Monday of Week 7 in Ordinary Time Ecc 1:1-10Mk 9:14-29 All wisdom is from the Lord… Today’s first reading reminds us that wisdom is a gift from God, bestowed upon us. I recall various points in my life where I realised I had managed to tide through a difficult circumstance or an obstacle even though... Continue Reading →
19 February, Sunday – Pride, our stumbling block
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Lev 19:1-2,17-181 Cor 3:16-23Mt 5:38-48 “… he must learn to be a fool before he really can be wise…” A few years back, I was troubled by some issues at work, and in the course of these ‘troubles’, I got into a spat with one of my colleagues. Suffice to... Continue Reading →
18 February, Saturday — God is With Us
Saturday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Heb 11:1-7Mk 9:2-17 “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.” Today’s Gospel talks about the Transfiguration. I have wondered what this mystical event was meant for; our Lord, or for the disciples? Although our Lord Jesus was human, He is also God. I wonder what it... Continue Reading →
16 February, Thursday — Life beyond Life
Thursday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Gen 9:1-13Mk 8:27-33 “..the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously…” I have been plagued with inadequacy for as long as I can remember. Thankfully, I have grown in confidence as a man in middle age, and as a Christian. I can safely say that these feelings... Continue Reading →
15 February, Wednesday — Talk is cheap
Wednesday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Gen 8:6-13,20-22Mk 8:22-26 A thanksgiving sacrifice I make to you, O Lord. I feel that God has decoded a mystery to me in the scripture readings today – that there is more than one component to having faith in God. The words of the Responsorial Psalm stuck with... Continue Reading →
13 February, Monday — Faith, Unsullied by Pride
Monday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Gen 4:1-15,25Mk 8:11-13 "God has granted me other offspring... in place of Abel, since Cain has killed him." There are certain seasons in life when we desperately yearn for sweetness and sense-making. In the midst of great disappointments, grave losses and sorrows, we may try our best to... Continue Reading →
12 February, Sunday – Obeying God in this world and the next
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecc 15:16-211 Cor 2:6-10Mt 5:17-37 “If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away...” As Catholics, we often find ourselves existing in two dimensions of reality. On the one hand, we live in an increasingly secularised society that views religion with either suspicion... Continue Reading →
11 February, Saturday — Food For Thought
Saturday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time Gn 3:9-24Mk 8:1-10 “I feel sorry for all these people…” These days, it is not uncommon for eating to become a public event. On YouTube, influencers are constantly posting about their meals while on Netflix, we watch food being prepared and promptly devoured on food shows and documentaries.... Continue Reading →
9 February, Thursday — One Flesh
Thursday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time Gen 2:18-25Mk 7:24-30 "It is not good that the man should be alone." If you’re ‘doing’ Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz and me (and 142 million others!), then on Day 23 you heard “NO ONE BUILDS A CHAIR ON THEIR OWN”. That line really resonated... Continue Reading →
7 February, Tuesday — Honour Thy Father
Tuesday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time Gen 1:20-2:4 Mk 7:1-13 “How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition!” During this season of Chinese New Year, I am usually reminded (by my parents at least) of all the traditions that come with the festivities. For instance, having... Continue Reading →