“Mary gave birth to her first born, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” In our Christmas crib scene, Jesus lies in a manger as a sign of poverty and exclusion. Tradition surrounds Jesus with beasts: the ox and the ass, the lambs carried in by the shepherds, and later the camels of the Magi.
Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, 4 December 2022: Matthew 3:1-12
On this Second Sunday of Advent, the figure of St John the Baptist bursts onto the scene. As St Matthew gives no details of his origins, we must turn to St Luke, who tells us that he is the cousin of Jesus: six months his senior. John’s birth was foretold, and his name given to Zechariah his father by the angel Gabriel, who proclaimed that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother’s womb. In Elizabeth’s womb John leaps at the presence of Jesus, who is in Mary’s womb. John becomes strong in the spirit, and then “was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel”.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, 27 November 2022, Advent IA: Psalm 24:1
Annual Community Retreat: 14-21 November 2022
Blessing of Oblate Bookcase for Oblate Lending Library in the Abbey Transept
On Tuesday the 11th of October 2022, after the St Margaret Chapter “Oblate” None, live streamed at 2.30 pm, followed by a brief talk and silent Adoration before the Lord in the Tabernacle, and after an informal tea in the visitor Centre, the Sub-Prior, Deacon Joseph formally blessed a new bookcase for the Oblate Lending Library situated in the outer transepts next the double doors.
Homily for 31st Sunday Year C: Luke 19:1-10; DJC
Much earlier in his Gospel St Luke says of Jesus: “As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem...” (Luke 9:51). Now at Jericho, Jesus is very near Jerusalem, where he will suffer under Pontius Pilate, be crucified, die, be buried, rise from the dead and then, after forty days, ascend into heaven.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, 23 October 2022, Sunday 30C: Luke 18:9-14
Homily for the 27th Sunday Year C: Luke 17:5-10; DJC
The Gospel today begins immediately with an urgent request from the apostles to Jesus: Increase our faith! (Luke 17:5) It is their response to Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, which is not included in today’s passage: that we are to rebuke our neighbour if they sin against us and forgive our neighbour as many times as they sincerely ask our forgiveness - literally “seven” times, which in the Jewish terms of the day meant without limit.