Holy Spirit

Homily for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Sunday 9 November 2025

Ezk 47:1-2,8-9,12; 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17; Jn 2:13-22

Chapter 10 of St. John’s Gospel records the presence of Our Lord in the Jerusalem Temple during its solemn Dedication Feast (10:22). That annual celebration had been decreed by Judas Maccabeus, following his purification of the Temple in 164 B.C., after its pollution by the wicked King Antiochus Epiphanes. Jewish congregations also celebrated that Dedication feast in the synagogues of the diaspora.

Homily for Sunday 14C, 5 July 2025: Luke 10:1-12,17-20; Gal 6:14-18

Behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves (v. 3). Behold, I am sending you out as prey among predators; as helpless victims amongst ruthless destroyers; as those symbolised by all that is feeble and defenceless, amongst terrifying and voracious predators.

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 2A, 15 January 2023, John 1:29-34

We’ve just read of the first appearance of Jesus in St. John’s Gospel. I wonder if you’ve noticed how wonderfully crafted St. John’s narrative here is? The Fathers of the Church called St. John "The Theologian". We see why especially in his opening lines, where, beyond all other New Testament writers, he seems to gaze directly into the heart of God. John speaks there of the Logos, the Word who was with God, and who was God. Through this Word all things were made. Yet also: this Word became flesh.

Homily for the Feast of the Sacred Heart, 11 June 2021: John 19:31-37

In our recent Pentecost lectures, Fr. Thomas Joseph White explored how the life, death and resurrection of Jesus reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity. White’s starting point of course was the mystery of the Incarnation. For we believe - and it’s true! - that the man Jesus is also God the Son; he is at once fully human, and also fully divine.