In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see him at his happiest. The Christians in Philippi had none of the severe problems that beset other Churches, for example in Galatia or at Corinth. Here was Paul in his prison cell, chained either to a wall or to a soldier, and whenever he thought of the Philippians, he was cheered and consoled.
Homily for Sunday 25A, 20 September 2026
Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20:1-6
What is the Kingdom of heaven like? What is God’s way of salvation like? What is the Christian life like?
Once upon a time, a householder set out to hire labourers for his vineyard. Our Lord tells us this story, which may perhaps strike us as somewhat bizarre, then he leaves us without any sort of explanation. So that gives us rather a lot of freedom to interpret or apply it as we can.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, 23 August 2026, Sunday 21A: Matthew 16:13-20
Who do you say that I am?
Really none of the disciples at Caesarea Philippi needed advanced qualifications in rocket science to answer this question. For them, and for readers of St. Matthew’s Gospel, the answer must be stark staring obvious. That is, unless you believe with the Pharisees that Jesus is a blaspheming imposter, or else possibly a raving madman: in either case he would have to be acting with the power of all the demons of hell.
Homily for the Assumption, Sunday 16 August 2026
Homily for Sunday 15A, 12 July 2026: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 13:1-23
Homily for the Solemnity of St. Benedict, 11 July 2026
Fr. Prior Simon’s Homily for the Nativity of St John the Baptist (Second Patronal Feast of Pluscarden Abbey)
24 June 2026
Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66.80
Today we are celebrating the birthday of a great prophet, and more than a prophet – the Forerunner, the Precursor to Christ our Lord himself. The voice which would become “the voice crying out in the wilderness” cried out for the first time as little John emerged from his mother's womb.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 11A, 14 June 2026: Romans 5:6-11
Today’s second reading gave us some verses from Romans Chapter 5. Romans Chapter 5 is one of those texts people build their lives on. This is a passage with an inbuilt potential really to hit you between the eyes. Paul’s message is so thrilling that if you would only allow its impact to sink in, you’d be dancing about and singing.