NEW HORIZONS

Collect for 29th Sunday Year A

2026-10-19T10:47:29.956+11:00

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

The Collect for the 29^th Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Almighty ever- living God,

Grant that we may always conform our will to Yours

And serve Your majesty in sincerity of heart.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

What do I understand God’s will to mean?

What areas in my life conform to God’s will?

What areas in my life need to conform to God’s will?

What areas in my life will I make a sincere effort to conform to God’s will this week?

How do I serve God’s majesty in sincerity of heart? ( at home, at work, in my parish).

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 22:15–21

Theme: “Giving to God What Belongs to God”

Setting the Scene

The Pharisees, together with the Herodians, approach Jesus with a carefully planned question.

Hoping to trap Him, they ask whether it is lawful to pay taxes to the Roman emperor.

It is a question designed to place Jesus in an impossible position. If He supports paying the tax, He risks alienating many of the Jewish people who resent Roman rule. If He opposes it, He could be accused of rebellion against the Roman authorities.

Knowing their intentions, Jesus asks them to show Him the coin used to pay the tax.

Holding the coin before them, He asks,

"Whose image is this, and whose inscription?"

They reply,

"Caesar's."

Jesus then gives His remarkable answer:

"Give therefore to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God."

His response leaves His opponents astonished and reveals a wisdom that no human trap can overcome.

This Gospel reminds us that while we fulfil our responsibilities within society, our lives ultimately belong to God.

Gospel Reflection: Living in God's Image

Jesus' answer reaches far beyond the question of paying taxes.

The coin bears Caesar's image and belongs to him.

But every human person bears the image of God.

From the beginning of creation, we have been made in God's image and likeness. Our lives, our gifts, our relationships, and our very being are His gift to us.

Jesus teaches that our responsibilities as citizens and members of society are important. We are called to act with honesty, justice, and integrity.

Yet our greatest responsibility is always to God.

Nothing and no one can take the place that belongs to Him alone.

When we recognise that we belong to God, every part of our lives becomes an opportunity to honour Him.

Our work, our family life, our service, our prayer, and our relationships all become ways of reflecting His image to the world.

Personal Reflection

It can be easy to divide life into separate parts.

There is work.

There is family.

There is church.

There is time for ourselves.

Jesus invites me to see something much deeper.

Every part of my life belongs to God.

Because I have been created in His image, I am called to reflect His love wherever I go.

The question is not simply what I give to God.

The question is whether I am allowing my whole life to belong to Him.

When I place my life in His hands, He shapes my thoughts, my decisions, my relationships, and my daily actions.

The more closely I follow Christ, the more clearly His image is reflected in me.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
What does it mean for me to be created in the image and likeness of God?
Are there areas of my life that I struggle to place in God's hands?
How can I honour God through my daily responsibilities?
In what ways do I recognise the dignity of every person as someone created by God?
How is Jesus inviting me to live with greater integrity and faithfulness?
What can I do this week to give more of myself to God?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You created me in the image and likeness of God.

Help me to remember that my whole life belongs to You.

Guide my thoughts, my words, and my actions

so that they reflect Your truth and Your love.

Give me wisdom to fulfil my daily responsibilities with honesty,
justice, and integrity.

May I always recognise Your image in every person I meet.

Teach me to offer You not only my prayers,
but my whole heart,
my whole life,
and all that I am.

Amen.

Collect Series: Twenty Sixth Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

2026-09-28T08:23:32.499+10:00

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COLLECT

The Collect for 26th Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows

O God, who manifest Your almighty power above all

by pardoning and showing mercy,

Bestow, we pray Your grace abundantly upon us

And make those hastening to attain Your promises heirs to the treasures of Heaven.

Though our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns through the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

How have I experienced the mercy of God?

How might I experience the mercy of God this coming week?

What hinders us from desiring the promises of Heaven right now? (attitudes/behaviours)?

How can I re-educate myself on the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

How will I express my gratitude for God’s mercy and pardon in my life this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 21:28–32

Theme: “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”

Setting the Scene

As Jesus continues teaching in Jerusalem, He tells the chief priests and elders the Parable of the Two Sons.

A father asks each of his sons to work in the vineyard.

The first son refuses. Yet later, he changes his mind and goes to work.

The second son politely agrees to his father's request, saying, "I will, sir," but never goes.

Jesus asks His listeners which of the two sons truly did the father's will.

They answer correctly: the one who eventually obeyed.

Jesus then delivers a challenging message. Tax collectors and prostitutes, who had once lived far from God but repented at the preaching of John the Baptist, were entering the Kingdom of God ahead of those who outwardly appeared righteous but refused to believe.

This Gospel reminds us that God looks beyond our words and sees the true response of our hearts.

Gospel Reflection: Saying "Yes" with Our Lives

It is easy to say the right words.

We can promise to follow God, attend worship, and speak confidently about our faith. Yet Jesus reminds us that genuine discipleship is measured not simply by what we say, but by how we live.

The first son initially refuses his father's request. His response is disappointing, yet he later experiences a change of heart and chooses to obey.

The second son appears respectful and willing, but his actions never match his words.

Jesus uses this simple parable to reveal an important truth.

God delights in hearts that are open to repentance.

No matter how far we may have wandered, it is never too late to turn back to Him.

The Gospel also challenges those who may become comfortable in their faith. Following Christ requires continual conversion, allowing our daily choices to reflect the promises we make.

True obedience grows from a heart transformed by God's grace.

Personal Reflection

There are times when my words and my actions do not always match.

I may intend to pray more faithfully, serve more generously, or forgive more readily, yet good intentions alone do not bear fruit.

Jesus invites me to move beyond intention into action.

The first son's example offers great hope.

Even after making the wrong choice initially, he allows his heart to change.

God is always ready to welcome those who sincerely repent and begin again.

Each new day offers another opportunity to say "yes" to God—not only with my lips but through the way I live, love, and serve others.

The Father's invitation continues.

How will I respond today?

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
When have my actions reflected my faith more clearly than my words?
Is there an area of my life where God is inviting me to change my heart?
How do I respond when I recognise that I have made the wrong choice?
What practical step can I take this week to live my faith more authentically?
How have I experienced God's mercy after turning back to Him?
In what ways is Jesus inviting me to say "yes" through my daily actions?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You call me not only to speak of faith,
but to live it each day.

Forgive me
for the times my actions have not reflected
my love for You.

Give me a humble heart
that is always willing
to repent, to begin again,
and to follow wherever You lead.

Help me to say "yes"
through my words, my choices,
and my daily acts of love and service.

May my life bear witness to Your grace
so that others may come to know
Your goodness through me.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series: The Holy Spirit changes our Hearts and moves us to act

2026-09-23T06:53:17.192+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit: Walking with Jesus in Ordinary Time

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time — Year A

The Holy Spirit Changes Our Hearts and Moves Us to Act

Introduction

After a short break, we return to our weekly question:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

This week Jesus tells a very simple story.

A father asks his two sons to go and work in his vineyard.

The first refuses.

But later, he changes his mind and goes.

The second gives exactly the right answer:

“Certainly, sir.”

But he never goes.

It is a short parable, but it asks us an uncomfortable question.

Is our faith found only in the words we say—or is it changing the way we live?

This is where we can recognise the quiet work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit changes our hearts and moves us to act.

The Gospel

“Which of the two did the father's will?”
— Matthew 21:31

The answer seems obvious.

The first son.

His original response was wrong. He refused his father.

Yet that was not the end of his story.

Something changed.

He reconsidered.

He turned around.

And then he went into the vineyard.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is calling us to conversion.

Conversion does not mean that we have always responded perfectly to God.

Quite the opposite.

Sometimes conversion begins with recognising:

I said no.

I went the wrong way.

I knew what God was asking, but I did not do it.

And then comes one of the most beautiful possibilities in the Christian life:

We can change our minds.

We can turn around.

We can begin again.

This is the work of grace.

The Holy Spirit awakens our conscience, helps us recognise where our lives need to change, and gives us the strength to take the next step.

The first son's original “no” did not have to become his final answer.

Neither does ours.

Walking with Jesus This Week

There can sometimes be a gap between the faith we profess and the faith we live.

We can say:

“Lord, I trust You.”

Yet continue trying to control everything ourselves.

We can pray:

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Yet hold tightly to resentment.

We can ask God to use us.

Then hesitate when He gives us an opportunity to serve.

We can say:

“Come, Holy Spirit.”

Yet resist when the Spirit actually asks us to change.

Jesus is not asking us merely to say the right things.

He wants our yes to become visible in our lives.

And when it doesn't, the Holy Spirit gently calls us back.

From Intention to Action

Perhaps this week's Gospel gives us a very practical prayer:

“Holy Spirit, show me where my words and my actions do not yet match.”

Then we listen.

Perhaps the answer will concern forgiveness.

Perhaps prayer.

Perhaps generosity.

Perhaps an apology that needs to be made.

Perhaps someone needs our time.

Perhaps there is something we have been postponing because it feels inconvenient or difficult.

The Holy Spirit may not ask us to do something dramatic.

Often He simply shows us the next faithful thing.

And then He gives us the grace to do it.

It Is Never Too Late to Say Yes

There is tremendous hope hidden within this little parable.

The first son got it wrong.

But he was allowed to change.

God did not say:

"You refused Me earlier, so it is too late now."

The vineyard was still waiting.

The invitation remained.

That tells us something beautiful about conversion.

As long as God is calling us, there is an opportunity to respond.

We may regret yesterday's answer.

The Holy Spirit invites us to give God a different answer today.

Our failures need not have the final word.

Grace can turn a no into a yes.

For Reflection This Week

Is there an area of my life where I know what God is asking but have not yet acted?
Where might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to change my mind or direction?
Are there places where my words of faith and my actions do not quite match?
What is one small, practical yes I can give God this week?

Come, Holy Spirit. Turn our good intentions into faithful action. When we have said no, give us the grace to turn around, begin again, and make our lives a wholehearted yes to God.

And I think “The first son's original no did not have to become his final answer” is the little nugget at the centre of this week's post. It prevents the parable becoming merely “Don't be like the second son.” Instead, it becomes a Gospel of hope and conversion: the Holy Spirit can still work with our no and lead us towards a yes.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Show me where my words and my actions do not yet match.

Give me the humility to recognise the times when I have said no to God.

When I have chosen the wrong path, give me the courage to turn around.

When I know what God is asking of me, move me beyond good intentions into faithful action.

Do not allow yesterday's failures to discourage me from answering God's call today.

Change my heart.

Strengthen my will.

And help my life to become a genuine yes to God.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Lead me into the Father's vineyard and teach me to do His will.

Amen.

Collect Series: 24th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

2026-09-13T10:59:51.269+10:00

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

The Collect for 24th Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows

Looks upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things,

And, that we may feel the working of your mercy,

Grant that we may serve You with all our heart.

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

What do you reflect upon when you consider God as Creator?

How do you feel when you think of God the Creator looking upon me?

What does God’s mercy mean to me?

What does it mean to serve God will all my heart?

What one change will I make in my life this coming week to commit to serving God with all my heart?

GOSPEL REFLECTION Mt 18:21-35.

Matthew 18:21–35

Theme: “Forgive from the Heart”

Setting the Scene

Following His teaching on reconciliation within the Christian community, Peter approaches Jesus with a practical question.

"Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Peter believes he is being generous. In Jewish tradition, forgiving someone three times was often considered sufficient. By suggesting seven times, Peter thinks he has gone beyond what is expected.

Jesus surprises him with a far greater response.

"I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Jesus is not asking His disciples to keep count. Rather, He is teaching that forgiveness is to become a way of life.

To help His disciples understand, Jesus tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. A servant who has been forgiven an enormous debt refuses to forgive another servant who owes him only a small amount. The king is deeply saddened by his lack of mercy and reminds him that those who have received mercy are also called to show mercy.

This Gospel invites us to remember the immeasurable forgiveness we have received from God and to extend that same forgiveness to others.

Gospel Reflection: Forgiveness That Sets Us Free

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus.

When we have been hurt deeply, forgiveness can seem impossible. Our natural instinct is often to hold on to resentment or seek justice on our own terms.

Jesus invites us to a different way.

He reminds us that every one of us has experienced God's mercy. No matter how often we have failed, He continues to welcome us with compassion, patience, and love.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant highlights the contrast between God's limitless mercy and the small measure of mercy we sometimes extend to others.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending that the hurt never happened, nor does it excuse wrongdoing. Rather, it is the decision to place the hurt into God's hands and refuse to allow bitterness to take root in our hearts.

When we forgive, we imitate the mercy of our heavenly Father.

In doing so, we discover that forgiveness not only frees the other person—it also frees us.

Personal Reflection

Most of us can recall a time when someone has hurt us.

Sometimes the wounds are small and easily healed. At other times, they are deep and difficult to let go.

Jesus understands the pain that accompanies betrayal, rejection, and suffering.

Yet from the Cross He prayed, "Father, forgive them."

His example becomes the pattern for our own lives.

Forgiveness is rarely a single moment. Often it is a journey that we choose again and again, asking God to give us the grace to let go of anger and to entrust justice to Him.

As we remember the countless ways God has forgiven us, we are gradually strengthened to extend that same mercy to others.

Through forgiveness, Christ brings healing to wounded hearts and restores the peace that only He can give.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
Is there someone I need to forgive, even if the process is difficult?
How have I experienced God's mercy in my own life?
What prevents me from forgiving others wholeheartedly?
How can I become a more merciful person in my daily relationships?
In what ways has forgiveness brought healing and peace into my life?
What step is Jesus inviting me to take this week towards greater mercy?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the countless times
You have forgiven me with patience, mercy, and love.

Teach me
to forgive others as generously
as You have forgiven me.

When I struggle to let go of hurt,
fill my heart with Your compassion
and Your peace.

Help me to release bitterness,
to seek healing,
and to trust that Your mercy is greater
than every wound.

May I become an instrument of reconciliation,
bringing hope, forgiveness, and love
to all those I meet.

Amen.

Collect for 23rd Sunday Year A

2026-09-06T10:05:08.420+10:00

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

The Collect for 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows:

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption,

Look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters,

That those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance.

.Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

What does it mean to me to be redeemed?
What does it mean to me to receive adoption?
What does it mean to me to be looked graciously by God?
What does true freedom in Christ mean for me this coming week?
What does it mean to believe in an everlasting inheritance?
How does believing in an everlasting inheritance affect my life this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 18:15–20

Theme: “Where Two or Three Are Gathered”

Setting the Scene

Jesus continues to teach His disciples about life within the community of believers. He speaks about the importance of reconciliation, encouraging them to approach those who have sinned with patience, humility, and a sincere desire to restore relationships.

Rather than condemning others, Jesus outlines a process that begins with a private conversation. If reconciliation cannot be achieved, others are invited to assist, always seeking healing rather than division. Only after every opportunity for reconciliation has been exhausted is the wider community involved.

Jesus also entrusts His disciples with the authority to bind and loose, reminding them of the responsibility they carry in guiding His Church according to God's will.

He concludes with a promise that has brought comfort to Christians throughout the centuries:

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

This Gospel reminds us that Christ is always present when His people gather in faith, prayer, and love.

Gospel Reflection: Building a Community of Reconciliation

Every Christian community is made up of imperfect people.

Misunderstandings arise. Feelings are hurt. Relationships sometimes become strained. Jesus knew this would happen among His followers, which is why He teaches them how to respond with charity rather than anger.

The goal is never punishment or embarrassment.

The goal is reconciliation.

Jesus invites us to approach one another with honesty, humility, and respect, seeking to restore relationships whenever possible. He reminds us that every person possesses dignity and deserves to be treated with compassion.

The Gospel also highlights the importance of praying together. Jesus assures His disciples that when they gather in His name, He is truly present among them.

His presence transforms ordinary conversations into opportunities for grace, healing, and renewed unity.

Whether we gather for Mass, family prayer, parish ministry, or simply to support one another, Christ continues to walk among His people.

He remains the foundation of every Christian community.

Personal Reflection

Most of us find difficult conversations uncomfortable.

It is often easier to avoid conflict or allow misunderstandings to continue than to seek reconciliation with humility and love.

Yet Jesus calls us to something greater.

He invites us to become peacemakers who seek healing rather than division.

Reconciliation does not always mean that every situation will be resolved exactly as we hope. Sometimes hearts take time to heal. Sometimes forgiveness is a gradual journey.

Even so, Jesus asks us to take the first step whenever possible.

His promise also offers great encouragement.

Whenever we gather in His name—whether in prayer, worship, ministry, or friendship—we are never alone.

Christ Himself is present among us, guiding, strengthening, and uniting us in His love.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
Is there a relationship in my life that needs healing or reconciliation?
How do I usually respond when conflict arises?
In what ways can I become an instrument of peace within my family, parish, or community?
When have I experienced Christ's presence while praying with others?
How can I encourage greater unity among those around me?
What step is Jesus inviting me to take this week towards reconciliation?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You call Your disciples to live in unity, love, and peace.

Give me the humility to seek reconciliation
whenever relationships are broken.

Help me to speak the truth with gentleness, patience, and compassion.

When conflict arises,
fill my heart with Your peace and guide my words with wisdom.

Thank You for Your promise to remain with us
whenever we gather in Your name.

May Your presence strengthen our families,
our parish communities,
and all who seek to follow You.

Help me each day to becomean instrument of Your peace.

Amen.

Collect Series: Collect for 22nd Sunday of Year

2026-09-01T12:01:55.219+10:00

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

The Collect for 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows:

God of might, giver of every good gift,

put into our hearts the love of Your name,

so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,

You may nurture in us what is good and,

by Your watchful care keep safe what You have nurtured

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

1. How do I appreciate God as the giver of every good gift?

2. What are the good gift that God has given me across my life, in the last month or week?

3. What good gifts do I hope to receive from God?

4. How do I express my love for God’s name? When I or others misuse it, do I correct gently or let it go as if it does not matter?

5. Name what is good in me. Do I want God to nurture this?

6. How might I live out this prayer each day throughout this week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 16:21–27

Theme: “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me”

Setting the Scene

Following Peter's profession of faith, Jesus begins to reveal more clearly the path that lies ahead. He tells His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, where He will suffer greatly, be put to death, and on the third day be raised.

Peter cannot accept this. Taking Jesus aside, he protests that such suffering should never happen to Him.

Jesus responds firmly, saying, "Get behind me, Satan!" Peter's human way of thinking stands in contrast to God's plan of salvation.

Jesus then turns to all His disciples and explains that following Him is not simply about witnessing miracles or hearing His teaching. True discipleship requires self-denial, taking up one's cross, and following Him faithfully.

He reminds them that whoever seeks only to preserve their own life will ultimately lose it, but whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.

This Gospel reveals that the path of discipleship is one of sacrificial love, trust, and faithful perseverance.

Gospel Reflection: The Cost of Discipleship

Peter had just declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Yet when Jesus speaks about suffering and the Cross, Peter struggles to understand.

Like many of us, Peter wants the glory without the suffering. He cannot imagine that God's plan of salvation would unfold through sacrifice and self-giving love.

Jesus' response may seem severe, but He is correcting Peter's understanding of what it truly means to be the Messiah. God's ways are often very different from human expectations.

Jesus then extends the invitation beyond Peter to every disciple.

To follow Christ is to walk His path.

Taking up our cross does not mean seeking suffering for its own sake. Rather, it means embracing God's will with courage, trusting Him through life's joys, challenges, disappointments, and sacrifices.

The Cross is not the end of the story. It always points towards the Resurrection.

Jesus assures us that when we place our lives in His hands, we discover the fullness of life that only He can give.

Personal Reflection

Most of us would prefer an easier path.

We naturally seek comfort, certainty, and security. Yet Jesus gently reminds us that authentic love often requires sacrifice.

Our crosses may not be dramatic or public. They may be found in caring for a family member, forgiving someone who has hurt us, remaining faithful during times of suffering, persevering in prayer, or quietly serving others each day.

Jesus never asks us to carry our crosses alone.

He walks beside us, strengthening us with His grace and reminding us that every act of faithful love has eternal value.

When we unite our daily struggles with His Cross, they become opportunities to grow in faith, hope, and love.

Discipleship is not always easy, but it is always worthwhile, for it leads us ever more deeply into the heart of Christ.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
What "cross" am I being invited to carry at this stage of my life?
When have I experienced God's strength during a difficult time?
How do I respond when God's plans differ from my own?
In what ways is Jesus inviting me to deny myself out of love for others?
How does the Cross lead me towards hope and new life?
What practical step can I take this week to follow Christ more faithfully?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You willingly embraced the Cross
out of love for the world.

When I am tempted
to choose the easier path,
give me the courage
to follow wherever You lead.

Help me to trust
that Your plans are always greater
than my own understanding.

Strengthen me
to carry the crosses
that come each day
with faith, hope, and love.

Walk beside me
when the journey is difficult,
remind me of Your presence,
and fill my heart with the joy
that comes from following You.

May I always choose
to place my life in Your hands,
knowing that in You
I find true life.

Amen.

Personal Note: Sorry this post is late. I am going through some personal matters currently.

Collect Series: Collect for 21st Sunday of Year A

2026-08-23T07:58:43.332+10:00

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COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Collect for 21st Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows:

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose,

Grant Your people to love what You command and to desire what You promise,

That amid the uncertainties of this world,

our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found.

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What does God promise me? Make a list.

2. How much do I desire what God promises?

3. What step/s will I take this coming week to desire what God promises? ( eg ask God to give/increase in me the desire to love what You promise, make a list of some of the desires of God and ask God to show me how to live these desires this week).

4. List the commands of God that I recall. How can I renew/refresh/revive these commands in my life this coming week.

5. Why do I need to love what God commands?

6. What is my current response to anxiety, fear, uncertainty?

7. What step/s will I take this week to fix my heart in God? Where is that place in my body, mind and spirit where I find true gladness

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Chapter 1: Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 16:13–20

Theme: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Setting the Scene

Jesus and His disciples travel to the region of Caesarea Philippi, a place known for its pagan temples and many competing beliefs. In the midst of this setting, Jesus asks His disciples an important question:

"Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

The disciples share the various opinions they have heard. Some believe Jesus is John the Baptist, others Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus asks the question that reaches far beyond public opinion:

"But you," He asks, "who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter responds with a profound confession of faith:

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus declares that this truth has been revealed to Peter by the Father and not by human understanding alone. He then gives Peter a unique mission within the Church, saying that upon this rock He will build His Church, and the gates of the underworld shall never prevail against it. Finally, Jesus instructs His disciples not to tell anyone yet that He is the Christ.

This Gospel invites us to move beyond knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him personally.

Gospel Reflection: A Personal Encounter with Jesus

At the heart of this Gospel is one question that every disciple must eventually answer:

"Who do you say that I am?"

Jesus is not seeking information. He already knows what is in the hearts of His disciples. Rather, He invites them—and each one of us—to profess our faith personally.

Peter's response is not simply a well-rehearsed answer. It is a moment of revelation. Jesus makes it clear that Peter's confession comes from the Father. Faith is always God's gift before it becomes our response.

Peter's declaration becomes the foundation for his mission. Jesus entrusts him with a special responsibility to strengthen and lead His people. The Church is built upon faith in Christ, and despite every challenge throughout history, Christ remains faithful to His promise that the powers of evil will never overcome it.

This Gospel also reminds us that faith is not built upon popular opinion. The crowds had many ideas about Jesus, yet they did not fully recognise who He truly was. Genuine discipleship requires each of us to answer Christ's question from the depths of our own hearts.

Every generation must make Peter's confession its own:

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Personal Reflection

The question Jesus asks His disciples is also directed to each one of us today.

It is possible to know many facts about Jesus, to attend Mass regularly, and even to serve within the Church. Yet Jesus gently asks each of us whether our relationship with Him is personal.

Who is Jesus in my own life?

Is He simply a great teacher from history, or is He truly my Lord, Saviour, and faithful companion?

Like Peter, our journey of faith is not perfect. Peter would later experience moments of weakness and failure, yet Jesus continued to form him into the leader He had called him to be.

The same is true for us.

Jesus does not expect perfect disciples. He invites willing hearts that are open to His grace.

Each day offers another opportunity to deepen our relationship with Him and to renew our profession of faith.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
How would I answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?"
When have I experienced a deeper personal encounter with Jesus?
How has God strengthened my faith throughout my life?
In what ways am I helping to build up the Church through my words and actions?
Where is Jesus inviting me to trust Him more completely?
How can I witness more confidently to my faith this week?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You know my heart
and You call me
into a deeper relationship with You.

Help me to recognise You
not only with my mind,
but with my whole life.

Strengthen my faith
so that I may confidently proclaim
that You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.

Build Your Church within me,
making my heart
a place of hope,
faith, and love.

Give me the courage
to follow You faithfully
and to bear witness to Your Gospel
wherever You lead me.

May I grow each day
in my knowledge of You,
my love for You,
and my trust in Your promises.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series: 21st Sunday Year A Peter's Profession of faith

2026-08-20T06:23:24.412+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit: Walking with Jesus in Ordinary Time

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time — Year A

The Holy Spirit Helps Us Recognise Who Jesus Really Is

Introduction

Each week in this series we return to one simple question:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

This week Jesus asks His disciples a question.

At first, it seems straightforward:

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples have plenty of answers.

John the Baptist. Elijah. Jeremiah. One of the prophets.

But then Jesus makes the question personal:

“But you, who do you say I am?”

Suddenly, it is no longer about what other people think.

It is about relationship.

Peter answers:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus tells him something remarkable. Peter has not reached this understanding simply through human reasoning. Something has been revealed to him.

Here we discover the quiet work of the Holy Spirit: He opens our hearts to recognise who Jesus truly is.

The Gospel

“But you, who do you say I am?”

— Matthew 16:15

This may be one of the most important questions Jesus ever asks.

Not:

Who does your parish say I am?

Not:

Who does the Church say I am?

Not even:

Who did you learn that I am?

But:

Who do YOU say I am?

Our answer cannot remain borrowed forever.

Eventually faith becomes personal.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is leading us beyond information about Jesus into recognition of Jesus. Peter had spent considerable time with Christ.

He had:

heard His teaching,
witnessed His miracles,
watched Him heal,
eaten with Him,
travelled with Him.

Yet knowing facts about Jesus and recognising His true identity are not quite the same thing. Peter suddenly sees more deeply:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus responds:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”

Faith involves reason, learning and listening. But ultimately, recognising Jesus as Lord is also grace.

The Holy Spirit draws back the veil.

He takes what we have heard about Jesus and allows it to move from the head into the heart.

The Jesus we have heard about becomes the Jesus we know.

Walking with Jesus This Week

Perhaps we have known about Jesus for many years.

We may know the Gospel stories.

We may know our prayers.

We may attend Mass faithfully.

We may be able to recite the Creed.

All of these things matter deeply.

But this week's Gospel asks something more personal:

Who is Jesus to me today?

Our answer may change and deepen throughout our lives.

At one stage Jesus may be the Teacher.

At another, the Healer.

At another, the Friend who walks beside us.

At another, the One we cling to when everything else feels uncertain.

And gradually the Holy Spirit leads us more deeply into Peter's confession:

You are the Christ.
You are the Son of the living God.
You are my Lord.

Allowing the Spirit to Reveal Jesus

Perhaps during the remainder of this week we could spend some quiet time with Jesus' question:

“Who do you say I am?”

Don't rush to give the correct theological answer.

Sit with the question.

Let the Holy Spirit bring your own answer to the surface.

We might also ask:

“Holy Spirit, show me Jesus more deeply.”

Perhaps there is an aspect of Christ we need to encounter afresh.

Do I need to know Him as:

Shepherd?
Healer?
Teacher?
Saviour?
Friend?
Lord?
the One who never abandons me?

The Holy Spirit always leads us toward Christ.

And the more deeply we know Christ, the more clearly we begin to understand ourselves.

“You Are Peter”

Something else happens in this Gospel.

Once Peter recognises who Jesus is, Jesus reveals something about who Peter is:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

There is a beautiful movement here.

Peter says:

“You are the Christ.”

Jesus replies, in effect:

“And now let Me tell you who you are.”

Encountering Christ reveals our own identity.

The Holy Spirit does not merely help us understand Jesus. He also helps us discover who we are becoming in Christ.

Peter is far from perfect. He will stumble badly before the Gospel story is finished.

Yet Jesus already sees what grace will make of him.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit does the same with us.

We often see what we are now.

God sees what His grace is forming us to become.

For Reflection This Week

If Jesus asked me today, “Who do you say I am?”, what would my personal answer be?
Do I know Jesus mainly through what I have learned about Him, or am I continuing to allow that knowledge to deepen into relationship?
Is there an aspect of Jesus that the Holy Spirit may be inviting me to discover more deeply at this point in my life?
Peter discovered something about his own identity after recognising Christ. What might Jesus be showing me about who I am becoming in Him?

Come, Holy Spirit. Reveal Jesus to us more deeply, and in knowing Him, help us discover who God is calling us to become.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Open the eyes of my heart so that I may recognise Jesus more deeply.

Move my faith beyond simply knowing about Him into truly knowing Him.

When Jesus asks me,

“Who do you say I am?”

help me to answer not only with my lips, but with my life.

Reveal Christ to me in Scripture, in the Eucharist, in prayer and in the ordinary moments of my day.

And as I discover more deeply who Jesus is, help me also to discover who I am in Him.

When I see only my weaknesses, remind me of what Your grace can make of me.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Lead me into a deeper relationship with Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Amen.

Collect Series: Collect 20th Sunday Year A

2026-08-16T11:07:42.440+10:00

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Collect for 20^th Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows:

O God, who have prepared for those who love You

good things which no eye can see,

Fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of Your love,

So that, loving You in all things and above all things,

We may attain Your promises,

Which surpass every human desire

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

What are the good things which God has prepared for You?
How much do I long for God and how might I long for Him more this coming week?
What steps will I take this coming week to love God above all things?
What does the warmth of God’s love mean for you?
How have I experienced God’s love in my life?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 15:21–28

Theme: “Great Is Your Faith”

Setting the Scene

Jesus travels to the region of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile territory outside the traditional boundaries of Israel. There He encounters a Canaanite woman whose daughter is suffering greatly.

Desperate for help, the woman approaches Jesus and cries out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David.” She recognises Jesus as the Messiah and places her hope in Him.

At first, Jesus appears unresponsive. The disciples become annoyed by her persistence and ask Him to send her away. Even when Jesus speaks about His mission to the lost sheep of Israel, the woman refuses to give up. She kneels before Him and continues to plead for mercy.

Finally, Jesus praises her extraordinary faith and grants her request. Her daughter is healed that very hour.

This Gospel is a powerful testimony to perseverance, humility, and unwavering trust in God's mercy.

Gospel Reflection: Faith That Refuses to Give Up

The Canaanite woman is one of the most remarkable figures in the Gospels. She is not part of the Jewish people, yet she demonstrates a faith that becomes an example for everyone who follows Christ.

At first, the conversation between Jesus and the woman can seem difficult to understand. Jesus' response appears unusually harsh. Yet the encounter gradually reveals the depth of the woman's faith and the universality of God's saving love.

The woman is not discouraged by silence, obstacles, or apparent rejection. She continues to trust. She continues to ask. She continues to believe that Jesus can help her.

Her persistence is not stubbornness; it is faith.

She approaches Jesus with humility. She does not demand. She does not claim entitlement. Instead, she places herself completely in His hands and trusts in His mercy.

In the end, Jesus publicly acknowledges what He already sees within her heart: “Woman, great is your faith!”

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often comments on people's faith. Rarely does He describe it as great. The woman becomes a model of courageous trust, demonstrating that God's grace is offered to all who come to Him in faith.

Personal Reflection

There are times when prayer can feel difficult. We may pray for healing, guidance, peace, or help for a loved one, yet the answer does not come as quickly as we hope.

Like the Canaanite woman, we may experience moments when God seems silent or distant. During such times, it can be tempting to give up.

This Gospel encourages us to persevere.

The woman's faith was not based on immediate results. Her faith remained strong because she trusted in the goodness and mercy of Jesus.

Her example invites us to bring our needs honestly before God while continuing to trust Him, even when answers take time.

The Gospel also reminds us that God's love extends beyond every boundary and limitation. No one is outside His concern. No one is beyond His reach.

Whenever we feel discouraged, this courageous woman reminds us to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep believing that God is at work.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?

When have I experienced a period of waiting in prayer?

How do I respond when God's answers seem delayed?

What can I learn from the perseverance of the Canaanite woman?

Where is God inviting me to trust Him more deeply?

How have I experienced God's mercy in my life?

Is there a person or situation that I need to continue placing before God in prayer?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your mercy,
Your compassion,
and Your unfailing love.

When prayer becomes difficult,
help me to persevere in faith.

Teach me to trust You
even when I cannot immediately see the answers.

Give me the humility of the Canaanite woman,
the courage to keep asking,
and the confidence to place my life in Your hands.

Strengthen my faith
and help me to believe
that Your grace is always at work.

May I never lose hope in Your goodness
and always trust in Your loving care.

Amen.

Collect Series: 18th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

2026-08-02T10:36:59.883+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect series

COLLECT

The Collect for the 18th Sunday of Year reads as follows:

Draw near to Your servants, O Lord

And answer their prayers with unceasing kindness,

That, for those who glory in You as their Creator and guide,

You may restore what You have created,

And keep safe what You have restored.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What is my attitude towards God?

2. Do I accept fully that I am created by God and not the Creator?

3. Do I believer that God always answers my prayers with unceasing kindness?

4. Consider a prayer/desire/longing that I prayed for with great need and seemingly did not receive. Can I look back and realise how God answered my prayer in another far better way and/or saved me from a lot of pain.

5. Do I truly desire God my Creator to restore me?

6. What are the areas in my life that I need God to restore?

7. How does God keep safe what He has restored in me?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 14:13–21

Theme: “You Give Them Something to Eat”

Setting the Scene

After hearing of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws to a lonely place to pray and grieve. Yet the crowds learn where He has gone and follow Him on foot from the surrounding towns.

When Jesus sees the vast crowd, His response is not irritation or exhaustion but compassion. He welcomes them, heals the sick, and spends time ministering to their needs.

As evening approaches, the disciples become concerned. The people are hungry, and the nearest villages are some distance away. They suggest sending the crowd away to buy food. Instead, Jesus responds with a surprising command: “You give them something to eat.”

The disciples can see only their limitations—five loaves and two fish. Yet Jesus takes what they offer, blesses it, breaks it, and feeds thousands. Not only is there enough for everyone, but twelve baskets of leftovers remain.

This miracle reveals both the compassion of Jesus and the abundance of God's provision.

Gospel Reflection: Offering What We Have

At first glance, the disciples' concern seems reasonable. Faced with thousands of hungry people, their resources are clearly inadequate. Five loaves and two fish appear insignificant compared to the need before them.

Yet Jesus does not ask the disciples to provide what they do not have. He simply asks them to offer what they do have.

This is often how God works in our lives.

We may feel that our gifts are too small, our resources too limited, or our efforts too insignificant to make a difference. We look at the size of the challenge and focus on our lack rather than on God's abundance.

Jesus invites the disciples—and us—to place what we have into His hands. Once offered to Him, ordinary gifts become instruments of extraordinary grace.

The miracle also points beyond physical hunger. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus feeds people spiritually as well as physically. He nourishes hearts through His teaching, His mercy, and ultimately through the gift of Himself in the Eucharist.

The twelve baskets left over remind us that God's generosity exceeds all expectations. God's grace is never scarce. His love is never exhausted. He provides not only enough, but an abundance.

Personal Reflection

There are times when we feel overwhelmed by the needs around us. We may see people who are lonely, struggling, grieving, or searching for hope. We may also recognise our own limitations and wonder what difference we can possibly make.

Like the disciples, we can be tempted to focus on what we lack.

This Gospel invites us to shift our perspective. Instead of asking, “What don't I have?” Jesus asks, “What can you offer?”

Perhaps it is our time, our kindness, our listening ear, our encouragement, our prayer, or our willingness to serve. What seems small to us can become a blessing when entrusted to God.

The miracle of the loaves and fishes reminds us that God delights in working through ordinary people and ordinary gifts. He takes what we offer and multiplies it in ways we could never imagine.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
When have I experienced God's provision in a time of need?
What gifts or resources do I sometimes underestimate?
How do I respond when I feel inadequate or overwhelmed by a situation?
What might Jesus be asking me to place into His hands today?
How can I help meet the physical, emotional, or spiritual needs of others?
What does this Gospel teach me about God's generosity and abundance?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You are the One who feeds both body and soul.

When I focus on my limitations,
help me to trust in Your abundance.

Teach me to offer You whatever I have,
no matter how small it may seem.

Bless my gifts, my efforts, and my desire to serve.
Use them for Your glory
and for the good of others.

Fill me with confidence in Your provision
and gratitude for Your generosity.

May I always trust that in Your hands,
there is more than enough.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit

Collect Series: Collect for 17th Sunday of Year A

2026-07-26T09:43:57.947+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series

COLLECT

The Collect for 17tj Sunday Ordinary Time reads as follows:

O God, protector of those who hope in You,

Without whom nothing has firm foundation,

Nothing is holy,

Bestow in abundance Your mercy upon us and grant that,

With You as our ruler and guide,

We may use the good things that pass in such a way

as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure.

Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged:

How do I relate to God as my protector?

How does the gift of hope show in my life?

How will the gift of hope be used in my life this coming week?

How will I allow Jesus to be my ruler and guide this coming week?

What are the good things/temporal things I am grateful for ?

What temporal values do I hold too tightly? How will I surrender them this coming week?

What spiritual goals will I pursue this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 13:44–52

Theme: “The Treasure Worth Everything”

Setting the Scene

As Jesus continues teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven, He presents a series of short but powerful parables. Each one reveals a different aspect of God's Kingdom and invites His listeners to reflect on its true value.

Jesus compares the Kingdom to a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great value sought by a merchant, and a fishing net gathering fish of every kind. These images would have been familiar to the people listening to Him. Treasures were often hidden for safekeeping, merchants travelled in search of valuable goods, and fishing was an important part of daily life around the Sea of Galilee.

Through these simple stories, Jesus teaches that God's Kingdom is the greatest treasure a person can possess. It is worth seeking, worth sacrificing for, and worth embracing with one's whole heart.

Gospel Reflection: Discovering What Truly Matters

The first two parables focus on the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the first story, a man unexpectedly discovers a treasure hidden in a field. Filled with joy, he sells everything he owns in order to purchase the field and gain the treasure. In the second story, a merchant searching for fine pearls finds one pearl of extraordinary value and again sells everything to obtain it.

Both stories reveal that encountering God's Kingdom changes everything.

For some people, faith may begin unexpectedly, like the man who stumbles upon the treasure. For others, it may involve a long search, like the merchant seeking fine pearls. Yet both discover something so valuable that every other possession becomes secondary.

Jesus is not teaching that God's Kingdom can be purchased. Rather, He is illustrating its incomparable worth. Nothing else can offer the meaning, purpose, hope, and eternal life that God offers through His Kingdom.

The final parable of the fishing net reminds us that God's invitation is extended to all people. Just as the net gathers fish of every kind, God's Kingdom welcomes people from every background and circumstance. Yet Jesus also reminds His listeners that there will ultimately be a time of accountability and judgment when God's justice will be fully revealed.

The Gospel concludes with Jesus asking His disciples whether they understand these teachings. He then describes a disciple as someone who brings forth treasures both old and new. Faith involves receiving the wisdom of God's revelation while continually discovering new depths within it.

Personal Reflection

Most people spend their lives searching for something—security, happiness, success, purpose, acceptance, or peace. While these desires are natural, Jesus invites us to consider what we value most deeply.

What is the treasure of my life?

The two men in these parables recognised something so precious that they were willing to reorder their priorities around it. Their response was immediate and joyful because they understood the value of what they had found.

As disciples, we are invited to recognise the treasure we already possess in our relationship with Christ. The more we come to know Him, the more we realise that nothing compares with His love, His mercy, and His promise of eternal life.

This Gospel also encourages us to remain open to discovering new treasures within our faith. God's Word continues to reveal fresh insights, deeper understanding, and renewed invitations throughout our lives.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
What treasures do I value most in my life?
How has my relationship with Jesus enriched my life?
Are there priorities or attachments that sometimes distract me from what truly matters?
When have I experienced the joy of discovering something new in my faith journey?
What sacrifices might God be inviting me to make in order to follow Him more fully?
How can I share the treasure of my faith with others?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You are the greatest treasure of my life.

Help me to recognise the immense gift
of knowing and following You.

Teach me to seek first Your Kingdom
and to place my trust in what truly lasts.

Give me the wisdom to recognise Your presence,
the courage to follow where You lead,
and the joy that comes from living as Your disciple.

May I continually discover new treasures
within Your Word and Your love.

Help me to share those treasures with others
through the witness of my life.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series: Holy Spirit Opens our eyes to the true treasure: 17th Sunday Ordinary Time year A

2026-07-22T13:23:14.965+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

The Holy Spirit Opens Our Eyes to the True Treasure

Introduction

Each week in this series we ask one simple question:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

This Sunday's Gospel contains three short parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus speaks of a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price, and a fishing net gathering fish of every kind.

At first glance, these stories seem to be about valuable possessions. Yet they invite us to look much deeper. They ask us what we truly value and where our hearts are really centred.

The Holy Spirit gently opens our eyes to recognise that the greatest treasure we will ever discover is life with God.

The Holy Spirit Opens Our Eyes to the True Treasure.

This follows naturally from last week's post. Having patiently cultivated the wheat, the Spirit now helps us recognise for what is truly worth giving our lives.

The Gospel

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field... Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

— Matthew 13:44

Jesus goes on to compare the Kingdom to a merchant who discovers a pearl of immense value and willingly gives up everything to possess it.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is opening our eyes to what truly matters.

Every day we are surrounded by things competing for our attention:

success
possessions
comfort
recognition
security
busyness

Many of these things have their place, but none of them can satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart.

The Holy Spirit quietly redirects our gaze.

He helps us recognise that the greatest treasure is not something we own, but Someone we know.

The treasure is Christ Himself.

When we discover Him more deeply, our priorities begin to change. What once seemed so important gradually loses its hold, while the things of God become increasingly precious.

Like the man in the parable, we begin to act not out of obligation but out of joy.

Walking with Jesus This Week

The treasure in the Gospel was hidden.

How often does God work quietly, hidden beneath the surface of ordinary life?

The Holy Spirit helps us recognise God's presence:

in prayer
in the Eucharist
in Scripture
in acts of kindness
in moments of silence
in the people God places in our lives.

Perhaps the treasure we seek has been beside us all along.

The Spirit simply opens our eyes to see it.

This week, perhaps ask yourself:

"Holy Spirit, what treasure are You inviting me to discover more deeply?"

The Joy of Letting Go

The man in the parable does not sell everything reluctantly.

Jesus tells us:

"In his joy..."

That small phrase is easy to overlook.

The Holy Spirit does not ask us to let go simply for the sake of sacrifice.

He invites us to let go because something infinitely greater awaits us.

Every time we place Christ first, we discover a freedom and joy that no earthly possession can provide.

The Kingdom is always worth more.

For Reflection This Week

What treasure am I pursuing most eagerly at this stage of my life?
Is there anything the Holy Spirit is inviting me to place into better perspective?
Where have I discovered the hidden presence of God during this past week?

Come, Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to recognise the true treasure of Your Kingdom, and give us joyful hearts that are willing to place Christ above all else.

I particularly love one line in this Gospel:

"In his joy..."

The man does not give everything away because he is miserable. He does it because he's found something incomparably better.

That, I think, is one of the Holy Spirit's most beautiful works. He does not merely ask us to give things up; He helps us discover something so much greater that our hearts willingly choose Christ. It's a hopeful and joyful message, and I think it fits your series beautifully.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Open my eyes to the treasure that never fades.

Help me to recognise Christ in the ordinary moments of each day.

Free my heart from anything that prevents me from loving You more fully.

Teach me to seek first Your Kingdom and to trust that everything else will find its proper place.

May I never lose sight of the priceless gift of knowing Jesus.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Lead me always to the true treasure.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series: Holy Spirit teaches us to trust God's Patient work 16th Sunday Year A

2026-07-15T21:37:16.377+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit: Walking with Jesus in Ordinary Time

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

The Holy Spirit Teaches Us to Trust God's Patient Work

Introduction

Each week in this series we ask one simple question:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

This Sunday's Gospel presents us with the familiar parable of the wheat and the weeds. It is a story that speaks to every one of us because we know what it is like to long for perfection—within ourselves, within others, and within the world.

Yet instead of urging us to pull up every weed immediately, Jesus reveals something surprising about the heart of God.

The Holy Spirit teaches us to trust God's patient work.

The Gospel

"Let both of them grow together until the harvest..."
— Matthew 13:30

Jesus tells the story of a farmer whose field has been sown with good seed. During the night, an enemy scatters weeds among the wheat. The servants immediately want to remove the weeds, but the master tells them to wait lest they uproot the wheat as well.

The harvest will come in its proper time.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is teaching us patience.

We often want immediate change.

We become impatient:

with ourselves
with other people
with the Church
even with God.

We want every weakness removed today.
Every problem solved immediately.
Every wound healed without delay.

But the Holy Spirit works differently.

He sees the whole field.

He knows that while weeds are visible, wheat is quietly growing.

The Spirit is never discouraged by the unfinished work within us.

Instead, He patiently nurtures the good that God has already planted, allowing it to become stronger day by day.

His focus is not merely on removing the weeds.

His greater concern is helping the wheat flourish.

Walking with Jesus This Week

Perhaps one of the greatest temptations in the spiritual life is to focus only on our failures.

We look in the mirror and immediately notice the weeds:

our weaknesses
our mistakes
our shortcomings
the places where we wish we were different.

Yet the Holy Spirit looks at that same heart and sees something more.

He sees the wheat that is quietly growing.

He sees every act of kindness.
Every small step of faith.
Every hidden prayer.
Every moment of forgiveness.
Every quiet "yes" offered to God.

Like a patient gardener, He continues His work, trusting that grace will bear fruit in its own season.

Learning God's Patience

The Holy Spirit invites us to become patient gardeners of our own souls.

This week, perhaps we can practise:

thanking God for one area where we can see growth, however small.
resisting the temptation to judge ourselves harshly.
showing patience toward someone who is still growing.
remembering that holiness is usually formed slowly, one faithful day at a time.
asking the Holy Spirit not only to remove the weeds but also to strengthen the wheat.

Growth takes time.

The Spirit is never in a hurry.

But He is always at work.

For Reflection This Week

Where am I becoming impatient with my own spiritual growth?
Is there someone in my life whom I need to view with greater patience and hope?
What "wheat" can I already see the Holy Spirit growing within me?

Come, Holy Spirit. Give us the patience to trust Your work, the wisdom to recognise Your grace, and the hope to believe that You are always bringing forth a harvest beyond what we can yet see.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Teach me to trust Your patient work within me.

When I become discouraged by my weaknesses, remind me that You are still cultivating the wheat You have planted.

Help me not to lose heart when growth seems slow.

Give me patience with myself and with others.

Teach me to see with Your eyes—eyes that notice not only the weeds, but the quiet signs of grace already bearing fruit.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Continue the good work You have begun within me until the day of Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series: Preparing the Soil 15th Sunday Ordinary Time

2026-07-08T05:41:23.877+10:00

Come Holy Spirit

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

The Holy Spirit Prepares the Soil of Our Hearts

Introduction

As we continue our journey through Ordinary Time, we ask the same question each week:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

This Sunday's Gospel is one of Jesus' best-loved parables: the Parable of the Sower. At first, it appears to be about seed and soil, but it is really about the condition of the human heart.

The good news is that we are not left to prepare that soil on our own. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work within us, gently cultivating our hearts so that God's Word may take root, grow, and bear abundant fruit.

The Gospel

"Listen! A Sower went out to sow..."

— Matthew 13:3

Jesus describes four kinds of soil: the path, the rocky ground, the thorny ground and the rich, fertile soil. Although the seed is always good, the harvest depends on the condition of the soil that receives it.

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is preparing the soil of our hearts.

The Spirit is constantly at work:

softening hearts that have become hardened
removing the stones of fear, resentment or disappointment
clearing away the thorns that choke our spiritual growth
helping God's Word take deeper root within us.

The Holy Spirit never forces Himself upon us. Instead, He patiently cultivates our hearts, inviting us to become more open to God's grace.

Just as a gardener carefully prepares the ground before planting, the Holy Spirit prepares us to receive the living Word of God.

Sometimes that preparation is joyful.

Sometimes it involves pruning.

Sometimes it means gently uncovering areas of our lives that still need healing.

Always, however, it is done with love.

Walking with Jesus This Week

Every Sunday we hear God's Word proclaimed.

But hearing is only the beginning.

The Holy Spirit asks us to become people who receive that Word, reflect upon it, and allow it to shape the way we live.

Perhaps this week we might ask ourselves:

Is my heart open to God's Word?
What "stones" or "thorns" might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to remove?
Am I making time to sit quietly with the Scriptures rather than simply reading them quickly?

The Holy Spirit delights in helping us understand God's Word, but He also desires that His Word bear fruit in our daily lives.

The Gospel is never meant simply to inform us.

It is meant to transform us.

Preparing the Soil

A gardener knows that healthy soil does not happen by accident.

Neither does a healthy spiritual life.

Some simple ways of cooperating with the Holy Spirit this week include:

Spending five quiet minutes each day reading the upcoming Sunday Gospel.
Asking the Holy Spirit before reading: "Open my heart to receive Your Word."
Noticing one phrase from the Gospel that stays with you throughout the day.
Asking yourself each evening: "How did I live God's Word today?"

These small, faithful habits allow the Spirit to cultivate rich soil within us.

For Reflection This Week

Which type of soil best describes my heart at this moment?
What might the Holy Spirit be gently asking me to let go of?
How can I become more receptive to God's Word during the coming week?

Come Holy Spirit. Cultivate our hearts, deepen our faith, and help us bear fruit that will last.

Notice how the question each week is no longer simply, "What did Jesus say?" but "What is the Holy Spirit doing through what Jesus says?" That keeps Christ at the centre while helping us become more attentive to the Spirit's quiet work in our own lives.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Prepare the soil of my heart.

Break through whatever has become hard within me.

Remove the stones that keep me from trusting You.

Clear away the thorns that distract me from Your love.

Help me to receive God's Word with an open and generous heart.

May the seed You plant within me grow strong and bear fruit for Your Kingdom.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Make my heart fertile ground for Your grace.

Amen.

Moments with the Gospel Nativity of John The Baptist

2026-06-24T07:48:14.723+10:00

Moments with the Gospel Series

Moments with the Gospel Series Icon

Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (Year A)

Gospel: Luke 1:57–66, 80

A Child with a Mission

The Church pauses today to celebrate something very unusual. Most saints are remembered on the day of their death—the day they entered eternal life. Yet John the Baptist is one of only a few whose birth we celebrate.

Why? Because from the very beginning, God had a special mission for him.

Before John could walk, speak, preach, or baptise, God had already chosen him to prepare the way for Jesus. His very existence was part of God's plan of salvation.

In today's Gospel, neighbours and relatives gather to celebrate the birth of Elizabeth and Zechariah's son. Everyone assumes the child will be named after his father. However, Zechariah writes, "His name is John." Immediately his speech returns, and all are filled with awe.

God is doing something new.

John's name means "God is gracious." His life would become a living sign of God's grace and faithfulness.

The Holy Spirit at Work

John's story reminds us that God often works quietly long before we recognise it.

The Holy Spirit was preparing John before he was born. The Spirit was preparing Elizabeth and Zechariah through years of waiting. The Spirit was preparing the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah.

The same Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.

There may be seasons when we feel forgotten, delayed, or uncertain about our purpose. Yet God is often working beneath the surface, preparing us for things we cannot yet see.

Just as John had a mission, each of us has a calling.

It may not involve preaching beside the Jordan River, but we are all called to point others towards Christ through our words, actions, kindness, faithfulness, and witness.

A Question for Reflection

Where might the Holy Spirit be quietly preparing something in your life that you do not yet fully understand?

Perhaps a conversation, a ministry, a friendship, a new opportunity, or a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to trust God's timing.

Come into this Gospel; consider each of the characters: Elizabeth as an older woman with a husband unable to speak, Zechariah unable to speak for nine months, the neighbours struck with the kindness God had shown Elizabeth and Zechariah,and John himself as a baby to older parents, and later as a prophet to prepare and to announce Jesus.

oly Spirit Invitation This Week

Spend a few moments each day asking:

"Holy Spirit, what are You preparing in me today?"

Listen quietly and trust that God, who began a good work in you, is still at work.

"What then will this child become?" (Luke 1:66)

Perhaps that is also a question God asks of each of us—not with doubt, but with hope, as we allow the Holy Spirit to shape us into the people we are called to be.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
You prepared John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus.
Help me to recognise Your work in my own life.
Give me patience when I cannot see the whole picture.
Open my heart to the mission You have entrusted to me.
May my words and actions always point others towards Christ.
Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Series Holy Spirit Strengthens us to Put Christ First 13th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A

2026-06-24T07:32:56.464+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit: Walking with Jesus in Ordinary Time

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

The Holy Spirit Strengthens Us to Put Christ First

Introduction

As we continue our journey through Ordinary Time, we begin asking a new question:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Sunday's Gospel?

The Holy Spirit always leads us to Jesus. He helps us understand Christ's words, live Christ's teachings, and follow Christ more faithfully in our daily lives.

This Sunday's Gospel contains some challenging words from Jesus. He speaks about priorities, discipleship, and what it means to truly follow Him. At first glance, His words may seem demanding. Yet hidden within them is a beautiful invitation to place Christ at the centre of our lives.

The Holy Spirit is present in this Gospel as the One who strengthens us to say "yes" to that invitation.

The Gospel

"Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

— Matthew 10:38-39

What Is the Holy Spirit Doing in This Gospel?

The Holy Spirit is helping us to put Christ first.

Throughout our lives we face many competing priorities:

family
work
responsibilities
ambitions
comforts
fears

None of these things are necessarily bad. In fact, many are blessings from God. Jesus reminds us that He must remain at the centre of everything.This is not because He seeks control over us. Rather, it is because He knows that only when He is first can everything else find its proper place.

The Holy Spirit gently reveals where our hearts may have become divided. He shows us the areas where we are holding back, where fear is stronger than trust, or where comfort has become more important than discipleship.

At the same time, the Spirit gives us the courage to follow Jesus more wholeheartedly. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us to access the gift of courage He gave us at confirmation. The gift has not gone away but sometimes we do not access the gifts.

The disciples themselves could not have lived this Gospel by their own strength. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, it was the Holy Spirit who transformed fearful followers into courageous witnesses. The same Spirit works within us today.

Walking with Jesus This Week

Most of us will never be asked to carry a dramatic cross.

Instead, our crosses are often found in ordinary places:

remaining faithful when life is difficult
forgiving someone who has hurt us
choosing patience over anger
serving others when it would be easier not to
trusting God when we do not understand

The Holy Spirit helps us carry these daily crosses.

He reminds us that discipleship is not about losing our lives in a negative sense. Rather, it is about discovering the life God created us to live.

Every time we choose Christ over selfishness, love over resentment, trust over fear, we take another step in following Him.

This week, perhaps we might ask ourselves:

What is one area of my life where the Holy Spirit is inviting me to put Christ first?

For Reflection This Week

What place does Jesus currently hold in my life?
Is there an area where I am finding it difficult to trust Him?
How might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to put Christ first this week?

Come Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to hear Your voice and give us the courage to follow wherever Christ leads.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Strengthen my heart to follow Jesus faithfully.

Help me to place Christ at the centre of my life.

When I am afraid, give me courage.
When I am uncertain, give me trust.
When I am tempted to choose comfort over discipleship, remind me of Your presence.

Teach me to carry my daily crosses with love and hope.

May I discover the true life that Jesus promises to those who follow Him.

Come, Holy Spirit.
Lead me ever closer to Christ.

Amen.

Collect Series: Collect 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A

2026-06-21T09:59:26.986+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

Collect 12^th Sunday Year Ordinary Time Year A

The Collects reads as follows:

Grant, O Lord that we may always revere and love Your holy name,
for You never deprive of Your guidance
those You set firm on the foundation of Your love.

Though our lord Jesus Christ, Your son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

Reflection Questions

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.What does to revere and love Your Holy Name mean to me?

2. How can I practise it this week? Eg repent when I have misused his holy name.

3. How do I feel when I hear others use God’s holy name by swearing or using it carelessly? What actions will I take or have I become desensitised to it?

4.Visulise the steps a builder uses to build a foundation of a house. Write a list of the foundations that God uses to build the foundation of love He has for us.

5. From your list of foundation of love which ones speak to you personally and which ones will I practise this week.

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 10:26–33

Theme: “Do Not Be Afraid”

Setting the Scene

In this Gospel, Jesus continues His instructions to the Twelve Apostles before sending them out on mission. He prepares them for the challenges they will face as they proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus knows that following Him will not always be easy. There will be opposition, misunderstanding, and moments when His disciples may feel afraid.

Yet throughout this passage, one message is repeated again and again: “Do not be afraid.”

Jesus reminds His disciples that God sees all things and that nothing remains hidden forever. He encourages them to proclaim the Good News boldly and confidently. Most importantly, He assures them of their immense value in the eyes of God. If God cares for the sparrows, how much more does He care for those who belong to Him?

This Gospel is both a challenge and a comfort. It calls us to courage while reminding us that we are never alone.

Gospel Reflection: Living with Courage and Trust

Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions. It can protect us from danger, but it can also prevent us from becoming the people God calls us to be. Fear can silence our witness, weaken our confidence, and cause us to hold back when God is inviting us to step forward in faith.

Jesus understands this reality. He does not pretend that difficulties will disappear. Instead, He teaches His disciples how to face challenges with trust in God.

Three times in this short Gospel Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” These words are not simply encouragement; they are an invitation to place our confidence in God's love and providence.

Jesus points to the sparrows as a reminder of God's care. Sparrows were among the smallest and least valuable birds in the marketplace, yet not one falls to the ground without the Father's knowledge. If God notices something as small as a sparrow, how much more does He know and care for us?

Jesus goes even further, saying that every hair on our head has been counted. This vivid image reminds us that God knows us intimately. Nothing about our lives escapes His loving attention.

Because we are loved so deeply, we are free to live with courage. The disciple's confidence does not come from personal strength but from trust in God's presence and care.

Personal Reflection

Most of us can identify areas of life where fear holds us back. We may fear failure, rejection, criticism, uncertainty, illness, loss, or change. Sometimes we fear speaking openly about our faith or living according to our values when others disagree.

Jesus speaks directly into these fears. His words do not deny our struggles; rather, they invite us to see them in the light of God's love.

When we remember that we are known and loved by God, fear begins to lose its power. We realise that our worth does not depend on success, popularity, or the approval of others. Our value comes from being children of God.

This Gospel encourages us to trust that God is present even in situations we cannot control. He walks with us through uncertainty and gives us the grace we need for each day.

Whatever fears we carry, Jesus gently says to us: "Do not be afraid."

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
What fears or anxieties am I carrying at this time in my life?
How does knowing that God knows and loves me personally change the way I face these fears?
When have I experienced God's care and providence during a difficult time?
Are there situations where fear is preventing me from responding fully to God's call?
What does it mean for me to trust God more deeply this week?
How can I encourage someone else who may be struggling with fear or uncertainty?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You know my fears, worries, and uncertainties.

Help me to trust in Your love and care,
especially when life feels difficult or uncertain.

Remind me that I am precious in the Father's eyes
and that nothing can separate me from Your love.

Give me the courage to live my faith openly,
to follow You faithfully,
and to place my confidence in You each day.

May Your words, "Do not be afraid,"
bring peace to my heart and strength to my spirit.

Amen.

Come Holy Spirit: A New Beginning

2026-06-18T05:32:12.642+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit: A New Beginning

Looking Back — and Looking Forward

Just over a year ago, during the Easter Octave, we began a journey together called Come Holy Spirit.

Week by week, we explored the many ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. We reflected on:

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
The Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit's action in our lives through Revelation, Reminding, Dwelling Within, Transformation, and Sending

Along the way, we discovered that the Holy Spirit is not simply a theological concept or a distant figure of faith. The Holy Spirit is God's living presence within us — teaching, guiding, strengthening, comforting, transforming, and sending us forth as disciples of Christ.

As we celebrated Pentecost, our journey reached a natural milestone. But it did not reach an ending.

Because life in the Spirit is never finished.

The Journey Continues

Now that we have entered Ordinary Time, it seems fitting to begin a new phase of our journey.

Ordinary Time is sometimes misunderstood. There is nothing "ordinary" about it in the sense of being dull or unimportant.

Rather, it is the season in which we learn how to live as disciples day by day.

The great feasts of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost have been celebrated. Now comes the invitation to allow those mysteries to shape our daily lives.

And so, in the weeks ahead, we will continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit — this time through the lens of the Sunday Gospel.

A New Question

Each week we will ask:

What is the Holy Spirit doing in this Gospel?

We will look beyond the events of the story and seek the deeper invitation of the Spirit.

What is the Spirit revealing?
What is the Spirit teaching?
What is the Spirit asking us to notice?
How might the Spirit be inviting us to respond during the coming week?

The goal remains the same as it has always been:

To know the Holy Spirit more deeply.

To become more attentive to His presence.

To grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Walking With Jesus in Ordinary Time

The Holy Spirit always leads us to Jesus.

As we journey through the Sunday Gospels during Ordinary Time, we will walk alongside Christ and ask the Spirit to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts.

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we pray that our hearts may burn within us as the Scriptures are opened and explained.

The Holy Spirit who inspired the Gospel writers is the same Spirit who speaks through the Gospel today.

The question is not whether the Spirit is speaking.

The question is whether we are listening.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

As we begin this new stage of our journey, open our hearts to Your presence.

Help us to hear Your voice in the Sunday Gospel.

Teach us to recognise Your promptings in our daily lives.

Lead us ever closer to Jesus.

May Ordinary Time become a season of extraordinary grace as we learn to walk more closely with Christ and listen more attentively to Your guidance.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Lead us forward.

Amen.

For Reflection This Week

What has been the most significant insight or grace from the Come Holy Spirit series so far?
How has my understanding of the Holy Spirit grown over the past year?
What am I hoping the Holy Spirit will teach me during this new phase of the journey?

Next Week:

Come Holy Spirit: Walking with Jesus in Ordinary Time

Collect Series: Collect for Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

2026-06-14T11:03:04.196+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

Eleventh Sunday Ordinary Time

The Collect for the 11th Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

O God, strength of those who hope in You,

graciously hear our pleas,

and since without You, mortal frailty can do nothing,

grant us always the help of Your Grace,

that in following Your command we may please You by our resolve and our deeds.

Though Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Sons,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. What does the gift of hope in God mean to me?

2. How has God been my strength in my life?

3. How will God be my strength and hope this week?

4. How self-aware of my fragilities, weaknesses, and sinfulness?

5. In what ways will I repent this week and ask God’s forgiveness?

6. How will I educate myself more in the commands of God this week?

7. What resolve do I need to make about my spiritual life? (eg does my morning prayer or night prayer need a renovation, a makeover or a tweak).

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 9:36–10:8: Theme: “The Harvest Is Plentiful”

Setting the Scene

As Jesus travels through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing, He encounters crowds of people who are searching for hope, guidance, and meaning. Matthew tells us that Jesus looks upon them with compassion because they are “troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Moved by this deep compassion, Jesus turns to His disciples and speaks of a plentiful harvest but a shortage of labourers. He invites them to pray that God will send workers into His harvest.

Jesus then does something remarkable. He does not simply ask the disciples to pray for labourers; He commissions them to become part of the answer to that prayer. He gives them authority to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, and bring God's mercy to others.

This Gospel reminds us that discipleship is never passive. Those who encounter Jesus are invited to participate in His mission.

Gospel Reflection: Seeing with the Compassion of Christ

At the heart of this Gospel is the compassion of Jesus. He does not see a crowd; He sees individuals. He notices their struggles, fears, wounds, and longing for God. His response is not frustration or judgment, but love.

The image of sheep without a shepherd would have been familiar to Jesus' listeners. Shepherds guided, protected, and cared for their flocks. Without a shepherd, sheep became vulnerable and easily lost. Jesus recognises that many people are spiritually searching and in need of guidance, hope, and encouragement.

His words about the harvest reveal God's desire to gather people into His Kingdom. The harvest is plentiful because God's love reaches every person. Yet Jesus acknowledges that there is much work to be done. The mission of proclaiming the Gospel is not reserved for a select few; it belongs to all who follow Him.

The disciples are sent out to continue the work of Jesus. They are called to bring healing, hope, mercy, and the Good News of God's Kingdom. Their mission reflects the heart of Christ Himself.

Today, the same invitation is extended to us. We may not be called to travel from village to village, but we are called to witness to Christ in our homes, workplaces, parishes, and communities. Wherever we are, we can become instruments of His compassion and love.

Personal Reflection

Many people today still feel like sheep without a shepherd. Some struggle with loneliness, grief, anxiety, uncertainty, or a loss of purpose. Others may appear strong on the outside while carrying hidden burdens within.

Jesus continues to look upon His people with compassion. He sees our needs, our wounds, and our hopes. He also invites us to see others through His eyes.

Sometimes we may feel inadequate or unqualified to serve God's mission. The disciples themselves were ordinary people with limitations and weaknesses. Yet Jesus entrusted them with His work. He does not ask us to be perfect; He simply asks us to be willing.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on how God may be calling us to share His love with others. A kind word, a listening ear, a gesture of encouragement, or a simple act of service can become a powerful witness to the presence of Christ.

Questions for Reflection

What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
When have I experienced the compassion of Jesus in my own life?
Who are the people around me who may be feeling lost, burdened, or in need of encouragement?
How is God inviting me to participate in His harvest?
What gifts has God given me that I can use in service of others?
Do I see people with the compassion of Christ or through the lens of my own judgments and assumptions?
What practical step can I take this week to bring hope, healing, or encouragement to someone else?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You looked upon the crowds with compassion
and called Your disciples to share in Your mission.

Open my eyes to see others as You see them.
Fill my heart with Your love and mercy.

Help me to be willing to serve wherever You call me,
bringing hope, encouragement, and kindness to those I meet.

May I become a faithful worker in Your harvest
and a witness to Your presence in the world.

Amen.

Collect Series: Collect for Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

2026-06-07T10:01:00.539+10:00

Collect Series.

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

The Collect for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ ( Corpus Christi ) reads as follows:

Lord Jesus Christ,

You gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of Your suffering and death.

May our worship of this sacrament of Your Body and Blood

help to to experience the salvation You won for us

and the peace of the kingdom

where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit

one God, for ever and ever.

In making this prayer tangible the following reflection questions emerged.

1.How does participating in the Eucharist as a memorial of Jesus' suffering and death deepen my understanding of salvation?

2. In what ways does the act of worshiping the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ allow me to experience the peace of the kingdom?

3. How can I more fully embrace the significance of the Eucharist as a means of encountering the living presence of Jesus Christ?

4. What does it mean for me personally that Jesus is present in the Eucharist as the Father and the Holy Spirit dwell with Him in unity?

5. How does my participation in the Eucharist shape my relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?

6. How can I allow the grace and transformation received through the Eucharist to permeate my daily life and interactions with others?

7. How can I not only receive Jesus in Eucharist but become who I receive this week?

Gospel: John 6:51–58

"I am the living bread which has come down from heaven." (John 6:51)

Today's Gospel confronts us with one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus. His listeners struggle to understand how He can give them His flesh to eat. The language is shocking, and many find it difficult to accept. Yet Jesus does not soften His words or explain them away. Instead, He repeats and deepens His teaching.

At the heart of this passage is a profound truth: Jesus desires not simply to teach us, guide us, or inspire us from a distance. He desires to unite Himself with us completely.

Throughout the Gospels, we encounter a God who continually seeks relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He travelled with Israel through the desert in the Ark of the Covenant. He dwelt among His people in the Temple. In Jesus Christ, God became one of us. In the Eucharist, He remains with us still.

When Jesus says, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him," He reveals the extraordinary intimacy that God desires with every believer. The Eucharist is not merely a reminder of Christ. It is an encounter with Christ. It is His gift of Himself to us.

Yet this gift is not only about what we receive; it is also about what we become. Every time we receive Holy Communion, we are invited to allow Christ's life to take deeper root within us. We are called to think as He thinks, love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, and serve as He serves.

The Eucharist nourishes us for the journey of discipleship. Just as ordinary bread sustains physical life, the Bread of Life sustains our spiritual life. We live in a world that can leave us spiritually hungry—hungry for meaning, peace, hope, and love. Jesus offers Himself as the food that truly satisfies.

This feast also reminds us that the Eucharist is never a private possession. We come forward as individuals, but we receive as members of one Body. The same Christ who feeds us also unites us. Around the altar, social status, achievements, and differences fade away. We stand together as God's people, dependent upon the same grace and nourished by the same Lord.

As we celebrate Corpus Christi, we are invited to renew our wonder before this great mystery. The Eucharist is God's enduring answer to the human longing for His presence. Christ remains with us—not as a memory of the past, but as a living reality today.

May we never take this gift for granted. Instead, may every Communion deepen our relationship with Christ and strengthen us to be His presence in the world.

Reflection Questions

Do I approach the Eucharist with faith and expectation, recognising Christ's real presence?
How is Jesus inviting me to allow His life to shape my thoughts, words, and actions?
What spiritual hunger am I bringing to Christ today, trusting that He alone can satisfy it?

"He who eats this bread will live for ever." (John 6:58)

Moments with the Gospel Series: Reflection on Mk 12_13-17

2026-06-02T17:36:39.822+10:00

Moments with the Gospel

Moments with the Gospel Series

Reflection on Mk 12:13-17

This is a fascinating Gospel passage. The text is often remembered for the famous line: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God'".

However, the real drama is in the trap that is being set for Jesus.

The Trap

In Mark 12:13-17, the Pharisees and Herodians come together to question Jesus. Normally these groups were not natural allies:

The Pharisees resented Roman occupation.
The Herodians were generally supportive of the Roman-backed rule of Herod.

They begin with flattery, calling Jesus truthful and impartial. This is not genuine praise; it is bait. Then comes the question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

To us it sounds like a simple political question. To first-century Jews it was explosive.

If Jesus answered "Yes, pay the tax,"

many ordinary Jews might see Him as siding with the occupying Romans.
He could lose popular support.

If Jesus answered "No, don't pay the tax,"

the Herodians could report Him to the Roman authorities as encouraging rebellion.
He could be arrested.

From their perspective, Jesus was trapped.

Why Were They Surprised?

They expected Him to choose one side or the other.

Instead, Jesus asks for a denarius. When they produce the coin, He asks:

"Whose image and inscription is this?" They answer:"Caesar's."

Notice something interesting. The people trying to trap Jesus are carrying the Roman coin themselves. In a sense, they are already participating in Caesar's economic system. Jesus then replies:

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Rather than choosing between two options, He exposes the inadequacy of the question itself.

The Deeper Meaning

The coin bears Caesar's image. Therefore, give the coin back to Caesar.

But what bears God's image?

According to Genesis 1:26-27, human beings are created in the image of God.

So the implication is much deeper:

The coin belongs to Caesar.
Your very life belongs to God.

Jesus shifts the discussion from taxation to discipleship.

The Pharisees are arguing about a coin. Jesus is talking about the human heart.

Why They Marvelled

Mark concludes:

"And they were amazed at him."

They were amazed because:

He escaped their trap completely.

Rome could not accuse Him of rebellion.
The crowd could not accuse Him of surrendering to Rome.

He turned the question back on them.

Instead of Jesus being examined, their own loyalties were exposed.

He elevated the discussion.

They were debating politics.
He spoke about ultimate allegiance to God.

That may be the most surprising part of Jesus' answer. The Pharisees expected a political statement. Jesus gave them a statement about identity, worship, and the sovereignty of God.

The denarius carried the image of the emperor, probably Tiberius Caesar.

On one side was the emperor's portrait, and on the other side was an inscription that many devout Jews found offensive because it implied divine honours for Caesar.

So when the Pharisees produce the coin immediately, they reveal something:

They are using Roman currency.
They are participating in the Roman economic system.
They benefit from the system they are criticizing.

Jesus gently exposes a degree of hypocrisy.

Could they have used other coins?

Yes. For Temple purposes, different coins were often used. The Temple tax, for example, was commonly paid with Tyrian silver coinage because of its high silver content. This is why money changers were needed in the Temple precincts (the episode where Jesus overturns the tables).

So Jews could be handling several different kinds of currency depending on the situation.

An irony in the scene

Many commentators point out a subtle irony.

The people who are questioning Jesus about loyalty to Caesar are standing in the Temple area carrying Caesar's coin.

Jesus Himself apparently does not have one.

He has to ask them to produce it.

Mark doesn't explicitly say Jesus had no coin, but the narrative certainly paints that picture.

An even deeper layer

Jesus asks:

"Whose image is this?"

The Greek word for "image" would have immediately reminded many Jewish listeners of Genesis:

"God created humankind in His image."

So the argument progresses almost like this:

The coin bears Caesar's image → give it back to Caesar.
You bear God's image → give yourself to God.

That is why His answer is so brilliant. He doesn't merely answer the tax question. He transforms it into a question about worship, identity, and allegiance.

The Pharisees came wanting a political answer.

Jesus gave them a theological answer that was far bigger than the question they asked.

And that is probably why Mark says:

"They were utterly amazed at him."

They thought they had trapped Him between Rome and the people. Instead, He lifted the discussion from a coin in a pocket to the destiny of the human soul.

A Spiritual Reflection

One way to hear this Gospel is:

"What in my life belongs to Caesar, and what belongs to God?"

The startling answer is that while governments may rightly claim taxes, laws, and civic duties, God claims something far greater:

Not merely a coin from our pocket, but our whole selves, because we bear His image.

Come Holy Spirit Series: The HOly Spirit who sends

2026-05-20T17:41:49.431+10:00

Come Holy Spirit series

Come Holy Spirit — The Spirit Who Sends

The Final Step Toward Pentecost

As we arrive at the final post in this Easter journey toward Pentecost, we pause and look back at where the Holy Spirit has led us.

We have reflected on:

the Spirit of Revelation — who opens our eyes
the Spirit Who Reminds — who brings truth back to our hearts
the Spirit Who Dwells Within — who makes His home in us
the Spirit Who Transforms — who changes us slowly and deeply from within

Now we come to the final movement:

The Spirit Who Sends

Because the Holy Spirit is never given only for ourselves.

The Spirit prepares us, transforms us, and fills us —
so that we may go forth into the world carrying the presence of Christ.

Scriptural Foundation

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
— John 20:21

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8

Pentecost Is About Mission

Before Pentecost, the disciples remained behind locked doors:

uncertain, fearful, hesitant.

After the coming of the Holy Spirit, everything changed.

They did not suddenly become perfect people.

But they became courageous, faithful and willing to go. The Holy Spirit transformed frightened followers into witnesses.

This is the great movement of Pentecost:
not inward only but outward as well.

The Spirit sends.

Sent Into Ordinary Life

Sometimes we imagine being “sent” means:

travelling far away
doing extraordinary things
becoming someone important

But often the Holy Spirit sends us into:

ordinary conversations
hidden acts of kindness
difficult relationships
quiet faithfulness
daily witness

The Spirit sends us wherever Christ is needed.

Sometimes the greatest witness is simply:

patience
gentleness
hope
forgiveness
remaining faithful when life is difficult

The Holy Spirit sends us not only through words,
but through the way we live.

The Spirit Sends Us Together

Pentecost was not experienced alone.

The Spirit descended upon the gathered community.

This matters deeply.

The Christian life is not only isolated, self-contained or individualistic Rather, The Holy Spirit draws us into communion and then sends us forth together as the Body of Christ.

We need:

one another’s encouragement
one another’s gifts
one another’s prayers

The Spirit who sends also unites.

A Personal Reflection

It is easy to think:

“Surely the Spirit sends other people… not me.”

The Holy Spirit does not only send priests, missionaries, teachers or public leaders

He sends every baptised person. The question is not:
“Am I called?”

But:
“Where is the Spirit sending me now?”

Perhaps into:

deeper prayer
healing
service
courage
trust
speaking a word of hope
and living more intentionally as a disciple of Christ

Preparing for Pentecost

As Pentecost approaches, perhaps this week can become a time of openness and expectation.

Some gentle ways to prepare:

Pray daily:
“Come Holy Spirit.”
Read Acts 2 slowly and prayerfully
Ask:

Where is the Spirit sending me?
What fears still keep me behind locked doors?

Spend a few quiet moments each day simply inviting the Spirit into your heart
Attend Mass or spend time before the Blessed Sacrament with a spirit of expectation
Revisit the gifts and fruits of the Spirit from earlier in this series

Pentecost is not simply a past event.

It is an invitation: to become more open to the living presence and action of the Holy Spirit now.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit Who Sends.

Fill me again with Your presence.

Where I am fearful, give courage.
Where I am hesitant, give trust.
Where I am closed in on myself, send me outward in love.

Help me to carry Christ into the places You call me to be.

Teach me that Pentecost is not only something to celebrate,
but something to live.

Open the locked doors within me.

Come, Holy Spirit.
Send me forth in peace, courage, and love.
Amen.

For Reflection This Week

What fears still keep me behind “locked doors”?
Where might the Holy Spirit be gently sending me?
How can I prepare my heart more intentionally for Pentecost?

And so this Easter journey comes full circle:

Revelation
Reminding
Dwelling
Transformation
Sending

A journey not simply of learning about the Holy Spirit —
but of learning to live with Him.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Collect Series: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

2026-05-17T09:00:47.310+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect series icon

Collect Series

Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

COLLECT

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,

and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,

for the Ascension of Christ Your Son is our exaltation,

and, where the head has gone before in glory,

the Body is called to follow in hope.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

One God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does the Ascension of Christ into Heaven mean to me?

2. What does holy joys mean to me and how do I express it in my life?

3. Ponder my attitudes and thoughts about my own death in the light of ‘the body (insert my name) is called to follow in hope?

4. What areas of my life still need to follow Him into the new creation?

5. How will I go out to all the world and tell the good news in my life this coming week?

6. How will I prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the Gospel of Gospel of Matthew 28:16–20, we stand with the disciples on the mountain in Galilee as they encounter the risen Christ for the final time in Matthew’s Gospel. It is a passage filled with majesty, mission, and deep humanity.

Matthew tells us:

“When they saw him they worshipped him; but some hesitated.”

Some translations render the final word as “doubted,” while others translate it as “hesitated.” Both capture part of the meaning of the original Greek, but “hesitated” often gives a richer sense of what is happening spiritually in this moment.

The disciples are not necessarily rejecting Jesus or refusing belief. Rather, they seem overwhelmed by the enormity of what they are witnessing. They stand before the risen Christ in worship, yet at the same time struggle to fully take in the reality before them. Their faith is mingled with awe, uncertainty, and trembling.

That detail is profoundly consoling because it reveals something deeply human about discipleship. Faith is not always instant clarity or emotional certainty. Sometimes faith contains hesitation. Sometimes we stand before God wanting to believe fully, yet still feeling overwhelmed, fearful, or unsure how to move forward.

It is interesting to note that unlike the transfiguration which occurred on Mount Tabor, the Ascension occurred on the Mount of Olives. If we recall Jesus in the garden there, He asks for the cup to be taken away, but not my will, but yours be done.
When we listen to this gospel on the Asension, Jesus has accomplished the mission. He remained faithful and is now ready to return to His Father.

Throughout Scripture, people often respond this way when confronted by the presence of God. Moses hesitates before the burning bush. Isaiah becomes painfully aware of his unworthiness in the temple vision. Peter falls before Jesus after the miraculous catch of fish. Divine encounters have a way of exposing both worship and trembling at the same time.

What is striking in this Gospel is that Jesus does not rebuke the disciples for their hesitation. He does not withdraw the mission until they become perfect in faith. Instead, He draws near and entrusts them with the future of the Gospel.

Jesus begins with a declaration of authority:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

The risen Christ now speaks not simply as teacher, but as Lord of heaven and earth. The mission that follows rests not on human strength or confidence, but on His authority.

Then comes the great commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus does not simply tell the disciples to gather followers or spread information. He calls them to make disciples — people whose lives are gradually shaped by relationship with Him. The Gospel is not merely something to know intellectually; it is something to live.

The mission extends to “all nations,” revealing the universal scope of God’s love. The message of Christ is not confined to one people or culture. Every human person is invited into communion with God.

Jesus then commands them to baptize:

“in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Here we hear one of the clearest Trinitarian formulas in Scripture. Through baptism, believers are drawn into the life of the Trinity itself. Christianity is ultimately about relationship — being immersed into the love and life of God.

Discipleship involves more than baptism alone. Jesus continues:

“teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Faith must take shape in daily living: mercy, forgiveness, truthfulness, prayer, compassion, perseverance, humility, and love. The Christian life is a lifelong process of being formed by Christ.

Finally comes the promise that carries the entire mission:

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew’s Gospel began with the title Emmanuel — “God with us.” It ends with the same assurance. Jesus ascends, yet He remains present with His people.

This promise becomes even more beautiful when we remember the disciples’ hesitation. Christ promises His presence not only to the fearless and certain, but also to those whose faith is still trembling and growing.

That is perhaps the heart of this Gospel passage. The disciples worshipped, yet some hesitated. Still, Jesus called them. Still, Jesus entrusted them with His mission. Still, Jesus promised to remain with them always.

Perhaps that gives hope to us as well. We may sometimes stand between faith and hesitation, between confidence and uncertainty. Yet Christ continues to call ordinary people, imperfect people, hesitant people — and to walk with them every step of the way.

What time did Jesus Ascend to Heaven?

Many people have wondered this question. However, the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles do not give a clock time for the Ascension of Jesus.

The main account is in the Acts of the Apostles, where Saint Luke says that Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days after the Resurrection and then was “lifted up” before them (Acts 1:1–11). The event is described theologically and symbolically rather than with chronological detail.

Christian tradition generally places the Ascension on the fortieth day after Easter — celebrated as the Ascension Day — but there is no preserved tradition saying it happened at 9 am, noon, sunset, or any other exact hour.

Some artists and devotional writers imagine it happening during daylight because the disciples clearly witnessed it outdoors on the Mount of Olives, but that is interpretation rather than stated fact from the Scriptures itself.

The Gospel of Gospel of Matthew 28:16–20 brings us to one of the most important moments in the whole of Scripture: the risen Jesus gathers His disciples on the mountain in Galilee and entrusts them with the mission of continuing His work in the world.

At first glance, the passage seems triumphant and clear. Jesus has risen. The disciples meet Him. He commissions them. But Matthew includes one small and deeply human line:

“When they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted.”

That single sentence is profoundly consoling. Even standing before the risen Christ, some still struggled. Faith was not instant perfection. The disciples were still learning how to trust what they could hardly comprehend. Matthew does not hide their weakness because discipleship has never depended on flawless certainty. It depends on continuing to come toward Christ, even when our hearts tremble.

The setting matters too. Jesus calls them to a mountain. In Matthew’s Gospel, mountains are places of revelation: the Sermon on the Mount, the Transfiguration, moments where heaven and earth seem to meet. Now, on this final mountain, Jesus reveals not simply teaching, but mission. The disciples are no longer only followers; they are now sent.

Jesus begins with authority:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

This is not the language of domination but of divine sovereignty. The crucified and risen Christ now reigns over all creation. The One who sends the disciples is not merely a wise teacher from history. He is Lord of heaven and earth. The mission of the Church rests not on human strength, popularity, or success, but on the authority of Christ Himself.

Then comes the great commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Notice that Jesus does not say simply “gather followers” or “win arguments.” He says: make disciples. A disciple is someone who learns to live in relationship with Christ, someone gradually shaped by His mind, His mercy, His truth, and His love. Christianity is not merely information about Jesus; it is transformation through Him.

The command reaches “all nations.” Matthew’s Gospel began with a genealogy rooted in Israel, but it ends with the horizon widened to the whole world. The Gospel is not confined to one people, culture, language, or background. The heart of God is universal. Every human person is invited into communion with Him.

Jesus then speaks of baptism:

“baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Here we hear one of the clearest Trinitarian formulas in Scripture. The Christian life begins by being drawn into the very life of God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Baptism is not simply a ceremony or symbolic welcome; it is participation in divine life. We are immersed into relationship with the living God.

But the mission does not end at baptism. Jesus continues:

“teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Christian faith is not reduced to inspiration or emotion. It involves formation, conversion, and daily obedience. The disciple learns slowly how to live the Gospel in ordinary life: forgiveness, mercy, justice, humility, prayer, truthfulness, compassion, perseverance. The Christian journey is lifelong.

Finally comes one of the most beautiful promises in the Gospel:

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew’s Gospel began with the title Emmanuel — “God with us.” It now ends with the same truth. Jesus ascends, yet He does not abandon His people. His presence continues in the Church, in Scripture, in the Eucharist, in prayer, and in the quiet moments where grace sustains us.

Collect Series

Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

COLLECT

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,

and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,

for the Ascension of Christ Your Son is our exaltation,

and, where the head has gone before in glory,

the Body is called to follow in hope.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

One God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does the Ascension of Christ into Heaven mean to me?

2. What does holy joys mean to me and how do I express it in my life?

3. Ponder my attitudes and thoughts about my own death in the light of ‘the body (insert my name) is called to follow in hope?

4. What areas of my life still need to follow Him into the new creation?

5. How will I go out to all the world and tell the good news in my life this coming week?

6. How will I prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew tells us:

“When they saw him they worshipped him; but some hesitated.”

Jesus begins with a declaration of authority:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

The risen Christ now speaks not simply as teacher, but as Lord of heaven and earth. The mission that follows rests not on human strength or confidence, but on His authority.

Then comes the great commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus then commands them to baptize:

“in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Discipleship involves more than baptism alone. Jesus continues:

“teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Faith must take shape in daily living: mercy, forgiveness, truthfulness, prayer, compassion, perseverance, humility, and love. The Christian life is a lifelong process of being formed by Christ.

Finally comes the promise that carries the entire mission:

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew’s Gospel began with the title Emmanuel — “God with us.” It ends with the same assurance. Jesus ascends, yet He remains present with His people.

What time did Jesus Ascend to Heaven?

Many people have wondered this question. However, the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles do not give a clock time for the Ascension of Jesus.

At first glance, the passage seems triumphant and clear. Jesus has risen. The disciples meet Him. He commissions them. But Matthew includes one small and deeply human line:

“When they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted.”

Jesus begins with authority:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Then comes the great commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus then speaks of baptism:

“baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

But the mission does not end at baptism. Jesus continues:

“teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”

Finally comes one of the most beautiful promises in the Gospel:

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This promise is especially important because the mission can feel overwhelming. The disciples were few, imperfect, uncertain, and fragile. Yet Christ entrusted the Gospel to them anyway. The power of the mission comes not from the strength of the disciples but from the abiding presence of Christ.

For us today, this Gospel asks several questions:

Do we truly believe Christ is still with His Church?
Are we willing to be disciples, not merely admirers?
Do we allow the Gospel to shape the way we live and speak?
Are we prepared to witness to Christ in ordinary daily life?

Many people imagine mission as something dramatic or public. But often the Great Commission begins quietly: a word of encouragement, an act of mercy, faithful prayer, patience with another person, reverence in worship, integrity in suffering, or simply living with hope in a weary world.

The disciples stood before the risen Lord with both worship and doubt in their hearts. Yet Jesus still entrusted them with His mission. That should give great hope to every one of us. Christ does not wait for perfect people before calling them. He calls ordinary people and promises to remain with them always.

NB In some dioceses the Ascension remains on a Thursday, whereas in other parts of the world, the Solemnity of the Ascension has been moved to a Sunday so that all may worship .

Come Holy Spirit Series: The Spirit who Transforms.

2026-05-13T11:35:09.405+10:00

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit — The Spirit Who Transforms

Continuing the Journey

As we continue our Easter journey toward Pentecost, we move more deeply into the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

We have reflected on:

the Spirit of Revelation — who opens our eyes
the Spirit Who Reminds — who brings truth back to our hearts
the Spirit Who Dwells Within — who makes His home in us

Now we come to the natural unfolding of all these gifts:

The Spirit Who Transforms

Because the Holy Spirit does not simply visit us. He changes us.

Scriptural Foundation

“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”
— Romans 12:2

St Teresa of Ávila compared the soul to a crystal castle or mirror capable of reflecting the beauty of God. The transforming work of the Holy Spirit gradually clears away whatever obscures that reflection, so that Christ may shine more fully within us.

The Holy Spirit Changes Us From Within

Transformation is usually gradual.

We often want:

instant holiness
instant clarity
instant peace

However, t the Holy Spirit tends to work more deeply than quickly.

The Spirit transforms:

the way we think
the way we respond
the way we love
the way we see ourselves and others

Over time:

fear becomes trust
bitterness becomes mercy
restlessness becomes peace
self-focus becomes love

This is the quiet work of the Spirit.

Transformation After the Resurrection

After Easter, the disciples were not suddenly perfect. They were however changing.

The frightened disciples hiding behind locked doors eventually became:

courageous
joyful
faithful witnesses

What changed them? The Holy Spirit. Pentecost did not simply give them enthusiasm. The Spirit transformed:

their hearts
their priorities
their courage
their identity

He continues to do the same in us. Do we desire this change?

How the Spirit Transforms Us Today

The Spirit often transforms us through ordinary faithfulness:

daily prayer
Scripture
silence
the sacraments
acts of love
repentance
perseverance through suffering

Transformation is not always dramatic.

Sometimes we only realise later:
“I don’t react the way I used to.”
“Something in me has softened.”
“I’m becoming more peaceful.”

This is the Spirit at work.

Considering the Mirror: What does God see?

Transformation in the Holy Spirit is not about:

becoming someone else
despising ourselves
or constantly focusing on flaws

It is about:
learning to see ourselves as God sees us.

That can be very difficult.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Many people look in the mirror, they immediately notice:

wrinkles
tiredness
age
imperfections
failures
what they think is “wrong”

The Holy Spirit does not look at us with contempt.

The Spirit sees:

dignity
belovedness
possibility
grace already at work
Christ slowly being formed within us

That ties beautifully into the mirror imagery from St Teresa and 2 Corinthians:

“being transformed into the same image…”

The mirror is not meant to become a place of criticism alone.

It can become:
a place of truth and compassion.

Not vanity.
Not denial.
But gentle honesty held within love.

Perhaps one of the hidden works of the Holy Spirit is this:
helping us stop looking at ourselves only through the lens of judgment.

Instead:

we begin to see growth
resilience
kindness
faithfulness
wounds that have survived
grace that has carried us

That is not pride.

That is learning to see ourselves through God’s eyes. Wow

We often look at ourselves through:

criticism
disappointment
comparison
exhaustion
old wounds
unrealistic expectations

Most importantly:
He sees who you are becoming.

That is the heart of transformation.

The Holy Spirit does not stand over us saying:

“Why aren’t you holier yet?”

The Spirit says:

“Come… let Me transform you.”

Slowly.
Lovingly.
Faithfully.

A Personal Reflection

One of the hardest things is accepting that transformation takes time.

We can become discouraged because:

we still struggle
we still fail
we are not yet who we want to be

However, the Holy Spirit is patient.

He does not force growth.

He forms us slowly, deeply, lovingly.

Often the transformation is happening even when we cannot yet see it ourselves.

Preparing for Pentecost

As Pentecost approaches, perhaps this is the invitation:

not to strive harder but to become more open

Some simple ways to prepare:

Spend a few quiet moments each day inviting the Holy Spirit in
Read slowly through Acts 1–2 during the week
Pray: “Come Holy Spirit” throughout the day
Ask the Spirit:

What in me needs transformation?
Where are You already changing me?

Go gently to the Sacrament of Reconciliation if possible before Pentecost
Ask for a renewed openness to the gifts and fruits of the Spirit

Pentecost is not just something we remember.

It is something we prepare our hearts to receive again.

For Reflection This Week

Where have I noticed growth or change in myself over time?
What part of my heart most needs the Spirit’s transforming work?
How can I prepare my heart more intentionally for Pentecost?
Who do I see when I look in the mirror? Does my self talk match what God says about me?

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit Who Transforms.

Change what needs changing within me.

Where I am hard, soften me.
Where I am fearful, strengthen me.
Where I am restless, bring peace.
Where I resist You, gently open my heart.

Teach me to trust the slow and holy work
You are doing within me.

Prepare me for Pentecost.
Prepare me to receive more fully
the life and fire of Your presence.

Come, Holy Spirit.
Transform me from within.
Amen.

Collect Series: Fifth Sunday Easter Year A

2026-05-03T09:01:02.271+10:00

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

Almighty ever- living God,
You constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,

That those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism

may, under Your protective care,

Bear much fruit and come to the joys of live eternal.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

One God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.What does the Paschal Mystery mean to me?

2. How has God accomplished the Paschal Mystery within me during my life up to this point?

3. How will God accomplish the Pascal Mystery within me during this coming week?

4. What does Holy Baptism provide throughout my life? Why not spend some time this coming week reading either Compendium of Catholic Church and/or Catechism of Catholic Church to understand more about the gift of Baptism.

5.Consider how God has protected You in my life. Have I acknowledged this protective care and said thanks to God?

6.What fruits will I bear this coming week?

7. Why do I want to come to the joys of life eternal?

8 How can I live the joys of life eternal this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Here is a Gospel reflection for the 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A), based on John 14:1–12: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

In this Gospel, we find ourselves at a deeply intimate moment. Jesus is speaking at the Last Supper. The atmosphere is tender, but also heavy. He has just told the disciples that he is going away. Understandably, their hearts are troubled.

And Jesus responds not by giving them a detailed plan… but by giving them himself.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God; believe also in me”.

1. The Heart of the Passage: Relationship, not Roadmaps

Thomas asks a very human question:

“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

He is essentially saying: “Just tell us what to do.”

But Jesus does not give directions. He says: “I am the Way.”

This is a shift that can unsettle us. We often want clarity, steps, certainty.
Jesus offers something deeper — relationship over control.

The Way is not a method — it is a person of Jesus.
The Truth is not information — it is a living encounter with Jesus.
The Life is not just future salvation — it is a present participation in God’s life now in our daily lives.

Living This Gospel

Let’s bring this down into daily life.

1. When we feel uncertain, the key is to stay close to Jesus but not in control. Give the control to Jesus.

We often say: “I just need to know what to do.”

But this Gospel invites a different response:

Sit with Christ asking Him for His solution to the problem
Pray even when there are no answers. This can be tough but even when we think there are no answers, there are graces to receive in the no answer phase. For example when we have no answers, we need to ask whether we have been given an answer and the answer is not what we want or thought. It is still the best answer because Jesus gives it to us. Maybe in this time of seemingly no answers, we thank God for the answers He does gives us and ask for the grace to submit to His way not ours.
Trust that walking with Him is already the way. We walk with Him when we spend time with Jesus in prayer, in meditation of the scriptures, through the sacraments especially and by committing our daily lives to be under His reign.

Simple practice:

Before making a decision, pause and say:
“Jesus, be my way in this moment”.

2. When your heart is troubled → Return to trust

Jesus does not deny that life is difficult. He says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. That is not a command to suppress emotion rather it is an invitation to anchor your heart in trust. It also makes psychological sense because when our hearts are troubled, our mental and emotional capacity is diminished. When we feel troubled, small problems can feel like big problems. Things can be distorted to the reality

Practical step:

When anxiety rises, name it honestly
Then gently redirect:

“Jesus, I trust that you are with me here”. I do not need to be troubled. Then breathe in the breath of the Holy Spirit.

3. When faith feels abstract → Look at Jesus

Philip says:

“Show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

And Jesus replies:

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

This is profound.

If you want to know what God is like:

Look at how Jesus speaks
Look at how he forgives
Look at how he suffers and loves

Practical step:

Take one Gospel scene each day
Ask: “What does this show me about God’s heart?”

4. “You will do greater works than these”

This can sound overwhelming — or even unrealistic.

However, notice: Jesus is not talking about greater power or the power that the world understands as power. He is speaking about the spread of his love through us.

Because:

He goes to the Father
He sends the Spirit
And now we become his presence in the world

Practical step:

Choose one small act of love each day: It might be stopping and being with someone and providing them with a kind word. It might be being patient when it is really difficult or it might be showing up for someone quietly

These are not “small” in the Kingdom. Any action which imitates Jesus is how Christ continues his work through us. We have countless opportunities to be like Christ but we need to make that choice and ask Him to act in us each day.

This Gospel is not asking you to figure everything out.

It is asking you to:

Walk with Christ
Trust him when the path is unclear
Let your life reflect his love

Because in the end, the Christian journey is not about mastering the way. It is about walking with the One who is the Way.