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Christ delivered His Sermon on the Mount and brought the Law given to Moses to a fulfillment and a perfection. Rather than sounding like legal provisions, it is more a description of the qualities and virtues of those who will be His in this world. But it is not as this world would have thought it to be. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

On our national day, we give God thanks for our beloved nation and homeland. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.So, we profess in the Symbol of Faith, the Nicene Creed on every Sunday and Solemnity. These are, of course, not mere words because all words have meaning. Neither are these our ideas about the Church. Christ is the Head of the Church, its Founder and Cornerstone. These qualities of the Church are His desire and His gift to the Church, so that she may be the light of the nations. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The words of St John the Baptist in the gospel reading for this Sunday's Holy Mass provides us with an opportunity to ponder upon the heritage of our sacred rites; a heritage that stretches over thousands of years. We are also given the chance to deepen our reverence and devotion to Our Lord, who is truly and really present in the sacrament of the altar.  Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The Epiphany of the Lord, on January 6th, marks the twelfth day of Christmas and is traditionally the time both to give gifts (like the Magi) and to dismantle the Christmas tree and other decorations.I think it loses something when it is celebrated on the next Sunday. If the Epiphany was marked liturgically on January 6th, no matter what day of the week that was, wouldn't it communicate that this event, in the grand scheme of the unfolding of human salvation, is worth going to Mass for even if it occurred on a weekday?In this podcast, I ponder upon how Christian service is connected with the coming of the Three Wise Men.  Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The new year begins with turning our eyes towards Mary, the lowly maiden from Nazareth, who from the earliest days of the Church has been called the Mother of God.This is not to give her divine status, she is still a creature. But God raised her above all other creatures to be the Mother of His Son. She is the mother of the whole person, Jesus, not just His human nature. Otherwise we are splitting the person of Christ, and, as happened, either making his human nature or His divine nature not totally real.May Mary, the Holy Mother of God, intercede for us before the Throne of God. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Christmas attracts us, for many reasons and on many levels. This miraculous and long-awaited birth began the final act in God's careful and deliberate act to bring the world back to friendship with Him. God the Son becoming man and being born brought this loving plan of salvation into the open.Quite right it is therefore that we celebrate heartily both in the church and at home! Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

St Joseph has our attention this fourth and last Sunday of Advent, as we move closer to the Nativity of our Saviour.While not eclipsing Mary, Joseph provides for us a glimpse into the complex reality of the coming of our Saviour in our human nature. Joseph's just, merciful and honourable treatment of his betrothed is most worthy of our reflection and our gratitude. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Rejoice in the Lord! Gaudete in Domino!The Entrance Antiphon gives the name to this, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The colour rose temporarily replaces the violet of Advent, so as to anticipate the joy of Christmas.Yet, there is what seems a puzzling dialogue between Christ our Lord and St John the Baptist in the gospel reading. But with a closer and a deeper look, it is simple: God is coming to save us!The Catholic blog of Fr John Zuhlsdorf can be found at https://wdtprs.com/ Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

We hear repentance once more!This is not so as to make us feel bad but rather to call us to change our ways and be free from sin so that we might come into the presence of God, who is  present both in Holy Communion at every Mass, and whose first appearance at Bethlehem we will celebrate on Christmas Day. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The message of the First Sunday of Advent is stark! Remain vigilant! Do not slacken! Be not complacent!It could be stated in many different ways, with many various words,  but Our Lord does not allow us to glide easily into Christmas. The event of Christ's incarnation and birth is a world-shaterring event and, as such, it requires a total response of our selves. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

What a glorious Feast Day! It is for our spiritual good that we acknowledge Christ as our King.He rules over us by right as our God. He demands our fidelity as our Saviour. He gives us His powerful protection as our Lord.Let us dedicate this day to His honour and pray, as He taught us, that His kingdom come in all its glory! Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Our Lord and Saviour, in His great kindness, has told us that there will be a definitive end to this world.When He comes in glory at His last coming, He will bring everything to a definitive end and evil will be completely and eternally conquered. He knows that we cannot experience this on our own and so He promises to be with us as well as telling us about it. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and life after death but, as Our Lord tells them, they were in error.Our belief in the resurrection and the life of Heaven is given to us by the Son of God Himself to be our consolation in this life and to arouse in us both a hope for and a longing for Heaven. May that hope and longing be increased within us! Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Zacchaeus in the tree and Jesus inviting Himself to his house! This is an attractive, slightly humorous, and genuinely warm episode in St Luke's gospel. It is probably one of the best known from the gospels. The conversion of Zacchaeus and its unconventional beginning and conclusion must remind us of our own conversion, which is a lifelong task. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The parable of today's Gospel is the tax collector and the the Pharisee who both went to the Temple to pray. Our Lord teaches us not only about prayer but also about humility, trust and obedience. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Peseverance is a virtue needed for our human life and also our spiritual life. Our Lord exhorts us in the Gospel reading for today to persevere in prayer. The Holy Spirit, who abides in us, bears the fruit of stability and perseverance in us when we willing cooperate with divine grace. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The gratitude displayed in the First Reading and the Gospel are examples for us of how we must show gratitude towards God in a due and fitting way. The Holy Rosary helps us to be grateful. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 is a decisive point in the history of Europe and the history of the Church. It is also a critical point in the story of the Holy Rosary. All Catholics should know of this important event. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au

Today's readings from Holy Scripture and the prayers of the Sacred Liturgy provide us with reflection upon and insights into the mystery of suffering and difficulty in human life. It is a lesson we all need, and sometimes need to learn again and again. Support the show If you would like to contact me to provide feedback, suggestions or to ask questions you can do this via email:frpchandler@armidale.catholic.org.au