20 January, Tuesday — God loves us, not our traditions. Love is our master, not tradition.
20 Jan – Memorial for St. Fabian, pope and martyr; Memorial for St. Sebastian, martyr Pope St. Fabian (d. 250) was a layman and a farmer. He came into Rome on a day when a new pope was to be elected. A dove flew in and settled on his head. The gathered clergy and laity…
19 January, Monday — Curious, Confident & Courageous
Monday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 15:16-23Mk 2:18-22 “New wine, fresh skins!” In today’s Gospel, Jesus’s words “New wine, fresh skins!” arrive loud and hopeful. They hint at renewal breaking into ordinary time. As the new year began, it was tempting to believe that this was exactly how the year would start…
18 January, Sunday — Agnus Dei
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 49:3,5-61 Cor 1:1-3Jn 1:29-34 “Look, there is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John sees Jesus coming towards him and uses the phrase “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” for the first time. This concept would have been…
17 January, Saturday — Follow or Lead
Jan 17 – Memorial for St. Anthony, abbot Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, St. Anthony (251-356) ensured that his sister completed her education, then sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an…
16 January, Friday — Be Careful What You Ask For
Friday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 8:4-7,10-22Mk 2:1-12 “When that day comes, you will cry out on account of the king you have chosen for yourselves, but on that day God will not answer you.” Just to switch things up, let’s reflect on today’s First Reading instead of the Gospel, as it…
15 January, Thursday — Trust and Approach God with Humility
Thursday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 4:1-11Mk 1:40-45 “If you want to…you can cure me.” As Chinese New Year approaches, I am reminded of the traditions I grew up with — like my father keeping the lights on past 1 am to ‘welcome luck’ into the new year. Looking back, I realise…
14 January, Wednesday — Be still in the presence of the Lord
Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 3:1-10,19-20Jn 10:27 “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Good day, my friends. We are almost at mid-January, and I wonder how this New Year has been for you. December, for many of us, is often a whirlwind — holidays, gatherings, and for me, an endless list…
13 January, Tuesday — Seeing God in the ordinary
13 Jan – Memorial for St. Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) was known as Athanasius of the West. He was born to wealthy polytheistic, pagan nobility. His early life was uneventful as he married, had children (one of whom was St. Abra), and studied on his own. Through…
12 January, Monday — Hannah’s offering
Monday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 1:1-8Mk 1:14-20 “…Why so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” I have always found the story of Hannah in the first reading challenging. How could Hannah have consecrated her son to God just a year after giving birth, especially after enduring the…
11 January, Sunday — Begin Again
11 Jan – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or Theophany, is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West,…
10 January, Saturday — Second Best
Saturday after Epiphany Sunday 1 Jn 5:14-21Jn 3:22-30 “The bride is only for the bridegroom; and yet the bridegroom’s friend, who stands there and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This same joy I feel, and now it is complete.” Imagine this scenario: you put your heart and soul into a mission; you…
9 January, Friday — True Friendship with Jesus
Friday after Epiphany Sunday 1 Jn 5:5-13Lk 5:12-16 “…anyone who does not have the Son does not have life…” The year has just ended, and by way of a reflection round-up, a few close friends and I shared what we were each most grateful for in 2025. My gratitude sharing focused on how transformed I…
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OXYGEN 