found that this verse from our first reading caught my attention and struck ... Read More