Dec 26 – Feast of St. Stephen, protomartyr St. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. A deacon and a preacher, all we know of him is related in the Acts of the Apostles. While preaching the gospel in the streets, angry Jews who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and... Continue Reading →
25 December, Thursday — Holiness in Imperfection
Dear Oxygen readers, The Core Team wishes one and all a blessed, peaceful and joyous Christmas filled with God's graces and love. May He continue to light out paths and guide us on our journeys as we come to know Him more. Christmas Day -- Vigil Mass Isa 62:1-5Acts 13:16-17,22-25Mt 1:1-25 …and you will be... Continue Reading →
20 December, Saturday — “Why her and not me?”
20 December Isa 7:10-14Lk 1:26-38 “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Today’s Gospel on the Annunciation was one of the passages we reflected on during the Advent Recollection titled “Hope”, conducted on 30 November at the Church of St Ignatius in Singapore. When the angel... Continue Reading →
19 December, Friday — Empty waiting? Or a time of purification?
19 December Jgs 13:2-7,24-25Lk 1:5-25 “How can I be sure of this?” My most recent encounter with today's Gospel passage was during an Advent Recollection titled “Hope”, on 30 November at the Church of St Ignatius in Singapore. As we reflected on the story of Advent, I found myself listening to this Gospel not just... Continue Reading →
13 December, Saturday — “Come back to me…”
Dec 13 – Memorial for St. Lucy, virgin, martyr St. Lucy (c. 283) was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family, and vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years, she managed... Continue Reading →
12 December, Friday — The Book of Love
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 →
9 December, Tuesday — Saved by our God of Love
Dec 9 – Memorial for St. Juan Diego, hermit, layman John (1474-1548) was born an impoverished free man in a strongly class-conscious society. He was a farm worker, a field labourer, and a mat maker. He became a married layman with no children. Even as a pagan, he was a mystical and religious man, and... Continue Reading →
3 December, Wednesday — Answering The Call I Almost Walked Away From
Dec 3 – Feast of St. Francis Xavier, presbyter, religious, missionary (Principal Patron of Foreign Missions) St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a nobleman from the Basque region. He studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. He was a friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who convinced... Continue Reading →
2 December, Tuesday — I believe because I have faith
Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 11:1-10Lk 10:21-24 Many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it In today’s gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, said “I bless you, Father, Lord of... Continue Reading →
1 December, Monday — “I believe, Lord.”
Monday of the 1st Week of Advent Isa 4:2-6Mt 8:5-1 “I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this.” Have you watched the Netflix hit series ‘The Chosen’? Set in 1st Century Galilee, the show chronicles the adult life of Jesus. Season 1 was released in April 2019. It starts with... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 