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 →
18 February, Thursday – Choose Life
Feb 18 -- Thursday after Ash Wednesday Deu 30:15-20Lk 9:22-25 Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of the Lord your God... Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” A lot has been said... Continue Reading →
17 February, Wednesday – Reflection, Repentance, Return
Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays). It falls on a different date each year, because it is dependent on the date of Easter; it can occur as early as Feb 4 or as late as Mar 10. Ash Wednesday gets its name from... Continue Reading →
8 April, Wednesday – When friendships are taken for granted
Wednesday of Holy Week Isa 50:4-9aMt 26:14-25 One of you will betray me. First and foremost, I want to give glory to God. He sees and knows everything! In October last year, we planned and booked our trip to Italy. Who knew back then that life would be turned upside down due to COVID-19? Nonetheless,... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 