Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17Matthew 25:31-46 Today our liturgy opens with Ezekiel’s well-known image of God as a shepherd. God promises to tend his people as a shepherd would his flock. Shepherd imagery is often used when the Biblical writers talk about kingship, indeed, David, the most famous king of all, is called from the sheepfold to be …
Monthly Archives: November 2023
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 25:14-30 In his book The Parables of the Kingdom, C.H. Dodd refers to today’s parable as the parable of Money in Trust. I found this a helpful starting place. What the parable describes was a very normal way for the wealthy to do business in the ancient world. When property was entrusted there was …
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 25:1-13 I have always loved this parable. It’s easy to picture the scene and to feel the excitement as the bridegroom is awaited. Commentators don’t seem to be able to agree as to whether the women were carrying lamps or torches. Either way their job to be ready and to light the path. As …
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 23:1-12 The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. We’ve probably both given and been this advice ourselves in the course …