Jun 30 – First Martyrs of the Church of Rome These holy men and women are also called the “Protomartyrs of Rome”. They were accused of burning Rome by Nero, who burned Rome to cover his own crimes. Some martyrs were burned as living torches at evening banquets, some crucified, and others were fed to... Continue Reading →
29 June, Tuesday – The Lord stands by us and gives us power
Jun 29 – Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles Peter (c.1–64) was a professional fisherman. He was the brother of St. Andrew the Apostle, the man who led him to Christ. Given the name Simon, he was renamed ‘Peter’ (Rock) by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the... Continue Reading →
28 June, Monday – The joy of the Holy Spirit
Jun 28 – St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr Irenaeus (c.130–202) was a disciple of St. Polycarp of Smyrna. He was ordained in 177. He was Bishop of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France). He worked and wrote against Gnosticism, basing his arguments on the works of St. John the Apostle, whose gospel is often cited by Gnostics. He... Continue Reading →
27 June, Sunday – Faith in God
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 1:13-15,2:23-242 Cor 8:7,9,13-15Mk 5:21-43 I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me. The past one and a half year has been a whirlwind of events. The pandemic has brought about tremendous challenges to my faith, and it has been a difficult period time. The change in lifestyle was... Continue Reading →
26 June, Saturday — Humble Yourself
Saturday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 18:1-15Mt:8:5-17 “I will come myself and cure him” Jesus has so much compassion for all those who come to him asking for help. He will go to great lengths to perform miracles, just so that he could take “our sicknesses away and carry our diseases for us”.... Continue Reading →
25 June, Friday — If You Want To
Friday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 17:1,9-10,15-22Mt 8:1-4 “If you want to, you can cure me.” There’s something so humbling in the way the leper asks for help. By simply adding, “if you want to” or “if you are willing”, it is an act of surrender in itself. I find this sentence such... Continue Reading →
24 June, Thursday — What will my life turn out to be?
Jun 24 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist John the Baptist (d.30) was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His father, Zachary, was a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the Temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the... Continue Reading →
23 June, Wednesday — He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides.
Wednesday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 15:1-12,17-18Mt 7:15-20 Every good tree bears good fruit. It took me years to understand the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. When I pray, I am guilty of constantly asking God for something either for family, a loved one or myself. I pray for protection, blessings,... Continue Reading →
22 June, Tuesday — God is our guard and our shield
Jun 22 – Memorial for St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop; Memorial for St. John Fisher, Bishop & St. Thomas More, martyrs Paulinus (c.354–431) was a friend of St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Nicetas of Remesiana, and was mentioned for his holiness by at least six of his contemporary saints. He was a distinguished lawyer... Continue Reading →
21 June, Monday — Listening to the inner voice
Jun 21 – Memorial for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious St. Aloysius (1568-1591) was an Italian noble who grew up in a castle as the son of a compulsive gambler. He suffered from kidney disease, but considered it a blessing as it left him bed-ridden with time for prayer. While still a boy himself, he taught catechism to poor boys. At age... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 