21 December 2020

Homilies

Brief Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Advent 4B, 20 December 2020

21 December 2020

Homilies

The current covid rules mean that today’s homily is supposed to be brief. Let me just look briefly then at the Collect for today’s Mass, so familiar to us as the Collect that concludes the prayer of the Angelus. “Pour forth we…

Pluscarden Abbey

15 December 2020

Homilies

Homily for Advent 3B, “Gaudete”, 13 December 2020

Pluscarden Abbey

15 December 2020

Homilies

I want to speak today about misery. Also about sorrow, and weeping; about grief, and bitter lamentation. We find all that in today’s reading from Isaiah. In a very familiar passage, the Prophet addresses himself to those who are poor, whose hearts are…

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13 December 2020

Homilies

Homily for Advent 2B, on Isaiah 40:1ff

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13 December 2020

Homilies

We heard these words in today’s first reading. They come at the beginning of the second part of Isaiah; his “Book of Consolation”. With these words, Handel’s Messiah memorably opens. According to the Authorised Version of the Bible: Comfort ye; comfort ye my people. Handel sets this for…

Pluscarden Abbey

1 December 2020

Homilies

Homily for St. Andrew, 29 November 2020

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1 December 2020

Homilies

Today we celebrate the glorification of St. Andrew. For now though, I’d like, if I may, to speak above all about Andrew’s humiliation. I wonder if you’ve ever noticed the extent to which St. Andrew is…

Pluscarden Abbey

17 November 2020

Homilies

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 33A, 15 November 2020, Matthew 25:14-30

Pluscarden Abbey

17 November 2020

Homilies

A talent in the ancient world was a huge sum of money. I suppose in our terms it would be worth millions, maybe even billions of pounds. And that’s appropriate for the parable, because in the Christian life the Lord endows all of us with…

Pluscarden Abbey

9 November 2020

Homilies

Homily for 8 November 2020, Sunday 32A, Matthew 25:1-13

Pluscarden Abbey

9 November 2020

Homilies

During a community retreat, it’s nice to be told how wonderful we are, how edifying and inspiring our life is, how much God loves us, and how heavenly joy lies just around the corner for us all. Sr. Anna Christi has done that for us, bless her, and much …

Pluscarden Abbey

12 October 2020

Homilies

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 28A, 11 October 2020: Phil 4:12-14,19-20

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12 October 2020

Homilies

In today’s reading from Philippians, St. Paul in prison expresses his gratitude for a financial gift recently received. Without it he would have faced severe hardship; perhaps even starvation. He knows that the Philippian Christians themselves are…

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5 October 2020

Homilies

Homily for Sunday 27A, 4 October 2020: Philippians 4:6-9

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5 October 2020

Homilies

Worry, says St. Paul, in today’s second reading, or be anxious, about nothing. Paul is writing to the Philippians: to people he knows, and loves, and trusts. He is beginning to wind up his letter, and he wants to leave them with a strong message to remember and…