Author Archives: richardgreenac6a9126ae

Organisations are prone to develop long and convoluted mission statements which can mean very little. By contrast Jesus in Mark’s Gospel gives the church a mission which is simple, clear and direct. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist can be found here. A featureContinue reading “God’s mission statement”

God frequently confounds our expectations and does things we might find shocking. But he does this in order to demonstrate more clearly his purposes. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Friday of the third week of Easter can be found here. Think of one of the world’s mega-rich, the multi-millionaires andContinue reading “The God who shocks”

The story of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch reminds us that the good news of Jesus is for everyone, regardless of nationality or background. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Thursday of the third week of Easter can be found here. Have you ever had the experience of being excludedContinue reading “A place for all”

Stephen the first Christian martyr gives us a wonderful example of how to follow Jesus is his closeness to God and his willingness to forgive. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Tuesday of the third week of Easter can be found here. Think of some of the greatest painters from theContinue reading “Follow the master”

Sometimes our efforts in this life run into difficulties or opposition, and this can leave us feeling discouraged. Stephen, however, gives an example of focussing on the eternal not the transient. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Monday of the third week of Easter can be found here. If it hasn’tContinue reading “Eternal focus”

Today’s Mass readings show the difference which is made to people when they encounter and spend time with the risen Jesus. Fr Richard reflects on what this means for us. Readings for Easter Saturday can be found here. Have you ever noticed a visible difference in someone after they’ve been somewhere or had some experience?Continue reading “The power of encounter”

Sometimes places can have associations of failure and pain. The story of Simon Peter in today’s Gospel shows how the risen Jesus can transform these places into ones of hope and renewal. Readings for Easter Friday can be found here. In 2011 Queen Elizabeth II paid a state visit to Ireland, the first by aContinue reading “A place transformed”

Life can be confusing and frightening. The risen Jesus gently leads us to understanding, peace and faith, as he did with the first disciples. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Easter Thursday can be found here. Have you ever woken up and wondered where you are? Perhaps it’s the first nightContinue reading “Confused no longer”

Like the first disciples, the gift of the Holy Spirit and encountering Jesus in the Eucharist enable us to put our faith into action. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass. Readings for Easter Wednesday can be found here. Have you ever thought about doing some exercise but never actually got round to it?Continue reading “Faith in action”