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 →
27 February, Saturday — Standing Out, Standing Up
Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent Dt 26:16-19Mt 5:43-48 “You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Today’s gospel readings are an extension of yesterday’s, particularly in its call for us to love our enemies. Indeed, both readings are asking us to forgive our enemies and to love everyone. To illustrate what He... Continue Reading →
26 February, Friday — Loving the Unlovable
Friday of the 1st Week of Lent Ez 18:21-28Mt 5:20-26 Go first and be reconciled with your brother. I have always found today’s gospel passage to be one of the hardest biblical passages to live out. Jesus is telling us that unless we reconcile with those whom we have offended or wronged, we continue to live... Continue Reading →
25 February, Thursday — Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Thursday of the 1st Week of Lent Est 4:17Mt 7:7-12 “...the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.” There’s a verse from an old song by the 90s rock band Guns and Roses that goes: “Mama put my guns in the ground I can’t shoot them anymore That cold black cloud is comin’ down Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s... 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 →
21 February, Sunday — Out with the old, in with Jesus!
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 →
20 February, Saturday – Humble enough to let Him lead
Feb 20 -- Saturday after Ash Wednesday Isa 58:9-14Lk 5:27-32 "Follow me." And leaving everything, he got up and followed him. At the beginning of 2017, I had just concluded my tenure as Co-Chairperson of our parish’s fund raising committee, with the culmination of an event called ’10,000 Reasons’. It was an evening of music... Continue Reading →
19 February, Friday – On Fasting
Feb 19 -- Friday after Ash Wednesday Isa 58:1-9Mt 9:14-15 “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” I recently overheard a conversation between two people about fasting during the Lenten period. They had been debating as to the right way to fast, and what one should abstain from.... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 