Jun 30 – First Martyrs of the Church of Rome These holy men and women are also called the “Protomartyrs of Rome”. They were accused of burning Rome by Nero, who burned Rome to cover his own crimes. Some martyrs were burned as living torches at evening banquets, some crucified, and others were fed to... Continue Reading →
29 June, Sunday — Captain, Pilot, North Star…
Jun 29 – Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles Peter (c.1–64) was a professional fisherman. He was the brother of St. Andrew the Apostle, the man who led him to Christ. Given the name Simon, he was renamed “Peter” (rock) by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the... Continue Reading →
28 June, Saturday — Losing It
Jun 28 – St. Irenaeus, bishop, martyr Irenaeus (c.130–202) was a disciple of St. Polycarp of Smyrna. He was ordained in 177. He was Bishop of Lugdunum, Gaul (modern Lyons, France). He worked and wrote against Gnosticism, basing his arguments on the works of St. John the Apostle, whose gospel is often cited by Gnostics.... Continue Reading →
27 June, Friday — Heart of a Shepherd
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus The devotion to the Sacred Heart (also known as the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacratissimum Cor Iesu in Latin) is one of the most widely practiced and well-known Roman Catholic devotions, taking Jesus Christ's physical heart as the representation of his divine love for humanity. This devotion is predominantly used in the Roman Catholic Church and... Continue Reading →
26 June, Thursday — Contemplation and Action
Thursday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 16:6-12,15-16Mt 7:21-29 “Everyone who listens to these words….and acts on them will be like a sensible man…” Contemplation and Action are not mutually exclusive; if we contemplate on God’s words, it must surely lead us to action, to participate in His plan. Lately, I have grown very... Continue Reading →
25 June, Wednesday — Our True Selves
Wednesday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 15:1-12,17-18Mt 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep…” As an enthusiastic social media user, I appreciate the diverse content available. However, how some posts are crafted to showcase individuals most favourably is particularly fascinating. For example, I have seen multiple posts where... Continue Reading →
24 June, Tuesday — Service with Courage
Jun 24 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist John the Baptist (d.30) was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His father, Zachary, was a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the Temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the... Continue Reading →
23 June, Monday — Walking by Faith, Not By Sight
Monday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time Gen 12:1-9Mt 7:1-9 “I will make you a great nation” It feels providential to be reflecting on Abraham on Father’s Day (when I am writing this), a day when we honour fathers and father-figures everywhere; and thank them for their unspoken sacrifices that have nurtured generations in various... Continue Reading →
22 June, Sunday — Feeding Others with God’s Love
Feast of Corpus Christi The Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for ‘Body of Christ’) is a Catholic liturgical solemnity celebrating the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the elements of the Eucharist -- known as transubstantiation. Two months earlier, the Eucharist is observed on Maundy Thursday in a sombre atmosphere leading to Good Friday. The liturgy on that day... Continue Reading →
21 June, Saturday — From God, to farm, to table
Jun 21 – Memorial for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious St. Aloysius (1568-1591) was an Italian noble who grew up in a castle as the son of a compulsive gambler. He suffered from kidney disease, but considered it a blessing as it left him bed-ridden with time for prayer. While still a boy himself, he taught... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 