St Maximilian Kolbe, priest & martyr19th Week in Ordinary Time: Wednesday 14th August 2019 Deut. 34:1-12; Ps. 66(65):1-3,5,16-17; Mt. 18:15-20 (Ps Wk III) God takes Moses to the mountain top and lays before him the land which he will give to the people whom Moses had led out of slavery. But Moses himself will stop…
“The Lord himself who will lead you; he will be with you; he will not fail you or desert you.”19th Week in Ordinary Time: Tuesday 13th August 2019Deut. 31:1-8; (R. Ps) Deut. 32:3-4,7,8,9,12; Mt. 18:1-5, 10,12-14 (Ps Wk III) There is a vast difference between the standard used by God and by men in measuring…
Lord, help me to love as You do.19th Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 12th August 2019Wis. 18:6-9; Ps. 33(32):1,12,18-19,20,22; Heb. 11:1-2,8-19; Lk. 12:32-48(35-40) (Ps Wk III) The scripture passage in the first reading describes how Moses calls the people of Israel to a total commitment to God. The key message in Moses’ speech is that…
Faith is the assurance of things unseen. Hebrew 11:119th Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 11th August 2019Wis. 18:6-9; Ps. 33(32):1,12,18-19,20,22; Heb. 11:1-2,8-19; Lk. 12:32-48(35-40) (Ps Wk III) Cynical folks say that faith is silly and is nothing more than unrealistic wishful thinking. Hebrews has a different view: faith is another way of knowing. It is…
Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr18th Week in Ordinary Time: Saturday 10th August 20192 Cor. 9:6-10; Ps. 112(111):1-2,5-6,7-8,9; Jn. 12:24-26 (Ps Wk II) St Lawrence was one of seven deacons of the city of Rome who were martyred for their faith. He was martyred in 238 under the emperor Valerian, along with or just…
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" Mark 8:3618th Week in Ordinary Time: Friday 9th August 2019Deut. 4:32-40; Ps. 77(76):12-13,14-15,16 and 21; Mt. 16:24-28 (Ps Wk II) When we say we are followers of Jesus Christ, does it mean we live life differently? Jesus says, “If…
St Dominic, Priest18th Week in Ordinary Time: Thursday 8th August 2019Num. 20:1-13; Ps. 95(94):1-2,6-7,8-9; Mt. 16:13-23 (Ps Wk II) Is it mere coincidence that it was near Caesarea Philippi, near that was popularly believed to be the entrance to Hell, that Peter receives the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Jesus asks the disciples a…
SS Xystus II, Pope & Comps. Martyrs18th Week in Ordinary Time: Wednesday 7th August 2019Num. 13:1-2,25; 14:1,26-29,34-35; Ps. 106(105):6-7,13-14,21-22,23; Mt. 15:21-28 (Ps Wk II) Today’s Gospel passage reminds us of the importance of faith in the healing process. The faith and wisdom of the Canaanite woman reflects her profound understanding of the implication of the…
Transfiguration of the Lord Transfiguration : Tuesday 6th August 2019Dan. 7:9-10,13-14 or 2 Pt. 1:16-19; Ps. 97(96):1-2,5-6,9; Lk. 9:28-36 (Ps Wk II) “This is my Son, the Chosen One Listen to Him.” This reveals and confirms the identity of Jesus — Son of God. It reminds us of the special link between this Transfiguration episode…
Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary18th Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 5th August 2019Num 11:4-15; Ps. 81(80)12-13,14-15,16-17; Mt. 14:13-21 (or 14:22-36) (Ps Wk II) Many spiritual traditions teach us that craving gets us in trouble. When we crave something, it overrides our prudence, inner peace, and patience. The Israelites had been complaining ever since…