19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19:4-8Eph 4:30-5:2Jn 6:41-51 “I am the bread of life.” As a child, I have always experienced doubt, fear and challenges in daily life. Growing up without parents, I faced these issues alone. Often, if others found out about the difficulties I am facing, I would be told to... Continue Reading →
10 August, Saturday — Receiving, not earning, God’s grace
Aug 10 – Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr St. Lawrence was a third-century archdeacon of Rome, a distributor of alms, and “keeper of the treasures of the Church” in a time when Christianity was outlawed. On 6 August 258, by decree of Emperor Valerian, Pope St. Sixtus II and six deacons were beheaded,... Continue Reading →
9 August, Friday — Follow Me
Aug 9 – Memorial for St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr After witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends, Teresa (1891-1942), originally a Jew, became interested in Catholicism and studied a catechism on her own, and she eventually ended up ‘reading herself into’ the Faith. She became a Carmelite nun, teaching... Continue Reading →
8 August, Thursday — Things beyond the mind of man
Aug 8 – Memorial for St. Dominic, priest, religious founder Dominic (1170-1221) was born of wealthy Spanish nobility, and was the son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving and prayed at the shrine of St. Dominic of Silos, who had a tradition of patronage of that problem. When she became pregnant, she... Continue Reading →
7 August, Wednesday — Debate with Jesus
Aug 7 – Memorial for St. Sixtus, pope, martyr, and companions; St. Cajetan, priest Sixtus (d. 258) was an adult convert to Christianity. In his papacy, he dealt with the controversy concerning Baptism by heretics. He believed that anyone who was baptised with a desire to be a Christian, even if the Baptism was performed... Continue Reading →
6 August, Tuesday — Light, Glorious and Forgiving Light
Aug 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Today we celebrate the occasion on which Christ revealed Himself in shining splendour to Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify the Law and the Prophets. They testify to Jesus as the promised Messiah. God the Father also... Continue Reading →
5 August, Monday — God’s Truth Always Grows Stronger
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Re-dedicated at that time... Continue Reading →
4 August, Sunday — Right Motives
18th Sunday in Ordinary TimeExo 16:2-4,12-15Jn 6:24-35 ‘…you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs…’ Brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that he is interested in our motives even more than our actions. While the crowds had sought Jesus out by getting into their boats and crossing... Continue Reading →
3 August, Saturday – When The Children Cry
Saturday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Jer 26:11-16,24Mt 14:1-12 Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, "Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a... Continue Reading →
2 August, Friday — Surrendering to God’s plan
Friday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Jer 26:1-9Mt 13:54-58 "In your great love, answer me, O God." I have noticed an increasing number of my close friends facing tremendous amount of stress at work. This has resulted in them engaging in actions and habits to numb this pain. Be it alcohol, tobacco, drugs or... Continue Reading →