The Sower is the first parable Jesus gives in all the Synoptics. As the religious leaders become hostile to Jesus and the people fail to believe, Jesus gives them this parable. Maybe because it says something about our capacity to hear and bear fruit. Two thousand years later, this Word confronts us just as it did Jesus' first audience. Do your eyes see? Do your ears hear? And is your heart capable of being fruitful?

In what is possibly one of the most consoling verses of the NT, Jesus invites his sheep, wearied and overburdened to find rest in him. This rest is a lot more than what a good sleep or even a holiday would give - it is a state of profound flourishing, linked to shalom, the peace God gives. But is this even possible? And how does one find it? Today's gospel also gives the answer.

In the encounter of the Shunamite woman with Elisha lies a dynamic which unfolds each Sunday in the Eucharist. Just as the woman's generosity in opening her house to the prophet brings about her heart's desires, so will our hearts be fulfilled as we open ourselves in faith to the Word proclaimed.

The disciple is to expect persecutions much like the Master, yet every hair on his head has been numbered; he is to 'fear not' even as danger looms. What does it really mean that not a hair on our head will be lost, though we lose our lives? The Jewish Catholic St Edith Stein's life throws a light on our paradoxical gospel today.

On the feast of Corpus Christi, I wanted to reflect on the gift of the Precious Blood of Christ. Blood is something rarely given space to in our modern life, and unfortunately, even in our spiritual reflections. Yet it is one of the most complete symbols of what God has done for us, and what he has given us. The blood of Christ is life eternal for us, it is our forgiveness, it is our defence against the Evil One. Let us thank him for this incredible gift and receive it with joy on this great feast.

As Christians we confess three persons in One God, coequal in glory, coeternal in Majesty; but does this dogma make any more than a formula to be memorised? Does it enthuse us with love on Monday morning? Trinity Sunday invites us to approach this God again, in loving fear, to show us how this creed we memorise is meant to save us and transform us from glory to glory, all the way to eternity.

We hear today of the ministry of Philip the Evangelist, one of the most exciting characters in the book of Acts. No sooner does he preach than the Spirit manifests himself in power. But what gave his proclamation so much power? And is it even possible for us to experience this today? Yes it is. And as Pentecost approaches, let us allow the Spirit to renew the Church and world through us.

We find three wonderful profiles of the Church in our readings this Sunday each moving progressively deeper in spirit. We find the Church in its service of charity while having to deal with its own mismanagement; it's service in spirit to the world and its fellowship of love and finally, as mystically united, co-inhering with Christ, it's divine Bridegroom. Together, they make Christ present in the world, through it's very fallible members, you and me. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/05/06/5th-sunday-the-church-in-service-fellowship-and-mystical-union/

We have the very comforting image of the Good Shepherd given us in our gospel today. There is nothing excepted of the sheep except to trust the Shepherd. It is he who has to do everything. The Shepherd never leaves his sheep without his care, he knows them for himself. This was the ministry of Jesus then, it is the ministry of the Risen Jesus to us now. Wherever you might find yourself, turn to your shepherd. And experience his goodness today.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/04/30/4th-sunday-the-promise-of-safety/

We hear the first part of Peter's epic sermon after Pentecost. Something dramatic happens at Pentecost. The apostles who were afraid and cowardly, now start acting much like Jesus himself. The Spirit reproduces the pattern of Jesus' life in those who are his disciples. Peter shows the gathered crowds how this could be true for them - and he shows us how this can be true for us today.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/04/23/3rd-sunday-the-spirit-of-promise/