The real meaning of service

 Sunday 31 August 2025 

(Year C: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 ‘…For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted ..’ (Luke 14:11)

Lectio Divina*

Sirach 3:17-29

Psalm 68

Hebrews 12:18-24

Luke 14:1-14

Meditatio

In the Book of Sirach we encounter the message of humility as an antidote to human folly and pride.  Sirach reminds us that humility draws God's favour and help. Being humble - honest with ourselves and about ourselves - opens the way to wisdom.  Humility is shown in how we treat others.  This is true greatness and the world around us needs to see this in practice. God knows we have enough of egotism in public life, the church and media.

Finding your narrow door

Sunday 24 August 2025 

(Year C: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 ‘…some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last ..’ (Luke 13:30)

AN OVERVIEW OF THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS*

Isaiah 66:18-21

Psalm 117

Hebrews 12:5-13

Luke 13:22-30

Finding our way through life can be taxing.  There are so many choices and we may feel pulled in different directions.  The default position is to stay stuck in a particular place or situation fearing that change could bring something worse.  Or, we may feel the weight of pressure - family, friends and society - to conform and follow the main herd.  This Sunday's readings challenge us to find the way to happiness not through doing our own will but following the inner voice of conscience and reason.
It is good to enjoy the journey. But, we need to consider the end goal.

On a hill on the Aran islands there is possibly the smallest church of 'cill' in Ireland. it is that of Naomh Beanán or Saint Benan.  Getting in and out is a squeeze. On a good day such as when I took this photo one could see Mount Brandon in County Kerry as well as the cliffs of Moher in nearby county Clare. The trek to the top of the hill is easy but involves crossing some rocky ground and negotiating briars and cow dung on the way.  On a rainy and stormy night this place must be desolate and frightening. Nothing stands against the Atlantic except a carefully built Cill which has stood the test of almost 1,000 years.  St Benan about whom we know almost nothing is one witness to countless saints, lay people and monks who paved a pathway for us in the 21st century.

Gender matters

 Friday 15 August 2025 

(The Assumption of Mary)

 ‘…For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed ..’ (Luke 1:48)

Source: Dormition of the Virgin Mary

AN OVERVIEW OF THE READINGS*

Revelation 11:19, 12:1-10

Psalm 45

1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Luke 1:39-56

The 15th August was, traditionally, an important date in the calendar in Catholic countries across Europe. Secular France still clings to tradition and marks the day with a public holiday.  The image of Mary being taken up - body and soul - into heaven is part of the wider catholic tradition even if the matter was not defined as dogma in the Roman Catholic church until 1950.  Among Eastern Orthodox Catholics the celebration is referred to as the 'Dormition' or falling asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In the reformed traditions there is no mention of the matter as it is viewed as 'unscriptural' (though in some parts of the Anglican communion the feast day is marked on the calendar).

Why many of our churches are often empty

 Sunday 17 August 2025 

(Year C: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

 ‘…I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ..’ (Luke 12:49)

AN OVERVIEW OF THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS*

Jeremiah 38:4-10

Psalm 40

Hebrews 12:1-4

Luke 12:49-53

Religion never had a great press. Yet, contrary to the ‘death of religion’ claimants religion refuses to go away. Technology, science, economic growth, state coercion or the latest wave of ‘religiously’ motivated hatred and terrorism has succeeded in removing religious consciousness and belonging from the landscape.  

When you least expect it

Sunday 10 August 2025 

(Year C: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

AN OVERVIEW OF THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS*

Wisdom 18:6-9

Psalm 33

Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19

Luke 12:32-48

Something that makes life interesting if not excruciating is uncertainty.  Nobody can predict for sure what tomorrow will bring.  Suppose someone had predicted, for example, 40 years ago that:

• The Berlin Wall would be gone in a little over four years (and pretty much ‘without a shot’ being fired);
• The world trade system, 40 years later, would be in disarray as the White House slaps on tariffs at will and tears up previous agreements;