Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday of the First Week of Advent, Year A

Isaiah 11:1-10,

Psalm 72:1-2.7-8.12-13-17,

Luke I 0:2 1-24 Full Readings

Blessed Charles de Foucauld

 Intimacy with the Holy Trinity

Brethren, as we have started Advent let us continue to prepare ourselves day and night for welcoming the Messiah of the world whose birth we shall celebrate on Christmas as a remembrance of Jesus' first  coming on earth. Today he still comes though not in a physical way but in a spiritual way through various ways. To welcome him daily we also need to prepare ourselves to receive him and enjoy his gifts. Today's first reading explains well the Messiah whom we are waiting for, who he is, his nature and what he will do on earth and in our hearts.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 30, 2020, Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle, Year B

Romans 10:9-18,

Psalm 19:2—3, 4—5 (R.5a),

Matthew 4: 18-22 Full Readings

Saint Andrew

 Life Transformation

The time of Advent is not only the time for preparation for the coming of Christ but also a time of transforming our lives. This transformation is only possible by the call and touch of Jesus Christ. St Andrew the Apostle, whose feast we celebrate today, had a life transformation: from a fisherman to a Gospel proclaimer, a fisher of people  and a saint we venerate today.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 29, 2020, First Sunday of Advent, Year B

Isaiah 63:16d-17;64:13b-8,

Ps 80:2ac and 3b. 15-16a.18-19 (R. 4),

1 Corinthians 1:3-9,

Mark 13:33-37 Full Readings

Saint Clement

 Happy New Year

Brethren, today we start the new liturgical year, B. Congratulations for finishing the last Year A, and starting Year B. May the Lord be praised for ever and may this new year become more and more source of spiritual nourishment and growth.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 28, 2020, Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 22:1-7,

Psalm 95: 1-2.3-5.,

Luke 21:34-36 Full Readings

Saint James of the Marche

 And therefore, Stay Awake

Brethren, St John in the first Reading describe magnificently the city where the throne of God and of the Lamb are. The beautiful description arouses the desire to be in that city. The world in which we live today has lost the sense of reverence for God. Technology is deified and worshipped by many in place of God. Many people do not even pray, or even talk of going to church. Many Christians go to church/worship God only when they want something from God. After they get what they seek, they mind their business and leave God out. Those who serve God in Spirit and in Truth are persecuted by religious fanatics in different ways. In the midst of all this evil, one cannot but cry out Maranatha – come! Come Lord Jesus!

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 27, 2020, Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2,

Ps 84:3,4,5-6a,

Luke 21:29-33 Full Readings

Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani

 Coming of the Kingdom of God.

Christianity, like some other religions, strongly believe in life after death. This belief is very consoling and encouraging. It spurs us on to live good and righteous lives. Everything does not end here at our death. After our earthly life, we shall receive the reward due to us at judgement time. God is pure/holy. Hence, if we want to live eternally with God in the “new Jerusalem”. We should believe in the good news and put into practice the commandments of God and the teachings of Christ. Those who do not believe in life after death/resurrection may live carefree lives. Their adage is “Let us eat today for tomorrow we die”. Such people should remember the three last things – death, judgement, heaven or hell. After death comes judgement, then either heaven or hell.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 26, 2020, Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 18: 1-2.21-23; 19:1-3.9a,

Ps  100:1-2.3.4.5,

Luke 21:20-28 Full Readings

Saint Columban

The Coming Back of Christ 

Brethren, let us continue with our reflection on the end of the times, when Jesus, the Son of Man will take his judgement seat and judge between the righteous and the wicked. Where will you and I belong? The church provides us readings pointing to the end of time as the liturgical year is coming to an end, not to instill fear in us but to encourage us to be prepared for that day not to find us unprepared.  Sunday begins Advent and a new liturgical year!  Therefore, as we move closer to the end of this current liturgical year, we continue to turn our eyes to the last and glorious things to come.  Specifically, today we are presented with the glorious return of Jesus “coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”  What’s most interesting and helpful in this particular passage above is the call we are given to enter into His glorious return with our heads raised with much hope and confidence.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 25, 2020, Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Apocalypse 15:1-4,

Psalm 97(98):1-3,7-9,

Luke 21:12-19 Full Readings

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

 The Reality of persecution in Discipleship

Brethren, most people think that becoming a Christian is a bed of roses, that it is enjoying life and freedom, and even many think that when one joins religious life, he or she enjoys forever, for there is nothing that stops him or her to live a good life. But, all these are mere opinions and thoughts of people. The reality is that discipleship or following Christ presupposes persecution.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 24, 2020, Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs, Year A

Revelation 14:14-19,

Psalm 96: 10.11-12.13,

Luke 21: 5-11 Full Readings

Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

 The End of Time

The readings of today my dear brethren talk about the end time. It is because we are approaching the end of the liturgical year. This reminds us that we are pilgrims on earth. Our true home is heaven. So we have to be prepared and not frightened. There are many who predict the end time in our world today. Some even go as far as to say that they are the Christ. History has proved them wrong today. Some even go as far as to say that they are the Christ. History has proved them wrong. Jesus said that there would be wars, calamities and cosmic signs but they are not meant to make us gullible in believing fake men and women who would use the opportunity to confuse us and deprive us of our valuables. We are expected to be alert in faith and good works, doing the will of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 23, 2020, Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 14:1-3.4b-5,

Psalm 24:1-2.3-4ab.5-6,

Luke 21:1-4 Full Readings

Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Saint Clement I,  Saint Columban, Abbot

 Giving out of Love

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus sets the poverty stricken widow as an example of a generous giver. He sees beyond the physical appearance and beyond human calculations. He noted the generosity of the poor widow. She gave all that she had to live on. Others gave out of their super abundance. What she did could only be motivated by deep faith, trust, total reliance and dependence on God. According to mother Teresa of Kolkata, it is when we empty ourselves that God can fill us with an abundance of his blessings. It shows also that the woman in the gospel story is detached from earthly possessions. The more detached we are to worldly possessions, the lighter we are to climb the mountain of the Lord.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 22, 2020, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A

Ezekiel 34: 11-12.15-17,

Psalm 23:1.2a.2b.3.5.6(R.1),

1 Corinthians 15:20-26.28,

Matthew 25:31—46 Full Readings

Saint Cecilia

 Christ, the King of the Universe 

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!  This is the last Sunday of the Church year which means we focus on the final and glorious things to come!  It also means that next Sunday is already the First Sunday of Advent.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 22, 2020, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Year A

Revelation 11 :4-12,

Psalm 114: 1.2.9-10,

Luke 20:27-40 Full Readings

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 In God We are All Alive

In today’s gospel, Jesus outsmarted the Sadducees who put a trap to catch him going wrong. He taught that marriage is not destined to exceed earthly existence. People are transformed when they die. He taught that resurrection is real after this life and that God is the God of the living and not of the dead. Those who live according to the will of God will be rewarded with eternal life. Mary was a disciple par excellence. She loved God and obeyed the laws of God throughout her earthly life. Let us imitate her virtues of deep faith, humility, obedience, surrender to the will of God etc.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 20, 2020, Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 10:8-11, 

Psalm 119:14.24.72.103.111,

Luke 19:45-48 Full Readings

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

 Zeal for the House of God

In today's Gospel, Jesus is full of zeal for his father’s house. He drove out those who made the Temple a den of robbers. The money changers charged extra money. Those selling animals often sold ten times more costly than the normal market prices. He certainly stepped on the toes of all those who benefited from this injustice and legalized robbery and the broad victimization of the poor pilgrims. Even today we turn God’s house into a house of business and a den of robbers rather than a house of prayer. According to the psalmist the law from the mouth of God means more to him than large quantities of silver and gold. This should also be the same for us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November, 19, 2020, Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Reading 1: RV 5:1-10

Responsorial Psalm: PS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B

Gospel: LK 19:41-44                    Full Readings

Saint Agnes of Assisi

 God's Visit

We continue our reflection on the end of time and from the first reading we see that we are saved by the blood of the lamb that brought all people for God and made us a nation of priests and kings to serve God and rule the world. However, brethren, we need to respond to the salvation and the visit that Jesus gave us. This is done through accepting Jesus, follow him and practice what he teaches and commands us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 18, 2020, Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Revelation 4:1-11,

Ps 150:1b-2.3-4.5a,

Luke 19:11-28 Full Readings

Dedication of Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul

 Using Our gifts for the Kingdom

Brethren, in these last weeks of the church's liturgical year, we continue to reflect on the end of time and what's going to take place as we read from the book of Revelation and the gospels which urge us to prepare well for that day. Today's Gospel encourages us to use our talents for the sake of the kingdom.

This parable is obviously developed out of the same material as Matthew’s parable of the talents. The chief differences are that Luke uses a much smaller sum of money, minas instead of talents, a more realistic figure, for Matthew’s talents are an enormous figure. Luke also introduces the complication of the nobleman who unsuccessfully sues for kingship. This is obviously Archelaus, eldest son of King Herod, and ruler of Judaea. He was denied the title of ‘king’ by Rome and eventually deposed for incompetence, he came and murdered around 3000 Jews. But the intrusion is puzzling because it does not seem to contribute anything to the lesson of the parable.

The sense of the parable for Luke must be read off from the introductory sentence, that they were not to think that the Kingdom would come immediately. It is therefore still a part of the instructions for apostles in their work of spreading the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom: they must persevere because they will be judged and rewarded on the basis of their zeal and their efforts. The fact that the wicked servant’s money is given to the most successful therefore seems to be a promise of special reward for special zeal in the apostolate.

This encouragement to the Apostles to be ready for the last day is also our encouragement today. This encouragement is not to instill fear in us for the final day, but to clothe ourselves with Charity, with the fear of the Lord by following what he tells us and using our talents well.

The Gospel today shows us an aspect of the negative meaning of fear. Among the servants who were given the pounds, which can mean out individual talents, one who was given five pounds did business and got more five and the one with two, got two more but the one who got one, because of fear, hid it and did trade with it to get profit. He knew that his master was a demanding person, harvesting where he did not plant and gathering where he did not scatter; and so out of fear he went off and buried the master’s pound in the ground.  

Brethren, this is the negative fear, of which we as Christians should not have in our relationship with God. The fear of God will make us use the talents to serve him and serve our neighbours; that is what he requires of us and at last he will give us our reward of eternal life in the same way the master did to the faithful servants. We have been given many talents from God, let use them for our good and good of others.

Brethren, at last when Jesus comes, there must be something you and I can show to the Lord with pride and gratitude: ‘Look, this is the talent you gave me; I used it well, developed it, served people with it, and here are the fruits of it.’ Reflect today how your fear of God will make you use your talents for the common good, for God does not give us talents and gifts for our individual and selfish desires  but to use them to serve him and all humanity.

Let us Pray

Grant me Lord with the fear of you so that you will always be the master of my life and whatever I do. Help me to make good use of the gifts, talents, time and resources you give for your glory, the good of others and for your kingdom. Amen

Be blessed.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 17, 2020, Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious, Year A

Revelation 3 : 1-6.14-22,

Psalm 115:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5,

Luke 19:1-10 Full Readings

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

 Open Up for Jesus

Brethren, Jesus’ encounter with people is mainly to restore them to life and also to friendship with God. He came to save what was lost. Hence, he does not make any distinction between class, race or religion. All are dear to him. As good by first reading, He stands at the door and knocks. He “enters and shares a meal” with anyone who opens the door and receives him, offering salvation. The psalmist in Psalm 15 enumerates the qualities of a transformed person. These qualities can be attributed to Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus. Personal encounter with Jesus is very important. It brings about the needed transformation and salvation.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 16, 2020, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Tear A

Revelation 1 : 1-4; 2: 1-5 a,

Ps  1:1-2.3.4,

Luke 18:35-43 Full Readings

Saint Margaret of Scotland

 What Do You Want Me to Do for you?

Brethren, we are approaching the end of the liturgical year and the church provides us with readings related to the end of time, calling us for preparation for the end of time, for we never know when the day when the Son of Man is going to come back and sit on his throne to judge the living and the dead. This call for preparation for the coming of the Son of Man is not to instill fear in us but to encourage us to put on the armor of faith, love and to live according to God's will in our lives. With this, we shall be found worthy to enjoy eternity with Christ.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 15, 2020, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20.30-31,

Psalm 128:1-2.3.4-5,

1Thessalonians 5:1-6,

Matthew 25:14-30 Full Readings

Saint Albert the Great

 Fear of God

Brethren, this Sunday’s readings in a way tell us about the fear of God and its benefits. Fear in the Bible does not mean the secular meaning of an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm or being afraid of someone. Rather fear means the respect of God, observing his commandments and living according to his will. God's favour will always be upon such a person as Mary declared in her Magnificat (Luke 1:50) and will lack nothing as Psalm 34:9 tells us (Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing).

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 14, 2020, Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

3 John 5-8,

Psalm 112: lb-2.3-4.5-6,

Luke 18:1-8 Full Readings

Saint Gertrude the Great

 Persistence in Prayer and Faith 

Brethren, we often think of prayer as mere asking, but today's parable in the Gospel encourages us to pester God as the wronged widow pestered the Unjust Judge. The parable of the widow and the judge was told in order to teach perseverance in prayer. People, including Christians, easily give up when their prayers are not given immediate response by God. Some people become bitter, some fainthearted, some even blaspheme and deny God outright. The widow offers an example of insistence and persistence in prayer. In telling this parable Jesus enjoins on us the responsibility of persistently coming to God out of our faith and trust in him. It is not only when we are faced with difficulties and problems that we approach God, but even when things go well.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 13, 2020, Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, Year A

 

2 John 4-9,

Psalm 119: 1.2.10.11.17. I b,

Luke 17:26-37 Full Readings

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

 Be Ready for Final Day 

Brethren, how can we be ready and prepared for the final day? The first Reading gives us how to live prepared for this day, that is to live according to the commandments, which are summarised in love. The commandment of love of God and neighbour is the greatest of all commandments, says St John in today’s first reading. This is the way of Jesus and this is the true manner of living.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 12, 2020, Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr, Year A

Philemon 1: 7-20,

Psalm 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10,

Luke 17:20-25 Full Readings

Saint Josaphat

 The Kingdom of God is Here 

Brethren, What is the Kingdom of God and what does it entail? St Paul says the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Roman 14:17). Therefore, if we live in a just society and render justice in all that we do, we live in righteousness, that's holy life and in joy, peace, love and Harmony with one another, then we are already living in the kingdom of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 11, 2020, Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop, Year A

Titus 3:1-7,

Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6,

Luke 17:11-19 Full Readings

Saint Martin of Tours

 Gratefulness to God.

Brethren, The qualities of good Christian living are enumerated in the first reading: Obedience, openness, peaceable, considerate, gracious to all, not to be slanderous, not to be slaves to various desires and pleasures, not living in malice and envy and not hating one another. And the gospel reading of today teaches the virtues of faith and gratitude. The faith of the lepers healed them. It shows that Jesus has power over every form of disease and that his words are efficacious. Ten lepers were healed but only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus. The only one that returned was a Samaritan. The Samaritans were not regarded well by the Jews. We should not look down on any tribe or race. We should be thankful to God and others for the good we receive every moment.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 10, 2020, Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, Year A

Titus 2.1-8. 11-1,

Ps 37:3-4.18,

Luke 17:7- 10 Full Readings

Saint Leo the Great

 Humble and True Christian Service

In the first reading, the Letter to Titus, St Paul specifies how believers should live the moral life that is worthy of their Christian calling. It can be rightly called “The code of Christian Conduct” for all (Men and women, old and young). It is a call to live devoutly while waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Along the same line of thought, the gospel reading reminds us of the need to carry out our Christian duties even without being reminded of them. We should not expect to be praised for living our Christian life the way we ought to live it.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 9, 2020: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Year A

Reading 1: EZ 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

Responsorial Psalm: 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9

Reading II: 1 COR 3:9C-11, 16-17

Gospel: JN 2:13-22                            Full Readings

Dedication of St. John Lateran

We are the Temples of the Holy Spirit

Today we celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the first church ever known to have been built, and the church of the Pope himself (not St Peter's Basilica).The church operated for about 300 years without any church building. Fanta, the wife of Emperor Constantine, gave her Lateran palace to Pope St Miltiades. Pope St Sylvester consecrated it on 9 November 324 AD. This was the first public consecration of a church. Afterwards, it became the residence of the popes and venue of many ecumenical councils. In the gospel of today, we have the incident of Jesus cleansing the Temple of Jerusalem, however, this temple was his body and so, we should keep our body, holy, pure and cleansed of all sin because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 8, 2020, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

Wisdom 6: 12-16,

Psalm 63:2.3-4.5-6.7-8,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18,

Matthew 25:1 -13 Full Readings

Blessed John Duns Scotus

 The Coming of the Bridegroom

Brethren, the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus, to meet his bride, the church, needs us to be prepared so that when he comes to meet us we are worthy to be married to him eternally to him, savouring his goodness and sweetness forever. This theme runs through today's readings.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 7, 2020, Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Philippians 4:10-19,

Psalm 112:1b-2.5-6.8a,

Luke 16:9-15 Full Readings

Saint Didacus

 Use your Money to Make Friends

St Paul is depicted as showing gratitude to the Philippians for their generosity towards his mission. Missionaries should learn how to be self-sufficient, live in all circumstances – abundance, want, hunger. Those who support missionaries accumulate treasures for themselves in heaven. That is the “profit that accrues to their account.”  *How many Missionaries and Gospel heralds have you helped in any way you can?* Remember the prayers they pray for you as St Paul does will be fulfilled and God will reward you abundantly. The gospel of today calls on us for two things: to use our money to make friends not just selfish desires and secondly, to be faithful in everything no matter how small. Doing little things well, doing ordinary things in an extraordinary manner will fetch us greater things in this life and in the world to come. Since no slave can serve two masters, God’s servants must serve him at every moment and with all their energy. There is no half-measure, part-time and spare-time job in the service of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 6, 2020, Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Philippians 3:17-4:1,

Ps122:1-2,3-4ab, 4cd-5,

Luke 16:1-8 Full Readings

Saint Nicholas Tavelic and Companions

 Acting shrewdly for the Kingdom

Brethren, today's Gospel, if understood literally, may be shocking. After a dishonest servant had mishandled his master's property and then told that he is going to be removed from his job, he reduces the debts of the other servants so that they will welcome him after he had been stripped off his job. The master praised him for acting shrewdly. However, Jesus' last words are quite emotional, that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light. What is the message of this parable?

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 5, 2020, Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Philippians 3 :3-8a,

Psalm 105.2-3.4-5.6-7,

Luke 15: 1-10 Full Readings

Saint Peter Chrysologus

 The Joy for A Repentant Sinner

Today's Gospel presents to us two parables: the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. These parables are all in the context of welcoming sinners, because Jesus told them when the Pharisees asked him why he associates with sinners. These parables pass the same message, that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents, this also presupposes joy in the church here on earth.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 4, 2020, Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop, Year A

Philippians 2: 12-18,

Psalm 27:1.4.13-14,

Luke 14:25-33 Full Readings

Saint Charles Borromeo

 Counting the Coast

Jesus does not pull his punches, and here delivers a series of devastating body-blows to anyone who is looking for easy discipleship. All through this journey up to Jesus’ own death at Jerusalem the cost of discipleship has been a recurrent theme: ‘Let the dead bury their dead’, the Parable of the Rich Fool, ‘From one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded’, ‘Father against son, son against father’, and now ‘Hate father and mother’ and ‘Give up all your possessions’. A certain amount of the vigour of these demands may be attributed to a Semitic mode of expression, ease of superlatives and lack of comparatives, but there is no doubt about the absolute demands made on the disciple. When Jesus made these demands he knew what lay ahead of him, and was only asking his disciples to follow his own course. We must count the cost before beginning to build the tower. Most of us have, of course, already started to build the tower. There is no turning back from the plough, only prayer for courage and loyalty which exceed our own powers.