Behold I stand at the door and knock...

The Catholic faith has always been, and if it remains true to its traditions, will always engage our reason, our thinking. Much of what passes for informed opinion, even academic comment, these days does not rely on logic, careful reasoning, nor philosophy that has stood the test of time. The endless search for novelty and pleasure, and popular opinion found on social media, has clouded many minds...

The arrival of the Magi shows forth a never-before-known part of God's plan of salvation. It is something that was kept hidden until the time of its revealing. It is something beautiful for us, who are Gentiles. It means that we too are heirs to the promise made so long ago. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpcha...

The Feast of the Holy Family falls, in this year, on the last day of the year. This is the day when the Church encourages us to recite the Te Deum , an ancient and revered prayer of thanksgiving and praise for all God's graces, gifts, and protection. So, I explain not only how to gain the plenary indulgence on 31st December, but also what indulgences are in general. Of course, the Holy Family...

Who is this child who brings us to the church, to Holy Mass and to  many celebratory moments today and over the coming Octave? The answer may be obvious. But asking the question enables us to ponder again and anew the meaning of Christmas. May you have a blessed, joyful, and peaceful Christmas Day and Season! If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you...

At this closing point of Advent, St Paul draws our attention to the "obedience of faith". This is an interesting phrase and, among many others, is a true and fitting term to describe the way we are called to live our lives in harmony with the teachings of Christ and in fidelity to Him. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this v...

As Christmas approaches, the Church leads us into the Christmas Novena. During these days the joy that our Saviour's birth brought to the world takes a prominent place. It is a holy joy because it is joy for a holy reason, not for any earthly purpose. It is joy because we have been saved from the double punishment that the original or first sin of Eve and Adam brought to our human nature and...

St Peter speaks of the Second Coming of Christ in today's second reading. The Parousia is a reality though we do not know when or exactly how it will happen and what might the experience of those who are alive and witness it. Though there will be fearful things happening, it is a glorious event that brings about the final and complete victory of Christ over sin and evil. It will be the time o...

The Season of Advent begins with an exhortation. We are to be alert, on the watch during our lives as we must live in constant expectation of the coming of Christ, as well as to rejoice once more at His birth. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au Also if you would like to support me in...

The solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, not only makes a bold but true claim about Christ, it ends the liturgical year, and gives us an opportunity to give homage to our King. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au Also if you would like to support me in this work, please send me a...

The parables that Our Lord told and have been passed on to us in the Gospels, are teaching stories. Their purpose is to jar us, provoke in us a different perspective so that we may learn. What the Parable of the Talents teaches has become part of our beautiful and treasured Catholic faith. The art work for this episode is obtained from WikiCommons and is  The Parable of the Talents  by Willem de P...

The parable of the ten bridesmaids (or virgins) sets our sights upon the readiness that is needed for all of us to welcome the bridegroom, who is Christ, when He comes; most particularly when He comes to call us from this earthly life. We need the perspective on  this earthly life and our life in heaven that divine Wisdom gives us and also, as St Paul tells us, that our faith provides for us. If y...

The image of the vineyard, which makes a prominent appearance in today's Scripture readings can lead us to examine the nature of the Church herself.  The photo used in this podcast is acknowledged to © Jebulon; Edit by Norbert Nagel (Modifications: Light, colours, crop), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29853716 If you would like to contact me to provide feedback,...

Once more we are asked to consider the unfathomable ways of God. According to human reckoning, God can appear to be unfair. Humility teaches us to see past this and begin to glimpse the wonders of God's justice and mercy. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au Also if you would like...

The parable that Our Lord tells in this Sunday's gospel about the workers in the vineyard  is meant to arouse our response. We feel the unfairness of the way those who  have worked all day seem to have been treated, don't we? But God's ways are not our ways and God is not bound to human expectations or by human thinking. After all, we know from experience that sometimes we can get t...

Such an unforgiving and hard heart does the servant have in today's gospel reading.  There is more here than just being nice to each other. It is more about how our hearts may be closed to the marvellous grace that Christ offers us through His passion and death. This is a grace that opens our understanding to realise that we also have a debt that we can never fully repay. If you would like to...

The Lord Jesus intentionally began a Church. It wasn't a human concept nor an earthly desire. We see this divine intention in many ways in the gospels. Today we hear how Jesus wished to organise his Church both internally to maintain harmony but also that the Church may be defended from division and that the members of the Church assist each other to grow in holiness. If you would like to con...

When St Peter rebukes Christ for speaking about suffering and taking up one's cross,  he receives a rebuke in return. But Christ goes on to teach him, the other apostles, and us about the value of suffering. This is a unique aspect of Christianity. We, who follow, Christ believe that suffering has value, and brings grace; all because of Christ Himself and what He did. If you would like to con...

The office of the papacy is central to the identity of the Catholic Church, as Christ intended it to be.  It is helpful to explore the interaction between the office and the office-holder, as we look briefly at some history and what the Church teaches. Let us pray for the Pope that he may be protected from error and the forces of evil. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestio...

Christ died and rose for the salvation of all, but it would seem that not all accept it. While we do not know the interior dispositions of any human heart or soul, exterior manner of living would suggest that many do not care for what Christ has done; some forget about it amidst the pleasures of the world; some reject it; some ignore it. What about us? Do we live each day so as to actively accept...

Jesus walking on the water to save his apostles is what He promised to do for His Church in every age until the end of time. We find ourselves in troubled times in the Church especially internally as disagreements about doctrine and practice exist at every level. Christ has not abandoned us. He is faithful to His promise to be with His Church until the end of time. If you would like to contact me...

Bringing people to know and love Jesus Christ has been the mission of the Church since Our Lord gave the Great Commission to the Apostles before His Ascension into Heaven. There is a narrative around in the Church, even coming from the Pope, that to proclaim Christ is to proselytise. This is a word which has, until this time, meant forcing someone to convert. While this may have be done somewhere...

The third parable in the gospel of this Sunday Mass turns our attention to the reality of Hell. Our Lord means what He says and says what He means. When being faithful to the gospel there is no way it could be said that Hell does not exist. Then in logical thinking, if a place exists there must be someone there. The Catholic Church has always taught that Hell exists, though who is there, has never...

The parable of the darnel and the wheat allows us to contemplate the immense mercy of God that allows time for all to repent and come to believe. However, contrary to what is thought and even preached today, mercy demands repentance. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au Also if you woul...

Knowing God's holy will, that is, what God wants of us, is the gold standard for living  the Catholic faith. It comes to us in many ways: through the Commandments; through the Church; through the movements of an informed conscience; through the words and inspiration of the Saints. The image of the seed falling into good soil and producing an abundant harvest is how Our Lord Jesus expresses it...

Our Lord invites us to come close to Him, who is meek and humble of heart. Humility is a Christian virtue that disposes and assists us to act, think and speak towards others because they are our equal in dignity. It also moves us to the right attitude of reverence towards God. May the Sacred Heart of our Saviour draw us to Him; and as He does may we grow to be more humble. If you would like to con...