Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent Jer 18:18-20Mt 20:17-28 “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus answered. “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” When John and James’ mother approached Jesus with her request that her sons sit at the left and right of Jesus, she (and her... Continue Reading →
12 January, Thursday — Faith
Thursday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 3:7-14Mk 1:40-45 A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: “If you want to,” he said, “you can cure me.” I have been writing for Oxygen for probably ten years or more now. Sometimes, reflections don’t come easily; you’ve really got to dig deep into... Continue Reading →
11 January, Wednesday — Conversation with God
Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 2:14-18Mk 1:29-39 In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. There is a sweet spot in the day, if one rises early enough, when the sun has yet to rise and the world... Continue Reading →
10 January, Tuesday — Among Us
Tuesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 2:5-12Mk 1:21-28 “but we do see in Jesus one who was for a short while made lower than the angels…by God’s grace he had to experience death for all mankind. There is a quote in one of my favourite novels, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, that goes, “You... Continue Reading →
7 December, Wednesday — Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dec 7 – Memorial for St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a... Continue Reading →
6 December, Tuesday — Love Song
Dec 6 – Memorial for St. Nicholas, bishop St. Nicholas (d. 346) was a priest and abbot, and the bishop of Myra, Lycia (modern Turkey). He was generous to the poor, and a special protector of the innocent and wrong. Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. One story is... Continue Reading →
4 December, Sunday — Preparing for the Coming
2nd Sunday of Advent Isa 11:1-10Rm 15:4-9Mt 3:1-12 “Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” Writing this at the cusp of Advent, the realization that there aren’t many days left till Christmas and to the end of the year is starting to sink in, giving rise to a slight feeling of panic.... Continue Reading →
4 October, Tuesday — My Past is not My Present
Oct 4 – Memorial for St. Francis of Assisi Francis Bernardone (1181–1226) was the son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father’s business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. He was a street brawler and some-time soldier. He was captured during a... Continue Reading →
2 October, Sunday — Something Worth Fighting For
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Hab 1:2-3,2:2-42 Tim 1:6-8,13-14Lk 17:5-10 God’s gift was not of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control.” Today’s verse is one that I hold very close to my heart. It was one of my guiding verses when I delivered my second child. I had always wanted to... Continue Reading →
30 July, Saturday — Doing the Right Thing
Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 