Videos

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent, pointing out that when Jesus overturned the tables in the Temple, he was underscoring what had been lost in the understanding of the Ten Commandments—that our greatest gift is to spend time with the God who made and saves us. Opening ourselves to spending time with God without the distractions of pursuing other goals is how we both receive this gift from God and give this greatest gift to God.

Jesus tells us that if we forgive others, we will be forgiven by God. Can we see ourselves in need of this forgiveness? Do we want to be better Christians than we are today?

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the world is challenged to see the delight of caring for others, where giving to those in need is not counted as loss, but as joy.

In Saul's conversion, great things were asked of him, but it could not have happened if people along the road did not stop and take him to Ananias. God calls us to great things and to small, hidden things as well. It is all part of God's great plan.

King David wants to build a temple for the Lord, and the Lord says "No!" because David wanted to pretend that he should provide for God, ignoring the fact that God has always provided for him. We need to trust that God provides what we need, and sometimes God's "no" to our prayers is a reminder of this.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, pointing out how Jesus, Paul, and Jonah all preach a message of urgent repentance. These messages were headed in different ways in different situations, but people reformed their lives. Will we?

Today's Gospel tells of how when Jesus was presented in the Temple, Anna the Prophet spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. May our speech point out what is good and holy in the world, rather than gossiping about what is wrong about it.

Jesus is the light of the world, not like Christmas lights shining in the dark, but like the sun revealing the true beauty of the world. Open your eyes to see the world in the light of Christ.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, pointing out that the readings challenge us to try to become whole and holy, and to allow God to heal us.

When the centurion says to Jesus, "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof," he is not saying he is sinful, but that he is small and Jesus is great. When we see ourselves as small, we become open to the greatness of God's gifts for us.

In this season of Advent, we are preparing ourselves to recognise Jesus when he comes. But God is ready to be reborn in us at every moment, so let us be ready and waiting for God in each moment.

Jesus tells us that when we throw a banquet we should invite the poor and the crippled who cannot repay us, because our joy will be greater when we all dine together in the Kingdom.