Reflections for Ordinary Time

Our readings this week seem harsh and unpleasant. Jeremiah calls for vengeance and looks forward to the destruction of his enemies (Jeremiah 20:10-13). Even Jesus talks about disowning those who disown him (Matthew 10:26-33). This language of violence and conflict has been promoted in recent times to support a perspective that following Jesus is a […]

They got what they deserved is a satisfying way to bring something to closure. If he or she got what they deserved – their comeuppance, or some appropriate reward, then that means things turned out as they should, we’re good with that. On the other hand if you didn’t get what you deserved then that’s

We have a very complicated and possibly confused relationship to the law, or laws in general. Some we regard as essential and believe in strict punishment for lawbreakers. Some, maybe to do with our driving behavior or tax liabilities, we regard as rather more optional or flexible. Some cause great debate or conflict as to

There have been times in the history of Christianity when faith and holiness have been considered as mainly private or personal affairs. Our relationship with God is something that lives inside us.  That’s true. But what Jesus makes clear in today’s gospel is that it can’t stay inside us (Matthew 5:13-16). Being a secret Christian

Usually on a Sunday our first reading (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13) and the Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12a) have a close link, the second reading follows its own path (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Today all three readings point very clearly at the same truth. Who is God looking out for, where is his special attention focused? Yes, he loves

Last week we heard how John positioned the baptism of Jesus in the context of the prophetic role of John the Baptist. And in that account the first disciples of Jesus were previously disciples of John the Baptist – no mention of them being fishermen picked up along the beach.  Matthew goes with the fisherman

Today we hear a very different account of the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, from John’s gospel (John 1:29-34). John still references Jesus baptism but he structures his account very differently (as is the case with pretty much everything in his gospel).  Here there is no interaction between Jesus and the Father, the story is presented

Malachi says “Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire” (Malachi 3:19-20a). Right on! We can get behind that – maybe particularly in situations where we feel things are not as they should

A parable addressed to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else (Luke 18:9-14). Seems like that could be quite relevant for us. Perhaps one of the few common, shared attitudes at this time, between people who agree on nothing else, is being convinced of our own righteousness and despising everyone

Today’s readings are not obscure – it’s all about persistence. We have to persist in our prayer – we shouldn’t get discouraged and think God doesn’t care. But neither should we take this as a encouragement to nag God into submission! We are still responsible to direct our prayer to aims that align with God’s