​31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
The story of Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10)
Salvation: experience of justification of the righteous in the presence of Jesus

 “I was a drunkard, but then one day I met Jesus, and I gave up drinking. Now I serve the Lord.” “I was​​ not a believer, but then one day I met Jesus, and now my faith is unshakable.” “I was a womaniser, and one day I met Jesus….”

These are the common patterns in the testimonies of conversion that we hear in the context of some renewal prayer sessions.  These stories are very plausible, and they touch me. Nevertheless they also raise a lot of questions in me:  what is the experience of Jesus like for people who are basically good?  Is the experience of Jesus always followed by dramatic signs? If people are good – as most people are […]

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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
HE and I (Lk 18:9-14)
A few years ago, I came up with this definition of prayer: “Prayer is becoming aware of who I am in the presence of God.”  I could also consistently explain the different forms of prayers within this definition.  When I become aware of my dependence on God, it is the prayer of intercession.  When I become aware of my sinfulness, I begin the prayer of repentance. When I become aware of what God has done for me, I express it in prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
I was quite fond of using this definition in my retreats with young people.  It was very impressive. But that was until one day. That fine day this beautiful definition was threatened by a question from a young participant.  “Father,” she said, “What is God […]

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 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
(Lk 18:1-8)
‘… a parable about the need to pray continually…’ (Lk 18:1)
 
Emergency numbers and frequently dialled numbers
Wherever in the world you are, today, you can have access to emergency services just by ‘dialling’ a few numbers on your telephone. Do you know the emergency number(s) in your own country?  In the UK, it is 999; in the European Union it is 112, and in some countries it is 911.  In some other countries there are separate numbers to call the police, fire services, or medical assistance.  I recently read in the internet that the first emergency number system to be deployed, anywhere in the world, was in London.  It was on 30 June 1937 that ‘999’ was first dialled and a special red light […]

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The Lost Son
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32)
 Today is one of those days when I feel a homily might steal the gospel reading of its depth.  The parable that we heard read is a much-quoted story and we are all too familiar with it.  Perhaps I might just challenge that familiarity, so that the Word of God may become alive in us today.
Usually in stories and movies, there are three types of main characters: the hero and/or the heroin – the protagonist, around whom the story revolves; there is the anti-hero – the antagonist who creates a conflict which the hero attempts to resolve; and the supporting characters, who contribute to the events that lead up to the conflict.  There would also be the minor characters (like the servants), and ‘the extras’.
The story of two boys
In the parable […]

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Remember, you are following a martyr!
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk 14:25-33)
 
Our world today has too many celebrities and very few heroes. Our contemporary culture focuses so much on celebrities. The media hypes up stars in sports, entertainment, and popular culture. Often these celebrities are far from being role models for the younger generation, yet young people have them as their pin-up models.  The personal life of these celebrities is often a disaster. The few heroes we have around are people who have endured difficulties; they have exhibited tremendous courage in being altruistic; they are visionaries.  These are people to be imitated.
Jesus does not want people to rally around him as if around a celebrity.  He does not want a large following of fans and admirers. He wants […]

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