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NZ Columbans

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We are members of the Missionary Society of St Columban, an organisation of priests and lay people within the Catholic Church.

27/10/2026

The feast of Simon and Jude
Today's readings and feast concentrate on the apostles. Continuing with Ephesians, Paul tells us that we are part of a building that has apostles and prophets as its foundations and Christ Jesus himself as its main cornerstone. His message to ther Ephesians is for us also when he says, ''You too, in him, are being built into a house where God lives in the Spirit.'' In the gospel, Jesus gathered a large group of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be with him constantly as his apostles. As usual, before a big decision, Jesus spent the night praying to his Father. Luke includes that detail to ask the members of his community and us today, if we ask for the guidance of God when we are faced with an important decision. Jesus calls each of the apostles by name, among them the saints of today's feast, Simon and Jude, who was sometimes confused with Judas because of his similar name. John is aware of this confusion and in 14:22 of his gospel he mentions Judas adding ''not the Iscariot.'' St Jude is now remembered as the patron saint of hopeless cases. Simon was a zealot, one of those who sought to overcome the Romans by the force of arms. Jesus chose Simon recognizing that if he followed him with the same zeal he would be a great apostle. He and the others overcame their fear when the Spirit came upon them at Pentecost and dedicated their lives to establishing the communities that eventually became the foundation of the church. Now it is up to us to continue their work with the same zeal and love of Jesus which the apostles showed. We pray the the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to carry out our vocation.
Don Hornsey

25/10/2026

Be children of light
In the first reading to the Ephesians, Paul continues giving us valuable advice for our spiritual life. ''Be friends with one another and kind,'' he says and then he goes on to tell us how to do that. He urges us to remember that God has forgiven us in Christ and so we should be ready to forgive others. 'Try then,'' he says, ''to imitate God, as children of his that he loves and follow Christ by living as he loved you.'' Although he does not use the word compassion, if we are to follow Jesus in the example he gives us in the gospel (Luke 13:10-17) we see Jesus showing great compassion. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue where he saw a woman who had been suffering for eighteen years. She was bent over and could stand upright. Jesus called her over, laid his hands on her and she was able to stand up straight. But it was the sabbath and the temple official criticized Jesus for curing her on that day.Jesus defends himself by reminding him that they would take their animals to water on the sabbath, so was it not right to break the bonds of the suffering woman. Paul teaches us that we are living in the light of the Lord. Jesus was the light of the world so we are called to spread the light of love, kindness and compassion especially to the marginalized and those suffering from the bonds of rejection as a result of racial or social prejudice. Then we too will be children of the light.
Don Hornsey

22/10/2026

How to treat others
When I look through the window at the hills and see that they are covered in cloud and mist, I know that it will soon be raining here. When the sun is shining I can see the hills clearly. Jesus said the same thing to the crowds in today's gospel from Luke 12:54-59. You can interpret the signs of the weather, so why can't you understand what is going on around you? After our relationship with God, the most important thing in our life is our relationship with all the people around us. They can make us feel happy, sad, angry, affirmed or guilty and depressed. But we too can make other people feel like that, so Paul continues his great advice to us in his letter to the Ephesians when he tells us how we are to act if we are to lead a life worthy of our vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete humility, gentleness and patience, he says. Perhaps the key word here is humility which means knowing who we really are. We so often tend to judge other people because when we see their faults we think that we are superior to them. When we compare ourselves to others, it may be true that we do some things better than them, but we are called to follow Jesus and we can't even begin to compare ourselves with him without realizing how distant we are from his way of living. Paul goes on to call us to be patience, first of all with ourselves as knowing our own weakness we ask Jesus to come with his love into our hearts. Then we will be patient and gentle with our sisters and brothers who are struggling just as we are. ''Preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.'' (Ephesians4:3).
Don Hornsey

20/10/2026

Following Jesus
How can I follow Jesus more closely is a question we often ask ourselves and I am sure that there are many answers. But I find a line in today's gospel very helpful. Jesus gives the example of a steward who has been placed in charge of his master's goods. He says, ''Blessed is that servant whom his master will find at work when he arrives.'' ( Luke 12:43). I take that to mean that we find Jesus, or he finds us, in our daily work. We are all called to discover our personal vocation and our life situation shows us what it is. Parents show their love of Jesus by the way they bring up their children and the children are called to obey their parents and together form a loving united family. Last night a friend who works in a rest-home told me how happy she is with the new manager who treats all the workers with respect and consideration quite differently from the former manager. The new one has found her personal vocation. Saint Therese said, ''God is present in daily domestic life (among the pots and pans.)'' But we remember Martha who was rattling the pots and pans and asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen the better part because she was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him. So we need to be like both Mary and Martha. To find Jesus in our daily duties, we first have to orient our day by consciously uniting ourselves with him in prayer. ''Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.'' Mother Teresa.
Don Hornsey

18/10/2026

Called to be true barns
In today's readings, both Paul and Jesus clearly show the contrast because living according to our own desires and following the teaching of Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who had a very good harvest and decided to pull down his barns to build bigger ones.Then he thought he would be assured of a comfortable life. ''I will be able to relax, eat, drink and have a good time.'' But Jesus called him a fool because he would die that very night, so what use would his earthly treasure be if he had not made himself rich in the eyes of God. In the first reading Paul reminds the Ephesians how they used to live sensual lives, ruled entirely by their own physical desires. But he shows them how they have changed, not because of their own efforts, but because God loved them so much and was generous with his mercy. ''We are God's work of art, created in Jesus to live the good life as from the beginning he had meant us to live it.'' Yesterday was Mission Sunday reminding us that the joy of the new life that we have received in Jesus is not to be carefully guarded just for ourselves but that we are all called to be missionary disciples today just as Peter, Andrew, James and John were called. They left everything to follow Jesus because knowing him, they were inspired to love him and share in his mission of establishing God's kingdom on earth. Help us, Lord, to be true barns where the abundance of your goodness and love may be stored so they we may share it with others who are weary, sick, lonely and in so much need of you.
Don Hornsey

15/10/2026

"I chose you"
In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to be on guard against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He then says that everything that is now covered will be uncovered and that everything now hidden will be made clear. So what is it that will be made clear to us? Saint Paul in the first reading, his letter to the Ephesians 1:11-14,. tells us of the richness that we have received. In Christ, he tells us, we have been chosen to be God's own people. First he chose Israel to be his people, before the birth of Jesus. Then when Jesus began his mission, he called a group of disciples to follow him. They were not the educated leaders but fishermen and a tax collector. ''Follow me,'' said Jesus to Peter and Andrew, then James and John left their boats and nets and family and followed Jesus. Now Paul continues, we too have heard the message of the truth and the good news of salvation and we have believed. God acted through our parents, family members and teachers who brought us to be baptized and to believe in Jesus and love him, but in John 15:16 Jesus tells us, ''You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit." But he does not leave us alone. ''I will not leave you like orphans. The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.'' Jesus tells us how we will know the Holy Spirit is within us. ''If we do not know to pray as we ought, the very Spirit intercedes for us.''(Romans 8:26).May your Holy Spirit, Lord, help us to respond to your love every day of our life.
Don Hornsey

13/10/2026

The gifts of the Spirit
In today's first reading from Galatians 5:18-25, Saint Paul gives us a frightening description of those who are not led by the Holy Spirit but by the spirit of self-indulgence. This can bring about gross indecency, jealousy, bad temper, envy, feuds and divisions. Surely everyone would want to avoid such negative practices that can only cause misery and unhappiness. Much more so we who are called to live in God's kingdom of love, peace and justice. Paul goes on to remove any doubts we might have when he tells us what gifts we will receive if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. They are love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trust, gentleness and self control. God's Kingdom would become a reality if every person, family, community and country lived with those fruits of the Spirit in their hearts. Jesus himself tells us that it is possible. ''If you know how to give to your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." (Luke 11: 13). Dear Lord, let me humbly admit that I sometimes follow my own desires and am not living with all those gifts of the Holy Spirit. I thank you for the times that I do live with your love in my heart and now ask your Father to give me those gifts of the Spirit that are most lacking in my life. You know what I most need. Thank you, Lord.
Don Hornsey

11/10/2026

The sign of Jonah
In today's gospel, Luke tells us that although the crowds coming to listen to Jesus were growing bigger, Jesus was not happy with them. He had done so much for them but they were still asking for more signs. Jesus tells them that the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonah. So what is the sign of Jonah? When the Lord asked him to go to Nineveh to preach to the people so that they would repent from their wickedness, Jonah tried to escape and took a ship in the opposite direction. However a great storm arose and when the sailors discovered that Jonah was escaping from the Lord they threw him overboard. The story that is really a parable tells us that he was swallowed by a great fish and spent three days in its belly. He prayed to the Lord and was saved. He was then called again to go to Nineveh and this time he did and as a result of his preaching the people repented. So is the sign of Jonah that when he was near to death he prayed to God putting all his hope in him? Jonah also teaches us that no matter what we have done we can repent and be pardoned. But for me, the greatest sign of Jonah is that the three days he spent in the fish remind us of the three days that Jesus spent in the tomb before his resurrection. Jesus showed his love for us by dying on the cross but that love continues as he, the Risen Lord, is alive and present to us in so many ways. When Jesus visited the home of Martha, she asked him to tell Mary to help her with the cooking but Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. So like Mary, let us take time to sit at the feet of Jesus listening to him. The Risen Jesus has a lot to tell us.
Don Hornsey

10/10/2026

Welcome to the feast
Today’s first reading from Isaiah 25:6-10 speaks of the mountain on which God will prepare a banquet. It is on this mountain where, as the cloud disappears, we feel at peace because all tears will be wiped away and all shame will be taken away. Today’s psalm 22 is very familiar. It starts with the image of God as our shepherd. God takes us to a place where we can be at peace. God guides us along the right path. God prepares a banquet for us for we have followed the path of goodness and kindness. We will come to reside in the house of God for ever. In the second reading from Philippians 4, Paul says he has known poverty and riches, hardships and rewards. He is ready to face whatever comes his way because he enjoys the help of God and he knows that he is never alone. His family in Christ walk with him and support him. Finally we come to the gospel reading from Matthew 22:1-14 where Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and elders and he tells them a parable, a short story that teaches a lesson. It is the story about the king who prepares a wedding feast for his son. People have been invited. The king’s servants are instructed to go out and remind them. But they would not come and gave excuses. He then told his servants to go out to the crossroads and invite everyone, good and bad, to the wedding and the banquet. As he met the guests, he noticed one was not wearing a wedding garment. When the man didn’t explain why, the king ordered him to be thrown out into the darkness, to the place of the tormented. He ends up by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” What can we learn from all this. First of all, we are all invited. In speaking to the high and mighty, Jesus reminds them that they thought they were first on the list. Indeed they were. But they failed to live up to what was expected of them. They failed to put on the right clothes. They failed to put their trust in God, as the good shephard, and the support and love of those around them. They failed to climb the mountain; they failed to show goodness, kindness, forgiveness and compassion to those around them. Let us be aware that we have all been invited. Before God, the clothes we wear are the lives we live. Let us strive to live up to the highest of human values. May we eventually come to that banquet and that house where all tears are wiped away and we are at peace for ever.
Tom Rouse

08/10/2026

Taking responsibility for our own lives
When Jeus cast out an evil spirit, some people said that he did it because he was in league with the prince of devils. Jesus quickly proves that they are wrong but the gospel (Luke 11:15-26) calls ask to ask ourselves what we think about the presence of devils in our lives. I remember when I was a young lad in the Minor Seminary and a well known bishop came to give us a talk. He began by saying that he had come to talk to us about the ''demon drink.'' We had never taken an alcoholic drink in our lives and were puzzled by his talk. He seemed to be saying that a devil was out there somewhere waiting to pounce on us and cause us to become addicted to drink. Later in life I have seen people who have become slaves to drink and find it very difficult to overcome their addiction. But to blame it in a demon could cause us to avoid taking personal responsibilty and thus limiting the effort to overcome what is a real problem. We know from personal experience how hard it is to overcome the temptations that arise from the weaknesses of of our human nature. The first step is to realize that we cannot do this by ourselves. When Peter realized his weakness saying, ''Depart from me for I am a sinner,'' then Jesus was able to call him and guide him to become his faithful disciple. When Peter fell again, Jesus brought him back to lead the flock by asking him three times if he loved him. Let us thank Jesus for loving us as we pray that with his love in our heart, we will be strengthed to overcome the temptations that lead us away from him.
Don Hornsey.

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18 St Columbans Grove
Lower Hutt
5010

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.columban.org.nz/

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