Nov 2 – All Souls Day Today we celebrate a feast in commemoration of the faithful departed in purgatory, that is, the faithful departed who have not yet been purified and reached Heaven. After Abbot Odilo of Cluny instituted it in the monasteries of his congregation in 998, other religious orders took up the observance,... Continue Reading →
26 October, Wednesday — Fear and Trembling
Wednesday of Week 30 in Ordinary Time Eph 6: 1-9 Lk 13: 22-30 "Try your best to enter by the narrow door..." In Luke's gospel today, Jesus had some acerbic words to the question of who will be saved. What Jesus said implies that the path to salvation is not going to be an easy one. We know... Continue Reading →
28 March, Monday — Simple Faith, A Faith beyond Crisis
Monday of the 4th Week of Lent Isa 65:17-21Jn 4:43-54 “So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!” It is usually easy to take someone familiar for granted. Whether it be a long time friend, family or relative. It is as the gospel reading tells us today: For Jesus himself testified that... Continue Reading →
4 March, Friday — Sacrifice and Service
Friday after Ash Wednesday Isa 58:1-9Mt 9:14-15 "I am here." Today is the first Friday of the six Fridays of Lent. Day of fasting. Day of sacrifice. In six weeks, it will be Good Friday. On Friday, 15 April, as you look back, what will this Lent look like? Will this be a/the Lent that transforms you? One that you... Continue Reading →
21 January, Friday – Not just the Twelve
21 Jan – Memorial for St. Agnes, virgin and martyr At the age of 12 or 13, St. Agnes was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Minerva (Athena), and when led to the altar, she made the Sign of the Cross. She... Continue Reading →
17 January, Monday — Obedience
17 Jan – Memorial for St. Anthony, abbot Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, St. Anthony (251-356) ensured that his sister completed her education, then sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an empty sepulchre.... Continue Reading →
22 August, Sunday – True Love
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Jos 24:1-2,15-18Eph 5:25-32Jn 6:60-69 …Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her… I remember speaking with a colleague years ago about marriage and we were discussing about the challenges that married couples go through. I cannot remember much of this conversation, but I do remember how it ended. “If it... Continue Reading →
18 October, Sunday — Sacrifice for God
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa 45:1,4-61 Ths 1:1-5Mt 22:15-21 “...give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.” When I was younger, I remember that whenever there was a celebration, my mom or grandmother would set aside food and put it on the altar. They explained to... Continue Reading →
14 July, Tuesday — Cheapened Sacrifice // Prodigious Gift
Jul 14 – Memorial for St. Camillus de Lellis, Priest St. Camillus (1550-1614) used to be a gambling addict. He lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him. Because of a persistent injury, he moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable,... Continue Reading →
24 May, Sunday — 60 Minutes
7th Sunday of Eastertide Acts 1:12-141 Pet 4:13-16Jn 17:1-11 “...the hour has come” Cometh the hour, cometh the man. This is so true of many great men who have walked this earth. In politics, in sport, in art, in situations where a hero was needed. Then we have the unsung heroes -- those who toil,... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 