4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Zep 2:3,3:12-131 Cor 1:26-31Mt 5:1-12a ...it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning... I once heard a homily where it was shared that the 12 apostles will unlikely qualify for any job in today's age. Each of them had characteristics which would embarrass... Continue Reading →
28 January, Saturday — 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 →
5 December, Monday — A Spirit of Joy
Monday of 2nd Week of Advent Isa 35:1-10Lk 5:17-26 They will come to Zion shouting for joy… I was taking the subway recently and noticed the faces of the commuters. I could count only two or three smiling faces and they all came from the younger children. They were all playing with each other and... Continue Reading →
2 December, Friday — What do you deserve?
Friday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 29:17-24Mt 9:27-31 "Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you." Someone once told me that you get what you deserve, and I always wondered the truth of that statement. Sometimes, I feel it serves to limit the individual from achieving his full potential. The... Continue Reading →
1 December, Thursday — Trust in the Lord
Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 26:1-6Mt 7:21,24-27 "...and what a fall it had!" I once played with my friends the game called Jenga. Removing the blocks one by one and watching the edifice topple due to the lack of support often brought peals of laughter. The loser of the game is the... Continue Reading →
12 November, Saturday — A very good place to start
Nov 12 – Memorial for St. Josaphat, bishop, religious, martyr John (1580-1623) had a father who was a municipal counsellor, and a mother who was known for her piety. He was raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian Church which, on 23 Nov 1595, in the Union of Brest, united with the Church of Rome. He was... Continue Reading →
11 November, Friday — Love as an action
2 Jn 4-9Lk 17:26-37 "Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe." It has been a tough time recently, as I hear of many friends going through struggles with their health. It has been quite a challenge to hear them go through the various... Continue Reading →
10 November, Thursday — A gesture of love
Nov 10 – Memorial for St. Leo the Great, pope, doctor St. Leo (c.400 – 461) was born of Italian nobility. He was a strong student, especially in scripture and theology. As a priest, he was an eloquent writer and homilist. He was pope from 440-461 during the time of the invasion of Attila the... Continue Reading →
28 September, Wednesday — Loving Jesus, Following Jesus
Sep 28 – Memorial for St. Wenceslaus, martyr; Memorial for St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs St. Wenceslaus (907-929) was the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia, whose family had been converted by St. Cyril and St. Methodius, and Drahomira, daughter of a pagan chief, who was baptised on her wedding day but apparently... Continue Reading →
27 September, Tuesday — Looking out for a friend in need
Sep 27 – Memorial for St. Vincent de Paul, Priest St. Vincent (1581-1660) spent four years with the Franciscan friars getting an education. He was taken captive by Turkish pirates and sold into slavery, then freed when he converted one of his owners to Christianity. He started organisations to help the poor, nursed the sick,... Continue Reading →