Let Jesus be re-born in us this Christmas

Just a few thoughts

• "Kids should be allowed to break stuff more often. That's a consequence of exploration. Exploration is what you do when you don't know what you're doing." -- Neil deGrasse Tyson

• May every Christian follow Mary and Joseph’s example, and pray to God in the varied circumstances of life, accepting the mystery of God’s will.

• We pray for our war-torn world, that in every place of injustice, hate and bloodshed the grace of God will open pathways to peace.

Reflections

• Let Jesus be really re-born in each one of us this Christmas.

• Two-Minute Homily

• Frank Brennan’s Homily – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Bishops urge communities to be peacemakers

• Vinnies urges government to use 2026 budget to tackle poverty

Musical Reflection

• Joseph's Lullaby

God enters human history

Just a few thoughts

• "Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -- John Lubbock
  
  

• May this International Human Solidarity Day advance unity among peoples, respect and cooperation, justice and charity.

Reflections

• The human and divine

• The Word became flesh and dwelt among us

• The Greatness of Mary – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Human Solidarity Day

• The aftermath of the Bondi terror attack is not a time to blame, politicise or dilute democracy

Musical Reflection

• The Angel Gabriel

Zachariah and Gabriel

Just a few thoughts

• "The idea of kids helping other kids is such a great way to introduce children to being involved in charitable causes and volunteer work, setting them on the path to doing good for others throughout their lives." -- Brandy Norwood
  
  

• May people of integrity lead the nations to a time of peace, not by force, but by trust, dialogue and respect.

Reflections

• He was struck dumb

• Bringing new life

• Called Beyond – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Peace: The Christmas gift our world needs

• Blame, grief and responsibility after Bondi

Musical Reflection

• Elizabeth’s Song

The blame game-Let’s look at ourselves.

Just a few thoughts

• "Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." -- Earl Nightingale
  
  

• We pray on this International Migrants Day that we will honour the contributions which they have made to our nation, and give to God those who are struggling to settle here and are having difficulties.

Reflections

• Christmas festivals

• Please, be kind to each other

• God with us - Emmanuel – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Waiting with love

• Festivals of goodwill, peace, love – and charity.

Musical Reflection

• The Carol Of Joseph

Jesus also has a family story... and not a perfect one

Just a few thoughts

• "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -- Albert Einstein

• May we give thanks for our ancestors, whose faith, culture, and traditions have helped to shape who we are today.

• We pray for one another, that we will grow ever more prayerful and peaceful through the remaining days of the Advent season

Reflections

• Genealogy

• God’s grace is not hindered by human imperfection

• Quelling anxiety by staying in the present – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Blame, grief and responsibility after Bondi

Musical Reflection

• Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Looking past the labels

Just a few thoughts

• "Give yourself permission to immediately walk away from anything that gives you bad vibes. There is no need to explain or make sense of it. Just trust what you feel." – Anon

• May all people know and do the will of God And so work for peace everywhere and for everyone through prayer and action.

• We pray for the Australian community, that our seasonal gift-giving will be generous, waste-conscious and mindful of the poor.

Reflections

• Amen means Yes

• Gaudete

• Making Christ’ messianic agenda our own – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Response to Bondi Beach attack

• Images for Advent

Musical Reflection

• Canticle of the Turning

God with us

Just a few thoughts

• "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -- Alice Walker

• May we who have been baptised into Christ live our faith confidently, with joy and hope.

• We pray for all who care for nature, that their active love of creation will bear fruit in a healthy habitat for all living things

Reflections

• How we exercise authority in our own lives

• Service and love

• Where do we find Christ today? – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Statement from ACBC President on Bondi tragedy

• Focus on palliative care

Musical Reflection

• The Angel Gabriel

Preparing with joy

Just a few thoughts

• "It's not how long you live, but how you live, that matters most." -- Jill Whitman

• May we, in these Advent days, be patient and not lose heart, and never make complaints against each other, in our families, parishes and communities.

• We pray for health services supporting persons with any form of disability, that they will affirm their dignity and gifts and assist them to take their rightful place in the community

Reflections

• Jesus sat down with sinners and outcasts

• Two-Minute Homily

• Frank Brennan homily – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The doorway to what is possible

Musical Reflection

• Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn

Measuring humanity by love over productivity.

Just a few thoughts

• "In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm... in the real world all rests on perseverance." – Goethe
  
  

• May we carry that heavenly light in our lives, which brings joy and peace to others.

Reflections

• In the Scriptures realism is coupled with faith in God

• Reading the signs of the times

• No Offense, But… – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Milking human kindness

• The war that broke Israel’s global legitimacy

Musical Reflection

• What You Have Done for Me

Wisdom

Just a few thoughts

• "Life is all about the little decisions you make every day. You can't change the decisions of the past, but every new day is another opportunity to make the right ones." -- Anon

• We pray that this International Universal Health Coverage Day will urge governments to care for the health of all citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable, without cost to them.

Reflections

• Jesus urges us to listen

• To change the world, we need the energy of the youth and the wisdom of the old

• He Who Is To Come – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope Leo XIV’s distinctiveness begins to show

• How Do We Know God Exists?

Musical Reflection

• Go To the World!

The Bible

Just a few thoughts

• "In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive." -- Lee Iacocca
  
  
• We pray that those who have become the voice of the voiceless, are advocates for refugees and the poor, will feel the presence of God in their works of justice and charity: Do not be afraid, I will help you.

Reflections

• “When I am weak, then I am strong,”

• Making room for Christ in the world

• Rejoice Always! – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Pope will not be silent bystander amid global inequality and war

• Meta’s child sex-trafficking problem

Musical Reflection

• Day By Day | Prepare Ye

An easy yoke

Just a few thoughts

• The effective power of God on earth is manifested by the efforts that we put into loving and caring for people, wherever they are on God’s earth. – Anon

• May young people, 16 and under, who in Australia cannot access social media platforms from today onwards will, with the encouragement of their parents find new and healthier ways to connect with their friends.

• We pray for people whose dignity is denied by injustice, oppression or abuse, that this week’s observance of Human Rights Day, will give them new hope of redress

Reflections

• When the yoke is easy, nearly every burden seems light.

• Come to me

• To repent is to be dazzled by the light – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Dilexi Te: Pope Leo’s call to love the poor in spirit and action

• Human Rights Act campaign

Musical Reflection

• The Cry of the Poor

 

The Dignity of Every Person

Just a few thoughts

• “We are guardians of creation, not rivals for its spoils.” — Pope Leo

• We pray that the world might hear more clearly the joyful message that God is here, like a shepherd feeding his flock.

• We pray for those who have sought refuge in Australia but remain without support and security, that their dream of making a new life here will be fulfilled without further delay.

Reflections

• The nature of the heart

• The Way

• Gifts – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Human Rights Day

Musical Reflection

• Your Light Will Come Jerusalem

A leap of faith

Just a few thoughts

• Things take the time they take. Don’t worry. — Mary Oliver.

• May we be able to accept the will of God in our lives, and live each day with a firm faith, trusting hope, and generous love.

Reflections

• Nothing is impossible for God

• Mary exemplifies the ideal disciple

• God's future is already present – Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• The Immaculate Conception

• The Sacrament of the Eucharist

Musical Reflection

• Ave Maria Gratia Plena

Repentence

Just a few thoughts

• "If you're going to think, then you might as well think positive. Remember, positive thoughts and actions are seeds that will produce positive results." -- Robert Tew

• In this second week of Advent may we focus on treating each other in the same friendly way as Christ treats us.

• We pray for those who have sought refuge in Australia but remain without support and security, that their dream of making a new life here will be fulfilled without further delay.

Reflections

• Fr Frank Brennan’s Homily

• Two Minute Homily

• Hope in Christ

The Signs Of The Times

• Mary MacKillop and Timor Leste

• Set Yourself on the Right Way

Musical Reflection

• I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Sinterklaas

Just a few thoughts

• "The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." -- Elbert Hubbard

• May St Nicholas, honoured today by all who have been placed under his patronage: children, brides, unmarried women, pawn brokers, perfume makers, travelers, maritime pilots, sailors and the nation of Russia be known for his care.

• We pray for seasonal workers brought to Australia to harvest the fruit of the land, that they will be justly paid, housed and provided for, and not exploited

Reflections

• Are we at the mercy of the advertisers?

• In the light of current world events……...

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• What Advent preparation really demands

• What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?

Musical Reflection

• Savior of the nations, come

Living in bubbles and blindness

Just a few thoughts

• "The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of like is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give." -- William Arthur Ward

• May Jesus have pity on those who exploit their workers and on those who cheat their employers, and show them how to act with justice.

Reflections

• They saw because they believed

• But what if you want to stay blind?

• The Sword of Decision – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Christmas cards that will change people’s lives

• A Teaching to Be Lived Out

Musical Reflection

• On Jordan's Bank

Moving beyond charity toward justice

Just a few thoughts

• "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -- Nelson Mandela

• May there be harmony between our words and actions so that in all things we witness to Christ.

• We pray for world leaders, that the growing number of intense weather events afflicting many nations will be a wake-up call for global climate action

Reflections

• Lord, what do you want me to do?

• Storms don’t ask permission

• Root Causes – next Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• ‘Listening day’ to drive renewed focus on disability

• Advent - a period of promise and of hope

Musical Reflection

• A Voice Cries Out

Entire peoples are suffering as a result of the greed of others

Just a few thoughts

• "Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water — it will make ripples throughout the entire pond…" -- Jessy and Bryan Matteo

• May missionaries around the world find in St Francis Xavier an inspiration of commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of energetic care of the people they are called to serve.

• We pray for the people of every war-torn and blood-stained land, that Isaiah’s ancient vision of swords hammered into ploughshares will become a present reality

Reflections

• His disciples distributed the food

• What can I do?

• Advent ‘catches the heart off guard’ – last Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Speaking Truth in Parables

• Dumping useless donations costing Vinnies millions every year

Musical Reflection

• Prepare the way

Faith - a personal encounter

Just a few thoughts

• "Energy rightly applied and directed will accomplish anything." -- Nellie Bly

• May the Season of Advent teach us all the spirit of Christian joy, so that we bring God’s love and peace to others.

• We pray for the world-wide church, that prophetic leaders will arise to read the signs of the times and call believers to act with zeal for the Gospel

Reflections

• The Presence of God

• A peaceful coexistence

• Responding Together -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• Become Who God Made You To Be

• Israel keeps bombing Gaza

Musical Reflection

• Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Jesus was amazed

Just a few thoughts

• "I work very hard, and I play very hard. I'm grateful for life. And I live it — I believe life loves the liver of it. I live it." -- Maya Angelou

• May the Church be an instrument for peace, so that during these weeks of Advent she can show the love of Christ to all people.

• We pray for the young Australian Catholics gathered in Melbourne for their Youth Festival, that the three days they spend together will fire their hearts with the spirit of Jesus.

Reflections

• Sober reading for our times

• Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof

• What are we waiting for? -- Sunday reflection

The Signs Of The Times

• What unites us is greater than what divides us

Musical Reflection

• Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming