Seasons
Holy Thursday
9 April 2009
Jesus takes bread and gives it to us as his body – a gift totally given and completely received. Jesus transformed those who were at table with him from betrayers and sinners into welcome guests – and he continues to do the same with us. Recorded at St Michael’s 7pm. (5’10”)Play MP3
Passion Sunday – Year B
4 April 2009
Lent, Season of Growth, Seasons, Year B
In this familiar story we can forget the dramatic elements of this most powerful story and not allow the drama to impact upon us. Mark’s Gospel (chapters 14-15) provides many unique points, including the woman with the smashed alabastar jar of costly ointment, the singing of songs of praise and the young man wearing only…
Greeks and seeds
29 March 2009
Lent, Season of Growth, Seasons, Year B
Our Gospel today begins with the strange reference to some Greeks wanting to see Jesus. They are also coming up for the festival – the great festival of the Passover – a sign that the influence and reputation of Jesus has moved beyond the local Jews – now even foreigners are coming wanting to know…
Grace and works
22 March 2009
Lent, Season of Growth, Seasons, Year B
Lent 4B – Ephesians 2:4-10 Last week we had the 10 commandments (Hebrew: mitzvot); this week we have the final verses from the Hebrew Bible (Tanaka) in 2 Chron 36 which record the failure of Israel to live up to these commandments which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and exile. It is only through…
Cleansing and Covenant
15 March 2009
Lent 3B (John 2: 13-25 & Exodus 20:1-17) We really need to work hard to understand the real significance of the incident of Jesus going into and cleansing the temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Passover. There is nothing that comes remotely close in our experience. Doing the same in your…
Justice and Praise
15 March 2009
Justice + Praise is the new album from EmmanuelWorship, the amazing Catholic band from Brisbane. This video clip explains some of the songs that will feature on the new album, to be released in June 2009…Justice and Praise
Lent 2B – The binding of Isaac
7 March 2009
Lent, Season of Growth, Seasons, Year B
When studying Biblical Studies at Sydney University many years ago, I studied under a lovely Rabbi who highlighted the significance and power of this passage from Genesis 22 – the binding of Isaac – called the ‘aqedah sacrifice’. It still disturbs and challenges us to reflect deeply on the nature of faith and the call…
Chaos and Covenant
1 March 2009
Lent, New Creation, Seasons, Teaching
Lent – Sunday 1B. Understanding the world-view of the People of God is crucial to understanding the Scriptures. We imagine that we understand how the world works, having a post-Enlightenment, post-Industrial Revolution and post-modern world-view. Yet, perhaps we are beginning to see that the world and the environment is not quite as easy to control…
Forgiveness and Our Real Crisis
22 February 2009
National Day of Mourning. Mark 2:1-12On this Sunday before Lent, Bishop Peter Ingham addresses the whole Diocese in his Lenten Pastoral Letter entitled “Our Real Crisis.” My homily this week is based on Bishop Peter’s letter, with a little more material on the Gospel, the beautiful story of the paralysed man being brought to Jesus…
Epiphany
4 January 2009
Paul reveals (Eph 3:5-6) that in the visit of the Magi we see not a new plan, but the long hidden plan of God to include all people in his inheritance, his body and his promises. Recorded at St Michael’s, 9.30am (8’20”) Guitar by Dan Mueller.Play MP3
Holy Family – 28 Dec 2008
28 December 2008
On this feast we reflect about being part of a human family, and can be led deeper into the mystery of God and the way that in scripture we are often presented with feminine images of God. For example, God is ‘compassionate’ – but the Hebrew word for this ‘Rakham’ also means womb, so when…
Christmas Day
26 December 2008
Following from the Gospel of Luke (2:1-14) of Midnight Mass, we reflect on what the word ‘glory’ means. It is based on the Greek word ‘doxa’ and the Hebrew word ‘kabod’ – which means weight/significance/substance. We experience a glimpse of the glory of God when we look up at the night sky. Exodus 33 tells…
Saying ‘yes’ to God
21 December 2008
Advent, Season of Growth, Seasons, Year B
Advent Sunday 4 (Year B) – 21 Dec 2008 We are presented with the powerful image of the virgin Mary,’deeply disturbed’ by the angel Gabriel’s message – and yet she says ‘yes’ to the Lord with all her heart. The great contrast is between Mary’s ‘yes’ and the desire of King David (2 Sam) to…
Advent Homilies
14 December 2008
Advent Sunday 3 (Year B) – 14 Dec 2008 – 6pmBased on Isaiah 61 – “The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He sent me to bring good news to the poor…” This text is fulfilled in the person of Jesus, but each one of us…