May 3 – Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles St. Philip was a disciple of St. John the Baptist, and a convert. He was one of the Twelve Apostles, and brought St. Nathanael to Christ. He was a confidant of Jesus. Little is known about him, but scriptural episodes give the impression of a... Continue Reading →
21 April, Friday – The Faith Others Love To Hate
21 Apr – Memorial for St. Anselm, bishop & doctor St. Anselm (1033-1109) was born of Italian nobility. After a childhood devoted to piety and study, he wanted to enter religious life, but his father prevented it, and Anselm became rather worldly for several years. Upon his mother’s death, Anselm argued with his father, fled... Continue Reading →
28 March, Tuesday — Can we open to His Word?
Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent Num 21:4-9Jn 8:21-30 As he was saying this, many came to believe in him. I am a huge fan of good homilies. During the entrance procession, as the priest professes into the church, I tip-toe to see who the Celebrant is. Many, many times, I’ve turned to my... Continue Reading →
12 March, Sunday – An Arrogant Heart Cannot Hear
3rd Sunday of Lent Exo 17:3-7Rm 5:1-2,5-8Jn 5:42 …they put the Lord to the test by saying, ‘Is the Lord with us, or not?’ Isn’t the grumbling of the Israelites against Moses, and chiefly against God, something so familiar today? Grumbling is a rather universal response of having to grow up – being made to... Continue Reading →
1 March, Wednesday — Learning from Jonah and the Ninevites
Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent Jon 3:1-10Lk 11:29–32 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. Today’s first reading is from the book of Jonah, which I find an almost tragicomic story in its description of Jonah’s futile attempts to avoid God’s... Continue Reading →
13 February, Monday — Faith, Unsullied by Pride
Monday of Week 6 in Ordinary Time Gen 4:1-15,25Mk 8:11-13 "God has granted me other offspring... in place of Abel, since Cain has killed him." There are certain seasons in life when we desperately yearn for sweetness and sense-making. In the midst of great disappointments, grave losses and sorrows, we may try our best to... Continue Reading →
22 January, Sunday — Guided by faith
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 8:23-9:31 Cor 1:10-13,17Mt 4:12-23 At once…they followed him. I was extremely blessed to spend 5 days in Medjugorje just after the New Year. We had travelled there via Istanbul and Dubrovnik and I had been craving some peace and quiet, having gone through a tough, challenging year. Having a... Continue Reading →
12 January, Thursday — Faith
Thursday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time Heb 3:7-14Mk 1:40-45 A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: “If you want to,” he said, “you can cure me.” I have been writing for Oxygen for probably ten years or more now. Sometimes, reflections don’t come easily; you’ve really got to dig deep into... Continue Reading →
7 December, Wednesday — Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dec 7 – Memorial for St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church St. Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a... Continue Reading →
23 November, Wednesday – Endurance
Nov 23 – Memorial for St. Clement I, pope, martyr; Memorial for St. Columban, abbot St. Clement (d. 101) was the fourth pope, and an apostolic Father. The Basilica of St. Clement in Rome is one of the earliest parish churches in the city, and is probably built on the site of Clement’s home. He... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 