Lord, grant me strength and courage. 2nd Week of Advent : Wednesday 11th December 2019Is. 40:25-31; Ps. 103(102):1-2,3-4,8,10; Mt. 11:28-30 (Ps Wk II) Sometimes groups of Christian runners wear T-shirts with Isaiah’s quotation on them. It would be great to run and never grow weary — and eagles’ wings would be a big help. We…
It is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall even come to grief.2nd Week of Advent : Tuesday 10th December 2019Is. 40:1-11; Ps. 96(95):1-2,3,10,11-13; Mt. 18:12-14 (Ps Wk II) As we approach Christmas, the feast of the childhood of God amongst us, the Church in different…
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryImmaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary : Monday 9th December 2019Gen. 3:9-15,20; Ps. 98(97):1,2-4; Eph. 1:3-6,11-12; Lk. 1:26-38 (Ps Wk II) The passage from Ephesians speaks about a moment in time “before the world was made” when God chose us in Christ “to be holy and spotless ……
2nd Sunday of Advent (A)2nd Sunday of Advent (A) : Sunday 8th December 2019Is. 11:1-10; Ps. 72(71):2,7-8,12-13,17; Rom. 15:4-9; Mt. 3:1-12 (Ps Wk II) Today’s scriptures make clear that the only adequate preparation for Christ’s coming is a radical turning away from all complacency. We may not take Christ’s coming and presence for granted. He…
St Ambrose, bishop & doctor - Lord, grant us Your missionary spirit so that we become Your true disciples in mission1st Week of Advent (A) : Saturday 7th December 2019Is. 30:19-21,23-26; Ps. 147(146):1-2,3-4,5-6; Mt. 9:35-10:1,5a,6-8 (Ps Wk I) The images of the ‘Shepherd sheep’ and the ‘harvest’ reflect the discipleship of Jesus which involves mission.…
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?1st Week of Advent (A) : Friday 6th December 2019Is. 29:17-24; Ps. 27(26):1,4,13-14; Mt. 9:27-31 (Ps Wk I) The first reading describes the internal social and moral reform that will take place in Judah when God puts forth His hand once again on the…
Lord, may I do Your will always.1st Week of Advent (A) : Thursday 5th December 2019Is. 26:1-6; Ps. 118(117):1,8-9,19-21,25-27a; Mt. 7:21,24-27 (Ps Wk I) Holiness and righteousness are a source of strength, power, and protection. Isaiah describes a strong, fortified city in which only the righteous may enter. It also requires trust in the Lord,…
Lord, help us to prepare for your coming1st Week of Advent (A) : Wednesday 4th December 2019Is. 25:6-10a; Ps. 23(22):1-3a,3b-4,5,6; Mt. 15:29-37 (Ps Wk I) On human level, Jesus was strongly influenced by Isaiah’s visionary teaching. As the Son of God, Jesus came on earth to save all humanity without distinction of race or colour…
St Francis Xavier, Priest & Patron of Missions and MissionariesFeast of St Francis Xavier, Patron of Missions and Missionaries : Tuesday 3rd December 2019Is 11, 1-10; Ps 71, 1-2. 7-8. 12-13. 17; Lk 10, 21-24. (Psalter proper) The messianic prophecy in today's first reading refers to a future time when there will come a king…
1st Sunday in Advent1st Sunday of Advent (A) : Sunday 1st December 2019Is. 2:15; Ps. 122(121):1-2,4-5,6-7,8-9; Rom. 13:11-14a; Mt. 4:37-44 (Ps Wk I) Swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks — what a beautiful prophecy! Can we imagine a time when there will no longer be war between nations? This is God’s intention and…