Tuesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 1:9-20Mk 1:21-28 ...the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The anniversary of my father’s death happened on 3 Jan. The shadow of his passing has coloured all my Christmases since. I often wonder what he would... Continue Reading →
10 January, Monday — On Family Traditions
Monday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time 1 Sam 1:1-8Mk 1:14-20 “The time has come...and the kingdom of God is close at hand.” In the past, it would be family tradition to go to church for Christmas Mass, then head home for Christmas family dinner. Ours used to be a Catholic family. I wouldn’t exactly... Continue Reading →
27 November, Saturday — Staying Awake
Saturday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time Dan 7:15-27Lk 21:34-36 “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life…Stay awake, praying at all times...” Whether you want to admit it or not, we are creatures of habit. Habit could be a good thing, a virtue; or it... Continue Reading →
26 November, Friday — All Will Pass Away
Friday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time Dan 7:2-14Lk 21:29-33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” We have all heard the saying ‘This too shall pass’. Although it is not a biblical saying, it does relate somewhat to the ideology of the Christian mind. Life, as we... Continue Reading →
20 November, Saturday – Who’s plan is it?
Saturday of Week 33 in Ordinary Time 1 Mac 6:1-13 Lk 20:27-40 …things had not turned out for him as he had planned Do things ever really turn out exactly as we planned? This week, all our first readings are from Maccabees (the two books in the Holy Bible right before Job). The story of a faithful... Continue Reading →
19 November, Friday – What is first and foremost in your daily routine?
Friday of Week 33 in Ordinary Time 1 Mac 4:36-37,52-59Lk 19:45-48 …they rose at dawn and offered a lawful sacrifice... When we rise each morning, we all have a routine – don’t we? It may be a little different on the weekends and holidays, but we have a routine. Our morning ritual -- a variety of things... Continue Reading →
14 November, Sunday – A Little Good, One Day at a Time
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Dn 12:1-3Heb 10:11-14,18Mk 13:24-32 "But as for that day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father." Apocalyptical and end-of-the-world themes are particularly difficult to elucidate and reflect on, as seen in today’s Gospel. It is always open to... Continue Reading →
13 November, Saturday – Faithful I Will Be
Saturday of Week 32 in Ordinary Time Wis 18:14-16;19:6-9Lk 18:1-8 Pray continually and never lose heart Today’s gospel reading brings to mind a few other bible verses — ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ 1 Ths 5:16- 18. ‘Be... Continue Reading →
8 November, Monday — Obedience
Monday of Week 32 in Ordinary Time Wis 1:1-7Lk 17:1-6 “...it would obey you.” How many of us in leadership positions actually have the authority to command others to do our bidding? These days, being a leader has changed from the time when you could issue a directive and it would be followed to the... Continue Reading →
7 November, Sunday — Giving God Your All
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 17:10-16Heb 9:24-28Mk 12:38-44 “...she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.” I know someone who lives by the mantra, “Go big or go home!” (I can almost hear someone else giggling now) She is a woman of means... Continue Reading →