The personal website of Fr. Matthew Charlesworth, S.J.

Pax Christi!

Fr. Matthew Charlesworth, S.J.

Welcome to this website. I am currently assisting the Pastor and Chaplain at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.

My most recent homilies

Homily: 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Today’s Gospel follows on from last week’s – the one about the wicked tenants. Now Jesus is becoming even blunter in the way he makes his point. If they did not understand last week’s parable, they have to, he thinks, understand this one. A marriage feast is a joyous occasion for any family. And when it is a royal family wedding, it’s an occasion to celebrate for the whole kingdom. And indeed, if we listened carefully – everyone was invited. In fact, God’s generosity was on display in all our readings today: We heard from the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading that “On this mountain the LORD of hosts ...
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Homily: 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

During the week we celebrated World Teachers Day and I’d like to ask for your prayers for all of our teachers in Catholic Schools, and indeed, all our schools in our country. They deserve our thanks and our prayers for their dedication and work in preparing our future. Of course we hope they always strive to do their best, but we must thank and honour them today. And’s let not forget all lecturer’s and professor’s who also teach – though in a different way – their vocation must also be celebrated. Jesus was also a teacher – and I hope for many of our teachers, especially in Catholic Schools, he ...
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Homily: 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Today’s readings talk to us of conversion, the importance of what we do rather than what we say, and of the primacy of individual responsibility over communal responsibility. In our first reading today we hear how “when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life”. This describes the salvation that awaits a repentant sinner, one who abandons their old ways and adopts the new life that St Paul says we find in Christ. The prophet Ezekiel focuses in particular on the phenomenon – a phenomenon I’m sure we can recognize if we are honest with ...
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Homily: 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Last week we heard the parable of how the servant was forgiven his debts. The Lord was generous with his mercy and expected us to be generous in return. The Church also celebrated the Feast of the Apostle Matthew during the week and we read of how Jesus came and called Matthew. This scene is beautifully captured by Carravaggio’s famous artwork and it is an opportunity for us all to reflect on God’s calling to each of us. So it should be no surprise that today we hear of the generous call of God to each of us here today. Today’s Gospel is often called “The parable of the laborers ...
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St Ignatius Quotes

The difference between human felicity and the cross of Christ is this, that on tasting the former we loathe it, but the more we drink of the latter, the greater is our thirst.
St Ignatius
However great your poverty, spare no expense that nothing may be wanting for the welfare of the sick.
St Ignatius
Often, especially when one has but lately embarked on a better life, a scruple is of no little help to the mind empty of spiritual things.
St Ignatius
We must strive as hard as we can to lay hold of that we follow after, and having entered the way of perfection, attain to what is most perfect.
St Ignatius
A rough and unshapen log has no idea that it can be made into a statue that will be considered a masterpiece, but the carver sees what can be done with it. So many seem to know scarcely anything of the Christian life and do not understand that God can mould them into saints, until they put themselves into the hands of that almighty Artisan.
St Ignatius

Jesuit Prayer

Pray for the Pope's Monthly intention

@Pontifex on Twitter

Let us bring the flame of Christ’s love to humanity which needs true happiness and peace so much.
Let yourself be guided by the tenderness of God so that you may transform the world with your faith.
May artists spread the beauty of the faith and proclaim the grandeur of God’s creation and His boundless love for all.
It is the duty of the human family to help free every single person from poverty and hunger.
Sharing requires conversion, and this is a challenge. #ZeroHunger
Ensuring everyone’s right to food and nourishment is an imperative we cannot ignore. It is a right to which there are no exceptions!
Along with the Saints, let the joy and beauty of living the Gospel shine through the witness of our lives.
We are called to defend and safeguard human life, especially in the mother’s womb, in infancy, old age and physical or mental disability.
In this centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, we thank God for the countless blessings we have received under her protection.
The statue of Our Lady of Aparecida was found by poor workers. May Mary bless all of us, but especially those seeking employment.
Like Saint John XXIII, whom we remember today, let us witness to God’s goodness and mercy before the Church and the world.
God does not disappoint! He has placed hope in our hearts so that it can blossom and bear fruit.
The search for peace is an open-ended task, a responsibility that never ends and that demands the commitment of everyone.
When you experience bitterness, put your faith in all those who still work for good: in their humility lies the seed of a new world.
The Rosary is a synthesis of the mysteries of Christ: we contemplate them with Mary, who allows us to see with her eyes of faith and love.
Let us ensure that the Internet is a safe and richly human place for children: a network that does not entrap them but helps them to grow.
The mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful.
Like Saint Francis of Assisi, let us be transformed by the love of Christ in order to live in simplicity and joy.
Only in the silence of prayer can you learn to listen to the voice of God.
Our guardian angel is a friend we do not see, but whose presence we feel. He accompanies us on our earthly journey to heaven.

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Pax Christi!

Fr. Matthew Charlesworth, S.J.

Homily: 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

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Pax Christi!

Fr. Matthew Charlesworth, S.J.

Homily: 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily: 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

From me

From my Parish

My Instagram

From Jesuits in SA

From the Jesuit Institute SA

From Jesuit Refugee Service SA

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