St Cecilia, virgin & martyr, pray for us33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 22nd November 20232 Mac. 7:1,20-31; Ps. 16:1,5-6,8 and 15; Lk. 19:11-28 (Ps. Wk. I) Today’s first reading from the Book of Maccabees gives us much to reflect on. We see the seven sons bravely facing martyrdom to uphold the laws of…
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 21st November 2023Zec. 2:14-17; (R. Ps) Lk. 1:46-55; Mt. 12: 46-50 (Ps. Wk. I) The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a liturgical feast celebrated by the Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox, emphasising the holiness conferred on Mary from…
The key is to have faith in our Lord33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 20th November 20231 Mac. 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64; Ps. 118:53,61,134,150,155,158; Lk. 18:35-43 (Ps. Wk. I) Judea had enjoyed a long period of peace in a land where there were many Gentiles. Some Israelites were envious of the way in which the Gentiles lived…
Our life is a precious gift – let us be a good and faithful servant33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Sunday 19th November 2023Prov. 31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Ps. 127:1-2,3,4-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6; Mt. 25:14-30 (or 25:14-15,19-21) (Ps. Wk. I) Much is said in Proverbs of the capable and good wife. Women would probably have a few things…
Dedication of the Basilicas of SS Peter & Paul32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 18th November 2023Wis. 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Ps. 104:1,2-3,36-37,42-43; Lk. 18:1-8 (Ps. Wk. IV) The passage from the Book of Wisdom recalls the punishment God inflicted on Egypt during the time of Moses. It was a terrible punishment – the death of…
St Elizabeth of Hungary, religious, pray for us32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Friday 17th November 2023Wis. 13:1-9; Ps. 18:2-3,4-5; Lk. 17:26-37 (Ps. Wk. IV) The author of the Book of Wisdom was writing about people who worshipped nature rather than worshipping the Creator. People were amazed by the beauty and power of natural things…
St Margaret of Scotland and St Gertrude, virgin, pray for us32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Thursday 16th November 2023Wis. 7:22—8:1; Ps. 118:89,90,91,130, 135,175; Lk. 17:20-25 (Ps. Wk. IV) Usually, when we go into a dark place, whether in a room or somewhere outside our house, switching on the light or our torch lets us…
St Albert the Great, bishop & doctor, pray for us32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 15th November 2023Wis. 6:1-12; Ps. 81:3-4,6-7; Lk. 17:11-19 (Ps. Wk. IV) Are you someone with authority? Are you a manager, teacher or parent? Today, the Book of Wisdom advises kings, but its message applies to anyone who is a…
Lord, help me be faithful to You at all times32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 14th November 2023Wis. 2:23—3:9; Ps. 33:2-3,16-17,18-19; Lk. 17:7-10 (Ps. Wk. IV) In the first reading, the writer of the Book of Wisdom sets God’s design for the world before us. The expression, “the souls of the virtuous are in…
Sixth World Day of the Poor32nd Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 13th November 2023Wis. 1:1-7; Ps. 138:1-3,4-6,7-8,9-10; Lk. 17:1-6 (Ps. Wk. IV) In today’s Gospel reading, we see how Jesus instructed His disciples on scandals, forgiveness and the power of faith. On ‘scandals’ Jesus warned the disciples that they had to be on their…