Tony Flannery reflects on how we interpret and explain the Sunday Scriptures.
'I know that a lot has, and can, be written about the proper interpretation of the scriptures. But today's Gospel reading makes a couple of very straight, simple statements, .......... We are told that Jesus had four brothers, and an indefinite number of sisters."

Richard Rohr meditates on Mark's gospel and finds there a model for ministry

Jonathon Luxmoore reports the case of Fr Wojciech Lemanski whose conflict with his bishop awaits  a ruling from the Vatican. First published in the  National Catholic Reporter on 12 August: read original article and comments here.

The Way of the LORD’s Covenant

Patrick Rodgers reflects on the story of Abraham and Isaac, and the difficulty religious leaders have in admitting their mistakes.

Kieran O'Mahony OSA is  to present a conference on 'Homosexuality and the Bible' in All Hallows College in June. Full details in EVENTS section (see menu on top of this page).

Mary O. Vallely shares an Easter reflection on Mary Magdalene, a saint she believes to have been badly treated by the official Church down through the centuries (reflection composed by Fr James Martin SJ).

Brian Fahy shares the lesson of accepting people as they are, which he learned from his late wife Margaret. He wishes the church would learn to accept all its gay members as they are — drawing on the story of the Prodigal Son to illustrate his message.

The Editorial Staff of the NCR (National Catholic Reporter, USA) reflect on Roy Bourgeois' dismissal from the Maryknolls for preaching in favour of the ordination of women (reported here). They advance their opinion that barring women from ordinatiom to priesthood is an injustice that cannot be allowed to stand.

The Olympics and John Ch. 6. Two different worlds. Or are they?
Pádraig McCarthy.