Dear Brothers and Sisters

The Feast of Christ the King marks the end of our liturgical year. My Kingdom is not of this world, Jesus replied to Pilate, and neither is His kingship. King and kingdom are the same.

We share in His kingship through belonging to Him through baptism. We make His ‘Rule’ effective when we keep God’s commandments. All the commandments lead us to a loving relationship with God and our neighbour.

Loving does not mean “soppy”. As all parents know, there is such a thing as hard love.

Father Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is not only religious people who will tell us that we are stewards of the creation in which we live. Today’s environmentalists try to get us to believe this too.

It is obvious I suppose that we created ones cannot dictate to the creator; no nation or person can own anything. We can exercise wise stewardship though and enjoy being part of the created.

We can learn to have mutual respect for persons, things and our creator. That’s what religion is about.

Have a good week.

Father Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the themes of the readings are to do with judgement, the end of the world, our own eventual death and the second coming of Christ.

These themes remind us that we have a purpose in life, a task to be fulfilled. They give us a gentle reminder to reflect on how well we are pursuing the goal that God has set for us.

If you are married, what are you doing to keep your marriage alive? If you are a child, what are you doing to contribute towards family life? How alive are you? As Christians what are you doing to foster your growth in faith?

Life doesn’t just happen. We have freedom of will to make choices, and make things happen.

Jesus came to change the world for the better. He invites you and me to assist Him in that task. Stay awake!


Have a good week.

Fr. Richard

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Motivation and intention are at the heart of all our actions. In the life of Jesus we observe an internal struggle to do things for the right reason.

The temptation of Christ, at the beginning of His public ministry, is an example of that struggle. Why Jesus goes to the Father in prayer, and out to people in His public ministry, is so that He constantly touches base with His Father to make sure He is not going askew.

No matter how well we begin a task in the church, we too are prey to going astray unless we are constantly in touch with God in prayer. The gospel today gives us an example of how we can go astray.

Keep serving, but be God’s servant first, and others' thereafter.

Yours,

Fr. Richard