Jul 31 – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection... Continue Reading →
30 July, Sunday — “Smarty Pants”
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12 Rm 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 “Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil…” Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by King Solomon. The legendary figure that chose wisdom rather than riches or a long life. I remember telling... Continue Reading →
24 July, Monday — Is this a sign?
Jul 24 – Memorial for St. Charbel Makhluf, Priest St. Charbel was a Lebanese monk, born in a small mountain village and ordained in 1858. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he spent the last twenty three years of his life as a hermit. Despite temptations to wealth and comfort, St. Charbel taught the value... Continue Reading →
23 July, Sunday — The spirit helps us in our weakness
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 12:13,16-19Rm 8:26-27Mt 13:24-43 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” The Catholic Church proudly proclaims it has been existing for more than 2000 years, with over 1 billion members. From mustard seed beginnings, it has indeed sprouted to the biggest ‘religious tree’ in the world. Yet within... Continue Reading →
19 July, Wednesday — I praise you, Father
Wednesday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 3:1-6,9-12Mt 11:25-27 “…no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son…” Today’s Gospel is significant, as it is one of the few recorded times when Jesus prayed himself. Previously, I thought he also prayed the “Our Father” (Matthew... Continue Reading →
18 July, Tuesday — Woe To You
Tuesday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 2:1-15Mt 11:20-24 …she named him Moses because, she said, “I drew him out of water”. Woe to you Chorazin. Woe to you Bethsaida. Chorazin always reminds me of chorizo sausage from NTUC Finest and Bethsaida sounds like my late grandparent’s Chinese Baptist church. Today’s first reading from... Continue Reading →
16 July, Sunday — A sower went out to sow
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 55:10-11Rm 8:18-23Mt 13:1-23 “For anyone who has will be given more…” Matthew 13 vividly describes the enthusiasm of the crowd as they sought out Jesus. On that day, a large crowd gathered round him, so much so that he got into a boat. The whole crowd stood along the shore.... Continue Reading →
8 July, Saturday — New Wine in the Making
Saturday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Gen 27:1-5,15-29Mt 9:14-17 “...they put new wine into fresh skins and both are preserved.” The Gospel states that people put new wine into fresh skins instead of putting it into old wineskins; if they do the latter, the old wineskins will burst. Jesus is referencing this to the ministry... Continue Reading →
7 July, Friday — Letting go and letting God lead
Friday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Gn 23:1-4,19;24:1-8,62-67Mt 9:9-13 …he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. In today’s Gospel passage, Matthew the tax collector was at work, sitting at the customs house, when Jesus walked by and said to him, “Follow me”. And he got up and followed... Continue Reading →
2 July, Sunday — We have died with Christ
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kgs 4:8-11,13-16Rm 6:3-4,8-11Mt 10:37-42 “…and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.” An Exorcist Tells His Story -- I am now reading this book breathlessly. At the end of my reflection, you will know why. For many years during Sunday mass, I often wondered what was... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 