As we are drawing closer to the end of the Liturgical Year (Just one more week to go!), we are invited, dear friends, to reflect upon the end times.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings. But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking I shall be content in your presence.”

The story of Zaccheus climbing a tree to see Jesus on his way through Jericho is a lovely story. Some commentators have made Zaccheus somewhat of a comical figure.

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year
23 September 2016
I wonder if many Catholics hearing Jesus’ parable today about the prayer of the Pharisee and of the Publican would not be surprised at the conclusion: “This man (the publican) … went home at rights with God.”

For those who watch the Olympics, one of the so-called “blue ribbon” or glamour events is the 100-metre dash.

We have an inspiring story today of Jesus healing the ten lepers on the border of Samaria and Galilee. The story unfolds when the ten lepers approach Jesus from a distance.

One of the more difficult sayings of Jesus is in today’s gospel. “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to the mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted’ and it would obey you.”

For a long time I was uncomfortable with the parable that Jesus tells in today’s gospel. It seemed to me that the rich man really didn’t DO anything that was bad, and the poor man really didn’t DO anything that was meritorious.

There was this story of an old but sick man who has won a huge prize from lotto. The relatives were afraid that if they’ll break this news, he might have a heart attack and die.

The liturgy of this Sunday invites us to look at the mercy of God and experience God’s abundant generosity towards each one of us.

For those, like me, who have been playing the game “Pokemon Go”, you might be able to relate with me. As far as I understand the game, you capture as many Pokemon monsters as you can.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus seems to be giving two pieces of advice to the Pharisees at the table with him.

How many of us, especially the younger generation, have thousands of Facebook friends but have never met them in person?

Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary’s bodily Assumption into heaven, the belief and practice of a faith community that goes all the way back to the fourth century. Christian tradition honours this without exception.

The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel are a challenge to us dear friends: they speak of pain, they speak of division, they speak of struggle.