Jan 22 – Memorial for St. Vincent, deacon and martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa (d. 304) was a friend of St. Valerius of Saragossa in Spain, and served as his deacon. He was imprisoned and tortured in Valencia, some of it by burning on a gridiron, for his faith. He converted the jailor and was finally... Continue Reading →
17 September, Thursday — Measures of Love
Sep 17 – Memorial for St. Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor St. Robert (1542-1621) wrote the most complete work of his day to defend Catholicism against Protestant attack. He also wrote a children’s catechism and a catechism for teachers. As cardinal-priest, he gave most of his money to the poor. At one point he used the... Continue Reading →
13 September, Sunday — The End of the Road
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Ecc 27:33-28:9Rm 14:7-9 Mt 18:21-35 Remember the commandments... As I reflected on today’s readings, I couldn’t help but realise how God was drumming home to me the need to constantly stop and check myself, especially in the area of dealing with my staff. Having had to deal with three resignations... 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 →
9 July, Thursday — Unlimited Mercy
Jul 9 – Memorial for St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and... Continue Reading →
7 July, Tuesday — The compassion of Jesus
Tuesday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 8:4-7,11-13Mt 9:32-37 ...he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. I am so comforted knowing how compassionate Jesus is. This means he will never leave us to suffer alone or be left “without a shepherd”. He is our eternal shepherd... Continue Reading →
15 May, Friday — Love the sinner, but hate the sin
Friday of 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 15:22–31Jn 15:12–17 “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.” There is once a saying -- love the sinner but hate the sin. Someone close to me had deeply hurt me recently by betraying my trust. I had to figure out how best I... Continue Reading →
8 April, Wednesday – When friendships are taken for granted
Wednesday of Holy Week Isa 50:4-9aMt 26:14-25 One of you will betray me. First and foremost, I want to give glory to God. He sees and knows everything! In October last year, we planned and booked our trip to Italy. Who knew back then that life would be turned upside down due to COVID-19? Nonetheless,... Continue Reading →
3 April, Friday – At Your Service
Jeremiah 20:10-13John 10:31-42 At least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father Amid our current pandemic situation, if someone does good deeds, others will comment that it is hypocrisy. If someone shows indifference, others will comment that they... Continue Reading →