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, Sunday — “Smarty Pants”
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12 Rm 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 “Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil…” Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by King Solomon. The legendary figure that chose wisdom rather than riches or a long life. I remember telling... Continue Reading →
29 July, Saturday — Two Kinds of Life
Jul 29 – Memorial for Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus 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... Continue Reading →
28 July, Friday — Till the Soil Today, Reap Harvests for Generations
Friday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Exo 20:1-17Mt 13:18-23 ...but I show kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. The ground we stand on is always pregnant. The land is always full and rich of history. Layers upon layers of sediments accumulate over millenia to tell the story of... Continue Reading →
27 July, Thursday — Spiritual Blockages
Thursday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Exo 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20bMt 13:10-17 I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand My young son is at a delightful stage in his life now where he excitedly shares about what he learns during Catechism... Continue Reading →
26 July, Wednesday – Cultivating the soil
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, Tuesday — Being Present
Jul 25 – Feast of St. James, Apostle St. James (died 44) was the first Apostle to be martyred. He preached in Samaria, Judea, and Spain. His work in Spain, and the housing of his relics there, led to his patronage of the country and all things Spanish. Like all men of renown, many stories... Continue Reading →
24 July, Monday — Is this a sign?
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, Sunday — The spirit helps us in our weakness
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 12:13,16-19Rm 8:26-27Mt 13:24-43 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” The Catholic Church proudly proclaims it has been existing for more than 2000 years, with over 1 billion members. From mustard seed beginnings, it has indeed sprouted to the biggest ‘religious tree’ in the world. Yet within... Continue Reading →
22 July, Saturday — Seek and Find
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 