by Richard Houwing | 18 Dec, 2019 | Reflections
First reading (Isaiah 35:1-6, 10). This contains a message of hope for God’s people in exile. The prophet assures them that God himself is coming to their rescue and will lead them back to Zion. He uses the image of the desert, made fertile by rain, to portray the...
by Richard Houwing | 18 Dec, 2019 | Reflections
First reading (Isaiah 11:1-10). The reign of David was the high point in the history of Israel, but his successors failed badly. Still, the hope remained that a future king would succeed where his predecessors failed. Here Isaiah foretells that even though the family...
by Richard Houwing | 29 Nov, 2019 | Reflections
Advent is divided into two parts. The first part, which runs from the beginning until December 16, focuses on the final coming of Christ. The second part, which runs from December 17 to December 24, focuses on the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem. First reading...
by Richard Houwing | 22 Nov, 2019 | Reflections
Gospel (Luke 23:35-43). Christ reigned from the cross, and brought salvation to one of the thieves crucified with him. David had already been anointed King of Judah by his own people at Hebron. Now we hear how the northern tribes also acknowledge him as their king...
by Richard Houwing | 15 Nov, 2019 | Reflections
Gospel (Luke 21:5-19). We hear a prediction of the destruction of the temple, and are told of the situation of Christians in a time of trial. As the liturgical year draws to a close, the focus is on the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. The prophet...
by Richard Houwing | 8 Nov, 2019 | Reflections
Gospel (Luke 20:27-38). Jesus deals with a question posed by the Sadducees about the existence of an afterlife. The liturgy today is focused on the assurance of an afterlife. It is a splendid hope. Life is not a journey to nowhere. It is a journey to the promised land...
by Richard Houwing | 4 Oct, 2019 | Reflections
First reading (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4). The prophet Habakkuk (writing 612BC) complains to God about the prevalence of injustice, and God responds by promising to save those who trust in him. Second reading (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14). Paul encourages Timothy to be...
by Richard Houwing | 23 Aug, 2019 | Reflections
First reading (Isaiah 66:18–21). The prophet Isaiah speaks for the Lord God saying: “I am coming to gather the nations of every language”, even those of the far distant islands. All peoples of the world will share in Israel’s blessings. Second reading (Hebrews 12:5–7,...
by Richard Houwing | 10 Aug, 2019 | Reflections
First reading (Wisdom 18:6-9). Just as God delivered the Jewish people in Egypt, so he will save those who put their trust in him. Second reading (Hebrew 11:1-2, 8-19). We are called to imitate the faith of the patriarchs, especially that of Abraham, ‘our father in...
by Richard Houwing | 28 Jun, 2019 | Reflections
The First Reading (1 Kings 19:16,19-21) relates to the call of Elisha. By throwing his cloak over him Elijah was symbolising the transfer of power. We see how total was the response of Elisha. In slaughtering the oxen and burning the plough, he was precluding a return...
by Richard Houwing | 15 Jun, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (Proverbs 8:22-31). This reading in praise of the wisdom of God can be seen as a moving towards the revelation of the mystery of the Trinity. Second Reading (Romans 5:1-5). Christ made possible for us a relationship of love with God. This gives us the...
by Richard Houwing | 7 Jun, 2019 | Reflections
On Pentecost day the apostles spoke a new language. What was this new language? It was the language of peace rather than of war; the language of cooperation rather than of competition; the language of forgiveness rather than of vengeance; the language of hope rather...
by Richard Houwing | 11 May, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (Acts 13:14, 43-52). Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel firstly to the Jews who reject it; then they preach it to the Gentiles who receive it with joy. Second Reading (Revelation 7:9, 14-17). This contains a vision of those who will come through times...
by Richard Houwing | 18 Apr, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (Acts 10:34, 37-43). We hear part of an early sermon of St Peter. Second Reading (Colossians 3:1-4). Through our Baptism we already share in the risen life of Christ, though in a hidden and mysterious way. Gospel (John 20:1-9). On discovering that Jesus’...
by Richard Houwing | 17 Mar, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18). We learn of the solemn covenant God made with Abraham which was the foundation of God’s relationship with the people of Israel. Through Christ we are the heirs to this covenant. Second Reading (Philippians 3:17-41). Paul urges...
by Richard Houwing | 10 Mar, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (Deuteronomy 26:4-10). Through the ceremony of offering the first fruits, the Israelites recognized all that God had done for them in the past, especially in the Exodus. Our worship of God is also a recognition of his favours to us. Second Reading...
by Richard Houwing | 22 Feb, 2019 | Reflections
First Reading (1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23). David turns down an opportunity to kill Saul because he believes it would not be right before God. Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). Paul draws parallels between Adam and Christ: to Adam we owe the life of...
by Richard Houwing | 14 Dec, 2018 | Reflections
The prophet Zephaniah, writing in the seventh century BC, bids Jerusalem to rejoice because salvation is near (First Reading). God stands in her midst and will deliver her from her enemies. God is portrayed, not only as a king and warrior, but also as a loving...
by Richard Houwing | 9 Dec, 2018 | Reflections
Reflection: First Reading (Bar 5:1-9). Jerusalem is told to forget the sufferings of the past because God is going to bring back her exiled children to her. Second Reading (Phil 1:3-6, 8-11). Paul urges his fellow Christians to prepare for the second coming of Christ...
by Richard Houwing | 2 Dec, 2018 | Reflections
Reflection: First Reading (Jer 33:14-16). The prophet assures the people that God will send the promised one, the Messiah. Second Reading (1 Thess 3:12-4:2). Paul prays that the Lord may deepen the love the Thessalonians have for each other, and thus prepare them for...
