Jul 21 – Memorial for St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, religious, doctor St. Lawrence (1559-1619) joined the Capuchin Friars in 1575. He studied theology, the Bible, French, German, Greek, Spanish, Syriac, and Hebrew. He was an effective and forceful preacher in any of his several languages, founded convents and wrote catechisms. As the chaplain of... Continue Reading →
20 July, Sunday — When Zeal Needs Stillness
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gen 18:1-10Col 1:24-28Lk 10:38-42 “Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one.” Recently, I went on a study trip that left me inspired — deeply stirred by a need I saw, and a strong desire to respond to it. I... Continue Reading →
19 July, Saturday — His faithful love endures forever
Saturday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 12:37-42Mt 12:14-21 He remembered us in our distress. And he snatched us away from our foes. Today’s Psalm is a hymn of praise. It emphasises God’s enduring love and faithfulness towards his people who were suffering immensely. It gives thanks to God’s subsequent deliverance of Israel from... Continue Reading →
18 July, Friday — Freedom from sin
Friday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 11:10--12:14Mt 12:1-8 …it is a passover in honour of the Lord. Moses asked Pharoah to release the Israelites from slavery. Pharoah refused. God then inflicted Pharoah and Egypt with ten devastating plagues. Most Christians know this biblical account from Exodus, especially non-believers who have watched the Disney... Continue Reading →
17 July, Thursday — Lay your weary head to rest
Thursday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 3:13-20Mt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” I have always read this verse from Matthew's gospel as being about death. The line "I will give you rest" also appears in the hymn, 'Be Not Afraid', which I... Continue Reading →
16 July, Wednesday — Thank You Lord
Jul 16 – Memorial for Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is best known among as the name of two little... Continue Reading →
15 July, Tuesday — Love and Pride
Jul 15 – Memorial for St. Bonaventure, bishop, religious, doctor St. Bonaventure (1221-1274) entered the Franciscan Order when he was 22. At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions. He did much for his Order and composed The... Continue Reading →
14 July, Monday — Not in God’s House
Monday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 1:8-14,22Mt 10:34-11:1 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Some time ago, I scurried into church and slid into a pew, just as Mass was about to begin. Traffic in Los Angeles is not to be... Continue Reading →
13 July, Sunday — Showing the Father’s Face
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Deu 30:10-14Col 1:15-20Lk 10:25-37 “…the Word is very near to you…” Today’s readings trace the divine revelation journey of Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 30:13 asks: “Who will cross the seas for us, bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” In the very next line,... Continue Reading →
12 July, Saturday — Me before You (and your apprehensions)
Saturday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Gen 49:29-33,50:15-26Mt 10:24-33 “So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 