We moved the feast of Presenation in our parish! Luke, like his entire gospel, weaves an intricate web of theological mystery in a  very tiny event, the Presentation. Two people enter the stage: Simeon and Anna. They come only once, yet Luke describes them in detail. Why is it that these two identify the God-child whom everyone misses? And is there something they can tell us today?

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/02/04/presentation-finding-god-in-uncertain-times/

Jesus opens his teaching in Matthew, not given to the crowds, but only to the disciples. It is the strangest prescription for happiness. Like the first disciples, in every age, we will have to wrestle with it - and allow the Spirit to prove this promise to be true. That those whose hearts are transformed in this manner, will be truly happy.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/01/28/4th-sunday-to-be-happy/

As Jesus begins his ministry, he calls to himself those he wants: two brothers from two families, perhaps the only male heirs of the Father. We are not told what happens to the Father or the inner drama they face. This drama is what plays out in every 'vocation' be it to lay or clerical lives and functions.It is pressing, often unsettling, but ultimately fulfilling; because in answering the call, one finds oneself anew in Christ.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/01/22/3rd-sunday-answering-the-call/

As we open John's gospel, John, as the last prophet, sums up the prophecy of Israel to point out to the world Israel's greatest gift: the Messiah, Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Spirit bearer and the one who baptises us in the Spirit. In encountering him, we can be freed of our guilt, in receiving the Spirit, we can know the love of our Father in heaven.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2023/01/15/2nd-sunday-the-baptiser-in-the-spirit/

Each year the magic of Christmas breaks into our lives. All society seems trasnformed by the seemingly fairy-tale like quality of Christmas. But Christmas is lot more than a fairy tale, or an event for children. It is where God's promise of our salvation broke through into our darkness. God saves us as a baby. If we let this child touch our hearts and lives, we will also meet him as Wonder-Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. His joy and peace will break into our darkness. And we will join in the song and joy of Mary this Christmas.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/12/24/christmas-the-child-who-saves-us/

The last week of Advent we are given the fascinating figure of St Joseph. In the few lines given to Joseph in the Scriptures, his virtues shine through. HIs justice is revealed in his humility and love, as he faces an impossible enigma. In him we find a model of docility to God's will and help in the dilemmas of our own lives.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/12/17/4th-week-of-advent-the-justice-of-joseph/

Isaiah promises that the desert will bloom and the frightful wilderness will become joyful because God comes to visit his people. Our lives can sometimes feel like a wilderness: I'm wandering in circles, without rest, without joy and nothing I do seems meaningful. Gaudete Sunday asks us to lift our eyes to God. He is doing a new thing right now. At his coming the desert will blossom. If we welcome him, we will find grace which will change our wilderness.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/12/11/3rd-week-advent-waiting-for-glory/

When kings had successively failed Israel and left them in the crisis of war, Isaiah prophesied a Messiah who will fulfil God's promises and usher in his peace. He will do that by the power of his seven-fold Spirit. This same Spirit is given to us in our Baptism. His gifts bring healing and hope in our brokenness and peace amidst our fears. But it is only when Jesus becomes our King, that they come into their own. Through his Spirit, God can change our lives and our world.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/12/04/the-seven-fold-spirit-of-the-king/

As Advent begins, we are presented with the magnificent vision of Isaiah, the Mountain of God rising in beauty. This was Israel's calling, her True North. When she went away from this, she fell apart. The Word confronts us with the same question. What is our True North, our raison d'être? Advent comes with the grace to orient us to our True North: Christ, the Mountain of God rising in beauty over the varied terrains of our life. In him, they can find their unity.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/11/26/1st-week-advent-what-is-your-true-north/

Christ the King presents us with a startling paradox. It is a decision which confronts us today as much as it did the Jews who stood beside the Cross. Can this God save? One who literally cannot move, his limbs being nailed - is he able to save me in my daily troubles let alone when I die? Two thieves ask the same question. One finds a surprising revelation in the process.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://castingfire.wordpress.com/2022/11/20/christ-the-king-a-crucified-king/