How doe we see God? What is our abiding image of God? Is he a judge or a lover? Is he waiting to strike us down when we mess up or raise us up when we fall? Perhaps we see him as some kind of magic butler that we go to only when we need something? Who is God for us? It's an important question because how we see God shapes our whole lives. What is more the Bible, read in the wrong way an actually give us a damage image of God!

No human person is self-made, no human person has it all sorted and if we think we do, then we are deceiving ourselves! Humility is the way to God. Humility means we know our need for God and his divine mercy. Holiness begins when we admit our faults and frailties and confess our sins. Humility requires real honesty about our need for Jesus as our divine Saviour.

Enter by the narrow door: being a Christian means making some tough decisions and being willing to stand up for truth. Sometimes gospel truth does not equate with the majority opinion, nevertheless, Jesus urges to stay on the right path - even if it is an unpopular path.

No Cross no Crown! Being a Christian is not easy. Nowhere in the Gospel does Jesus say "follow me and have an easy life". In fact, he says the opposite. As followers of Jesus we need to wake and grow up to the reality that suffering is part of life. Being a follower of Christ means that we will face difficulties and sufferings, just like our Master. The difference is, however, is that He is with us in the trials of life, He is not absent!

Homily for Assumption Day, recorded live: Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. Her body was the dwelling place for life incarnate, as such her body never saw the corruption of death . Where she has gone, body and Soul, we hope to follow.

We live in a narcissistic culture - people are obsessed with themselves. But true peace and fulfillment requires love of God, love of neighbour, and then love of ourselves (In that order!) Only then will we be truly ready to meet the Lord when he returns.

What are our priorities in life? Are we obsessed with wealth or health? Is what we we own more important than our relationship with God? Listen to this Homily preached in the parish of Brandon and Mildenhall on 4th August 2019. (Titanic story is taken from 'Lost for Words' published by Redemptorst publications.)