Thursday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 3:7-13Mt 24:42-51 "Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming." Today's gospel from Matthew compares two servants. The first one, a diligent and faithful servant that keeps everything in order while awaiting his master's return; and the second one, a cruel... Continue Reading →
30 August, Wednesday – What If I Stumble?
Wednesday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 2:9-13Mt 23:27-32 "Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of corruption." Ah, the dreaded H word. It keeps getting thrown around. We probably have... Continue Reading →
29 August, Tuesday — Ready to die
Aug 29 – The Beheading of St. John the Baptist To endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John; rather it was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward. Since death was ever at hand, such men considered it... Continue Reading →
28 August, Monday — The influence of a prayer
Aug 28 – Memorial for St. Augustine, bishop, doctor After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, Augustine (354-430) became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: “God, give me chastity and... Continue Reading →
27 August, Sunday — The question
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 22:19-23Rm 11:33-36Mt 16:13-20 "But you, who do you say I am?" That indeed, is THE question that we will each answer for ourselves at the time of our death. Our knowing the answer, I believe, oftentimes begins with prayers from our mother. So today as we recognize St. Monica, the mother... Continue Reading →
26 August, Saturday — Being Authentic
Saturday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17Mt 23:1-12 “...do not be guided by what they do...” I was quite an authoritative parent. When my children were very young (they are young adults today), I remember barking instructions, “Do this!”, “Don’t do this!”, “Stop!”, “Go!”. I remember one day telling my kids not to... Continue Reading →
25 August, Friday — Focusing on God and our faith
Aug 25 – Memorial for St. Louis of France, married man; Memorial for St. Joseph Calasanz, priest, religious founder As king of France, Louis (1214-1270) made numerous judicial and legislative reforms. He promoted Christianity in France; established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals, and collected relics. “In prosperity, give thanks... Continue Reading →
24 August, Thursday — End of the world revelations?
Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as... Continue Reading →
23 August, Wednesday — They do not deserve the same love, compassion and forgiveness as we do.
Aug 23 – Memorial for St. Rose of Lima, virgin A beautiful girl and devoted daughter, Rose (1586-1617) was so devoted to her vow of chastity, she used pepper and lye to ruin her complexion so she would not be attractive. She lived and meditated in a garden, raising vegetables and making embroidered items to sell to... Continue Reading →
22 August, Tuesday — What absurd suggestion is the Lord making of you?
Aug 22 – Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Whoever, therefore, reverences the Queen of heaven and earth – and let no one consider himself exempt from this tribute of a grateful and loving soul – let him invoke the most effective of Queens, the Mediatrix of Peace; let him respect and preserve peace, which... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 