Newsletter

At the time of Jesus leprosy was not just an incurable physical ailment: it amounted to social and religious death (see today’s 1st reading). Socially a leper was an outcast and untouchable. The meeting between the leper and Jesus is significant in two ways. The outcast meets with the Servant, himself a future outcast: leprosy which defiles comes into contact with the one who … [Read more...] about Newsletter 15.02.15.

There are times when we can sympathise with Job in today’s first reading. He maintains that a man’s life is ‘nothing more than pressed service….hired drudgery’! For too many people, especially those trapped in an unjust society or an unfulfilling job, his words will find an echo. In the Gospel we see a very different picture: energy, activity, purpose. Jesus travels all through … [Read more...] about Newsletter 08.02.15.

There are times when we can sympathise with Job in today’s first reading. He maintains that a man’s life is ‘nothing more than pressed service….hired drudgery’! For too many people, especially those trapped in an unjust society or an unfulfilling job, his words will find an echo. In the Gospel we see a very different picture: energy, activity, purpose. Jesus travels all through … [Read more...] about Newsletter 08.02.15.

You have probably noticed that I am making the parish newsletter more of a letter than simply a diary of forthcoming events - putting the letter back into newsletter in fact! The challenge is to get more people reading the inside pages. But not, of course, during the homily! What strikes me about today’s Gospel reading is that the demonic spirits recognise who Jesus is and … [Read more...] about Newsletter 01.02.15.

Did you make any New Year resolutions? If so, how well are you doing now that we are four weeks into the year? If you haven’t stayed the course the characters in today’s Mass readings can bring some reassurance. Jonah had great success in persuading the Ninevites to mend their ways - but remember this was his second attempt. The first time he was so afraid that he ran away! St … [Read more...] about Newsletter 25.01.15.