30 November – Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle Andrew was the first Apostle of Jesus Christ. He was a fisherman by trade, and the brother of Simon Peter. He was a follower of John the Baptist. Andrew went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion. He was a missionary in Asia... Continue Reading →
29 November, Sunday — When was the last time you cried for someone else?
1st Sunday of Advent Isa 63:16-17, 64:1,3-81 Cor 1:3-9Mk 13:33-37 Why, Lord, leave us to stray from your ways and harden our hearts against fearing you? One Saturday morning, I was all alone in Nativity Church, in quiet prayer before a statue of the Sacred Heart. It was a dismal morning -- huge storm clouds were threatening -- and the inside... Continue Reading →
28 November, Saturday — When we watch and pray, God guides us to protection
Saturday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time Apo 22:1-7Lk 21:24-36 “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.” To watch is to be active in observation; it means to be awake in realities of guidance and... Continue Reading →
27 November, Friday — Truth is like God’s word; it resurrects to serve its purpose
Friday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time Apo 20:1-4,11-21:2Luke 21:29-33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” In life, there is no alloy of truth -- it is like God’s word, it cannot die or wither away. The books and letters of the Bible contain God’s words, from the... Continue Reading →
26 November, Thursday — Injustice could attract vengeance; and what comes first are warnings
Thursday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time Apo 18:1-2,21-23;19:1-3,9Lk 21:20-28 “For this is the time of vengeance when all tthat scripture says must be fulfilled.” In many lessons in the Bible, we have seen that vengeance -- God’s anger and punishments that befell the people as a result of sin, rebellion and transgressions -- were... Continue Reading →
25 November, Wednesday — God chooses those to protect and when to do that, His action manifests His might
Nov 25 – Memorial for St. Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr St. Catherine (d. 305) was a noble who was learned in science and oratory. After receiving a vision, she converted to Christianity. At the age of 18, during the persecution of Maximus, she offered to debate the pagan philosophers. Many were converted by her arguments,... Continue Reading →
21 November, Saturday — Our Lady, Our Mother
Nov 21 – Memorial for the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Today, we commemorate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin as a child in the Temple where, according to tradition, she was educated. The feast originated in the Orient probably about the seventh century, and is found in the constitution of Manuel Comnenus (1166)... Continue Reading →
20 November, Friday — Temple of God
Friday of Week 33 in Ordinary Time Apo 10:8-11Lk 19:45-48 “According to scripture,…my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.” This is one of the rare times that Jesus became angry and visibly displayed his anger. Even then, He did not direct His anger at any... Continue Reading →
19 November, Thursday — Missed Opportunity
Thursday of Week 33 in Ordinary Time Apo 5:1-10Lk 19:41-44 “If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace...you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it.” Do you think you are stubborn or obstinate? I know I am. Sometimes extremely so, especially when I think I am... Continue Reading →
18 November, Wednesday — The Weightiness of Talents
Nov 18 – Memorial for the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul The Basilica of St. Peter is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a unique position as one of the holiest sites and as the greatest of all churches of Christendom. It is the burial site of St. Peter, one... Continue Reading →