Sunday Reflections, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 5 July 2026

 

First Holy Communion

Holy Family Home for Girls, Bacolod City, Philippines

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, Scotland, India)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) 

Gospel Matthew 11:25-30 (English Standard Version)

At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

 

The Census at Bethlehem (detail)

Pieter Bruegel the Elder [Web Gallery of Art]

The Rule of St Francis states that brothers are forbidden to ride on horseback, unless compelled by manifest necessity or infirmity. Many years ago I asked a Capuchin Franciscan friar about this, thinking that it had something to do with the kindness to animals that we associate with St Francis. He explained to me that the horse was the 'Mercedes of the day' in the time of St Francis. So it was a matter of poverty, humility and simplicity for the Franciscan friars not to ride a horse.

Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem

Giotto di Bondone [Web Gallery of Art]

Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9, First Reading).

The gospels tell us that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, as the Prophet Zechariah foretells in today's First Reading. Peter Bruegel the Elder in his wonderful painting The Census at Bethlehem shows our Blessed Mother, heavily pregnant with her Son, riding on a donkey led by St Joseph. Many paintings of the Flight into Egypt, such as that of Melchior Broederlam below, show Mary carrying the Infant Jesus on a donkey.

The Flight into Egypt

Melchior Broederlam [Web Gallery of Art]

In today's gospel Jesus says to the Father: you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. One of many experiences I had of this was in the spring of 1969 north of New York City. A fellow Columban priest had introduced me to a large Italian-American family whose house had that 'well lived-in' look about it. They invited me to the First Holy Communion of their youngest daughter, Betsy. I wasn't able to attend the Mass but joined the family with the other priest for dinner that evening. 

Here in Ireland it is the custom for children on their First Holy Communion day to visit their relatives and family friends who give them some money. We have an expression for someone who is tight-fisted (kuripot in the Philippines): 'He still has his First Communion money'. I discovered that at least in the New York area they have a similar custom. During the evening at Betsy's house I learned that she had received $100 that day, an enormous sum for her. Her mother told her that we two priests were missionaries and that missionaries depended on the money that people gave them.

When Betsy heard this she immediately wanted to give us her $100. We were both embarrassed and made an excuse that we didn't need the money right there and then. But the real gift that Betsy gave me, a gift I still have, though not as something hoarded but something living and to be shared, was her pure act of love on the day of her First Holy Communion. Like the widow in the gospels of St Mark and St Luke, she wanted to give everything she had. You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. 

The photo at the top was taken maybe 16 years ago on Pentecost Sunday when I baptised and confirmed some of the girls in Holy Family Home for Girls, Bacolod City, run by the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family. Most of the girls there come from a background of poverty and the majority have experienced being abused before they were referred to the home by social workers. None of them owned the white dresses they were wearing that day. They were focused on receiving the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. They knew they would be receiving Jesus Christ the Risen Lord himself, 'Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity', not a symbolic piece of bread. And what greater humility can God show than to come to us in the form of bread?

I was involved with Holy Family Home for Girls from the end of 2002 until June 2017 and I would say that that involvement was the biggest blessing from God in my life as a priest. So often I experienced there the truth of the words of Jesus today: You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. 

Again, that is an ongoing blessing from God, as is the blessing I received from God through Betsy 57 years ago. I met her some years after that and reminded her about the incident. She didn't remember it. But, with God's grace, I do. So often God reveals himself through persons, usually of 'no standing', who have no idea of how powerfully and profoundly they are sharing His love.

The Nativity

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Going back to the words of Zechariah in the First Reading, Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, we also find a humble donkey present at the birth of Jesus. El Greco in the painting above has the animal in the shadows just to the left of our Blessed Mother.

Antiphona ad introitum   Entrance Antiphon  Cf Ps 47:10-11

Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui.

Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple.

Secundum nomen tuum, Deus, ita et laus tua in fines terrae; iustitia plena est dextera tua.

Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends if the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.

Traditional Latin Mass

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 07-05-2026 if necessary).

Epistle: Romans 6:3-11. Gospel: Mark 8:1-9.

Baptism of Christ

Murillo [Web Gallery of Art]

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4; Epistle).

     

Sunday Reflections, 2nd Sunday of Christmas, 4 January 2026

The Virgin with the Child Jesus and the Child St John the Baptist 

Francisco de Zurbarán [Web Gallery of Art]

In Ireland, England & Wales the Solemnity of the Epiphany is a Holy Day of Obligation and is celebrated this year on Tuesday, 6 January, the traditional date. In many countries the Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 4 January. The readings below are those for the Second Sunday After the Nativity, observed in Ireland, England & Wales. You will find Sunday Reflections  for the Solemnity of the Epiphany here.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Ireland)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales)

Gospel John 1:1-18 or 1-5, 9-14 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

[There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.]

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

[John bore witness about him, and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” ’For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.] 

Léachtaíi nGaeilge

Et verbum caro factum est

Composed by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)

Sung by Canarinhos de Petrópolis, Brazil

Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis; et vidimus gloriam eius, gloriam eius, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father (John 1:14).

Madonna and Child

Murillo [Web Gallery of Art]

In The Ascent of Mount Carmel St John of the Cross writes: When [God] gave us, as he did, his Son, who is his one Word, he spoke everything to us, once and for all in that one Word. There is nothing further for him to say . . .

Consequently, anyone who today would want to ask God questions or desire some vision or revelation, would not only be acting foolishly but would commit an offence against God by not fixing his eyes entirely on Christ, without wanting something new or something besides him.

God might give him this answer, '"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." I have already told you all things in my Word. Fix your eyes on him alone, becuse in him I have spoken and revealed all. Moreover, in him you will find more than you ask or desire.'

This passage is used in the Office of Readings, Advent, Week 2, Monday.

Verbum caro factum est

Composer: Fr Marco Frisina

Sung by Choir of the Diocese of Rome directed Fr Frisina

Refrain. Verbum caro factum est. Alleluia.

The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.

Hodie Christus natus est et laetantur Angeli.

Hodie Christus, Salvator mundi, in terra apparuit.

Today Christ is born and the angesl rejoice.

Today Christ, the Saviour of the world, has appeared on earth.

Refrain. Verbum caro factum est. Alleluia.

The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.

Lux fulgebit hodie, quia Dominus natus est.

Exulta, Filia Sion; lauda, Filia Jerusalem.

Light shines today, because the Lord is born.

Rejoice, Daughter Zion, rejoice Daughter Jerusalem.

Refrain. Verbum caro factum est. Alleluia.

The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.

Revelavit iustitiam ante cospectum gentium,

et nos vidimus gloriam eius, gloria quasi Unigeniti.

He has revealed his justice to all peoples

and we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son.

Refrain. Verbum caro factum est. Alleluia.

The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.

Traditional Latin Mass

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 01-04-2028 if necessary).

Lesson: Acts 4:8-12. Gospel: Luke 2:21.

The Adoration of the Name of Jesus

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12; Lesson).

 

        

Christmas Day 2025

Adoration of the Shepherds

Murillo, painted 1646-50 [Web Gallery of Art]

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12; Gospel).

The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord has four different Mass formularies, each with its own prayers and readings. Any of the four fulfils our obligation to attend Mass. These are:

Vigil Mass, celebrated 'either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Nativity'; that means starting between 5pm and 7pm.

Mass During the Night, known before as 'Midnight Mass'.

Mass at Dawn.

Mass During the Day.

The readings from the Jerusalem Bible and from the English Standard Version for the four Masses are all on one page but with links to each individual Mass. When you click on 'Readings' below from the New American Bible you will find links to the readings for each of the four Masses.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel (Mass During the Night) Luke 2:1-14 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

           ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'

Léachtaí i nGaeilge (Aifreann an Lae)

  

The Census at Bethlehem

Pieter Bruegel the Elder [Web Gallery of Art]

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child (Luke 2:4-5; Gospel).

Linus' Speech from A Charlie Brown Christmas

Linus quotes Luke 2:8-14 (Authorized [King James] Version):

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Charlie Brown finds satisfaction in Linus’ answer. He is made joyful. So why is this television special so enduring? Linus’ answer is the perfect Advent message for Christians awaiting the birth of Christ during a time taken over by commercialism [emphasis added]. That’s what Christians who watch this special take away from it. 

The above is a quotation from an article by Clemente Lisi, Why 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Remains Beloved by both Christians and Non-believers - an article well worth reading. A very perceptive comment on the article reads: I watched the original airing of the show in 1965 as an 8-year-old. Many, many times since then. It just occurred to me as I read your story that one of the main reasons for the profundity of Linus' speech is the silence before and after he quotes Luke. No piano, no laughter, no groaning. Just silence. It sets in our minds the importance of what is about to be said and subsequently what was said [emphasis added].

Notice how Linus drops his security blanket at the angel's words Fear not.

Adoration of the Shepherds (London)

Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

In his book Jesus of Nazareth, The Infancy Narratives, Pope Benedict XVI writes on pages 66-67 as follows [emphases added].

'And while they were there [Bethlehem], the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7, RSV).

'Let us begin our exegesis with the concluding words of this passage: there was no room for them in the inn. Prayerful reflection over these words has highlighted an inner parallel between this saying and the profoundly moving  verse from St John's Prologue (read in the Mass During the Day): He came to his own home, and his own people received him not (1:11). For the Saviour of the World, for him in whom all things were created (cf Col 1:16), there was no room. Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head (Mt 8:20). He who was crucified outside the city (cf Heb 13:12) also came into the world outside the city.

'This should cause us to reflect - it points toward the reversal of values found in the figure of Jesus Christ and his message. From the moment of his birth, he belongs outside the realms of what is important and powerful in worldly terms. Yet it is this unimportant and powerless child that proves  to be the truly powerful one, the one on whom ultimately everything depends. So one aspect of becoming a Christian is having to leave behind what everyone else thinks and wants, the prevailing standards, in order to enter the light of the truth of our being, and aided by that light to find the right path.'

+++

Both Rembrandt's painting above and Murillo's at the top beautifully show this unimportant and powerless child to be truly the light of the truth of our being.

2025 has been another dark year for many throughout the world, most of us feeling powerless at times in varying degrees. May the words of St John's Gospel be a beacon of hope for all of us:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).

Agus tá an solas ag taitneamh sa dorchadas, ach níor ghabh an dorchadas é (Eoin 1:5).

Traditional Latin Mass

Christmas Day 

The complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 12-25-2025, if necessary). Click on the circle in front of 'Missa prima', 'Missa secunda' or 'Missa tertia' for the specific Mass texts.

First Mass at Midnight

Epistle: Titus 2:11-15. Gospel: Luke 2:1-14.  

The Second Mass at Dawn

Epistle: Titus 3:4-7. Gospel: 2:15-20.

Third Mass During the Daytime

Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-12. Gospel: John 1:1-14.

Christmas

by John Betjeman (1906-1984)

from Holy Spirit Parish, Stamford, CT, USA

No love in a family dwells,

     No carolling on frosty air,

Nor all the steeple-shaking bells

     Can with this single Truth compare - 

That God was Man in Palestine

And lives to-day in Bread and Wine.

Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh go léir.

The Blessings of Christmas on all of you.

                                            

Sunday Reflections, 1st Sunday of Advent, Year A, 30 November 2025

Old Woman Dozing

Nicolaes Maes [Web Gallery of Art]

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42; Gospel).

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Matthew 24: 37-44 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

                                              

The Infant Jesus Distributing Bread to Pilgrims

Murillo [Web Gallery of Art]

Since we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home (St Columban, 8th sermon).

The above text is at the top of the home page of this blog. St Columban's words, written more than 1,400 years ago, remind me of the destination God desires for me and for all of us: heaven.

The texts of today's Mass invite us to focus on that end and on Jesus Christ, God who became Man. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ St Paul tells us in the Second Reading (Let your armour be Jesus Christ, in the Jerusalem Bible translation). In the Collect (Opening Prayer) the priest addresses God the Father on our behalf with these words: Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, to resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom . . .

This prayer alludes to the The Final Judgment in Matthew 25, where those joyfully running forth to meet your Christ will be gathered at his right hand. And the words running forth remind me of the welcome his father gave to the Prodigal Son: But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him (Luke 15). Whether we are running forth to meet Christ or the Father is running to embrace and kiss us, there is that strong note of joy. I believe that this is what Jesus meant at the Last Supper when he said to the Apostles: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11).

On the same occasion Jesus told the Apostles what heaven is: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (John 17:3).

These words of Jesus tell us absolutely clearly that our faith as Christians is one of relationship, coming to know our Father through Jesus Christ and to be with them for ever.

The Prayer over the Offerings focuses on the theme of eternal life: Accept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below, gain for us the prize of eternal redemption . . . The prayer reminds us also that everything we have and the eternal life that the Father wants for us are pure gift from God.

The Prayer after Communion reinforces St Columban's words that the end of our roadway is our home. The priest prays on our behalf: May these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures . . .

In Advent we prepare to celebrate at Christmas the First Coming of Jesus Christ - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14) - and we prepare for his Second Coming in glory at the end of time when we hope to run forth to meet Christ at the Last Judgment. 

But during Advent we also prepare to meet Jesus in our daily lives, particularly through these mysteries in which we participate. These mysteries above all are the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. From the earliest days of the Church this has been celebrated by Christians gathering together on Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, the Resurrection being at the heart of our faith. (It is incorrect to refer to Sunday as 'the Sabbath', the Jewish holy day observed every Saturday.) The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass. And as the response to the Responsorial Psalm reminds us, I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'

Listening to the Word of God at Mass and receiving the Risen Lord, in Holy Communion prepare us to recognise Him in the many ways He comes to us in our daily lives. In the painting above, The Infant Jesus Distributing Bread to Pilgrims, Murillo is foreshadowing the Eucharist in which the same Jesus, now the Risen Lord, gives himself 'Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity' to us to strengthen our faith by putting on the Lord Jesus, as St Paul tells us. 

This is how the Lord prepares us to be ready whenever and in whatever way He will come.

Locus Iste

Music by Anton Bruckner, sung by Voces8

Locus iste a Deo factus est, inaestimabile sacramentum irreprehensibilis est.

This place is made by God, inestimably sacred, irreprehensible.

Response to Responsorial Psalm (Ps 121 [122]:1)

I rejoiced when I heard them say: 'Let us go to God's house.'

Traditional Latin Mass

First Sunday of Advent

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 11-30-2025 if necessary).

Epistle: Romans 13:11-14. Gospel: Luke 21:25-33.

San Giorgio Maggiore at Dawn

Turner [Web Gallery of Art]

The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12; Epistle).