28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 25:6-10Phil 4:12-14,19-20Mt 22:1-14 There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the same, it was good of you to share in my hardships. In return, my God will fulfil all your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as God only... Continue Reading →
26 September, Tuesday — Faith in action
Sep 26 – Memorial for Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers, physicians who accepted no payment. Their charity brought many to Christ. Although they were tortured during the persecutions of Diocletian, the two suffered no injury. Patron Saint Index Ez 6:7-8,12,14-20Lk 8:19-21 “…those who hear the word of God... Continue Reading →
22 September, Friday — On Competition
Friday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time 1 Tim 6:2-12Lk 8:1-3 “Compete well for the faith.” I live in Singapore, where the people are well-known for their ‘kiasu’ attitude, or loosely defined as “scared to lose”. In a way, I suppose, it has served the country well -- despite being a small ‘red dot’ on... Continue Reading →
18 September, Monday — Give the word, and I shall be healed.
Monday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time 1 Tim 2:1-8Lk 7:1-10 ...he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. Healing takes time. And healing takes place in many ways, through many channels. Many of these would be beyond our imagination. How many of us deeply believe that God wants to... 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 →
24 August, Thursday — End of the world revelations?
Aug 24 – Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He was probably a close friend of St. Philip, as his name is always mentioned in the gospels in connection with Philip, and it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. He may have written a gospel, now lost, as... Continue Reading →
9 August, Wednesday — Truly Great Faith
Aug 9 – Memorial for St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr After witnessing the strength of faith of Catholic friends, Teresa (1891-1942), originally a Jew, became interested in Catholicism and studied a catechism on her own, and she eventually ended up ‘reading herself into’ the Faith. She became a Carmelite nun, teaching... Continue Reading →
3 July, Monday – A Skeptical Mindset Can Be Valuable
Jul 3 – Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Thomas (d. 72) was ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem, but he is best remembered for doubting the Resurrection until allowed to touch Christ’s wounds. He preached in Parthia, Persia and India, though he was so reluctant to start the mission that he... Continue Reading →
2 June, Friday — Have Faith in God
Jun 2 – Memorial for Sts Marcellinus & Peter Saints Marcellinus and Peter (sometimes called Petrus Exorcista - Peter the Exorcist; Italian: Marcellino e Pietro) are venerated within the Catholic Church as martyrs who were beheaded. Hagiographies place them in 4th century Rome. They are generally represented as men in middle age, with tonsures and palms of martyrdom; sometimes they hold a crown each. - Wikipedia Ecc 44:1,9-13Mk... Continue Reading →
18 May, Thursday — The Enormity of Faith
18 May -- Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11Eph 1:17-23Mt 28:16-20 “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by His own authority…” I have an irrational aversion towards uncertainty; nobody likes it, but I avoid it like the plague. It is an occupational hazard from the... Continue Reading →