Jul 11 – Memorial for St. Benedict, abbot, religious founder Born to Roman nobility, Benedict (c. 480–547) was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed at the lack of discipline and lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. He fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit... Continue Reading →
10 July, Sunday — Private and authentic faith
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Deu 30:10-14Col 1:15-20Lk 10:25-37 “...what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The Gospel of today is well-known. Indeed, the message is simply this: To do as the Samaritan did. While we use the term 'Good Samaritan' to denote someone who does good, the reality was that the Jews avoided... Continue Reading →
9 July, Saturday — What God reveals, He controls
Jul 9 – Memorial for St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and... Continue Reading →
8 July, Friday — Suffering for Christ is a commitment backed up by salvation
Friday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 14:2-10Mt 10:16-23 “You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Persecution exists in various forms; some are emotional, intrinsic and situational, while others transform into violence, faith mutilation, and damning brutal... Continue Reading →
7 July, Thursday — God’s saving grace comes in His will
Thursday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 11:1-4,8-9Mt 10: 7-15 “I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms; yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them.” It is difficult to study and understand God -- God reigns in mystery and divine perfections. From the time... Continue Reading →
6 July, Wednesday – We Are Called
Jul 6 – Memorial for St. Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr Maria Goretti (1890-1902) was a beautiful and pious farm girl, one of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca. Soon after, Maria’s father died of malaria, and the family was forced to move onto... Continue Reading →
5 July, Tuesday — On Disunity, Part 2
Jul 5 – Memorial for St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest St. Anthony (1502-1539) studied medicine at Padua, receiving his doctorate at age 22. Working among the poor in Cremona, he felt called to the religious life. He was ordained at age 26; legend says that angels were seen around the altar at his first Mass.... Continue Reading →
4 July, Monday — On Disunity
Jul 4 – Memorial for St. Elizabeth of Portugal Elizabeth (1271-1336) was a princess with a pious upbringing who became Queen of Portugal before she was a teenager. Elizabeth suffered through years of her husband’s abuse and adultery, praying all the while for his conversion, and working with the poor and sick. She rode onto... Continue Reading →
3 July, Sunday — Rejoice In Christ Through Your Sufferings!
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 66:10-14Gal 6:14-18Lk 10:1-12,17-20 The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… As a person with physical disabilities, I often experience pains, aches and uncontrollable movements in my body that can make it difficult for me to move. And I get frustrated because... Continue Reading →
2 July, Saturday – Change is how we became a New Creation in Christ
Saturday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Amo 9:11-15 Mt 9:14-17 “Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are lost.” In ancient times, the wineskins were made of sheep or goat hides that were partly tanned and retaining, to a... Continue Reading →