The poor, little house was clean and tidy, and she hung up her apron and went out into the sunlit yard where her little son was kneeling near the ashes where she had earlier baked the day's bread. She went over to him, ruffling his hair affectionately and then looked with a tremor of fear at the endless lines of little crosses he was drawing with the ashes. more ...

Look, I shall send my messenger to clear the way before me – and suddenly, the Lord whom you seek will come. Yes, the angel of the covenant for whom you long, is on his way. Waiting can bring about anxiety, and sometimes, even giving up. However, waiting for a loved one, more ...

Wow, there is a lot to take in from this passage spoken by Elizabeth to our Blessed Mother, First of all we see the general tone to her greeting, it is one of great affection. And how does "And how does this happen to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" This line reveals more ...

Both readings focus on the birth of a prophet who will prepare for the salvation of God’s people through the Messiah. In the first reading the story is about the birth of Samson who was to prefigure the deliverance of the Israelites from the Philistines. In the Gospel, the story is not so different, as John the Baptist prepares the people for the Lords coming. more ...

What instructive word pictures of faith, hope and love the evangelists give us in the first days of Advent! “Filled with joy by the Holy Spirit Jesus said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.’” In the hills rising from the Sea of Galilee, he was seated in the community of his disciples and the local people. more ...

Advent is a time of expectancy, of looking forward to receiving the Messiah. Often, we misunderstand the meaning of Advent because we are always thinking of the presents, gifts or other material things we may receive for Christmas. more ...

This Gospel (for the second Sunday of Advent) is taken from the beginning of Mark. Unlike Luke and Matthew, Mark does not include any details of Jesus’ birth. Instead Mark begins with the appearance of John the Baptist in the desert. We are invited to reflect upon the role of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and the salvation he would bring to us. more ...

As advent approaches the first thing that comes to mind is the Advent Wreath. But have we ever considered where it originated and what it’s symbolism means for us? Therefore, to begin these thoughts on Advent I am going to begin at the beginning, as they say: - more ...

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice (Jn. 10:27) - listen, respond, act; by following him. This year’s advent is calling me, inviting me to a deeper response to God. It is calling me to ‘Let go’ of myself. I imagine one day sitting near a river watching how God has created the natural things in the world, more ...