St Gregory the Great, Pope and doctor22nd Week in Ordinary Time: Tuesday 3rd September 20191 Thess. 5:1-6,9-11; Ps. 27(26):1,4,13-14; Lk. 4:31-37 (Ps Wk II) In the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warns the believers about the coming of the Day of the Lord. It will come upon them when they least expect it because…
Resurrection and life after death ... awaits all believers in Christ Jesus22nd Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 2nd September 20191 Thess. 4:13-18; Ps. 96(95):1,3,4-5,11-13; Lk. 4:16-30 (Ps Wk II) The Old Testament does not seem to have had any clear doctrine concerning the resurrection of the dead: several Psalms wonder how anyone in the Underworld…
A truly great person is humble.22nd Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 1st September 2019Sir 3:19-21,30-31; Ps. 68(67):4-5,6-7,10-11; Heb. 12:18-19,22-24a; Lk. 14:1.7-14 (Ps Wk II) Pride is an expression of fear and insecurity. Those who are not comfortable with themselves create a lie or illusion for an identity, and they believe in it. An arrogant and…
Use your talents to glorify God21st Week in Ordinary Time: Saturday 31st August 20191 Thess. 4:9-11; Ps. 98(97):1,7-8,9; Mt. 25:14-30 (Ps Wk I) Today’s parable of the three slaves is challenging. At the end, the third slave is thrown into darkness. The first slave, however, is rewarded. So what is the difference between these slaves?…
Be prepared for the Lord's coming... We know not the day or the hour21st Week in Ordinary Time: Friday 30th August 20191 Thess. 4:1-8; Ps. 97(96):1,2,5-6,10,11-12; Mt. 25:1-13 (Ps Wk I) Paul always urged his followers to conduct themselves with holiness in all things, especially human relationships. Our good conduct is an offering we make…
Lord, help me to stand firm in my faith and to always do what is rightThe Passion of St John the Baptist: Thursday 29th August 2019Jer. 1:17-19; Ps. 71(70):1-2,3-4,5-6,15,17; Mk. 6:17-29 (Ps Wk I) Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica to encourage them. The tone of the letter is warm and affectionate. Timothy had…
"Our hearts are restless, O God, until they rest in you"St Augustine, Bishop & Doctor: Wednesday 28th August 20191 Thess. 2:9-13; Ps. 139(138):7-8,9-10,11-12; Mt. 23:27-32 (Ps Wk I) Saint Augustine is rightly regarded as one of the greatest Doctors or teachers of the Western Church. His mother, Saint Monica, whose feast we celebrated yesterday was…
Mary, the perfect disciple of Christ21st Week in Ordinary Time: Tuesday 27th August 20191 Thess. 2:1-8; Ps. 139(138):1-3,4-6; Mt. 23:23-26 (Ps Wk I) Pronouncing a ‘woe’ on someone or some group is an expression of grief at their sorry state and warning of the bad consequences that will follow. In today’s gospel passage, Jesus’ continues…
Lord, deepen my faith in You21st Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 26th August 20191 Th. 1:1-5,8-10; Ps. 150(149):1-2,3-4,5-6,9; Mt. 23:13-22 (Ps Wk I) The opening words of this first letter of St. Paul are almost a summary of what it means to grow in faith and spirituality. They point to the ways to achieve that…
Lord, deepen my relationship with You21st Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 25th August 2019Is. 66:18-21; Ps. 117(116):1,2,; Heb. 12:5-7,11-13; Lk. 13:22-30 (Ps Wk I) Jerusalem was in ruins after the Babylonian captivity. Some Jews had remained, but many had been taken to Babylon. The returning captives were like refugees. The Jews were devastated as there…