Easter Wednesday Acts 3:1-10Lk 24:13-35 “…Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognizing him.” Put yourself in the shoes of the two disciples, Cleopas and the unnamed disciple, as they head to Emmaus. This is the third day after Jesus has been crucified. They were probably despondent after... Continue Reading →
9 February, Tuesday — Commandment vs Tradition
Tuesday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time Gen 1:20-2:4Mk 7:1-13 “You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus cited Isaiah: “This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me. The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only... Continue Reading →
8 February, Monday — The Power of Light
8 Feb – Memorial for St. Jerome Emiliani; Memorial for St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin St. Jerome (1481–1537) was born wealthy, the son of Angelo and Eleanor Mauroceni Emiliani. His father died when Jerome was a teenager, and he ran away from home at age 15. After a dissolute youth, he became a soldier in Venice... Continue Reading →
7 February, Sunday — To Pray in Quietude and Solitude
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Job 7:1-4,6-71 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23Mk 1:29-39 “In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.” If you were to ask me what I miss the most during the quarantine periods, one thing comes to mind immediately.... Continue Reading →
19 September, Saturday — Dying to have Life
Sep 19 – Memorial for St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr St. Januarius (d. 305) was arrested on account of his profession of the Christian religion during persecution of Christians. He was cast into the fiery furnace, through which he passed wholly unharmed. On the following day, along with a number of fellow martyrs, he was exposed... Continue Reading →
18 September, Friday — Supporting roles
Friday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 15:12-20Lk 8:1-3 “Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments...” God works in mysterious ways. If... Continue Reading →
17 September, Thursday — Measures of Love
Sep 17 – Memorial for St. Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor St. Robert (1542-1621) wrote the most complete work of his day to defend Catholicism against Protestant attack. He also wrote a children’s catechism and a catechism for teachers. As cardinal-priest, he gave most of his money to the poor. At one point he used the... Continue Reading →
11 July, Saturday — Body and Soul
Jul 11 – Memorial for St. Benedict, abbot, religious founder Born to Roman nobility, Benedict (c. 480–547) was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed at the lack of discipline and lackadaisical attitude of his fellow students. He fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit in... Continue Reading →
10 July, Friday — Sheep among wolves
Friday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 14:2-10Mt 10:16-23 “Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.” Once in a while, the Gospel readings surprise me. Sometimes, I can’t believe what I am reading and cannot fathom why our Lord Jesus... Continue Reading →
9 July, Thursday — Unlimited Mercy
Jul 9 – Memorial for St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and... Continue Reading →
