Behold I stand at the door and knock...

We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. So, we profess in the Symbol of Faith, the Nicene Creed on every Sunday and Solemnity. These are, of course, not mere words because all words have meaning. Neither are these our ideas about the Church. Christ is the Head of the Church, its Founder and Cornerstone. These qualities of the Church are His desire and His gift to the Church, so tha...

The words of St John the Baptist  in the gospel reading for this Sunday's Holy Mass provides us with an opportunity to ponder upon the heritage of our sacred rites; a heritage that stretches over thousands of years. We are also given the chance to deepen our reverence and devotion to Our Lord, who is truly and really present in the sacrament of the altar.  If you would like to contact me to p...

The Epiphany of the Lord, on January 6th, marks the twelfth day of Christmas and is traditionally the time both to give gifts (like the Magi) and to dismantle the Christmas tree and other decorations. I think it loses something when it is celebrated on the next Sunday. If the Epiphany was marked liturgically on January 6th, no matter what day of the week that was, wouldn't it communicate that...

The new year begins with turning our eyes towards Mary, the lowly maiden from Nazareth, who from the earliest days of the Church has been called the Mother of God. This is not to give her divine status, she is still a creature. But God raised her above all other creatures to be the Mother of His Son. She is the mother of the whole person, Jesus, not just His human nature. Otherwise we are splittin...

Christmas attracts us, for many reasons and on many levels.  This miraculous and long-awaited birth began the final act in God's careful and deliberate act to bring the world back to friendship with Him. God the Son becoming man and being born brought this loving plan of salvation into the open. Quite right it is therefore that we celebrate heartily both in the church and at home! If you woul...

St Joseph has our attention this fourth and last Sunday of Advent, as we move closer to the Nativity of our Saviour. While not eclipsing Mary, Joseph provides for us a glimpse into the complex reality of the coming of our Saviour in our human nature. Joseph's just, merciful and honourable treatment of his betrothed is most worthy of our reflection and our gratitude. If you would like to conta...

Rejoice in the Lord!  Gaudete in Domino! The Entrance Antiphon gives the name to this, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The colour rose temporarily replaces the violet of Advent, so as to anticipate the joy of Christmas. Yet, there is what seems a puzzling dialogue between Christ our Lord and St John the Baptist in the gospel reading. But with a closer and a deeper look, it is simple: God is coming to sa...

We hear repentance once more! This is not so as to make us feel bad but rather to call us to change our ways and be free from sin so that we might come into the presence of God, who is  present both in Holy Communion at every Mass, and whose first appearance at Bethlehem we will celebrate on Christmas Day. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you ca...

The message of the First Sunday of Advent is stark! Remain vigilant! Do not slacken! Be not complacent! It could be stated in many different ways, with many various words,  but Our Lord does not allow us to glide easily into Christmas. The event of Christ's incarnation and birth is a world-shaterring event and, as such, it requires a total response of our selves. If you would like to contact...

What a glorious Feast Day! It is for our spiritual good that we acknowledge Christ as our King. He rules over us by right as our God. He demands our fidelity as our Saviour. He gives us His powerful protection as our Lord. Let us dedicate this day to His honour and pray, as He taught us, that His kingdom come in all its glory! If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to...

Our Lord and Saviour, in His great kindness, has told us that there will be a definitive end to this world. When He comes in glory at His last coming, He will bring everything to a definitive end and evil will be completely and eternally conquered.  He knows that we cannot experience this on our own and so He promises to be with us as well as telling us about it. If you would like to contact me to...

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and life after death but, as Our Lord tells them, they were in error. Our belief in the resurrection and the life of Heaven is given to us by the Son of God Himself to be our consolation in this life and to arouse in us both a hope for and a longing for Heaven. May that hope and longing be increased within us! If you would like to contact me to pro...

Zacchaeus in the tree and Jesus inviting Himself to his house! This is an attractive, slightly humorous, and genuinely warm episode in St Luke's gospel. It is probably one of the best known from the gospels. The conversion of Zacchaeus and its unconventional beginning and conclusion must remind us of our own conversion, which is a lifelong task. If you would like to contact me to provide feed...

The parable of today's Gospel is the tax collector and the the Pharisee  who both went to the Temple to pray. Our Lord teaches us not only about prayer but also about humility, trust and obedience. 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 wo...

Peseverance is a virtue needed for our human life and also our spiritual life. Our Lord exhorts us in the Gospel reading for today to persevere in prayer. The Holy Spirit, who abides in us, bears the fruit of stability and perseverance in us when we willing cooperate with divine grace. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email:...

The gratitude displayed in the First Reading and the Gospel are examples for us of how we must show gratitude towards God in a due and fitting way. The Holy Rosary helps us to be grateful. 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 sen...

The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 is a decisive point in the history of Europe and the history of the Church. It is also a critical point in the story of the Holy Rosary. All Catholics should know of this important event. 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 suppor...

Today's readings from Holy Scripture and the prayers of the Sacred Liturgy  provide us with reflection upon and insights into the mystery of suffering and difficulty in human life. It is a lesson we all need, and sometimes need to learn again and again. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via email: frpchandler@armidale.catholi...

The question of why we pray and how we pray has been in the human mind since the beginning.  So, it is an ancient question, but it is ever new as each of us approaches prayer and as each of us confronts difficulties and suffering in our lives. Indeed, prayer is both a puzzle and a necessity. If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions  or to ask questions you can do this via e...

Hard words from our Saviour today! Discipleship, that is following Christ, is costly. It will bring suffering to us and we do this in imitation of the Lord Jesus Himself. But, as we also know, it brings us the path of life. 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...

Humility and reverence go together in a marvellous synergy both in our human relationships but, even more so, in our attitude to God. We received in the Sacrament of Confirmation the gift of the Holy Spirit which is Fear of the Lord. This holy fear is not being frightened by someone who will harm us but rather the reverential humility that distinguishes a child who loves his/her father. May we gro...

"Strive to enter by the narrow gate," says Our Lord in today's gospel. The entry to heaven is not a foregone conclusion nor is it easy to attain. We shouldn't be surprised by this because our salvation was won for us by suffering and agony, by a bitter passion and a gruesome death that Jesus Christ endured for us; and we are called to follow Him. We are not called to follow som...

The saints in heaven are our brothers and sisters in the Faith who have run the race and achieved the crown of victory. From their place around the throne of God, they urge us on to be victors, like them, in the race and in the battle. Their prayers lend us sure support and protection. Let us honour them and thank them; but also rely upon them for their guidance and intercession. If you would like...

The faithful servant whom the master finds awake and at his duty, when he comes, is praised by Our Lord is today's Gospel reading. The faithful servants of God in the past are praised in the other two readings. Faith is not a static or immoveable object. It must be living and be evident in the our lives. Those who were obedient in faith are praised and their example is placed before us so tha...

The Gospel reading of this Sunday's Mass is often referred to as the parable of the Rich Fool. This is an interesting and evocative image, isn't it? Wealth and power often go together, so in the eyes of the world those who are wealthy have great influence. But Our Lord teaches us that wealth can bring many problems with it. When these problems cross into the moral sphere we see greed and...