The gospels mention several times that Jesus went off by himself to pray, usually at night. But twice he took Peter, James and John with him – once on Tabor when He was transfigured and once in the Garden of Olives when He sweated blood.

Temptations are a regular part of our lives. Five days a week, I used to go out in the morning and take an hour’s walk around the corner in Macquarie Fields when I was serving in that parish.

The person suffering with leprosy, in today’s Gospel, puts the ball in Jesus’ court and says, “If you want to, you can cure me.” It must have taken an enormous leap of faith for this person ...

Jesus took her by the hand. We sometimes come to Mass poor, sick and troubled, much like the people who crowd around the door of Jesus in today’s gospel.

In today’s gospel Jesus teaches us two important lessons if we would be followers of Him. Like him we must teach with authority. And like him we must bring healing to those in need.

One of the most important events in an Athletics competition is the relay race. And one of the most crucial moments of this race is the baton change. 

The readings of today invite us to respond to God’s call. In our Christian tradition we call it ‘vocation’. 

When I was a little child, my dad used to bring me to my Godfather and Godmother during this time. In some cultures, today is the traditional day for gift giving.

If only we knew more about this remarkable Holy Family!  The Scriptures tell us some things, but also so many things they don’t tell us?  However, the Scriptures do give us a hint as to why we can call Jesus’ family a Holy Family.

This year the Fourth Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve and so I would like to reflect on two aspects of the Mystery of the Birth of Jesus – Mary’s “yes” and her fidelity, and the Word taking flesh and being born as a baby.

To borrow another story from my friend Fr Bel San Luis, SVD; there was this professor in homiletics teaching a group of future preachers on the basics of a good homily. In one of the lessons he said that when you preach about heaven, you should let your face light up with a heavenly beam and let your eyes shine with glory. When you preach about hell, your everyday face will do.

It’s now the start of another liturgical year. This year is Year B, meaning that most of the gospel readings for Sundays will come from the Gospel according to Mark and also a good number of Sundays will be coming from the Gospel according to John.

I can remember being very impressed with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King when I was in the Seminary.

Imagine you got the windfall of a lifetime. You’ve just won the top prize in lotto, which was worth millions of dollars. What would you do with this windfall?

As we draw closer to the end of the Liturgical Year the readings of the day invite us to be awake and alert for the coming of the end times.