31 Jan – Memorial for St. John Bosco, priest St. John Bosco (1815-1888) was the son of Venerable Margaret Bosco. His father died when he was just two years old, and as soon as he was old enough to do odd jobs, he did so for extra money for his family. Bosco would go to... Continue Reading →
30 January, Thursday — Community not I-Solated
Thursday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time Heb 10:19-25Mk 4:21-25 “Take notice of what you are hearing.” My father always told me to go to Mass every Sunday. So, I did. 32 years ago, when I asked my wife to marry me, she said ‘Yes’ only if I promise to go to Mass with her... Continue Reading →
29 January, Wednesday — Seed and soil
Wednesday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time Heb 10:11-18Mk 4:1-20 "The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you..." I have divided today's reflection into four parts based on the four types of ground on which the seeds of the sower land. The path I tend to look out for the formation of... Continue Reading →
28 January, Tuesday — The humble ox
28 Jan – Memorial for St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was the son of the Count of Aquino. He was born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples, Italy. He was educated by Benedictine monks at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. He secretly... Continue Reading →
26 January, Sunday — Hearing God’s voice
3rd Sunday in Ordinary TimeNeh 8:2-6,8-101 Cor 12:12-30Lk 1:1-4,4:14-21 For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law. In today’s first reading, Nehemiah tells the people of Israel, recently returned from exile in Babylon, not to mourn or weep as they listen to the Law of God. I... Continue Reading →
25 January, Saturday — Trapped in our own stories
25 Jan – Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul St. Paul (3-65) was a Jewish Talmudic student and a Pharisee. He was a tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted Christians as heretical, even assisting at the stoning of St. Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus to arrest another group... Continue Reading →
24 January, Friday — “God has chosen me”
24 Jan – Memorial for St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born in a castle to a well-placed family. His parents intended him to become a lawyer, enter politics, and carry on the family line and power. He studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College... Continue Reading →
23 January, Thursday — Hope does not disappoint
Thursday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time Heb 7:25-8:6Mk 3:7-12 For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. I think not one of us can say that we do not suffer from any affliction. While writing this reflection, I checked the meaning of... Continue Reading →
22 January, Wednesday — A tenth of what we have
22 Jan – Memorial for St. Vincent, deacon and martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa (d. 304) was a friend of St. Valerius of Saragossa in Spain, and served as his deacon. He was imprisoned and tortured in Valencia, some of it by burning on a gridiron, for his faith. He converted the jailor and was... Continue Reading →
21 January, Tuesday — The Priceless Treasure
21 Jan – Memorial for St. Agnes, virgin and martyr At the age of 12 or 13, St. Agnes was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Minerva (Athena), and when led to the altar, she made the Sign of the Cross.... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 