Earlier in Lent, I was asked if we usually kept blessed water in the baptismal font during the season. It’s not a surprising question. In the past, some people would suggest that parishes remove holy water from the church during Lent, even replacing it with sand or ashes. This idea can be motivated by a … Continue reading Lent is about Baptism
Category: Lent
Last Sunday, we celebrated the first scrutiny with our five elect - those in our parish preparing to be initiated into the Catholic Church at Easter. These scrutinies continue this and next weekend. The scrutinies are a central ritual of this final period of purification and enlightenment prior to baptism. The Gospels of these Sundays … Continue reading Approaching the Font of Life
Jesus never performed miracles, or “signs” as they are described in the Gospel of John, for the sake of it. They always resulted from, and strengthened peoples’ faith. Take, for example, Mary’s faith in her son at Cana, the centurion’s faith that Jesus could heal his daughter without entering under his roof, the woman who … Continue reading Glory
The opening sentences of today’s Gospel reveal a particular cultural and religious understanding of the time - that circumstances such as disability (in this case, blindness) were seen as punishments from God for sin. At the end, the excuse of sin is used by the Pharisees to reject his courageous witness and expel him from … Continue reading Dignity
Social media has changed the way we engage with others and the world. It has the power to connect people in many good ways. It can shed light on important issues with a global audience and give individuals a voice. It provided support for many during COVID lockdowns. Yet we are also learning of its … Continue reading Thirst
Liturgy 