Thoughts and Reflections

Isaiah 55:6-9/ Ps 145(144)/ Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a/ Matthew 20:1-16 Remember one of the criminals crucified with Jesus. He was at the end of his life, crucified for the crimes he had committed, when he said to Jesus those wonderful words, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus responded to him saying, 'today you will be with me in paradise.' On the face of it this crucified criminal had done nothing to earn a place in heaven, no lifetime of good works,

Sirach 27:30-28:7/ Ps 103(102)/ Romans 14:7-9/ Matthew 18:21-35 We have all seen news stories of unspeakable things being done to others. What we see less of are those occasions when horrific things have happened but victims or the loved ones of victims choose to forgive the perpetrators. The driver for this forgiveness is often their Christian faith, their belief in God and the message Jesus gives us to forgive others as God forgives us. In a world that is quick to condemn,

Ezekiel 33:7-9/ Ps 95(94)/ Romans 13:8-10/ Matthew 18:15-20 You may have heard the old story about the man who visited the doctor complaining that it hurt when he pressed his shoulder, his knee, his ribs, in fact it hurt wherever he pressed. The doctor found that the man had a broken finger so it hurt wherever he pressed it. We might laugh at a story like this but the wisdom of it shows us that the source of the pain might not always be where we are pointing, sometimes it is

Jeremiah 20:7-9/ Ps 63(62)/ Romans 12:1-2/ Matthew 16:21-27 We live in a time of instant gratification. If we want something we want it now. Online retailers promise same day delivery of almost anything. We want everything without the wait, without the work, without the cost. We want to arrive without making the journey. Peter in the gospel passage today was a bit like this. We know Peter loved Jesus, he confirmed it three times, but he also wanted the happy ending without th

Isaiah 22:15, 19-23/ Ps 138(137/ Romans 11:33-36/ Matthew 16:13-20 In the gospel today Jesus asked His disciples who they say that he is. There are suggestions that people think he is John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets. It is Simon, inspired by God, who speaks up and says, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' In reaction to this Jesus does not simply congratulate Simon for his answer, He gives him a new name, Peter, which means rock. It is on this