Short Talks

This section of the website comprises short stand-alone talks and articles on different aspects of the Christian Faith, including the teaching of Jesus, the seasons of the Church’s Year and Feasts and Festivals.  More talks/sermons/homilies/articles will be added in due course.

The section of the website entitled The Christian Faith provides more extended teaching on larger content areas, such as the Creed and the Sacraments.

Remembrance Sunday

On the second Sunday in November – Remembrance Sunday – we remember all those who died in the First and Second World Wars and in subsequent conflicts.  We remember servicemen and women who survived but were left with physical or mental disabilities.  We remember families who lost loved ones.  We pray for them all and give thanks for their courage and self-sacrifice and for the peace and freedom they won for us.

Read more: Remembrance Sunday

Christ and suffering

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence” (NRSV, Genesis 6:11)

“From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must…undergo great suffering…and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (NRSV, Matthew 16:21)

Today we commemorate with gratitude and respect those who fell in the First and Second World Wars, and in more recent conflicts.  What makes all those wars relevant today is the fact that they were monumental examples of a human malaise which is characteristic of every generation – the ruthless pursuit of power and the total unconcern for the innocent suffering which is inevitably involved.

Read more: Christ and suffering

Advent

The word Advent is derived from the Latin adventus, meaning, the coming.  During this season we remember the twofold Advent of Jesus Christ: he has come to this world as our Saviour and he will come again to be our Judge.  We therefore prepare ourselves to celebrate Our Lord’s first coming – his Birth – and to expect his second coming. (1)

Read more: Advent