Easter (50)

Brothers and sisters,

As we gather in the stillness of this holy night, we are surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of this ancient liturgy. The Paschal Candle burns brightly tonight, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, rising from the darkness of the tomb. …

On this Easter Sunday, we stand before a mystery both ancient and ever new. We do not merely recall the Resurrection; we enter into it. We must allow it to shape us, to transform us, to light our way. This day calls us beyond the tomb, beyond the shadows, into the brilliance …

They ran. Feet pounding the earth, hearts burning with confusion and wonder, they ran. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had gone to the tomb expecting silence, the weight of finality. They went to honour what they thought was the end. Instead, they were met by an angel, an …

In the stillness of the garden, Mary Magdalene weeps.
The weight of grief bends her low, her heart heavy with sorrow. The one who had seen her, known her, called her out of darkness, was gone. The silence is unbearable, the absence—total. She is lost, as many of us feel lost …

There is something unmistakable about a heart set on fire. It cannot be contained, ignored, or mistaken for anything less than a profound encounter with the truth. This is the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus — and it is our story too.

A stranger walks beside …

The disciples had barely begun to grasp the enormity of what had happened. Their world had been upended, their hearts stretched to the breaking point—and then, just as despair threatened to overtake them—Jesus was alive. Not a ghost. Not a mirage of grief. But alive. And he …

It is early morning on the Sea of Galilee. The air is cool, the sky a delicate gradient of dawn, and the water laps softly against the sides of a boat where seven weary men sit in silence. They have been fishing all night, their muscles aching, their spirits drained. And …

It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.

This is the cry of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, an echo that reverberates through the centuries, a defiant declaration that no earthly power can silence. But what do they truly mean? What have …

They locked the doors. The Gospel tells us this twice, as if to emphasize the sheer finality of their fear. These were not doors gently closed, left ajar for a passing breeze. These were doors bolted, barred, sealed against the world outside. The disciples had seen their …

There is a quiet but profound contrast in today’s readings—a juxtaposition of courage and caution, of boldness and hesitancy, of those who speak in the light of day and those who whisper under cover of night. Peter and John stand before the authorities, fearless in their …

The wind moves where it wills, sweeping through the world unseen, yet undeniable. It bends trees, fills sails, sculpts the landscape over centuries. And so it is with the Spirit of God. We may not see it directly, but its effects are unmistakable: a hardened heart softened, …

The Gospel today speaks of a cosmic struggle—a contest between light and darkness, life and death, salvation and sin. Jesus reveals to us the very heart of God’s mission on earth: to bring light into the world. The verse we often repeat, “For God so loved the world” (Jn …

There is a moment in history when the truth can no longer be silenced, when those who bear witness to it stand before the powers of the world with courage that shakes the very foundations of authority. The apostles, simple men from Galilee, now transformed by the fire of …

There are moments in history when a single voice speaks with clarity, cutting through the noise of fear and uncertainty. One such voice was that of Gamaliel, a wise and measured leader of the Sanhedrin. As the apostles stood accused, bruised yet unbowed, his words rang out …

There is a story told of a sculptor who, when asked how he carved a lion from a block of marble, simply said, “I just cut away everything that wasn’t lion.” Faith can feel much the same. It is less about adding layers of complexity and more about stripping away illusions, …

The sea at dawn is a place of mystery, of beginnings, of hope. The light slowly spills across the horizon. Darkness gives way to morning. In that liminal space—between night and day, between failure and redemption, between doubt and belief—Christ appears once more. Today’s …

To use Johannine language, both readings today tell us that what is “from above” clashes with what is “from below.” In Acts, Stephen stands before his opponents with irrefutable wisdom, his face radiant “like the face of an angel.” His accusers, clinging to what is …

There are moments in history when a person stands before the world—accused, condemned, seemingly abandoned—yet utterly certain of the truth they proclaim. Today, we stand with Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, a man who doesn’t look at the mob that rages before him, …

My brothers,

Tonight, as the College of Cardinals gathers to discern the next leader of our Church, we are invited to reflect on how God’s mission unfolds in mysterious and sometimes challenging ways. The readings today provide profound insight into this process: through …

There is a moment, subtle yet seismic, in the life of every disciple—a moment when the words of Scripture move from being mere ink on a page to fire in the heart. For the Ethiopian eunuch, that moment came on a dusty road as he pondered the words of Isaiah, yearning for …

There are moments in history when everything changes in an instant. A soldier lowers his sword and chooses mercy over violence. A scientist makes a discovery that redefines how we see the universe. A leader stands before the world and declares that freedom will not perish. …

A moment of decision, a choice that defines everything. In today’s Gospel, we find the disciples at such a moment. They stand at the crossroads of faith and doubt, where the words of Jesus challenge them beyond comfort. “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” …

The sun rises over the land, touching the earth with golden light, just as the voice of the Good Shepherd calls out to his flock. “My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus tells us, “I know them, and they follow me.” The voice that speaks in the Gospel today is …

In the stillness of the early morning, as the day breaks with soft light across the land, the voice of the Good Shepherd calls to us once again. “I am the gate,” Jesus declares in today’s Gospel. This is no ordinary gate—this is the entrance to life, to …

In today’s First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we find ourselves standing at a pivotal moment in the early Church’s journey. The followers of Christ are scattered by the storm of persecution, yet in their scattering, they carry the Gospel to new lands, …

We gather today in the joy of the Easter season to celebrate the Feast of Saint Matthias, the apostle chosen to take the place of Judas Iscariot. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see the early Church in a moment of uncertainty and transition. With …

As we gather in this Easter season, the readings today invite us to reflect deeply on mission, on the reception of the Word, and on the intimate relationship we share with Jesus. We find ourselves journeying with Saint Paul as he preaches the Gospel, with Jesus as He offers …

In the readings today, the Scriptures guide us to encounter both the reality of God’s eternal promises and the life-giving path that Jesus offers. We hear the story of Jesus’ triumph over death, of his faithful followers receiving a promise that transcends time, …

Sometimes, a single sentence changes everything. Jesus says to his disciples, “If you know me, you know my Father too.” It’s a simple line—but it opens a door to something deep. Jesus is saying: if you want to know what God is like, look at me. Listen to my voice. Watch how …

Have you ever had to return to a place where it once hurt? Where the wounds still whisper, where the memories weigh heavy? The hardest journeys are often those that bring us back—to the roots of pain, to the soil where love must be lived again, even when it hurts.

This …

Have you ever had that moment when you’re absolutely sure you’re going the right way—until you’re not? Maybe you’re driving, following the signs, even feeling confident—and then suddenly, you realize you’re lost. It’s jarring. And it’s humbling. …

In Zambia today, we live in uncertainty. Economic pressures mount. Political tensions simmer. Families strain under the weight of daily struggles. Yet in this moment, the Word of God speaks—not despair, but peace; not surrender, but mission.

We gather not because all is …

Think of a time when your life took an unexpected turn—a job fell through, a relationship ended, an illness changed everything, or you were forced to start over in a new place—do you remember that feeling of being uprooted? That disorienting moment where what was familiar no …

Today’s Gospel presents a beautiful but challenging image: Jesus as the true vine, and we, his branches. He tells us plainly, “Remain in me, as I remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” This call to remain in Jesus’s love is not just a …

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we gather today, let us reflect on the call that has shaped our lives, the call to follow Christ in religious life. Do we ever pause to consider the depth of this commitment, the daily sacrifices, and the immense privilege of living in …

My friends in Christ,

There is a moment in today’s first reading that should make us wonder. Paul has been traveling, preaching, discerning. And then, one night, he has a vision: a man of Macedonia stands before him and pleads, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

It is one …

Happy Easter everyone.

Today we celebrate the resurrection, the triumph of life over death. Let us today be witnesses to the Lord and delight in the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Our readings this morning invite us to a deeper form of belief. In some way they all touch on …

You are all welcome to this glorious place of great joy and hope for the union we are about to witness. We are all gathered in this inimitable venue to share in this joyous occasion together and to celebrate the love that Matthew and Claudia both share for each other and to …

This afternoon In John’s Gospel, disciples are the Father’s gift to Jesus. That is the sense of Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him” (Jn 6:44). The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts is a good example of one whom the Father …

Dear Friends,

This is the day that the LORD has made;

Rejoice and be glad. Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Happy Easter everyone.

We have been celebrating Lent since the 26th of February, and this has been a Lent like no other we have known. We have had to sacrifice so much: our …

Before Jesus Ascends, he needs to explain to the apostles that they will not be left alone. That he will send his spirit to be with them.

In the first reading we see Philip fulfilling a prophecy of Jesus that the Good News would be preached in Samaria. Samaria was home to …

Our readings today are bound together with two overarching questions. The first question we might reflect on is who do we listen to? The second is do we know what time it is?

What has appeared repeatedly in our Easter readings is the story of the Church’s universal mission. …

In today’s readings I think there are two verbs we should take special notice of. The first is ‘encourage’ from our first reading. The selection from the Acts of the Apostles describes the conclusion of St Paul’s first missionary journey where he took the good news of Jesus. …

In our first reading today we hear the opening lines from the Acts of the Apostles. Our Gospel is also taken from the end of Luke’s Gospel. Both the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of Luke were, we believe, written by the same person and both the Gospel and first reading …

So in this evening’s Gospel we hear the familiar story of the Risen Christ appearing to the disciples in the Upper Room.

I’ve just come back from a retreat with all the Parish Catechists where we watched the movie, Risen, which starred Ralph Joseph 1 Fiennes as the …

This Sunday’s Gospel reading from Saint Luke is the familiar story of the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus. This story of the journey to Emmaus is both a literal and a spiritual journey. On the one hand, it recounts the story of two disciples who, after the …

Last week we heard about the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus went after these two ‘lost sheep’ and found them. Today we hear a lot about Shepherds and Sheep, and so consequently we call today Good Shepherd Sunday. With the exception …

In today’s first reading we hear how, as a result of the evangelization of the apostles, the number of disciples grew. But as the number of disciples grew, we are told, so did the complaints. In ways that we can identify with today, the complaints ran along the …

I’d like today to talk about three things: firstly, the Holy Spirit, secondly, a sign of that Spirit present in our country this week. And thirdly, I’d like to briefly say something about Catholic schools which you may have noticed from some of the children wearing …

My brothers and sisters, on this the last day of Easter, on this our Feast of Pentecost, our readings tell us the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit.

We remember that in the Bible, God the Father and God the Son have featured very prominently – but God the …