30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Exo 22:20-261 Ths 1:5-10Mt 22:34-40 “You must love your neighbour as yourself…” Well, the Lord does have a rather peculiar sense of humour. For my birthday this year, he has gifted me with this phrase, “You must love your neighbour as yourself”. This is very possibly, for me, one of... Continue Reading →
8 October, Sunday — I want to go to mass
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 5:1-7Phi 4:6-9Mt 21:33-43 “It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone.” ‘Frasier’ is my absolute favourite TV show. In one episode, he meets his Jewish girlfriend’s mother and wants to serve wine. Not having anything kosher, Frasier’s brother, Niles, adds sugar into the excellent French... Continue Reading →
7 October, Saturday — Taking courage by reaching out in confidence to Christ
Oct 7 – Memorial for Our Lady of the Rosary This day was originally observed as the Feast of Our Lady of Victory. Its date was chosen to commemorate the European victory at the third naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571. This battle marked the high point of Turkish (Muslim) advance on European soil with... Continue Reading →
29 September, Friday — Pride always comes before a great fall
Sep 29 – Feast of the Holy Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael You should be aware that the word ‘angel’ denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance... Continue Reading →
26 September, Tuesday — Faith in action
Sep 26 – Memorial for Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers, physicians who accepted no payment. Their charity brought many to Christ. Although they were tortured during the persecutions of Diocletian, the two suffered no injury. Patron Saint Index Ez 6:7-8,12,14-20Lk 8:19-21 “…those who hear the word of God... Continue Reading →
21 September, Thursday — It is God’s healing love and mercy that we need
Sep 21 – Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist St. Matthew was the son of Alphaeus, and he lived at Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a Roman tax collector, a position equated with collaboration with the enemy by those from whom he collected taxes. Jesus’ contemporaries were surprised to see the Christ with... Continue Reading →
13 September, Wednesday — “Rich Man, Poor Man.”
Sep 13 – Memorial for St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor John’s (347-407) father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious mother. It was for his sermons that John earned the title ‘Chrysostom’ (golden-mouthed). They were always on point, they explained the scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went on... Continue Reading →
9 September, Saturday — Sunday Mass — Obligation or Opportunity?
Sep 9 – Memorial for St. Peter Claver, Priest St Peter Claver was born in Catalonia and studied at the University of Barcelona. He became a Jesuit; and while he was studying philosophy in Mallorca, the door-keeper of the college, Alfonso Rodríguez, saw that his true vocation was to evangelize the New World, and encouraged him... Continue Reading →
7 September, Thursday — I want to join a church ministry
Thursday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time Col 1:9-14Lk 5:1-11 “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.” August 27 was church ministry recruitment Sunday at our parish – Church of St Francis Xavier. So with violin, guitar and cajon in hand, 8 choir members sang their hearts out. Unable... Continue Reading →
29 August, Tuesday — Ready to die
Aug 29 – The Beheading of St. John the Baptist To endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John; rather it was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward. Since death was ever at hand, such men considered it... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 