Tuesday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Eze 28:1-10Mt 19:23-30 “We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?” In contrast to yesterday’s gospel reading, where the wealthy man went away dejected because he could not give up his material wealth to follow Jesus, we have St Peter today asking Jesus... Continue Reading →
17 August, Monday — The goodness we seek
Monday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Eze 24:15-24 Mt 19:16-22 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” There was a rather revealing article recently about the high rate of suicides among Singaporean youth, particularly among those aged between 20 and 29. And in the same week, we had received news of a... Continue Reading →
16 August, Sunday — Revelling in His Joy
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 56:1,6-7Rm 11:13-15,29-32 Mt 15:21-28 I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Amid the current ‘safe reopening’ of our country, we continue to wait in hope that our churches will be able to fully reopen soon. As of now, we are still reliant on an online booking... Continue Reading →
13 August, Thursday — Cancel the Debt
Aug 13 – Memorial for St. Pontian, pope, martyr, and St. Hippolytus, priest, martyr St. Pontian was among the first victims of an anti-Christian new emperor. Rounded up with the antipope Hippolytus, Pontian was deported to the labour mines. While imprisoned, Hippolytus reconciled his differences with Pontian and even ordered his followers to bring themselves back... Continue Reading →
12 August, Wednesday — Care or Cure?
Aug 12 – Memorial for St. Jane Frances de Chantal St. Jane married Baron de Chantal. She restored order in the household, which was on the brink of ruin, and brought back prosperity. During her husband’s absence at the court, or with the army, when reproached for her extremely sober manner of dressing, her reply was:... Continue Reading →
11 August, Tuesday — Pure, trusting, open, sincere, and spontaneous
Aug 11 – Memorial for St. Clare, virgin, religious founder St. Clare (1194-1253) loved music and well-composed sermons. She was humble, merciful, charming, optimistic, and chivalrous. She would get up late at night to tuck in her sisters who’d kicked off their covers. She daily meditated on the Passion. When she learned of the Franciscan martyrs in Morrocco... Continue Reading →
9 August, Sunday — Everything is possible for one who believes
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19: 9,11-13Rm 9:1-5Mt 14:22-33 “Man of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?” Many years ago, the company CEO sent the management team to a 4-day seminar by Anthony Robbins called ‘Unleash the Power Within’. Part of this seminar involved walking on hot coals. They were teaching... Continue Reading →
8 August, Saturday — Seeking faith in the raging seas of doubt
Aug 8 – Memorial for St. Dominic, priest, religious founder Dominic (1170-1221) was born of wealthy Spanish nobility, and was the son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving and prayed at the shrine of St. Dominic of Silos, who had a tradition of patronage of that problem. When she became pregnant, she named the... Continue Reading →
5 August, Wednesday – You Are Worthy
Aug 5 – Memorial for Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centres of the Church. This basilica represents the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her... Continue Reading →
3 August, Monday — Doubt your doubts
Monday of Week 18 in Ordinary Time Jer 28:1-17 Mt 14:22-36 “Man of little faith...why did you doubt?” I find it sad how some people allow negativity to become a pervasive part of their psyche, and live in a constant spiral of issues and seemingly insurmountable challenges. As a result, they end up not making... Continue Reading →