Daily Catholic Reflection: February 01, 2021, Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 11:32-40;

Psalm 31 :20.21.22.23.24;

Mark 5: 1-20 Full Readings

Saint Ansgar

 Jesus Restores us to Life

Brethren, in today's Gospel, we see Jesus restoring life to a man who was possessed by a legion of demons, which had made him very dangerous and frightening so that nobody would even approach him nor could he be united to his family again. Jesus sends away the demons to the pigs and they drowned into the lake while the man regains life and is united with his family. The experience of this man before being healed by Jesus is saddening and some of might have gone through it but Jesus today by his word wants to heal us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 31, 2021, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Psalm 95 : 1-2.6-7abc.7d-9,

I Corinthians 7:32-35,

Mark 1:21b-28 Full Readings

Saint John Bosco

 The Teaching Authority of Jesus

Dear Brethren, in today's first reading, we see the promise of God to the Israelites that he will raise a prophet like Moses from among them. God indeed fulfilled his promise and the Gospels and all the New Testament show that this prophet is Jesus, who is regarded as New Moses and whom we see him teaching with authority in the Gospel today.

Daily Catholic Reflections: January 30, 2021, Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19;

PSALM: Luke  1:69-75;

Mark 4:35-41 Full Readings

Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska

 Faith in the Face of Worldly Storms 

Throughout our lives, we can be assured that at some point we will encounter a storm. Not just a physical storm but a spiritual one. It may come in the form of a tragic event, a deep wound inflicted by another, the effects of our own sin or some other painful experience. And for many people, this will happen more than once.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 29, 2021, Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 10: 32 - 39,

Psalm 37:3-4.5-6.23-24.39-40,

Mark 4:26-34 Full Readings

Servant of God Brother Juniper and St. Joseph Freinademetz

 Making a Difference

Brethren, It is true that the Blood of Jesus saves us.  Yet the readings today tell of our own part in gaining salvation, to make a difference which will aid our salvation. From the first reading, the Christian exposed to danger should be ready to be insulted because of his faith. He accepts insult cheerfully in the hope of the promises it offers. Endurance is very necessary.  It is one’s faith that proves someone righteous. The Christian is not given a timid spirit; rather, we must remain faithful until our salvation is achieved.  We can do this as we are on a mission to spread the kingdom of God. We must play our part while God achieves perfection for us. Our salvation is wrought by God, but not without our own effort.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 28, 2021, Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church, Year B

Hebrews 10: 19-25;

Psalm 24:1-2.3-4ab.3-6;

Mark 4:21 -25 Full Readings

Saint Thomas Aquinas

 Is your Light Shining or Hidden? 

Brethren, in today's Gospel, Jesus says that no one can light up a lamp and put it under the basket, it must be placed on the lamp stand in order to give light to all. He continues to say that nothing hidden will stay hidden, everything will be revealed. Let us therefore, do everything in light so that when our actions are revealed, we are able to enter  into the kingdom of heaven. Let our light shine so that others, seeing our good works, they may give Glory to the Father in heaven.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 27, 2021, Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 10:11-18,

Psalm 110:1.2.3.4,

Mark 4: 1-20 Full readings

Saint Angela Merici

 What Type of Soil Are You?

Brethren, the incomparable and most efficacious nature of Christ’s priesthood is a strong pillar of our faith.  He did what no priest of old could do. Repetition of the sin offering of old shows that what was done in the past was not perfect.  It is only the sacrifice of Christ that achieved eternal perfection and needed no repetition.  In the Sacrifice of the Mass we commemorate what Christ has already finished and need not be repeated.  His sacrifice made the devil a footstool and assured our salvation.  As we come to Jesus in liturgy, let us allow the word we receive to bear good fruit like the good soil portrayed in the gospel. May we work to remove any form of inhibition to yielding of the desired fruit.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 26, 2021, Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

2 Timothy 1: 1-8,

PSALM 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a. 10,

Luke 10:1-9 Full Readings

Saints Timothy and Titus

 Becoming Part of God's Family 

Brethren, today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus who were close associates of Saint Paul in his various missionary journeys. Through his pastoral letters to these two, Saint Paul shows that affirming the lives of his followers and associates usually brings out the best qualities in them. Even the best needs encouragement, renewal, prayer and perseverance. Today’s lesson to all Christians is that each of us should be a source of inspiration to others. The witness of these two saints made them part of the family of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 25, 2021, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

 Acts 22:3-16;

Psalm 117:1.2,

Mark 16:15- 18 Full Readings

Conversion of Saint Paul

From Persecutor to Gospel Proclaimer

The conversion of Saul, the persecutor of the Church, was a turning point for the spreading of the Christian faith all over the Roman Empire. His conversion on the way to Damascus is so significant that it is recounted three times in the Acts of the Apostles. Paul was a tireless missionary and a great theologian, the one who shaped the Christian message, as his letters contained in the New Testament clearly show.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 24, 2021, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday of the Word of God, Year B

Jonah 3: 1-5.10;

Psalm 25:4-5ab.6;

1 Corinthians 7:29-31;

Mark 1:14-20 Full Readings

Saint Francis de Sales

 Answering the Call of Christ 

Brethren, the gospel of today tells us what should characterise our answer to the call of Christ: immediacy, generosity and a determination to change our life. The first reading links up with this not so much through the example of Jonah, but through the example of the people of Nineveh who respond positively when called upon to repent. The second reading stresses that we have very little time at our disposal and we need to use it well. Our life is precious and we cannot run the risk of spoiling it by rejecting Christ when he calls us. We need answer the call of Jesus with immediacy, there is no more time to wait.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 23, 2021, Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Hebrews 9:2-3.11- 14;

Psalm 47 :2-3.6-7.5-9;

Mark 3 :20-21 Full Readings

Saint Marianne Cope

 Full Commitment to God's Work

Brethren, the first begins with a brief allusion to the two courts of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Holy Place with the implements of worship. This the priests entered often enough. But the inner court, the Holy of Holies, was the dwelling of the Name of God. It was so holy that it was entered only once a year, by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. Christ, however, bypassing both of these, entered the eternal sanctuary, carrying not animal blood but his own blood. This is brought out by the tearing of the curtain covering the Holy of Holies in the sanctuary at shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross.  By this, Christ opened the gate to everyone to enter into the holy of holies. His purpose was not to wipe away the external ritual defilements but to restore our inner self. The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice besides animals’ blood, which cleanses on the external. Jesus offers His blood in our Eucharistic sacrifice, cleansing the inner spirit of man.  He continues to be for us that Minister who is ever working in our lives, having no time for Himself. We are to make ourselves available for Jesus to purify us truly and completely, so as to lead us into the highest sanctuary of God.

Catholic Daily Reflection: January 22, 2021, Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

Hebrew 8:6-13,

Psalm 85:5 and  10.11-12.13- 14,

Mark 3:13-19 Full Readings

Saint Vincent of Zaragossa

Called to Be With Jesus and Proclaim the Gospel

Brethren, we continue to reflect on the book of Hebrews which centres mostly on the Priesthood of Christ and how Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. Today it shows us that Christ established a new covenant which replaced the old covenant which God had established with the Israelites at the time of coming out from Egypt. This covenant however was not followed and Israelites disobeyed to God by turning to their own ways. Jesus came to establish a new covenant, the one which was to be written in our hearts forever,  that nobody would be influenced by anybody external not to follow the law of God and abide with him forever.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 21, 2021, Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, Year B

Hebrews 7:25-8:6;

Psalm 40:7-8a.8b;

Mark 3:7-12 Full Readings

Saint Agnes

 The Believing Crowd 

Brethren, in today's Gospel we see that a “great multitude” followed Jesus from Galilee. “Hearing all that he had been doing” impelled them to seek him out and believe in him. Who was this mystery man? Some were intrigued by his words. Many sought physical healings, and Jesus was their last hope. Would they believe that Jesus was more than a prophet, more than a teacher? Would Jesus impress upon them his authority, his majesty, his individual love for each of them? An encounter with Jesus brings with it great promises of abundant grace, spiritual awakening, forgiveness, and more. What did this great multitude experience? Love, healing, compassion, mercy and teaching from Jesus. We can experience the same graces every day when we pray.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 20, 2021, Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 7: 1-3, 15-17;

Psalm 110: 1-4;

Mark 3: 1-6 Full Readings

Saint Sebastian

Sabbath is Made for Man

Brethren, from the first reading, we see that Jesus Christ is the eternal and only priest who is the mediator between God and human beings. The First reading compares Christ and Melchizedek. Melchizedek was both king and priest, which is unique according to the Old Testament traditions. Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” in the Hebrew language. The word Salem means “peace” (the Hebrew word shalom), so that Melchizedek is “king of peace” as well as “king of righteousness.” “Righteousness” and “peace” are often found together in Scripture (Is 32:17; Ps 85:10; Ps 72:7; Jas 3:17–18; Heb 12:10–11).

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 19, 2021, Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 6:10-20;

Psalm 111: 1bc-2.4-5.9;

Mark 2:23-28 Full Readings

Saint Fabian

 Sabbath is Made for Man

Brethren, in God, nothing about us is forgotten, except our sins, through His mercy.  This is why the Book of Hebrews tells us that our good efforts and deeds can never be forgotten.  Our every good deed for God and His Church will be repaid. This is how God repaid Abraham, fulfilling the promises He had made him.  It is not our past good deeds that gives our present blessings but the good deeds we have continued to do in perseverance. The good deeds of David that were sustained gave him and his followers the privilege to eat the meal of the High Priests.  God can waive laws in order to see us saved. We in turn must not be inhumanly strict.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 18, 2021, Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 5 : 1- 10;

Psalm 110: 1.2.3.4;

Mark 2:18-22 Full Readings

Saint Charles of Sezze

 Feasting and Fasting

The first reading of today teaches us that obedience to God’s word brings about acceptance but disobedience brings about rejection. Jesus' obedience to the Father's will made him the high priest and this teaches us that if we want to be great in God's kingdom, we have to follow God's will and obey his commandments. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus) is a cause for rejoicing and celebration. However, when the Lord has ascended and the Church, experiencing the descent of the Holy Spirit and carrying out its mandatory missionary work, will of course need to fast for the graces needed for the tasks ahead. We should therefore pray and fast as Christians to be obedient to God’s word always.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 17, 2021, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

1 Samuel 3:3b -10, 19;

Psalm 40:2 and 4ab.7-Sa.8b-9.10;

1Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20;

John 1:35-42 Full Readings

Saint Anthony of Egypt

 Pointing others to God

Brethren, this Sunday's first and Gospel readings teaches us to always help others to discover God, to always point others to God as we see Eli helping Samuel to recognise and respond to the voice of God when God called him, and also as John points Andrew and his brother Simon Peter to Jesus the Messiah, and also Andrew continues to point his brother Simon to the Messiah, who was named Peter and who became the rock on which the church stands. Brethren, it's our duty that if we have found Jesus we should also point him to others so that we are all saved.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 16, 2021, Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 4: 12-16;

Psalm 19:8.9:10.15;

Mark 2:13- 17 Full Readings

Saint Berard and Companions

 Follow Me

Once again Jesus walked along the sea. The crowds that came to him received teaching, healing, and often a call to mission. So often we can be stuck, sitting still, lost in the world of our own problems. But Christ is never still. He is always coming toward us, seeking us out. Yet, he doesn’t impose himself. He walks along the shore of our life awaiting an invitation from each of us. He wants to bring us wisdom, healing, and a sense of mission and purpose.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 15, 2021, Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11;

Psalm 78:3 and 4bc.6c-7.8 (R. 7b);

Mark 2: 1- 12 Full Readings

Saint Paul the Hermit

 Leading Others to Jesus

Brethren, what are friends for? Many of us will give many and different answers: perhaps for feeling their warmth, to help in financial problems, guidance and counselling, going out with them, texting and calling and many other others. Very few however would give an answer that friends are for leading us to Jesus. Today's Gospel really shows us that true friends are for leading us to Jesus, so that we can receive healing and blessings from him.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 14, 2021, Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 3:7- 14;

Ps 95 :6-7abc.7d and 8-9. 10-11;

Mark 1:40-45 Full Readings

Saint Gregory Nazianzen

 Jesus' Healing Touch 

Brethren, today's first reading shows us that we as Christians are in the journey towards our final destiny and goal which is to be with God in heaven and experience the beatific vision. This journey can be compared  with the exodus, the journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the promised land of milk and honey. However, we see that, in the way, Israelites lost patience, hardened their hearts and tested God and the first reading gives the instance of Meribah, when they tested God and did not trust in his providence. The punishment was that they will never reach the promised and indeed that generation didn't reach.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 13, 2021, Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 2:14-18;

Psalm 105:1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9;

Mark 1:29-39 Full Readings

Saint Hilary of Poitiers

 Jesus the Healer

Brethren, on Christmas day, we celebrated the incarnation of Jesus, God becoming man and being born of the Virgin Mary. Why did God have to become man in all aspects except sin? The first reading sheds light on why Jesus became man, shared the same blood with us and everything except sin. By this, for a little while he was made less than the Angels, but because of his suffering, death and resurrection, God made him  the Lord of all the living and the dead, of all things visible and invisible.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 12, 2021, Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 2:5-12;

Psalm  8:2ab and 5.6-7a.7b-9 (R. cf. 7a);

Mark l: 21b-28 Full Readings

Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys

 The Authority in the Words of Jesus

Dear Brethren, after Jesus chooses the first disciples, he moves on preaching with authority, the authority which has never been seen in the whole of Israel with  any Rabbi. He showed his authority in his words and deeds. Today's Gospel shows the authority of Jesus' word as he commands the devil which possessed a man to get out of him. The devil surprisingly recognises him as the Holy One of God, but this was not a genuine confession but a way of defending itself.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 11, 2021, Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Hebrews 1:1 - 6;

Psalm 97: 1;

Mark 1 : 14-20 Full Readings

Blessed William Carter

 The Kingdom of God is Here

Brethren, the Baptism of Jesus concludes the Christmas season and commences the public ministry of Jesus.  Today we start Ordinary Time. In this period we move with Jesus, pondering and reflecting on his deeds, teachings and on his way of life. At the beginning of this Ordinary Time, we see Jesus proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand, and tells us to repent and believe in the Gospel (Jesus himself). Brethren, the content and preaching of Jesus is the kingdom of God (justice, peace, joy and do forth), and so we have to repent and believe in Jesus, the true Gospel, so that we may live in it. On the other hand, we see Jesus calling his first disciples, forming a new community which will help him in his mission. Jesus cannot do everything by himself, though he is capable, he calls us and invites us today to participate in his mission as he called his disciples. Are we ready to participate in the mission of Jesus as we start this Ordinary Time?

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 10, 2021, The Baptism of the Lord, Year B

Isaiah 55:1-11,

PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4,

1 John 5:1-9,

Mark 1:7-11 Full Readings

Saint Gregory of Nyssa

 The Baptism of Jesus

Brethren, today we celebrate the feast day of the Baptism of Jesus. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the Christmas Season and transitions us into the beginning of Ordinary Time, an invitation to move and act with Jesus in his public ministry. From a Scriptural point of view, this event in Jesus’ life is also a transitional moment from His hidden life in Nazareth to the beginning of His public ministry. As we commemorate this glorious event, it’s important to ponder on some simple yet profound questions: why was Jesus baptized? Recall that John’s baptism was one of repentance, an act by which he invited his followers to turn from sin and to turn to God. But Jesus was sinless, so what was the reason for His Baptism? What is the significance of his baptism to me? What is the invitation to me on this day of Jesus' Baptism?

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 9, 2021, Saturday after Epiphany

1 John 5:14-21;

Psalm 149:1b-2.3;

John 3:22-30 Full Readings

Saint Adrian of Canterbury

 Just a voice pointing to the Messiah

Brethren, today we come to the final gospel reading in this series of epiphany, and we shall end our Christmas time tomorrow as Jesus is being baptised and publicly starts his mission. Today's Gospel is appropriately the final scene in the Gospel of John of the ministry of the Baptist. Once more it is guidance for those who are to be apostles of Jesus, showing the humility of both Jesus and John. John had humility not to call himself a Messiah while he had all the chances to do so and Jesus too had the humility to learn from John and quietly continue his activity, though John was just a voice pointing to the anointed Messiah. We have to learn from the humility of the two and we practice it and from John to always point others to Jesus.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 8, 2021, Friday after Epiphany

 

1 John 5:5-13,

Psalm  147: 12- 13.14-15.19-20,

Luke 5:12-1 6 Full Readings

Saint Angela of Foligno

Jesus' Healing Power

Brethren, from Jesus' Epiphany, we have been reading a series of Gospels pointing us to the mission of Jesus and yesterday we saw him declaring his mission: mission to the lowly of the society. Today's Gospel presents to us Jesus healing the leper, which shows that really Jesus had come for the lowly ones and the abandoned of the society. Lepers were isolated and were not allowed to associate with anybody and even worse was that they were not allowed reach near the Rabbi. Jesus however, shows everyone that he can touch and heal the leper, something which was against the law. He shows his love and compassion for these people.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 7, 2020, Thursday after Epiphany

1 John 4: 19-5:4,

Psalm 72: 1-2.14 and 15cd, 17,

Luke 4:14-22a Full Readings

Saint Raymond of Peñafort

 The Mission of Jesus

Brethren, today's Gospel reveals the mission of Jesus, the true Messiah. Having entered the synagogue in his hometown, Nazareth, he was given the scroll to read and  he read where it was written that the Spirit of God is upon him for he was sent to bring good tidings to the poor, prisoners, abandoned, oppressed and declare the year of peace. This was a declaration of his missions as the messiah. He did not meet the expectations of the political Messiah who was expected by the Jews; Jesus had come for the lowly of the society. We are invited to take part in the mission of Jesus, to show love to the lowly and the looked upon of the society.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 6, 2020, Wednesday after Epiphany

1 Jn 4:11-18;

Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13;

Mk 6:45-52 Full Readings

Saint André Bessette

 Fear Not, Jesus is in Control

Brethren, today's Gospel is about Jesus walking on water and calming down the storms and waves that were rowing the disciples in the boat. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water they thought he was a ghost, but he told them no to be afraid, it's him, Jesus, and then he calmed down the situation.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 5, 2020, Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

1 Jn 4:7-10;

Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8;

Mk 6:34-44 Full Readings

Saint John Neumann

 Love Leads to Charity

Dear, today's first reading talks about the love of God which should be an example for us to imitate in living in love with one another. The Gospel in turn shows us the effect of love and mercy of Jesus Christ on the hungry crowd as he feeds the five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. This shows that the love which God inspires in us leads and must lead to Charity. This is also what Jesus, during his mission, was showing and teaching us: if we claim that we love God, let us live in that love and show that love in action through Charity, to others.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 4, 2020, Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious

1 John 3:22-4:6;

Psalm 2:7-8. 10- 11;

Matthew 4:12- 17.23-25 Full Readings

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Repent, and Believe the Gospel

Brethren, the Celebration of Christmas Octave and Epiphany is over. Jesus being made publicly known marked by the coming of Magi, and John having testified him to be mightier than him, who baptises with the fire and Holy Spirit, today we start reflecting on the mission of Jesus. The mission and content of Jesus' preaching is to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth. This is the good news for us and in this kingdom, everyone (both Gentiles and Jews) is invited and saved from every kind of evil, sin, illness and all that is contrary to the will of God as we see in the Gospel today. However, this requires our response: our response is to repent and believe in the Gospel. The Gospel here is Jesus and the bringer of the Gospel is Jesus. Therefore, we must repent and believe in Jesus so that we may be able to dwell in the kingdom of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: January 3, 2020, The Epiphany of the Lord, Year B

Isaiah 60:1-6, 

Ps 72:1-2.7-8.10-11.12,

Ephesians 3:2-3a.5-6,

Matthews 2:1-12 Full Readings

Most Holy Name of Jesus

The Universal Saviour

Brethren, today we celebrate the epiphany of our Lord Jesus. Epiphany is always celebrated on January 6 or on the first Sunday after January 1. The Epiphany is the time when Jesus ‘went public’, symbolized by the coming of the Wise Men from the East, the first people outside his own sphere to greet him as we see in the Gospel. The coming of the Magi denotes that Christ is the universal saviour not just only for Jews. Christ brings salvation not just to us, to those who come to our church, but to the whole world  to all those grumpy, depressed, selfish, worried, suffering, disadvantaged people we meet in the street, most directly to Christians of every kind, but also to those who have not yet found Jesus.  So we ought to go out into the street and shout for joy to alert people to what is on offer. Probably better to be a bit less crazy about it, and simply show the happiness it has brought to us by sharing our happiness in any generous way we can.