Dec 21 – Memorial for St. Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was the son of Jacob Canisius, a wealthy burgomeister, and Ægidia van Houweningen, who died shortly after Peter’s birth. He was educated in Cologne, Germany, where he studied art, civil law, and theology. He received a master’s degree... Continue Reading →
20 December, Wednesday — ‘If’ and ‘How’
20 December Is 7:10-14Lk 1:26-38 Mary said to the angel, “But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?” Not possible Gabe, not possible…no way, Jose! Both you and me would conclude that this was some sort of weird dream, or perhaps the outcome of some sort of psychological disorder. Dreaming perhaps? Or... Continue Reading →
19 December, Tuesday — Obeying God’s call to holiness
19 December Jdg 13:2-7,24-25Lk 1:5-25…must drink no wine, no strong drink. If you were to have known or met me pre-COVID, you would have noticed one thing about me – I enjoyed drinking alcohol. In my 20s and 30s (even into my mid 40s), I was well-known to be able to finish off a fair... Continue Reading →
18 December, Monday — Who Is God To You?
18 December Jer 23:5-8Mt 1:18-24 ... a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’. I am writing this while at a silent retreat in the rustic and peaceful grounds of the Cebu Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Jesuit Retreat House. On arrival in the evening of ‘Day Zero’, we were assigned a spiritual director and given a verse to... Continue Reading →
17 December, Sunday — Be the Bearer of Light
3rd Sunday of Advent Isa 61:1-2,10-111 Ths 5:16-24Jn 1:6-8,19-28 He came as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might believe through him. Another Advent season, another year passes. So much has happened, and time has passed by so quickly. Yet as we stand at the close of another... Continue Reading →
16 December, Saturday — Friends as prophets
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent Ecc 48:1-4,9-12Mt 17:10-13Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love In recent years, I have had to attend quite a few funeral wakes of deceased loved ones of friends. There is often a mix of emotions at the venue, but one... Continue Reading →
15 December, Friday — Remaining faithful
Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent Is 48:17-19Mt 11:16-19"Yet Wisdom has been proven right by her actions." There are times where children think that parents are unaware of the struggles they face in their life. Children feel that the advice given is not practical and perhaps, not even relevant to their lives. Yet often... Continue Reading →
14 December, Thursday — Prayer as the centre
Dec 14 – Memorial for St. John of the Cross, priest, religious, doctor of the Church St. John (1675–1726) was born in poverty. He cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina. He became a lay Carmelite brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived stricter than their Rule. He studied at Salamanca. He... Continue Reading →
13 December, Wednesday — Human strength is finite
Dec 13 – Memorial for St. Lucy, virgin, martyr St. Lucy (c. 283) was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family, and vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years, she managed... Continue Reading →
12 December, Tuesday — Consolations, You Are Still His
Dec 12 – Memorial for Our Lady of Guadalupe Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town which grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 