Saturday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17Mt 23:1-12 “...do not be guided by what they do...” I was quite an authoritative parent. When my children were very young (they are young adults today), I remember barking instructions, “Do this!”, “Don’t do this!”, “Stop!”, “Go!”. I remember one day telling my kids not to... Continue Reading →
20 August, Sunday – The Unwavering Love of God
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 56:1, 6-7 Rm 11:13-15,29-32 Mt 15:21-28 God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice. The passage in today’s second reading in Romans 11:29 speaks about God’s plan for the Israelites and the Gentiles. However, when we interpret this verse generally, it can be applied to the understanding... Continue Reading →
18 August, Friday — All are God’s Creations
Friday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time Jos 24:1-13Mt 19:3-12 “…the creator from the beginning made them male and female…a man must leave father and mother and cling to his wife. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body…what God has united, man must not divide.” Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is... Continue Reading →
17 August, Thursday — Hypocrisy
Thursday of Week 19 in Ordinary Time Jos 3:7-11,13-17Mt 18:21-19:1 “Änd that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.” Today’s Gospel is about Peter’s famous question to Jesus about forgiveness. He asked our Lord how many times must he forgive his brother if he... Continue Reading →
13 August, Sunday — Trust in God
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19:9,11-13 Rm 9:1-5Mt 14:22-33 'Man of little faith,' he said 'why did you doubt?' Today's world seems to thrive on the desire and need for certainty. There are always booking confirmations to be provided and the need to ensure that everything goes according to a plan. There is an... Continue Reading →
3 August, Thursday — In the Physical Presence of the Divine
Thursday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 40:16-21, 34-38Mt 13:47-53 The tabernacle was set up... When I was young, I was drawn to the tabernacle in the Altar, and in the Adoration Room. The veil added to the mystery, and I wondered what was inside. I remember trying to catch a glimpse every time... Continue Reading →
30 July, Sunday — “Smarty Pants”
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12 Rm 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 “Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil…” Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by King Solomon. The legendary figure that chose wisdom rather than riches or a long life. I remember telling... Continue Reading →
28 July, Friday — Till the Soil Today, Reap Harvests for Generations
Friday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Exo 20:1-17Mt 13:18-23 ...but I show kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. The ground we stand on is always pregnant. The land is always full and rich of history. Layers upon layers of sediments accumulate over millenia to tell the story of... Continue Reading →
27 July, Thursday — Spiritual Blockages
Thursday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Exo 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20bMt 13:10-17 I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand My young son is at a delightful stage in his life now where he excitedly shares about what he learns during Catechism... Continue Reading →
23 July, Sunday — The spirit helps us in our weakness
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 12:13,16-19Rm 8:26-27Mt 13:24-43 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” The Catholic Church proudly proclaims it has been existing for more than 2000 years, with over 1 billion members. From mustard seed beginnings, it has indeed sprouted to the biggest ‘religious tree’ in the world. Yet within... Continue Reading →
