23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Eze 33:7-9Rm 13:8-10Mt 18:15-20 "For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” Today's readings simplify for us how God desires for us to live. And that is, to love your neighbour as yourself. In the second reading, it says, "Avoid getting into debt,... Continue Reading →
7 September, Thursday — I want to join a church ministry
Thursday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time Col 1:9-14Lk 5:1-11 “Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.” August 27 was church ministry recruitment Sunday at our parish – Church of St Francis Xavier. So with violin, guitar and cajon in hand, 8 choir members sang their hearts out. Unable... Continue Reading →
6 September, Wednesday — Called to Mission
Wednesday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time Col 1:1-8Lk 4:38-44 The Good News which has reached you is spreading all over the world and producing the same results as it has among you ever since the day when you heard about God's grace and understood what this really is. One of my favourite candies underwent... Continue Reading →
4 September, Monday — Consoling Thoughts
Monday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 4:13-18Lk 4:16-30 With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another. The first reading of today holds a special place in my life, because it was the commonly used reading whenever I used to serve Mass as an altar server. It always struck me as... Continue Reading →
3 September, Sunday — Constantly reforming our relationship with God
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 20:7-9Rm 12:1-2Mt 16:21-27 Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God, and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is... Continue Reading →
2 September, Saturday — Am I Afraid?
Saturday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 4:9-11 Mt 25:14-30 ...so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. I used to pay very little attention to the servant who hid the talent in the ground. In my mind, I saw him as a disappointment. I would even... Continue Reading →
1 September, Friday — Delayed
Friday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 4:1-8 Mt 25:1-13 The bridegroom was late... In another version of this reading, it was written that the bridegroom was ‘long delayed.’ I personally like this version better (and yes, I have Bibles with both the UK and US versions – all Catholic :)). When you say... Continue Reading →
31 August, Thursday – People Get Ready
Thursday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 3:7-13Mt 24:42-51 "Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming." Today's gospel from Matthew compares two servants. The first one, a diligent and faithful servant that keeps everything in order while awaiting his master's return; and the second one, a cruel... Continue Reading →
30 August, Wednesday – What If I Stumble?
Wednesday of Week 21 in Ordinary Time 1 Ths 2:9-13Mt 23:27-32 "Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You who are like whitewashed tombs that look handsome on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of corruption." Ah, the dreaded H word. It keeps getting thrown around. We probably have... Continue Reading →
27 August, Sunday — The question
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 22:19-23Rm 11:33-36Mt 16:13-20 "But you, who do you say I am?" That indeed, is THE question that we will each answer for ourselves at the time of our death. Our knowing the answer, I believe, oftentimes begins with prayers from our mother. So today as we recognize St. Monica, the mother... Continue Reading →
