Jul 31 – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection... Continue Reading →
30 July, Friday — Familiarity Breeds Contempt
Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have... Continue Reading →
29 July, Thursday — Two Kinds of Life
Jul 29 – Memorial for St. Martha Jesus liked to stay at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, his friends at Bethany, when he was in Judaea. One of these visits has ever remained dear to Christian memory. On that occasion Martha, busily serving the Master, asked Him to persuade Mary to help her.... Continue Reading →
28 July, Wednesday — Hidden Treasure
Wednesday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 34:29-35Mt 13:44-46 “…the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.” Here’s an interesting parable that Jesus taught about the kingdom of Heaven. Why would Jesus... Continue Reading →
27 July, Tuesday — Shhhhhhhhh!
Tuesday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 3:7-11;34:5-9,38Mt 13:36-43 “Listen, anyone who has ears!” I marvel at how some people have the amazing ability to ‘tune out’ and only listen/accept what they want to hear when receiving advice or counsel. It is almost as if they are self-censoring ideas and thoughts through their own... Continue Reading →
26 July, Monday — Sheltering from the storm
Jul 26 – Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary By tradition, Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary’s father and mother come... Continue Reading →
25 July, Sunday — “Feed me”
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kgs 4:42-44Eph 4:1-6Jn 6:1-15 Bear with one another charitably… I have always found the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 extremely rich in its teaching. What strikes me most is how it was a little boy from whom Jesus took the loaves in order to feed the multitudes.... Continue Reading →
24 July, Saturday — Deciphering between wheat and weeds
Jul 24 – Memorial for St. Charbel Makhluf, Priest St. Charbel was a Lebanese monk, born in a small mountain village and ordained in 1858. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he spent the last twenty three years of his life as a hermit. Despite temptations to wealth and comfort, St. Charbel taught the value... Continue Reading →
23 July, Friday — Seeds scattered and sown
Jul 23 – Memorial for St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious Coming from a noble yet religious background, St. Bridget (1302-1373) was friend and counsellor to many priests and theologians of her day. As chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she counselled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. She was harassed by others... Continue Reading →
22 July, Thursday — Remain Teachable
Jul 22 – Memorial for St. Mary Magdalene There is actually very little solid information about her, and both scholars and traditions differ on the interpretation of what we do know. She was a friend and follower of Jesus. Filled with sorrow over her sin, she anointed Christ, washed his feet with her hair. He... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 