19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19:4-8Eph 4:30-5:2Jn 6:41-51 “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven” In Chinese culture, it is common to greet one another with the question, “Have you eaten?” in place of “How are you?” It may appear odd for those new to this customary greeting. But... Continue Reading →
3 August, Tuesday — Doubt is a human spirit killer
Tuesday of Week 18 in Ordinary Time Num 12:1-13Mat 14:22-36 Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. “Man of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Doubt is a denting poison to character and will of determination. It is the drive of decay, diminishing the growth of goodwill and trust. Doubt... Continue Reading →
1 August, Sunday — Believing in God overrides obstacles
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Exo 16:2-4,12-15Eph 4:17,20-24Jn 6:24-35 Then they said to him, “What must we do if we are able to do the works that God wants? Jesus gave them this answer, “This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.” Miracles are seen in all works of... Continue Reading →
28 July, Wednesday — Hidden Treasure
Wednesday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 34:29-35Mt 13:44-46 “…the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.” Here’s an interesting parable that Jesus taught about the kingdom of Heaven. Why would Jesus... Continue Reading →
27 July, Tuesday — Shhhhhhhhh!
Tuesday of Week 17 in Ordinary Time Exo 3:7-11;34:5-9,38Mt 13:36-43 “Listen, anyone who has ears!” I marvel at how some people have the amazing ability to ‘tune out’ and only listen/accept what they want to hear when receiving advice or counsel. It is almost as if they are self-censoring ideas and thoughts through their own... Continue Reading →
25 July, Sunday — “Feed me”
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2 Kgs 4:42-44Eph 4:1-6Jn 6:1-15 Bear with one another charitably… I have always found the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 extremely rich in its teaching. What strikes me most is how it was a little boy from whom Jesus took the loaves in order to feed the multitudes.... Continue Reading →
20 July, Tuesday – What are you attached to?
Tuesday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Ex 14:21-15:1Mt 12:46-50 Whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven We can only DO the will of God when we are unattached to all things, including (and especially) our own self. Only in this detachedness are we free to think only of God. Because of this detachedness, Mary... Continue Reading →
19 July, Monday – One More Sign
Monday of Week 16 in Ordinary Time Ex 14:5-18Mt 12:38-42 ...we should like to see a sign from you Sign: an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. So often when I am making a decision, big or small, I pray for God to give... Continue Reading →
18 July, Sunday – Dividing Walls
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 23:1-6Eph 2:13-18Mk 6:30-34 ….and he has broken down the dividing wall In Ephesians today we hear, “…For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility,…” The dividing wall is a metaphor taken from the wall that divided the... Continue Reading →
17 July, Saturday – Humility at Heart
Saturday of Week 15 in Ordinary Time Exo 12:37-42Mt 12:14-21 “Here is my servant who I have chosen…I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.” As ‘cradle Catholics’ (not ready for the grave yet), we know that our Lord gave us two commandments. One is to... Continue Reading →