“The time has come and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent and believe the Good News”. These are the very first words of Jesus, recorded in Saint Mark’s gospel. Jesus begins his public ministry calling for repentance and faith as an individual’s response to the closeness of the kingdom. But do these words still move our hearts…
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One year ago my mum visited me here, in Scotland, for two weeks. We travelled a lot, because I wanted to show her the beauty of this country. Once I decided to walk on the Bin of Cullen, a quite small hill behind Buckie. I assumed that there would be a nice view from there, but I had never been…
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This happened many years ago. I decided to go to the seminary. One of the requirements was a talk with a bishop. He asked me, why I want to be a priest. In my youthful stupidity I honestly answered, that I knew many priests and I thought, that people deserve a good and helpful one. I was young and mindless.…
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Just before Christmas I saw in the news that two out of three people in London do not believe in the biblical story of Christ’s birth. You may find this shocking. Well, I do not. I myself have doubts, when I read today’s gospel. In fact I would be very worried, if most people did believe the story. In a…
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“You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too”. These are the words said to Mary in the Temple by Simeon. When we listen to them, knowing the story of Jesus’ life, death…