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NZ Columbans, 18 St Columbans Grove, Lower Hutt (2026)

25/06/2026

"Lord, cure me"
In today's gospel from Matthew 8:1:4, Jesus cures a l***r by stretching out his hand and touching him. Jewish law forbade anyone to touch a l***r as it was thought that it would render the person unclean. But Jesus had no such reservations and was ready to touch and cure anyone who was in need. The l***r had come to Jesus asking to be cured if Jesus was willing to do so. Jesus replied, ''Of course I want to.'' For the l***r it was obvious what his problem was but this causes me to ask if I am as honest to recognize and admit what problems I have. Or am I ashamed to admit even to myself that I am often so concerned with my own comfort that I don't want to make the effort to help a person in need? Do I get irritated when I am called away from a work I am doing? Am I still quick to judge and criticize others? Have I passed the day without being aware of the presence of Jesus around me? Do I have the courage to ask Jesus to cure me because that means that I will have to change the way I am used to acting? Let us answer with the l***r in the gospel. ''Yes, Lord, cure me,'' You gave me my life and the faith that shows the true meaning of that life. You called Paul saying, ''Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness to me in Rome.'' So too you are calling me to be your courageous witness in my family, community, school and workplace. I am ready , Lord, stretch out your hand and cure me.
Don Hornsey

23/06/2026

The feast of the birth of John the Baptist
Today we celebrate the solemn feast of the Birth of John the Baptist. In the gospel from Chapter 1 of Luke we hear that after eight days, it was time to circumcise the child and give him his name. Elizabeth says that he is to be called John and when people objected saying that it was not a family name, they ask Zechariah. He writes, ''His name is John.'' Thus they recognize that his name and his life was given by God. Zechariah is now able to speak and he praises God for choosing John to be a special person who will be great in the sight of the Lord, will be called the prophet of the Most High and will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. It is a great story and has a deep lesson for all of us. At our baptism and naming, we too were recognized as beloved daughters and sons of God and like John received the seeds of what would develop into our special calling. We were each destined to have a unique personal vocation. My life situation tells me what I am now; a parent, a pupil at school, a widow or widower, a solo mother or a person with regular work or a position in the church. But my baptism tells me that I am much more than that. My personal vocation is to orient my life situation with my faith in Jesus. He is calling me to be a loving parent, a dedicated and honest worker, a compassionate and faithful friend, a missionary disciple. I am called to live the life I have seeing that it is a gift that I have received from God and that I will only feel fulfilled when I allow the teaching of Jesus to guide me in all I am and in all I do, remembering Mary's words, ''He that is Mighty has done great things for me.''
Don Hornsey

22/06/2026

Treat others as you would like them to treat you
This statement – treat others as you would like them to treat you - from Matthew 7:12 is found in today’s gospel. It is usually called “the golden rule”, a term that is said to have originated in the Anglican church back in the 18th century. It is included among a number of sayings from 13 faith traditions as part of a permanent display, since January 2002, at the headquarters of the United Nations. The saying from Judaism is taken from the Talmud, shabat 31a, which says, “That which is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its interpretation. Go study.” This may have been the origins of Jesus’ statement or he may have re-interpreted another statement from Leviticus 19:18 which says, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.” However, Jesus broadened the scope of his saying to include all. The equivalent saying from Islam is taken from 40 Hadith 13 which says, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” All of this brings me back to the first reading from 2 Kings about how the Lord protected Jerusalem from Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, and his all-conquering army. Because 185,000 men of the Assyrian army were struck down by some mysterious disease, Sennacherib struck camp and returned to Assyria and Jerusalem was saved from being attacked and destroyed. It is sad to see how war continues to rage throughout that part of the world in our own day and age. And for all the efforts of the many faith traditions around the world and throughout the history of humanity to encourage their followers to “treat others as they would want others to treat them”, we still fail to listen and learn. There is a fundamental truth we all share which centres on the value of human life. Let us continue to pray for our world, to pray for peace in our world, to pray that we can strive more earnestly to live up to “the golden rule”.
Tom Rouse

21/06/2026

"Do not judge and you will not be judged"
Today in the gospel, Jesus talks about what is one of our most common failings. ''Do not judge and you will not be judged.'' Could any of us say that we have never criticized, thought or talked badly about another person? Why do we do it? Is it because of pride when we think we are superior to someone else and we talk about their failings to show that we are better than them? Or is it because we know that others are better than else and so we criticize them in order to pull them down and build ourselves up? Jesus uses the example of a splinter and a log to show us that we sometimes criticize others for tiny faults when we commit greater ones ourselves. We know that as followers of Jesus we are called to show the love and compassion that he showed in his life. To judge another is to fail in showing compassion. When a woman accused of adultery was brought to Jesus, he reminded the accusers of their sins and caused them to drop the stones of condemnation. ''Neither do I condemn you,'' said Jesus, showing his compassion for the suffering woman. He asks us to remember that we too have our failings but that he sees the good in us and continues to love us. We are quick to see the faults in others but Jesus calls us to see the good in them also. We are all so upset with the wars and suffering that is going on in many parts of the world. Showing understanding and compassion and resisting the tendence to judge others harshly is a way to bring a little more peace into that corner of the world where we live.
Don Hornsey

20/06/2026

Do not be afraid …
What am I afraid of? I am afraid of falling over or being involved in an acident and injuring myself in such a way that, because of age, I cannot fully recover. I am afraid of not remembering the name of a close friend whom I haven’t seen for quite awhile. I am afraid that I will not have the courage to speak out honestly when I see people doing something wrong. Yes, I am thinking of those things which terrify me as I read today’s gospel from Matthew 10:26-33. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” But it not always easy to overcome our fears. In the first reading from Jeremiah 20:10-13, we hear of the prophet revealing his own fear, the fear of betrayal by friends and false accusations. How does he deal with his fears? He says that his belief that God will be at his side in his hour of need will help him overcome his fears. The second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:12-15 is about facing the reality of sin and the fear of death. To stand for right against wrong, life not death, brings us back to the gospel. We are challenged to stand up for truth, when everything will be uncovered. We are warned to watch out for those who deceive us into betraying others, betraying key principles in life, in order to safeguard our own lives. This is probably the most important challenge: to hold on to our own personal integrity, our own belief that honesty, goodness and life are worth risking our lives for. Still, it is not easy. Let us just hold on to the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid for I am with you. You do not walk alone.” I still have my fears. I will be careful not to fall. I will not be ashamed to admit that I have forgotten someone’s name. I trust that Jesus will speak up for me when my time comes to face our merciful and loving God.
Tom Rouse

18/06/2026

"Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth ..."
In the gospel today, Jesus makes it very clear how he wants us to live. ''Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, but store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, for where your treasure is , there will be your heart also.'' (Matthew 6:19-23). We know that that is what Jesus is calling us to do but the trouble is that we find ourselves spending so much time on things of earth. Often they are works that are necessary to provide for our life and that of our family but sometimes they are just a waste of time. So how can we be more attentive to the treasures of heaven? Yesterday in the gospel Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father. I have said it thousands of times but yesterday I realized that it really a prayer that teaches us that we can do nothing through our own efforts and that everything comes from God. It begins reminding us that God is the Father of us all and like the good father of a family he gives his children all that they need. May your Kingdom and your will come to us. Then we ask that he give us our food for everyday and the spiritual bread of the Eucharist. We ask that he forgives our sins and not let us fall into temptation and that he delivers us from evil. Our Loving Father is ready to do all for us. All we have to do is to ask and to be open to receive all that he offers to us. I would like to share a prayer of Joyce Rupp from her book simply called ''Prayer.'' ''Divine Companion, you are ever near as I travel on the vast river of our relationship. Thank you for your grace in my life. May I grow daily in my love for you. I renew my commitment to have you be the centre of my life. I pledge my faithfulness to communicate with you every day. Amen.''
Don Hornsey

17/06/2026

Poems and prayers
Today’s first reading from Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15 is a song or poem in honour of Elijah. He was indeed an extraordinary character. He could punish the people and close down the heavens. He brought down fire in his challenge to the prophets of Baal. Among his miracles, he also raised a co**se from the dead. He spoke against the authorities, those in power. When his time came, he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind after having filled his successor, Elisha, with his spirit. It is no wonder that he can still be remembered and his deeds extoled 2,500 years after his death and after this poem was written or sung. Poetry has the power to inspire just as prayer has the power to touch the inmost depth of our human spirits. So, today we listen to the words of Jesus from the gospel of Matthew 6:7-15 where he teaches his disciples the “Our Father”. The context of this teaching is important. Jesus was advising his disciples not to babble as the pagans do. It is not to be like the prayers of the prophets of Baal during Elijah’s time who, for all their babbling could not get their God to send down fire to burn the wood prepared for the sacrifice. So prayer should be kept short and to the point. We don’t have to annoy or badger God in order to get what we want. As Jesus says, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him”. Prayer is not just a petition for what we need but also a reminder of what is expected of us. Even as we ask God to forgive us, we are also reminded that this will happen on the proviso that we will forgive those who are in debt to us. Let us learn to keep our poetry and our prayers to the point so that they can continue to inspire and evoke. They are for our sakes rather than for God’s. Still, we believe that God listens to people, especially when they find it difficult to express what they want to say. That’s when prayer can be most genuine.
Tom Rouse

16/06/2026

Let us show others we are proud of our faith
Jesus has a clear message for the disciples of his time in today's gospel (Matthew 6:1-6). He is warning them not to parade their prayers or good deeds to attract the attention of other people. He gives the example of the hypocrites who love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogue or on street corners for everyone to see them. When you fast he says, put oil on your head and wash your face so that no one will know that you are fasting. When you pray go to your room and close the door. Those words of Jesus were obviously very relevant for the people of his time. But when have we seen people praying on street corners or putting oil on their heads when they fast? Our reality is very different from the time of Jesus when religious practice was the centre of people's lives. Today only a minority profess to be believers and then they certainly do not not parade their faith in public. But while Jesus exhorts his disciples to avoid hypocrisy, he still tells them. ''You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.'' (Matthew 5:16). How much more then are we called to let the light of our faith shine before others? Pope Francis tells us that through baptism every member of the People of God has been converted to become a missionary disciple of Jesus. While we won't preach or pray on street corners, may we find ways to show others that we are proud of our faith and not ashamed to let it influence our daily living, warming our own heart and bringing comfort to others.
Don Hornsey

14/06/2026

May we find the peace of Jesus in our own hearts
Although many people would probably consider the words of Jesus in today's gospel to be out of touch with reality they go to the very heart of Christianity. ''Eye for eye and tooth for tooth,'' was a teaching from Babylonian times centuries before the birth of Jesus. It was not a cruel law but rather an attempt to limit excessive revenge. If an injury was committed the punishment should be equivalent to the offense. But Jesus goes much further. He teaches us not to respond to violence with similar violence but in the memorable phrase to turn the other cheek. It could easily be included in the Beatitudes. ''Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.'' If someone gravely offends us, it is as if he is throwing a stone at us. Our first instinct is to throw a stone back at him increasing the conflict. It seems the natural thing to do but in doing so we are limiting our call to share Jesus' message of love and mercy. If someone offends us, he or she is not acting in a christian way. To follow Jesus is not always easy but it will be liberating when we resist the temptation to retaliate and let the peace of Jesus reign in our hearts. The communion prayer on Fridays feast of the Sacred Heart says it beautifully, ''Make us fervent with the fire of holy love, so that, drawn always to your Son, we may learn to see him in our neighbour.'' But that means that we first find the peace of Jesus in our own hearts.
Don Hornsey

13/06/2026

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Criteria for the choices God makes
Today’s first reading, from Exodus 19:2-6, explains why God chose a particular nation. It is interesting to note that it is not because they are better than everyone else. Here is what God says, “you … shall be my very own for all the earth is mine.” In other words, God is saying, “Don’t think you are special or different. All of creation is my family!” Now the second reading, from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:6-11, gives us proof of God’s love. God chose to save us, through the death of Jesus, not because we deserve it. Rather, “Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” That is the proof that God loves us! Finally we come to the gospel from Matthew 9:36-10:8 where Jesus chose a special group of followers, who he called apostles, because he felt sorry for the crowd. They were “harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” And what was the task he gave them? To proclaim that the Kingdom was close at hand and this would be evident through what they would do – “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the l***rs, cast out devils”. So let’s draw some conclusions about the choices God makes. First, God chooses a particular group so as to highlight God’s special relationship to all of creation. God sent Jesus to die for the sake of the salvation of all humanity despite the fact that humanity often failed to live up to their true dignity as created in the image of God. Now that’s true love, to love without condition, to love us even though we do not deserve that love. Why this special group? To remind us that God feels sad when any part of creation is lost or feeling abandoned. So we share the responsibility of the apostles, to heal those who are suffering, to give life to those who have lost any reason for living, to embrace those who are excluded, and to free people from those demons that entrap them through addiction or inner emptiness. Today is about celebrating what it means to be chosen by Jesus because our world is in need of comforting, healing, meaning, life and joy. Who has been chosen? You and I. Please don’t underestimate the power we have through the faith we share, a faith that centres very much on the love of God, a love proven through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Tom Rouse

NZ Columbans

25/06/2026

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22/06/2026

21/06/2026

20/06/2026

18/06/2026

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