✝ To know Christ and to make Him known
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Solemnity of the Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)
The story of the magi carries with it an extraordinary richness. The evangelist teaches us about the mission of the Son of God. Jesus is ‘made manifest’ (epiphany = manifestation) as Messiah not only for his own people, but for those who come ‘from the east’, for all the peoples of the earth. At the same time this is the Messiah heralded by prophets. The Scriptures are fulfilled. The Messiah is born into danger, as the cruel tyrant, known to history as ‘Herod the Great’, is the first to threaten his life. The gift of myrrh alludes to the death he is to suffer. The presentation of gifts from the peoples of the world completes the Christmas scene. The Magi represent the nations, but also the age-old quest among the peoples of the earth for true Wisdom. This wisdom is found in Christ.
What lies at the heart of the epiphany story?
How is Matthew preparing us for later events in the gospel story?
Let us rejoice with the peoples of the whole world that God’s love has been revealed in the birth of Jesus.
We pray for a growing solidarity with those all over the world who suffer.
The Baptism of the Lord (Luke 3:15-16,21-22)
We conclude the Christmas season with the event that begins Jesus’ public ministry. Luke presents the baptism of Jesus in a unique way. He hardly mentions the baptism itself but concentrates on the manifestation of the Spirit and of the voice heard. As so often in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is presented as praying after his baptism. It is as if he is at prayer as he awaits the coming of the Holy Spirit. Most remarkable is Luke’s description of the Spirit ‘in bodily form’, whereby the evangelist insists on the reality of the Spirit’s presence. The vision is seen by all, and the voice is heard by all.
Why did Jesus seek baptism from John?
How similar is John’s baptism to that of Jesus?
Let us seek renewal of the grace of our own baptism.
Let us prepare to accompany Jesus in Luke’s story of his ministry in the coming weeks.
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 2:1-12)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus lets ‘his glory be seen’. The transformation of water into wine, tells us that Jesus brings a new time, a time of richness and fulfilment. The role of the mother of Jesus, is significant. As in the stories of Jesus’ birth, she collaborates with God’s ways in a humble and self-giving manner. She is the woman of the new covenant, as Eve was the woman of the old.
What is the role of the mother of Jesus in the events of our salvation?
What do I take away from the Christmas season as ordinary time tales over?
Pray for the vision t, see the hidden glory of God in today’s world.
Pray for those who are searching for the signs of God’s presence.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21)
Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah at the sabbath service and declares that the text he reads is being fulfilled. Jesus is the long-awaited anointed one of God. He brings ‘good news to the poor’.
What can we deduce from this gospel about how the gospels came to be written?
What do you understand by the word ‘fulfilment’?
Let us pray that our hearts will be open to new insights as we begin to read Luke.
Let us pray that we ourselves may be ‘good news to the poor’
Fr Adrian Graffy
Third Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:10-18)
Luke’s gospel gives prominence to John the Baptist as a social reformer. We are called upon to share with the hungry and with the needy, to act with justice and to avoid violence.
John talks of the baptism that Jesus will give people. The baptism Jesus gives will demand a choice between working for goodness, truth and justice, or working for lesser and contrary aims. There is a demanding choice to be made for justice and love, a choice against violence, hatred and selfishness. But the overwhelming atmosphere is of joyous anticipation of the one who will bring the good news, and who is the good news, the one who will bring healing, forgiveness and new life.
What demands of justice and non-violence does the gospel bring for me today?
Do I welcome the coming of Christ as good news in the deepest sense?
Pray for those who strive for a just distribution of the world’s riches.
Pray for the grace to ‘live simply so that others can simply live’.
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Luke 1:39-44)
Luke stresses how deeply related the mission of John the Baptist is to the mission of Christ. Today’s gospel passage is unique because it presents a meeting between the mothers of the two men, each carrying in their wombs the children to be born. The story also has a deeper significance, for it is the first meeting between the Messiah and the one who will prepare the way for him. The child in the womb of Elizabeth recognised the coming of the Lord, the Messiah. What John will do during his adult life, preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah, is anticipated here in the tender meeting of two pregnant mothers.
What can we learn from the behaviour and attitude of Mary and Elizabeth?
How will the coming of Christ change me?
Pray for all mothers that they may welcome the children of their womb.
Pray for a deep spirit of thanksgiving for God’s goodness.
Feast of the Holy Family (Luke 2:41-52)
Today’s gospel gives us a rare glimpse of the ‘hidden life’ of Jesus, the years he spent under the care of Mary and Joseph. The anxiety of Mary when he goes missing foreshadows the three days of anguish when Jesus dies. Mary will ‘store these things in her heart’. She is the contemplative who receives the word and puts it into practice. Luke reminds us that Jesus grew in wisdom as the years passed.
What does this story of Jesus’ adolescence really teach us?
How is Luke preparing us for later events in the gospel story?
Let us pray for patience with ourselves and with others as we seek to grow in wisdom.
Let us pray for all our young people that they will be open to doing God’s will.
Fr Adrian Graffy
Christ the King (John 18:33-37)
Jesus is not king in an earthly sense, but because he is the anointed one of God, who comes to do the will of God. Jesus’ kingdom is ‘a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace’. Jesus came’ to bear witness to the truth’.. Jesus bears witness above all to the truth that God is a God of love to be loved without reserve.
In what sense is Jesus a king?
Do I realise that at Baptism I became a member of the kingly and priestly people of Christ?
Let us pray that we may always be faithful to the truth we have learnt from Christ.
We pray that, with our brothers and sisters who have gone before us in faith, we may come to share in God’s kingdom of truth and love.
First Sunday of Advent (Luke 21:25-28.34-36)
Jesus tells us not to fear the violence of men, or the devastation nature can bring. Jesus tells us to ‘stand erect and hold our heads high’. Jesus speaks of our coming ‘liberation’. Since Jesus has conquered sin and death and demonstrated that the love of God is stronger than both of these, we have no need to fear. Our faith in Jesus means our lifestyle will change and will challenge the values and behaviour of our contemporary society. We are told to ‘stay awake, praying at all times’. We do not know the day or the hour in which the Lord will call us. But as Christians we know that death is the gateway to eternal life.
Does my faith really inspire the whole of my life?
What is my attitude to the future and the end of my life on earth?
Let us pray for all those who are earful today for whatever reason.
Let us pray with the early Christians ‘Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!’
Second Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:1-6)
One of the great characters of the Advent season is John. Whose work is to travel around Jordan proclaiming ‘a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’. If they respond, they will be ready to welcome the Messiah. We identify the voice in the wilderness as the voice of John. The whole of creation is described as getting ready for the coming of the Lord. Finally, ‘all mankind shall see the salvation of God’. Luke makes clear that the Messiah comes to offer salvation to all nations.
How does the preaching of John the Baptist speak to me today?
Do I welcome the coming of Christ as a gift for all the people of the earth?
Pray for the wisdom to see that God still cares for the real world of our day.
Pray for the zeal of John the Baptist to bear witness to Christ as he did.
Fr Adrian Graffy
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:28-34)
Jesus is now in Jerusalem where he has several encounters with the religious teachers. In today’s account, there is no animosity, it is a peaceful dialogue. The conversation raises a point which was very frequently made by the prophets of the Old Testament and by Jesus: love of God and of neighbour is of more importance than ‘holocaust and sacrifice’.
Do I seek to follow the great commandments given by God and restated by Jesus?
Do I cherish the Jewish foundations of my faith and seek to understand them?
Let us pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God.
Let us pray for all involved in peaceful dialogue between faiths.
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:38 -44)
We are approaching the end of our reading of the gospel of Mark. Today’s reading provides a contrast; the self-assured scribes parading their virtue, and the humble widow offering all she had to live on. Jesus attacks the hypocrisy of those religious people who make an outward show of virtue, but whose hearts are full of greed. His words are harsh. We must remember that the gospel also tells us of good and virtuous scribes and Pharisees. Jesus observes the generosity of the widow. Almost unnoticed, she gives all she can for the upkeep of the temple of God.
Do I parade my good deeds before others in order to appear better than I am?
Am I prepared to take risks in being generous?
Let us pray for a spirit of thankfulness and generous sharing of what we have.
Let us pray that hose who are immersed in selfishness will take up the call to share with the poor.
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 13:24-32) Jesus looks to the future and talks about the things that are to come and about the end of time. He has encouraged his disciples to face wars, disasters and persecutions. There will be a ‘time of distress’ to be endured by all. People have questioned and speculated about the end of the world, and about the time of its happening. Having spoken of the signs that will precede it, Jesus gives a warning: no-one but the Father knows the time of the end. As the gospels repeatedly urge us, we are to live in readiness for the end of our lives. The final message of Jesus’ teaching in Mark’s gospel is that we should ‘Stay awake!’ We are called to live in imitation of the Son of Man, who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for us.
Do I look forward to the gathering of all God’s people?
What have I learnt from the liturgical reading of the Gospel of Mark this year?
Let us pray for trustfulness and courage as we face life’s trials.
Let us pray for serenity and confidence in the loving kindness of God, whose plans for the world will come to completion in a way ad at a time we do not know. Fr Adrian Graffy
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:2-16)
Jesus teaches of commitment and fidelity in marriage and loving guidance of young people and children. These remain the basic foundations of a healthy and happy society. They are God-given principles.
How faithful am I to commitments undertaken?
Do I cherish those who are close to me?
We pray for our families that they may show courage and true love.
We pray for families who have suffered break-down that they may receive strength and support to rebuild shattered lives.
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:17 -30)
After a discussion about eternal life come the issue “Are riches an obstacle to faith?” Jesus maintains that material possessions may well be an obstacle to salvation.
What is my attitude to my material possessions?
Do I allow selfishness to dominate my life, or any part of it?
Let us pray for those who have left everything in order to serve Christ.
Let us pray for wisdom and courage as we seek to live in a similar way.
Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Mark 10:35-45)
Jesus’ response to those who crave the best places in the kingdom is to talk about the call to martyrdom. The disciples need further teaching from Jesus.
Do I share the ambition of James and John for the best seats in the kingdom?
Do I endeavour to unite the sufferings in my life with the suffering of Christ?
Let us thank God for the saving work of Christ the servant.
Let us be grateful for the witness of the martyrs of our own time.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 10:46-52)
Human beings are in need of healing and forgiveness, and these are the things that Jesus provides. Bartimaeus rising up in faith and his subsequent healing point to the full gift of new life through faith in Jesus. Faith allows us to see with open eyes and a true heart.
Do I seek true vision?
How determined am I to be healed by Jesus and to become his disciple?
Let us thank God for the light of faith.
Let us pray for all teachers of the faith that they may bring the light of truth to those whom they minister.
Fr Adrian Graffy
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 9:30-37)
The second half of the Gospel of Mark is dominated by the journey towards Jerusalem, the place of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Since this Gospel is comparatively short, the tension of this journey is more evident than in the other gospels, as Jesus draws his reluctant and confused disciples to face the mystery of his cross.
For the second time Jesus announces his coming death. He will be handed over an put to death. Three days after he will rise again. While Peter had reacted strongly to similar words of Jesus in the previous chapter, here there is simply bewilderment.
The following verses underline that the disciples are not yet ready to face up to what Jesus has said. Their preoccupation is still with status and their relative positions in Jesus’ company. Mark does not hesitate to present the disciples as having much to learn, both about the conditions for following Jesus and about the prospect of his martyrdom.
Jeus’ answer is to call them to accept the position of the least, and he illustrates this by placing a child before them.
Our first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, speaks of the plots of the godless against the virtuous man. It is not surprising that Christians used such texts to reflect on what happened to Jesus. So should we.
How difficult is it to accept a crucified Messiah?
Do I, like the disciples, seek to avoid awkward truths which are presented to me?
We pray for those who face persecution and violence because of their beliefs.
We pray for the gift of true humility and appropriate ambition.
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48)
This gospel reading contains a collection of different sayings of Jesus. The first speech warns us against the exclusive attitude which says that, unless someone completely shares our opinions and our faith, they can do no good. The next saying seems to confirm his. Any good deed from whatever source, Jesus implies, should be welcomed and will be rewarded.
Jesus then speaks of ‘obstacles’ placed in the way of believers, the ‘little ones’ who have faith. The Greek word used here is similar to the word ‘scandal’. To scandalise others, to violate their faith, to undermine their pursuit of what is good and right, is plainly wrong.
Jesus then apparently suggests that self-mutilation, cutting off hand or foot, tearing out the eye, would be better than sinning. What are we to make of this? This is an extreme way of pointing out the seriousness of in. Christians should understand the strength of what Jesus is saying, but Christian teaching has never condoned self-harm of this magnitude.
Finally, what are we to make of the references to hell and its eternal fire? The Church teaches us that the image of eternal fire is an attempt to express the dreadful pain of losing God and of shutting oneself off from the love of others. This pain is worse than any physical suffering.
How accepting am I of the goodness of those who do not share my beliefs?
Do I place obstacles in the way of others, undermining their faith and goodness?
We pray for the zeal which always seeks what is good.
We pray for confidence in the goodness of God.
Fr Adrian Graffy