Richard M Healey

Weddings in the Time of Jesus: A Reflection on the Wedding at Cana Weddings are remarkable events filled with beautiful memories and, often, humorous mishaps. While contemporary weddings are well-documented, reconstructing the details of weddings during the time of Jesus can be challenging due to the limited scriptural references. Historians and academics typically focus on…

Embracing Integrity and Truth: A Journey Towards Authenticity I delved into the profound themes of integrity, truth, and the transformative power of baptism. Drawing on literary and biblical references, particularly Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and messages from the Book of Isaiah and the New Testament, I explored the significance of living a life grounded in truth…

The Significance of Direction and Worship in the Epiphany Welcome to this in-depth exploration of the themes of direction and worship as reflected in the celebration of the Epiphany. In this episode, I delve into the profound spiritual and geographical significance of the Magi’s journey and the contrasting responses of the people in Jerusalem. This…

Embracing Growth and Grace: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Jesus’ Early Life Greetings, dear friends. Today, I want to share some reflections from a recent homily I delivered, focusing on themes of growth, maturity, family dynamics, and the significance of Jesus’ early life, particularly in relation to the Passover and his understanding of his mission….

Embracing the True Essence of Christmas Greetings, dear friends. As we gather to reflect on the profound significance of Christmas, I am reminded of the unique ways we experience this season, especially here in Australia. Unlike the snowy landscapes often depicted in Hollywood films, our Christmas is marked by warm weather and sunlit days. Yet,…

Embracing the True Presence of God This Christmas As we approach the Christmas season, it’s easy to get swept up in the nostalgic imagery and traditions that have been ingrained in us through media and cultural portrayals. However, in a recent homily, I, Fr Richard Healey, invite you to delve deeper into the true essence…

Embracing the Humanity of Christmas Greetings, dear friends. As we gather to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I, Fr Richard Healey, invite you to delve deeper into the profound significance of this time. Christmas is a season that evokes a myriad of emotions—joy, celebration, and sometimes, the resurfacing of old wounds and challenges. Today,…

As we prepare for Christmas, we find ourselves pondering various themes that resonate deeply within us—hope, joy, peace, and the longing for purpose. In this season of Advent, we are invited to reflect on what it means to embody hope and to live in a state of peace, especially in a world that often feels…

Exploring Joy and Wonder in Our Lives Greetings, dear friends. Today, I invite you to join me in a reflection on joy and wonder—two profound experiences that can transform our lives and deepen our relationship with God. As we delve into this theme, let’s draw from personal experiences, biblical texts, and practical actions that can…

Embracing Renewal: Reflections on the Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris and the Advent Season Greetings, dear friends. Today, I want to share some reflections on a momentous event that resonates deeply with my personal experiences and memories: the recent reopening and dedication of Notre-Dame de Paris. This iconic cathedral, which suffered a devastating fire in…

Embracing Faith and Hope in Times of Turmoil: Reflections from the Advent Season Greetings, dear friends. As we gather in this sacred space, I invite you to journey with me back to the late 1st century, to the west coast of the Roman province of Asia Minor, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It is…

Understanding True Kingship: Reflections on Jesus as the “Son of Man” and the “Crucified Messiah” There is a compelling contrast between the traditional view of monarchy, as exemplified by King Charles of the British royal family, and the biblical understanding of Jesus Christ as the “Son of Man” and the “crucified Messiah.” This exploration invites…

Embracing Faith Amidst Uncertainty: Reflections on Apocalyptic Themes in Scripture Today, I want to share some reflections that delves into the themes of revelation and apocalypse in scripture, particularly as we approach the darker, colder months of winter (in the northern hemisphere). These reflections are inspired by the biblical stories of Noah and Jacob, as…

Embracing Generosity: Lessons from Elijah and the Widow of Sidon Reflecting on the profound themes of generosity, abundance, and the teachings of Jesus. These reflections were inspired by a personal experience and the timeless story of Elijah and the widow of Sidon. Today, I want to share these insights with you, offering a detailed guide…

Embracing the Commandments: A Journey of Love and Curiosity Today, I want to share with you some reflections, where we delved into the profound themes of curiosity, the commandments in the Bible, and the transformative power of love. As we explore these themes, I hope to offer you valuable insights and actionable advice that can…

Reflection on Bartimaeus: A Journey from Isolation to Community In the biblical narrative, the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, serves as a profound illustration of the human experience of isolation and the transformative power of community and love. Bartimaeus, positioned on the outskirts of society, embodies the struggles of those who feel disconnected and…

Reflection on the Gospel of Mark: The Journey Towards the Cross Greetings, dear friends in Christ. As we gather on this 29th Sunday of year B, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound themes of Jesus’ ministry as presented in the Gospel of Mark. This week, we delve into the journey towards Jerusalem, the predictions…

I delve into a profound biblical encounter that speaks volumes about our spiritual journey and the quest for true freedom. The story of the young man who approaches Jesus, eager to inherit eternal life, is a powerful narrative that resonates with many of us, especially those who are young and zealous in their faith. This…

In this episode, I delve into the profound nature of marriage, drawing inspiration from Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities.” The opening lines of the novel, which speak to the duality of human experience, resonate deeply with the complexities of marriage. Marriage can indeed be “the best of times” when it flourishes, offering…

Understanding Gehenna: A Call to Embrace Love and Freedom Have you ever been told to “go to hell”? It’s not a pleasant experience, but if it happens, you might not need to be too shocked or upset. The term “hell” in the Bible often refers to a specific place rather than the fiery, fantastical realm…

The Central Question: “Who Do You Say That I Am?” We begin by setting the scene in the northern region of Israel, at the foothills of Mount Hermon. This location, rich in natural beauty and historical significance, serves as the backdrop for Jesus’ pivotal question to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”…

’00:02:23′, ‘Jesus never treats us generically; we’re not just a number, we’re not just a person in the midst of a crowd.’ ’00:04:37′, ‘How isolating that must be, and then Jesus takes him and it’s this really interesting description. Mark is the most likely of all of the gospel writers to tell us how often…

Understanding the Teachings of Jesus and the Purpose of the Commandments In today’s reflection, I want to draw your attention to a significant moment in the Gospel of Mark. If you’ve been following along, you may have noticed that I didn’t read the text exactly as it appears in the lectionary. Instead, I chose to…

Embracing Faithful Decision-Making: Reflections from Joshua’s Leadership In this episode, we delve into the profound themes of decision-making, faith, and commitment to serving God, as reflected in the biblical narrative of Joshua. As a Catholic priest, I offer these reflections during a homily, aiming to guide our parish community in making conscious choices that align…

Embracing the Eucharist: A Journey Through Conflict and Transformation Today, I want to share with you some reflections on the profound teachings of Jesus on the Eucharist and its significance in our spiritual journey. This discussion is rooted in the context of conflict and arguments, drawing parallels between our personal experiences and the transformative power…

The Journey of Elijah: Finding God in Silence and Sustenance In this episode, we delve into the life of the biblical prophet Elijah, a figure who bursts onto the scene with remarkable fervour and significance. Elijah’s name, meaning “my God is Yahweh,” encapsulates his role as a powerful hero in the narrative of Israel, particularly…

Spiritual Hunger and the Quest for Fulfillment In this episode, I share a personal story from my travels in Europe, which serves as a backdrop for a deeper exploration of spiritual hunger and the quest for fulfillment in a relationship with God. The narrative begins with a hiking adventure in the Austrian Alps, where I,…

The Abundance of God’s Love: Reflections on the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 Greetings, dear friends. Today, I want to delve into a profound and timeless message that resonates deeply within our faith and daily lives. This reflection is inspired by the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, a narrative that beautifully illustrates the themes…

The Encounter of Mary Magdalene with the Risen Jesus Today, we reflect on a profound moment from the Gospel of John, where we witness Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ. This encounter is not just a historical event but a deeply spiritual and transformative experience that offers us valuable lessons in faith, redemption, and…

Finding Solitude in the Midst of Chaos: A Reflection on Compassion and Spiritual Nourishment Watch the Mass In our fast-paced world, finding moments of solitude can seem like an impossible task. Yet, as Fr Richard Healey reflects in his homily, these moments are not just beneficial but essential for our spiritual well-being. Drawing from the…