My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A) as preached during the 5.30 pm Saturday evening Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton.
The readings were Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24.
“The arrival of Jesus is prophesied as Emmanuel – as ‘God is with us’. The present tense of the name given by Isaiah, and referenced by Matthew, reminds us as we prepare for the celebration of the Incarnation that God has already invaded human history, and the fulfilment of God’s Reign will come with the Second Coming. Until then, we are called to live as the continuing presence of Jesus in the here and now, in this time and place. And that, please God, changes everything!”
A presbyter (priest) of Maitland-Newcastle, and a student of life and of the world with many eclectic interests, I am always seeking to understand the world around me. I am engaged in inner city parish pastoral ministry based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, and seek always to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God and to assist others to do the same in their own way.
With extensive experience in preparing for and executing liturgies and other ritual events, I am privileged to serve the broader Church through serving in a number of liturgical roles for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
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