Reflections

The days of thinking of God as a white man with a white beard on a white cloud, staring down at us judgmentally, are gone, I hope. The gospel message that Jesus connected with God not just as a father, but as a loving “abba”, wanting a close and intimate relationship with all his children, is more widely appreciated.  There is perhaps a risk however that the comfort and familiarity that arises from this view of our relationship with our divine father makes it a little too “ordinary”, too similar to the…

Continue Reading Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are used to the idea that someone should be appointed to a job because they have the capability to do it. And if you want to progress, then you need to show the competence to succeed at the next level. We know that in practice this isn’t always true, but it’s an ideal we want to hold on to. It naturally leads to the expectation that a person’s position in their career is (or at least should be) a result of their own ability and efforts.  So what are we to…

Continue Reading Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

All our readings this week share the message about the inclusiveness of God. The recognition that God calls all people, all races, all nations, to his holy mountain can sometimes be one of the most difficult things to accept in the revelation we have received.  We have such a strong instinct that our relationship with God makes us, each of us individually, somehow special and sets apart from others. When we are loved, by anyone, it does make us feel special. Feeling special is part of the foundation of any longstanding relationship.…

Continue Reading Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We heard last week how, after Jesus’ cousin John was murdered, he attempted to go off by himself but was followed by crowds who wouldn’t leave him be.  Taking pity on their neediness he cures and feeds them. Now we hear how following this he does escape the crowds for a little while, and sends the disciples on ahead of him by boat (Matthew 14:22-33).  The disciples still have a lot to learn. They didn’t handle the situation of feeding the crowd very well – they were clueless about Jesus‘ power. As…

Continue Reading Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time