Thursday, 18 December 2025
Joseph’s Faith – Thursday Week 3 of Advent
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:20)
As the story of Jesus’ birth begins to unfold in Matthew’s gospel, the focus shifts quietly to Joseph, a man whose response to a dream would change the course of salvation history. Joseph is described as a “righteous man.” (Matthew 1:19). He is faithful to the law, guided by conscience,…
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Weaving Grace – Wednesday Week 3 of Advent
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)
Matthew begins his gospel with a list of names, a genealogy. At first glance, this might seem like something to skim past. However, this passage is a rich theological statement about who Jesus is and how God moves through history. Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the chosen…
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Walking with God – Tuesday Week 3 of Advent
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.” (Matthew 21:28-29)
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells a simple yet powerful parable about two sons. One says ‘no’ to his father, but later changes his mind and goes to work. The other says ‘yes’ but never follows through. Jesus’ message is clear. What matters is not appearances or empty promises but the…
Monday, 15 December 2025
Choices – Monday Week 3 of Advent
“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)
The words of today’s Psalm speak of deep humility, a longing for more than answers, for relationship. “Teach me.” (Psalm 25:4) “Lead me.” (Psalm 25:5). These are the words of someone who is open to God’s will and trusts that God’s way is higher, gentler and truer. Yet, in the…
Sunday, 14 December 2025
Stay Awake – Third Sunday of Advent
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Matthew 11:3)
Once the bold voice in the wilderness, John the Baptist is now imprisoned and unsure. He sends his disciples to Jesus with a question that echoes through every human heart that has known suffering, waiting or doubt: “Are you really the one?” It’s a moment of deep honesty that John,…
Saturday, 13 December 2025
Faithful is the Plan – Memorial St Lucy, virgin, martyr
As they were coming down from the mountain…the disciples asked Jesus, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (Matthew 17:10)
Today’s gospel begins with a descent from the mountain after the transfiguration, where Peter, James and John had just witnessed Christ’s radiant glory. They witnessed his face shining like the sun, and with him stood Moses and Elijah. It was a moment of divine revelation and awe, a sacred unveiling…
Friday, 12 December 2025
Wisdom in the Waiting – Friday Week 2 of Advent
“Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:19)
In today’s gospel, Jesus laments the people’s resistance and how they criticise John the Baptist and himself. No matter what God offers, either John’s austerity or Jesus’ joy, the people remain closed. Yet Jesus speaks with this hopeful truth: “wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” God’s wisdom is measured by…
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Humility – Thursday Week 2 of Advent
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he…Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 11:11, 15)
We are invited to learn from John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, called by Jesus, the greatest born of women. Yet John’s greatness was not rooted in power or status, but in humility and courageous faith. Even in prison, John’s life continued to witness to his purpose: preparing the…
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Learn from Me – Wednesday Week 2 of Advent
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
These beautiful words of Jesus speak directly to the tired and busy soul. They comfort anyone weary, grieving, or weighed down by life’s burdens and promise rest. “Learn from me,” Jesus says, “and you will find rest.” (Matthew 11:29). But how do we find the deep rest that Jesus speaks…
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
The Way – Tuesday Week 2 of Advent
“What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” (Matthew 18:12)
The words from Matthew bring deep comfort and assurance of love, a personal, individual and unwavering love. We are promised, again and again, throughout scripture that we are loved beyond measure. Here, Jesus shows how deeply we are loved: that the Shepherd would leave ninety-nine to search for one wandering…