Holy Saturday -- Seventh Reading Eze 36:16-17,18-28 “You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors. You shall be my people and I will be your God.” When I read this passage from Ezekiel, it struck me as rather stern and remonstrating in tone, rather similar to the reading before it. Ezekiel was... Continue Reading →
2 Apr, Friday — Death for Life
Good Friday There is no Mass today. The readings are used in the afternoon celebration of the Lord's Passion. Isa 52:13-53:12Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9Jn 18:1-19:42 See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. The fourth song of the servant by the prophet Isaiah opens with such a dazzling and... Continue Reading →
24 March, Wednesday – Trust In The Lord Wholeheartedly
Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent Dan 3:14-20,24-25,28Jn 8:31-42 “Blessed be the God … he has sent his angel to rescue the servants who trusted in him” It is often easy to say, “I trust in the Lord”, when things get difficult. But how many of us really trust in the Lord entirely during such... Continue Reading →
12 March, Friday — The Straight Road
Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent Hos 14:2-10Mk 12:28-34 For the ways the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them... Which one of us would dare to consider ourselves just, especially when we are aware of our shortcomings? It is therefore a good time to ponder, “Who will be walking in... Continue Reading →
11 March, Thursday — Excuses or Excused
Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent Jer 7:23-28Lk 11:14-23 "...and he who does not gather with me scatters." At this point in my life, I feel like I am not gathering anyone and bringing them to the Lord. I must say that I am sometimes torn between my two realities as a result... Continue Reading →
2 March, Tuesday — My Inner Pharisee
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent Isa 1:10,16-20Mt 23:1-12 “...since they do not practice what they preach.”. The Pharisees and scribes have always been held out as the ‘villains’, or at least the negative examples, in the Gospels. Today’s passage is no exception; but Jesus does verify the accuracy of their teachings when He... Continue Reading →
1 March, Monday — The continual struggle to be merciful
Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent Dan 9:4-10Lk 6:36-38 Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Today’s first reading from the book of Daniel is an eloquent prayer for God to forgive his people who have rebelled and sinned against him. I found it a reassuring reminder of our Lord’s infinite mercy for all... Continue Reading →
28 February, Sunday — Seeing the Transfiguration through the eyes of the apostles
2nd Sunday of Lent Gn 22:1-2,9-13,15-18Rom 8:31-34Mk 9:2-10 He did not know what to say, they were so frightened. I had once thought the apostles had been in an extremely fortunate position because they had actually gotten to know Jesus and accompanied Him throughout His all-too-short three years of ministry. What an experience it would... Continue Reading →
24 February, Wednesday — Have faith in God!
Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent Jon 3:1-10 Lk 11:29-32 “The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.” Many atheists argue that God is not around to save people from sufferings, wars and famines, so He does not exist. Yet, I have read many stories where people are saved from... Continue Reading →
23 February, Tuesday — Don’t give up hope in your job hunt!
Feb 23 – Memorial for St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr St. Polycarp (69-155) was an associate of, converted by, and disciple of St. John the Apostle. He was a friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch, and he fought Gnosticism. He was the Bishop of Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey), and was a revered Christian leader during the... Continue Reading →