Saturday, 17 January 2026
Matthew and Mercy – Saint Anthony
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners”. (Mark 2:17)
Today’s Gospel brings to mind Pope Francis’ image for the church as a field hospital, with “the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful”. As Jesus says, it’s those who know they are sick who realise they need the doctor. Reviled yet successful as a…
Friday, 16 January 2026
The Power to Forgive Sins – Friday of the first week in Ordinary Time
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? (Mark 2:9)
A paralytic man is brought before Jesus by his friends after likely hearing the rumours of a miracle worker visiting Capernaum. When they present the paralytic to Jesus, after painstakingly removing the roof of the house, it is their faith that Jesus responds to. Jesus upends the expectations of the…
Thursday, 15 January 2026
I gotta tell somebody….. – Thursday of the first week in Ordinary Time
If you choose, you can make me clean. (Mark 1:40)
The first thing that strikes me in this encounter is the humility of the leper when he approached Jesus. “If you choose, you can make me clean”. He would have known that it was a risk for Jesus to come close to him. Leprosy is a contagious disease, but Jesus…
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Prayer, Fuel for Mission – Wednesday of the first week in Ordinary Time
“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
Today’s Gospel depicts something of the frantic demands that confront Jesus in his ministry. Before he can relax and enjoy the hospitality of Simon and Andrew’s house, he is called upon to heal Simon’s mother-in-law. Then at sundown, we are told ‘the whole city was gathered around the door’ seeking…
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
He destroys what destroys us. – Tuesday of the first week in Ordinary Time
Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ (Mark 1:23-24)
It took me a couple of goes re-reading this gospel to work out who was speaking to Jesus. Initially I thought it was the man but then realised it was not him – it was the unclean spirit speaking through him. “I know who you are, the Holy One of…
Monday, 12 January 2026
Taking the Next Step – Monday of the first week in Ordinary Time
Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)
Mark’s succinct and direct prose does not delve into the motivations behind why the first disciples left their nets to follow Jesus. Perhaps they had heard John the Baptist’s preaching about Jesus; or perhaps they were present at Jesus’ baptism and had witnessed the extraordinary events that happened; or perhaps…
Sunday, 11 January 2026
We Too Share in His Baptism – THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17)
The Feast of the Lord’s Baptism brings the Christmas season to an end, which is fitting, as this event in the life of Jesus both announces who he is and proclaims what he has come to achieve. Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, Emmanuel — God with us….
Saturday, 10 January 2026
A Daily Dose of Humility – Saturday after Epiphany
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
Today’s Gospel invites us into the heart of John the Baptist, whose profound humility is expressed in the words: ”He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) The concern of John’s disciples is revealed when they report to John that Jesus is baptizing and attracting followers. Their words suggest…
Friday, 9 January 2026
Radical reaching out, gifting life – Friday after Epiphany
Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.”
Stop! Don’t for a second contemplate not seeing just how radical today’s Gospel is! Jesus deeply and profoundly encounters. The man is “covered with leprosy!” As a result, he is ritually unclean as well as physically ill. He is banished from community and from temple. He is not to be…
Thursday, 8 January 2026
The promise of a year of the Lord’s favour – Thursday after Epiphany
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Luke 4:18)
Today’s Gospel is one of my favourites. It is a powerful moment in Jesus’ life, and the lives of all who heard His words as He boldly declares who He is and why He has come. His words hold such promise for those in need! Good news for the poor….