The Sydney Hobart Yacht race on Boxing Day is a tradition.  It is a race of the sailing boats, notably not submarines.  Anything out in the open and sailing together over water is more fit for a celebration than submerged water machines.  And people flock at several vantage points between Circular Quay and North and South Heads to enjoy the spectacle than to speculate any activities deep under.

Christmas gifts are wrapped to make it a surprise to the children.  Not knowing what is in it, the mystery, until it is unwrapped adds to the joy of receiving a gift.  There is a man in the Bible who received a great wonderful gift from God but shrouded in mystery. Matthew’s Gospel tells us how a great mystery gift was unwrapped before Joseph

It is only a fortnight to Christmas, and it is a crazy time of gift buying frenzy. Many are happy that it is going to boost the economy.  Is that the best news of the time?  Behind each gift, there is a giver.  The worth and joy of the gift depends on the giver and the relationship between the giver and the recipient.  The purchased gift may be an electronic toy or some costly and sweet chocolate. 

When I told the nine recipients of the Pope Francis Award, from SPC School, that they were preaching the Word of God, they and their families might have been wondering ‘when did they preach?’.  They were merely engaging in some service or another for the good of the community.  Yet, in truth they are preachers of the Word of God, because, unlike other services, these students were doing it in the name of Jesus, and their service strengthened the Church, the Body of Christ.  Their preaching was not so much with words, but action.  Through their services, they were preparing the way for God to come into the lives of those who need it.

The thrill of watching a football match is the anxious wait to see who kicks goals. From the start of the game till the finish it is a waiting till there are winners and losers. Anyone who enjoys sports would admit that the time between the start of the game and the finish is the best part. Today, the Church invites you to buy a ticket to an “in-between-time”.

For us it is the Solemnity of Christ the King, but for the sporting world the World Cup championship competition is commencing in Qatar. With this event, Qatar, a kingdom about the size of the greater Sydney is attracting the attention of the world for more than one reason. In preparation for the World Cup, it has been transformed with a new metro, skyscrapers, highways, new Universities, museums and most of all seven new stadiums.

Imagine you trying to give courage and confidence to a small minority of persecuted Christians, such as the early Church.  In those very hostile environments, the early Christians saw Jesus offering, ‘much needed’, wise and insightful advice on how to cope with difficult times. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but end will not follow immediately.” (Lk21:9)  

A businesswoman wanted to join the Catholic Inquiry program of the parish.  When asked what attracted her to the Church, “being a Catholic is good for my business” was the reply.  

In the troubled politics of United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak has become the epitome of salvation from the feared economic disaster. This accidental hero of the time has beaten many odds. He is known for his Indian Hindu heritage. This is not a small thing in a country many still share the sentiments of Winston Churchill who led the country through World War II. He said, “All Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw”. Ironically since then someone from that stock has become more wealthy and powerful than Churchill himself. So much so the country now look to a Hindu to save it from the looming disaster.

Sometimes the good people are a worry!  Imagine someone who has appreciation for a special style of Mass despises others as not Christian enough.  They have made themselves the yardstick for religiosity.  Parents being proud of well-mannered and pious children is a good thing.  But when they are keen to trumpet it out at every opportunity and belittle others, then they are like the Pharisees condemned by Jesus.