1st Sunday of Lent Gen 9:8-151 Pet 3:18-22Mk 1:12-15 “That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now…” Recently, a close relative of mine converted to Roman Catholicsm, and I was overjoyed at his entry into the sheepfold with Jesus as our shepherd. Catholic converts often recount in their testimonies about how... Continue Reading →
16 February, Tuesday – Know What Is Enough
Feb 16 -- Tuesday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Gen 6:5-8;7:1-5,10Mk 8:14-21 Are your minds closed? To act on temptation is to entertain the thought of wrong desires, which, when acted upon, will cause oneself to sin. With the accumulation of sins, death will take place in us. As tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, we... Continue Reading →
14 February, Sunday – Ask Without Attitude
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Lev 13:1-2,44-461 Cor 10:31-11:1Mk 1:40-45 If you want to How often do we require the help of someone but are afraid to impose on them? Then we humbly say, ‘Only if you want to’ so the other person does not have to feel obligated nor to agree if it isn’t... Continue Reading →
6 February, Saturday — The Ultimate Call to Divine Mission
Feb 6 – Memorial for Sts. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs (in Japan) St. Paul Miki (1562-1597) was one of the Twenty-six Martyrs of Japan. He was born into a rich family and educated by Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki. He joined the Society of Jesus and preached the gospel for his fellow citizens. The Japanese... Continue Reading →
5 February, Friday — The Ultimate Call to Christian Fidelity
Feb 5 – Memorial for St. Agatha, virgin and martyr We have little reliable information about this martyr who has been honoured since ancient times, and whose name is included in the canon of the Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha (d.250) lived a life consecrated to God. When Decius announced the edicts against Christians,... Continue Reading →
4 February, Thursday — If you want to soar, you must first learn to fly
Thursday of Week 4 in Ordinary Time Heb 12:18-19,21-24Mk 6:7-13 And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff... A few years ago, a talk on demonic possession was conducted at the Catholic Spirituality Centre. I did not register for the talk but when I popped over to have a look-see, it... Continue Reading →
3 February, Wednesday — A Shepherd Smells of His Sheep
Feb 3 – Memorial for St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; Memorial for St. Ansgar, bishop St. Blaise (d. 316) was a physician and Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. He lived in a cave on Mount Argeus. He was a healer of men and animals. According to legend, sick animals would come to him on their own for... Continue Reading →
2 February, Tuesday — Go In Peace
Feb 2 – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord This feast celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts. In many Western liturgical churches, Vespers (or... Continue Reading →
26 January, Tuesday – More than Just You and Me
Jan 26 – Memorial for Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops St. Timothy (d. 97) was the son of a Greek gentile, his mother Eunice was Jewish. He was converted to Christianity by St. Paul around the year 47. He was a partner, assistant and close friend of Paul. He was a missionary as well, and became... Continue Reading →
25 January, Monday — Bite-sized
Jan 25 – Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul St. Paul (3-65) was a Jewish Talmudic student and a Pharisee. He was a tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted Christians as heretical, even assisting at the stoning of St. Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus to arrest another group of... Continue Reading →