Oct 22 – Memorial for St. John Paul II Karol Józef Wojtyla was born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. After his ordination to the priesthood and theological studies in Rome, he returned to his homeland and resumed various pastoral and academic tasks. He became first auxiliary bishop and, in 1964, Archbishop of Kraków and took... Continue Reading →
1 September, Thursday – The Anodyne That Eliminates False Guilt
Thursday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time 1 Cor 3:18-23 Lk 5:1-11 “Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man." The gospel today hinged on a common discomfort that humans encounter in the presence of the divine. Peter’s exclamation was wrung from a heart overwhelmed with agonised humility and utter unworthiness. Although he had long... Continue Reading →
9 June, Thursday – Whether they deserve it or not
Jun 9 – Memorial for St. Ephrem of Syria, deacon and Doctor of the Church St. Ephrem (306-373) was baptized at age 18. He helped to evangelize Nisibis, Mesopotamia. He may have attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. He was a deacon and preacher, and had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 363 Nisibis was... Continue Reading →
19 May, Thursday – Saved Through Grace
Thursday of the 5th Week of Eastertide Acts 15:7-21Jn 15:9-11 I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall rebuild it from its ruins and restore it Three years ago, on Easter Sunday, I wrote a reflection on a day of extreme joy at the resurrection of our Lord, that was dampened... Continue Reading →
29 March, Tuesday — Do You Want to Be Well?
Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent Ez 47:1-9,12Jn 5:1-16 "Wherever the river flows... and flowing into the sea, it makes its waters wholesome... they will bear new fruit every month, because this water comes from the sanctuary." Something struck me reading the words spoken by the ill man who laid near the pool of... Continue Reading →
22 March, Tuesday — When You Can’t Forgive
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent Dan 3:25,34-43Mt 18:21-35 Peter went up to Jesus and said, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?” Jesus answered, “Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.” What do you do when you cannot forgive someone who has... Continue Reading →
14 March, Monday – Come Back to Me
Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent Dan 9:4-10Lk 6:36-38 Rescue us for the sake of your name Come back to me with all your heartDon’t let fear keep us apartTrees do bend though straight and tallSo must we to others call Long have I waited forYour coming home to meAnd living deeply our new... Continue Reading →
12 August, Thursday — Seventy-Seven Times
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... Continue Reading →
20 May, Thursday — God’s Love For Us
May 20 – Memorial for St. Bernadine of Siena, Priest St. Bernadine (1381-1444) was a Friar Minor, a priest, an itinerant preacher, and a theological writer. His preaching skills were so great and the conversions so numerous, that he has become associated with all areas of speaking, advertising, public relations, etc. Bernadine’s charismatic preaching filled the... Continue Reading →
9 March, Tuesday — Forgiveness
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Lent Deu 3:25, 34-43Mt 18:21-35 “Lord if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?” These days, I find parenting my two children such a challenge. I am being pulled in all directions and, often – unjustly – my older child suffers for it. He... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 