Today’s Readings – Monday of Week 13 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Genesis 18:16-33

For the next two days we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. As we begin the reading we see the three mysterious visitors of Abraham preparing to continue their journey to Sodom.

As an act of courtesy on the part of a host, Abraham accompanies them on the beginning of their journey. In parts of the Old Testament, especially in the Pentateuch, God is portrayed as having very human qualities, and this is particularly revealed in the dialogues he holds with various people (e.g. when Moses pleads on behalf of the recalcitrant Israelites).

There is a delightful touch in today’s reading. As Abraham is seeing off his mysterious visitors, one of whom is identified as God himself with two angels as companions, God wonders to himself w … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Commentary on Acts 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Matthew 16:13-19

On this day we celebrate a special feast of the Church, symbolised by the two great Apostles, Peter and Paul. They were the two men around whom the mission of Jesus to establish the Kingdom was centred, and from whom it … Continue