Today’s Gospel forms part of Jesus’ farewell discourse – his last words to his disciples before he went out to the Mount of Olives. Among these last words is that so simple, and yet so difficult commandment; love one another. Jesus describes this as a ‘new commandment’, and it really does lie at the heart …
As we move through the Easter season, we meet the risen Christ, and we spend time reflecting on what the reality of the resurrection is for us, here and now. In the coming weeks we will hear about the hope, joy and peace that is ours to take hold of in our lives, because Jesus …
Who doesn’t like breakfast on the beach! Weary of all the drama, the disciples return to doing what they know best; pushing out the boats and going fishing. It would be a welcome distraction from the pain and guilt of the past few weeks. But they had a non-productive night, and there were no fish …
On this Sunday as we turn from the joy and excitement of Easter Day, we find ourselves down with the doubters, with Thomas, who cannot comprehend the resurrection. This common-sense disciple who refused to believe that Jesus had risen is often contemptuously called ‘doubting Thomas’, yet we can probably all identify with his doubts and …
As Easter dawns on the horizon, we have emerged out of the dark tunnel of Lent and Holy Week into the light. The Easter story reminds us to trust and hope in the risen Christ, because no matter how bleak our circumstances seem, joy lies just around the corner. With God all things are possible. …
As Jesus, his disciples and followers draw closer to Jerusalem, the centre of economic and religious life, Jesus includes his disciples in his preparations for his entry into the city. They are directed where to find the donkey and its colt and how to reply to any questioners. In contrast to images of a triumphal …
On this Sunday, as we move ever closer to Holy Week and the story of the cross, we find ourselves in the home of Jesus’ friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Just a few days before his arrest Jesus comes to spend time with his dearest friends in Bethany, where Martha prepares a festive dinner party. …
We’ve now almost reached the mid-way point of Lent. We’re in an in-between space, a time traditionally when fasting is beginning to pall and to take its toll. Today’s readings speak about the dryness of this mid-point of the Lenten journey; spiritual dryness that longs for refreshment and joy. The psalmist puts it so well. …
Today we take the next step on the Lenten journey that takes us from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week, Good Friday and the cross and then on towards the hope of resurrection. One of the key features of Lent is the opportunity we have for confession and repentance, the opportunity to own who we are …
Lent manages to take me by surprise every year. We get through Christmas, pack away the nativity figures and settle into Epiphany and the new year, and suddenly Lent appears on the horizon. For some people, the arrival of Lent means willpower time; giving up red wine or chocolate for as long as the strength …