Crosses are not obstacles; they are the means for our salvation22nd Week in Ordinary Time : Sunday 3rd September 2023Jer. 20:7-9; Ps. 62:2-6,8-9; Rom. 12:1-2; Mt. 16:21-27 (Ps. Wk. II) Jesus remarked that Peter was an obstacle in His path because he remonstrated at the words of Jesus that He would suffer and die. The…
We are responsible for our lives and what we do with it21st Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 2nd September 20231 Thess. 4:9-11; Ps. 97:1,7-9; Mt. 25:14-30 (Ps. Wk. I) The Parable of the Talents asks us to be ready for Christ's coming, which involves more than playing it safe and doing little or nothing.…
Each day is a gift; let us treat it as if it were our last21st Week in Ordinary Time : Friday 1st September 20231 Thess. 4:1-8; Ps. 96:1-2b,5-6,10,11-12; Mt. 25:1-13 (Ps. Wk. 1) Leading a life pleasing to God is not all that difficult. We need only imagine that we are in God’s presence –…
Lord, I thank You for the gift of this day21st Week in Ordinary Time : Thursday 31st August 20231 Thess. 3:7-13; Ps. 89:3-4,12-14,17; Mt. 24:42-51 (Ps. Wk. I) It is very difficult to face the challenges of life completely alone. When we are united with others in a bond of love, we are strengthened, and…
Lord, help me to reflect on your life and follow you21st Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 30th August 20231 Thess. 2: 9-13; Ps. 138:7-12; Mt.23:27-32 (Ps. Wk. I) Paul expressed a pastoral and parental concern for the people in the Church at Thessalonica. He reminded them that he had worked to pay his own…
The Passion of St John the Baptist21st Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 29th August 2023Jer. 1:17-19; Ps. 70:1-2,3-4a,5-6ab,15ab and 17; Mk. 6:17-29 (Ps. Wk. I) A strange fact about humans is that we are haunted by both sin and goodness. Herod was an odd mixture. He feared and respected John at the same time.…
St Augustine, bishop & doctor, pray for us21st Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 28th August 20231Thess. 1:1-5,8-10; Ps. 149:1-6,9; Mt. 23:13-22 (Ps. Wk. I) The most convincing proof of the power of the Holy Spirit is how it transforms lives and builds community. Paul was delighted with the Thessalonian community – they had turned…
O Lord, You are my Lord and my God!21st Week in Ordinary Time : Sunday 27th August 2023Is. 22:19-23; Ps. 137:1-3,6,8; Rom. 11:33-36; Mt. 16:13-20 (Ps. Wk. I) Quite often in life, when our opinion is sought, we tend to give an answer that reflects the popular sentiment. We do this for two main reasons.…
Lord, help us to be humble and live in harmony with people and nature20th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 26th August 2023Ruth 2:1-3,8-11; 4:13-17; Ps. 127:1-5; Mt. 23:1-12 (Ps. Wk. IV) “Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled; Anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt.23: 12) Humility is the fruit of our response…
St Joseph Calasanz, priest, pray for us20th Week in Ordinary Time : Friday 25th August 2023Ruth 1:1,3-6,14-16,22; Ps. 145:5-10; Mt. 22:34-40 (Ps. Wk. IV) The passage from the Book of Ruth sets the scene for the story’s main action that will unfold later. A famine disrupts the lives of three widows – Naomi, Ruth and…