Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year: A

​Is 55.6-9; 

Phil 1.20-24; 

Mt 20.1-16

​The gospel reading proposed for our meditation this Sunday seems at first sight to be dealing with a labour problem. It is as if it is setting up a model for management and labour relationships. Such is not, however, the case. The parable is more about the generosity of God than about working conditions. The story is more about the supreme goodness of God than about wage settlements.  

​Someone has attempted to put the parable in a modern setting. He invites you to imagine there are four houses on your street. You own the house on the corner, and it

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: A

Ecclesiasticus 27,30 – 28,7

Romans 14,7-9

Matthew 18,21-35

Often the readings proposed for our meditation on Sundays seem to be referring to the lives of those who lived during the Old  or New Testaments.  That cannot be said of the readings of this Sunday which apply to all of us right now. The reading speak about the omnipresent sin of many of us - refusing to forgive others. Yet, the obligation to forgive is mentioned 108 times in the Scriptures.  We must be grateful to Peter for pushing the question today. His question to Jesus caused Him to discuss material He was

Twenty Third Sunday of Year A

Ezekiel 33:7-9; Rom 13:8-10 and Matthew 18:15-20

Sometimes, in the Bible, we come across certain passages that are as relevant and practical in our lives today as they were thousands of years ago when they were first written. Today’s readings are good examples of such passages. Together they remind us that as faithful Christians it is our responsibility to reach out to

Twenty Second Sunday of Year A

Jer 20:7-9; Rom 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27

Last Sunday we read of Simon Peter in Caesarea Philippi

recognising and confessing Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. That demonstration of faith earned him the name Peter, "Rock." And Jesus gave the keys of the Church to Peter, but went on to explain that He has to go up in order to suffer in Jerusalem, be killed and on the third day be raised. The disciples did not understand this type of talk. 

At this point in time, Jesus was already at the height of His popularity. Multitudes of people were coming to Him to listen to Him. But the people, also with His disciples, misunderstood His mission. Jesus tells them bluntly that He was destined to go to Jerusalem to suffer grievously and to be put to death (v. 21) and he continued saying: "If you want to be my follower, you must carry your own cross," (v. 24). It seemed he doused cold water on their triumphalistic hopes and expectations. In other words, He talked about His passion and suffering on the cross.

 Popular Jewish belief at the time of Jesus expected a Messiah who would bring instant glory to Israel in terms of military success, wealth and prosperity. The disciples shared this popular belief. So when Peter heard Jesus announce that he must first endure the cross, he figured that Jesus must have made a mistake. So, he takes the Master apart, as if to cheer him up in a moment of despair. It is as if he wants to make him understand that, in a