Dec 12 – Memorial for Our Lady of Guadalupe Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town which grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as... Continue Reading →
11 December, Friday — What if…?
Dec 11 – Memorial for St. Damasus I, pope St. Damasus (306-384) was raised in a pious family. His father was a priest in Rome, and Damasus served for a time as deacon in his father’s church, St. Laurence. He was ordained a priest and became assistant to Pope Liberius. He was elected the 37th pope... Continue Reading →
22 November, Sunday – Christ Our King
Nov 22 – Solemnity of Christ The King (falls on 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Christ The King is a title of Jesus based on several passages of scripture and used by all Christians. The name is found in various forms in scripture: King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of... Continue Reading →
1 November, Tuesday – The Pursuit of ‘Happy’-ness
Nov 1 -- Solemnity of All Saints All Saints’ Day is celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. In terms of Roman Catholic theology, the feast commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in heaven. The beatific vision is the eternal and direct perception of God enjoyed by those who... Continue Reading →
16 September, Wednesday — Ambition
Wednesday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 Lk 7:31-35 Be ambitious for the higher gifts. We’ve just concluded a 4-week retreat via Zoom with my spiritual director, who conducted it for just over 20 of us from my ministry. Well, it wasn’t 4 whole weeks but just one session a week, where... Continue Reading →
14 September, Monday – Trust and Obey
14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross The feast was celebrated in Rome before the end of the 7th century. Its purpose is to commemorate the recovering of that portion of the Holy Cross which was preserved at Jerusalem, and which had fallen into the hands of the Persians. Emperor Heraclius... Continue Reading →
13 September, Sunday — The End of the Road
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecc 27:33-28:9Rm 14:7-9 Mt 18:21-35 Remember the commandments... As I reflected on today’s readings, I couldn’t help but realise how God was drumming home to me the need to constantly stop and check myself, especially in the area of dealing with my staff. Having had to deal with three resignations... Continue Reading →
11 September, Friday — Winning the War
Friday of Week 23 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 9:16-19,22-27 Lk 6:39-42 ...we do it for a wreath that will never wither. I will be ‘celebrating’ my over 10 years of service at my current workplace this year, not at our annual staff dinner but virtually. As part of the festivities, my HR division is putting... Continue Reading →
24 August, Monday — Good prevails
Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle St. Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as... Continue Reading →
18 August, Tuesday — Just Rewards
Tuesday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Eze 28:1-10Mt 19:23-30 “We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?” In contrast to yesterday’s gospel reading, where the wealthy man went away dejected because he could not give up his material wealth to follow Jesus, we have St Peter today asking Jesus... Continue Reading →