Jul 23 – Memorial for St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious Coming from a noble yet religious background, St. Bridget (1302-1373) was friend and counsellor to many priests and theologians of her day. As chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she counselled and guided the Queen and King Magnus II. She was harassed by others... Continue Reading →
21 July, Sunday — It is lonely and dangerous to be a shepherd
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 23:1-6Eph 2:13-18Mk 6:30-34 The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Have you met a real life shepherd before? I have! In 2014, I was in the West Bank region of Israel. Under nominal Palestinian Authority control, the population lived in very difficult economic circumstances. With... Continue Reading →
19 July, Friday — Spirit of the Law
Friday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 38:1-6,21-22,7-8Mt 12:1-8 The Pharisees noticed it and said to him: "Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath. But he said to them: "Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry...?" The times we are living in... Continue Reading →
18 July, Thursday — Lay your weary head to rest
Thursday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Isa 26:7-9,12,16-19Mt 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... Continue Reading →
15 July, Monday — Defending our faith with a sword of love, giving ourselves true peace
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, Sunday — Trusting in God’s Providence
15th Sunday in Ordinary TimeAmo 7:12-15Eph 1:3-14Mk 6:7-13 …take nothing for the journey… In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends His twelve disciples out in pairs on mission, giving them authority over unclean spirits. He instructs them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—not even a spare... Continue Reading →
13 July, Saturday — Me before you (and your apprehensions)
Jul 13 – Memorial for St. Henry II Henry II (972–1024) was the son of Gisella of Burgundy and Henry II the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria. He was educated at the cathedral school in Hildesheim by Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg. He became Duke of Bavaria himself in 995 upon his father’s death, which ended Henry’s... Continue Reading →
8 July, Monday — In Faith through Courage
Monday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 2:16,17-18,21-22Mt 9:18-26 “Courage…your faith has restored you to health.” Today’s gospel speaks of the healing of two women – one who was cured of haemorrhage and the other who was brought back to life from the dead. To the woman whom Jesus cured of haemorrhage, the words... Continue Reading →
23 June, Sunday — Awakening our faith
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Job 38:1,8-11Mk 4:35-41 They woke him… Brothers and sisters, I have been training for Hyrox, a functional fitness race, for a few months now. The race is a test of speed, strength and endurance because it comprises eight intervals of 1km runs, interspersed with eight functional fitness stations including pushing... Continue Reading →
18 June, Tuesday — Loving Our Enemies
Tuesday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 21:17-29Mt 5:43-48 “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Easier said than done, right? How often we get hurt and disappointed by people who say or do things which hurt us, or do not live up to our expectations and yet, we are... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 