Season of Growth

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…

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…

Embracing the Mission: Sharing God’s Love with the World Today, I want to delve into a theme that is both timeless and profoundly relevant to our lives as followers of Christ: the mission to share the message of salvation with others. This reflection is inspired by the experiences of biblical figures such as Amos and…

Embracing the Transformative Power of God’s Grace: A Reflection on Home, Vulnerability, and Faith Welcome to this reflection on the concept of home and the transformative power of God’s grace. Today, I want to share with you some personal experiences and biblical insights that have shaped my understanding of home and the profound impact of…

Embracing Healing and Restoration: A Reflection on Faith and Community In this week’s homily, I found myself deeply moved by the Gospel of Mark, particularly the stories of the woman healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment and the subsequent healing of Jairus’ daughter. These narratives are rich with themes of healing, restoration, and…

Finding Peace in Life’s Storms: A Reflection on the Gospel of Jesus Calming the Storm Today, I want to share with you a reflection that is inspired by the Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm. This story is a powerful reminder of the peace and strength we can find in God’s presence during the…

Embracing Growth and Grace Establishing Solid Foundations One of the key points I discussed was the importance of establishing solid foundations before delving into any subject matter. This principle is not only crucial in our spiritual lives but also in our everyday learning processes. The Frustration of Learning Something New We all know the frustration…

Embracing God’s Mercy: Reflections on Guilt, Shame, and Redemption In this episode, I delve into the profound biblical story of Adam and Eve from the book of Genesis. This narrative is not just an ancient tale but a mirror reflecting our own experiences of guilt, shame, and the transformative power of God’s mercy. Let’s explore…

The Lifesaving Grace of Giving: Blood Donation and the Eucharist As I stood before my congregation, I found myself reflecting on the profound significance of blood in our lives—both physically and spiritually. It’s a topic that resonates deeply with me, not only as a priest but also as someone who has experienced the life-giving act…

Embracing the Journey of Discipleship: A Reflection on the Gospel of Matthew The Significance of Commencement Greetings to all of you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I am Fr Richard Healey, and today I want to share with you a reflection that has been on my heart. As we gather together in our…

Four years ago, if we’d read that gospel and tried to kind of get into the mindset of this leper, this person who was declared to be unclean, who had to say that out loud when he’d walk around the community, he would have to keep this long distance from everybody else – ringing a…

Unveiling the Layers of Scripture: A Journey Through Context and Wisdom Fr Richard Healey shared invaluable insights into the art of interpreting scripture, particularly focusing on the Gospel of Mark. I am excited to share with you the essence of this episode, transforming the spoken word into written wisdom, and invite you to join me…

Embracing Wisdom in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Reflection on Interpretation and Authority The Quest for True Intelligence Greetings, dear readers. In a recent sermon I delivered to my congregation, I found myself grappling with the extraordinary developments in artificial intelligence that have characterized our current decade. As a religious leader, I’ve always been…

Finding My Way Back: A Journey of Repentance and Restoration Lost in the Wilderness It was a day like any other when I decided to explore a national park, seeking solace in a less crowded area. Little did I know, this adventure would turn into a lesson about life’s path and the concept of repentance….

Encountering the Divine: A Journey from Distance to Presence A Reflection on Divine Intimacy and Community Today, I want to take you on a personal journey—a journey that delves into the essence of spiritual connection and the profound impact of community in our lives. This is not just a recount of an episode; it’s a…

A Journey of Understanding: Reflecting on Gospel, Grace, and Extending Love Beyond Boundaries Initial Confusion and Evolving Understanding I found myself reflecting on a particular gospel passage that has significantly shaped my understanding of Christian life. Initially, I was confused about how this passage fits into the grand scheme of my faith. I grappled with…

The Power of Conversations and the Parable of Talents Fr Richard Healey shares his insights on two contrasting conversations he had with fellow priests, which was both enlightening and deeply thought-provoking. It revolved around the Gospel reading about the parable of the bags of gold, also known as the parable of talents. The Parable of…

A Night in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre An Unforgettable Sabbatical in Jerusalem In 2017, I embarked on a sabbatical that led me to the heart of Jerusalem, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This journey was not just a physical one, but a spiritual exploration that left an indelible mark on my…

Embracing Integrity and Grace: A Reflection on Christianity and Spirituality A Personal Journey into the Heart of Faith Last night I attended the engagement celebration for my niece in Nowra. As a deacon and assistant priest in the church, I had the honour of being closely acquainted with the groom’s family. This experience, along with…

The Intersection of Love, Justice, and Personal Annoyances The Annoyances of Life and the Call for Justice I found myself reflecting on the various things that annoy me, such as people not adhering to traffic rules. It’s a common enough grievance, but it led me to a deeper conversation about the importance of justice and…

Surrendering to God’s Will: A Personal Reflection on Giving All to Him The Tax System in First Century Israel and the Background to the Gospel In the first century in Israel, the tax system was a significant aspect of daily life. Taxes were imposed by the Roman Empire, and the collection process was often met…

Embracing Celebration: A Reflection on Weddings, Invitations, and God’s Love The Unconventional Wedding of Sarah Wilkinson I recently delved into a fascinating news article about a woman named Sarah Wilkinson. Sarah made the bold decision to proceed with her wedding, despite not having a partner. This unconventional choice sparked a discussion about the potential disappointment…

Reflecting on Love, Grief, Loss, and Justice: A Journey Through Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospel Today’s sermon was a deep dive into the themes of love, grief, loss, and justice, as portrayed in love poetry, the writings of the prophet Isaiah, the psalm, and the gospel.  Love Poetry and the Prophet Isaiah: A Tale of Grief…