Daily Catholic Reflection: April 1, 2021, Holy Thursday Evening, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Year B

Exodus 12:1-8. 11-14,

Psalm 116: 12- 13,

1 Corinthians 11:23-26,

John 13: 1-15               Full Readings        See also Chrism Mass Reflection

 Saint Hugh of Grenoble

Extra-Ordinary Humility

Brethren, today we start the Easter Triduum, meaning the three days of intense prayer and  commemorating the crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 1, 2021, Holy Thursday, Chrism Mass, Year B

Isaiah 61: 1-3a, 6a, 8b-9

Psalm 89:21-22, 25, 27

Revelation 1:5-8

Luke 4: 16-21                  Full Readings   See also Evening Mass Reflection

Saint Hugh of Grenoble

                                  Special Service to God by Priests

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we celebrate the Chrism Mass which is the time when all the holy oils are blessed and made ready for the use in the diocese. On this day also all priests ordained to serve the Lord in sacred ordination renew their commitment to God and are called to remember the sacred vow and promise they have made before God and their bishops, to obey the laws of the Church and to be dedicated in their works and ministry of the Sacraments to the people of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 31, 2021, Wednesday of Holy Week, Year B

Isaiah 50:4-9a,

Ps 69:8-10.21-22.31,

Matthew 26: 14-25            Full Readings

Saint Stephen of Mar Saba

Never start a conversation with the Devil

Brethren, today we are again presented with the third servant song of Isaiah in the first reading. It has a darker yet more confident tone than the others. Although the song gives a first-person description of how the servant was beaten and abused, here the servant is described both as a teacher and learner who follows the path God places him on without pulling back. Echoing the first song's "a bruised reed he will not break," he sustains the weary with a word. His vindication is left in God's hands. Isaiah 50:4-9 Isaiah 50:4–7 is seen by New Testament commentators to be a Messianic prophecy of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 50:6 is quoted in Handel's "Messiah" of Jesus. There is an allusion in Luke 9:51 to Isaiah 50:7 ("Therefore I have set my face like a flint"), as Jesus "set His face steadfastly" to go to Jerusalem.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 30, 2021, Tuesday of Holy Week, Year B

Isaiah 49: 1-6,

Psalm 71: 1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab,

John 13:21 - 33.36-38)                        Full Reading

Saint Peter Regalado

Betrayal from the Closest Friends

Brethren, from Palm Sunday, we have been reflecting on the four servant songs in the book of Isaiah. Today we reflect on the second song, which is an account of the servant's prenatal calling by God to lead both Israel and the nations. The servant is now portrayed as the prophet of the Lord equipped and called to restore the nation to God. His success will come not by political or military action, but by becoming a light to the gentiles. Ultimately his victory is in God's hands. Isaiah 49:1-6. Isaiah 49:6 is quoted by Simeon in Luke 2:32 concerning the infant Jesus Christ during the time of His mother Mary's purification meaning that the Servant Isaiah was talking about is Jesus Christ himself, and indeed he restored nation of Israel (all people to God), the mysteries we are celebrating in this Holy Week.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 29, 2021, Monday of Holy Week, Year B

Isaiah 42: 1-7,

Psalm 27: 1.2.3.13-14,

John 12.1-11                      Full Readings

Saint Ludovico of Casoria

 Doing Charity to Jesus 

Brethren, as we enter fully into the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ through our observance of this Holy Week and walking with him, let us stop and reflect: where has Jesus done great wonders in my life, and how have I really shown gratitude to him? Of course the biggest sacrifice is still to come, that's to die for us on the cross, but there are also many things he has done in our lives by which he deserves our gratitude. This is an invitation not to be like Jews who were seeing what Jesus had done as a son of God, but could not be grateful and finally killed him; it's an invitation to be like Mary who anointed Jesus with the most expensive ointment one can ever think of in those days.  Today, let us Reflect on the actions of Mary, Jesus and Judas as presented in the Gospel.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 28, 2021,Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year B

Procession Gospel: Mk 11:1-10

Reading I: Isaiah 50: 4-7

Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Reading II: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel: Mk 14:1—15:47                Full Reading

 Saint Catharine of Bologna

Jesus The Abandoned and crucified Man

The entrance Gospel above shows Jesus asking for a colt and entering into Jerusalem. What a solemn welcome, what a hail, it was so marvelous from the crowd. It was just four short days before He would be arrested, He was received with great joy.  As He entered, riding a donkey, the crowds spread their cloaks, strewed palm branches before Him and cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Mt. 21:9).  Jesus was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He was given a Kingly welcome.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 27, 2021, Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Year B

Ezekiel 37:21-28,

PSALM Jeremiah 31: 10.11-12ab. 13,

John 11:45-57                                        Full Readings

Lazarus

Jesus died to make us one people: Christians

Brethren, for the whole of this week, the general message was about Jesus as a Son of God, which raised an accusation upon him and which led to his sentence to death. Today's Gospel points out more reasons why Jesus had to be arrested and tried until he was crucified, that is: doing many miracles and gaining popularity, and the fear of the Jews that Romans would destroy their nation because of following Jesus. They thought that Jesus had become a threat. They were worried that people would follow Jesus and incite the Romans to take away their nation. It is further important for us  to start putting our focus on the suffering and death of Jesus.  Holy Week begins this Sunday, so this is the time of year when God wants us to look intently at His Cross.  It’s important to look at it from all angles,  to try to understand what was going on, what Jesus was experiencing, what the disciples were experiencing and even what the Pharisees and high priests were experiencing.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 26, 2021, Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Year B

Jeremiah 20:10-13,

Psalm 18:1-2a. 2bc-3.4-5.6,

John 10:31-42                               Full Readings

Saint Catherine of Genoa

 God is with us till the end.

As we draw closer to Holy Week, and exactly one week to Good Friday, we continue to see the growing hatred toward Jesus.  Just as we saw in yesterday’s reflection, this week's readings point out the most outstanding accusation which was laid upon Jesus, that of calling himself Son of God, but this accusation, to Jesus, makes no sense, he continued his mission despite the fore knowledge of what would happen to him.  To hate Jesus and to desire to stone Him to death is an act of the greatest irrationality.  But this is what happened.  Little by little, those who were against Jesus grew in boldness until that ultimate day came when He laid down His life for us and willingly embraced His death. He fell into their hands when appointed time had come but God was with him till the end.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 25, 2021, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Reading I: Isaiah 7 :10-14; 8: 10, 

Ps 40:7-8a.8b-9.10, 

Reading II: Hebrews 10:4- 10, 

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38             Full Readings 

Annunciation of the Lord 

Mary's Yes (Fiat)

Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of Annunciation of the Lord, exactly nine months before Christmas, when Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a fulfillment of the prophecy in the first reading of today.  The Church gives us this Solemnity today to invite us to walk with Mary over these coming nine months so as to join her in her rejoicing over the birth of her divine Son. God has become man, to live among us and like us except sin, and He is Emmanuel, “God is with us.” God takes the first initiative to come to us, to save us according to his promises. Therefore the sole purpose of Annunciation is for our salvation as Matthew 1.21 puts it clearly that he will be called Jesus meaning that he will save his people from their sins. The Name Jesus therefore means Saviour.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 24, 2021, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Year B

Daniel 3:14-20.24-25.28,

PSALM Daniel 3:29-30.31.33.32.34,

John 8:31-42                                       Full Readings

 Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero

Everyone who commits sin is a slave 

Brethren, most times we think of freedom as being free from slavery and doing whatever one desires. But Jesus in the Gospel today says that if we are stuck in our sins, we are not free but slaves of sin and the only way to be free is to accept the truth, What is this truth? It is Jesus Christ and the truth will set us free.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 23, 2021, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Year B

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 102: 1 -2.15,

John 8:21-30                                 Full Readings 

 Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo

 Power of the Cross

Brethren, today's readings also continue to point us to the Easter Triduum, showing us the reality of what is to happen to Jesus and above all showing us his consciousness of what is going to happen to him. The first Reading presents to us the situation which the Israelites faced in the desert when they spoke and sinned against God and he in turn sent serpents to bite them. It also shows the consequences but also the remedy of Sin. To the Israelites, sin was due to lack of trust in God who saved them from slavery and brought them out to freedom. They would not even conquer the temptation of food but lost patience in God. They spoke against him and thus sinned against him. The Lord sent fiery serpents to bite them because of what they have done. It's only when they recognized their sins, repented and returned to God that the Lord saved them by commanding Moses to make a bronze serpent that whoever was bitten by a snake and looked at it was healed. Could this be these challenging situations with us or not, that the only thing is to return to God in prayer and with a contrite heart so that he may hear our prayer and give us help.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 22, 2021, Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Year B

Reading I: Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, 

Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6, 

Gospel: John 8:1-11       Full Readings

Saint Nicholas Owen

 God Will Fight For You

Brethren, in today's readings we are presented with two parallel stories, the story of the lustful elders, Daniel and the innocent Susanna and the story of Jesus with an adulterous woman. These readings point out the goodness of God's wisdom. God in his own Wisdom, gives right judgments to each and everyone either by himself or through the ones he has chosen to minister to his people. This is the theme of today’s reflection: Don't fear, you who trust in the Lord, for God in his own Wisdom will fight for you. Wisdom is one of the most precious gifts God will ever give a human person, we Remember the great king of Israel, Solomon just asked for wisdom and all things came to him. God does not just have wisdom but instead, himself is Wisdom, therefore if God gives us Wisdom, he has given us himself. That's why the psalm states, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. God's Wisdom does wonders and inspires everyone as seen in the first Reading.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 21, 2021, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B

Jeremiah 31:31-34;

Psalm 51:3-4.12-13.14-15; 

Hebrews 5:7-9; 

John 12:20-33                  Full Readings

Blessed John of Parma

Living in the New Covenant

Brethren, as we approach Holy Week, the readings of this Sunday prepare us and point to us to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ in Easter. In the first reading we see the promise of God’s establishment of the New Covenant to his people which will be written in the hearts of people. Israelites had broken the covenant that God had made with them, for many times, and out of his mercy, the covenant was to be renewed, not, as previously, dependent on the institutions, Law and cult of Israel, but open to every individual, an individual commitment to the Lord, written on human hearts. This meant that there was no need for everyone to teach brother or sister what to do, but everyone from his or her heart would know what to do and one would be judged by his conscience. Though we must still learn from one another and accept the guidance of the Church, the bond is between God and the individual, no longer the race as such. For us Christians, this is ‘the covenant in my blood for the forgiveness of sin’ to which Jesus refers at the Last Supper. He sees it ratified in his blood, as the first covenant was ratified in the blood of animal-sacrifice. The forgiveness it brings is the final forgiveness, pre-echoed in God’s forgiveness of the sin of Israel down the ages.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 20, 2021, Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year B

Jeremiah 11:18-20,

Psalm 7:2-3.9bc-10.11-12,

Gospel: John 7:40-52 Full Readings

 Saint Salvator of Horta                

 Nobody has Ever Spoken Like Jesus

Brethren today's readings continue with theme of rejection, abandonment and passing wrong judgement. Though the time for Jesus to be arrested has not come, these readings point to us the reality that Jesus will be rejected, abandoned even betrayed by his own disciple and then judged and sentenced to death unjustly. They also show us in a way that us as Christians who speak in the name of God will have such experiences and so we have to stand firm in faith until we reach our destiny.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 19, 2021, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading I: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a.12—14a. 16, 

Ps 89:2-3.4-5.27, 

Reading II: Romans 4: 13.16-18.22, 

Gospel: Matthew 1:16.18—21, or Lk 2:41-51a       Full Readings

St. Joseph Husband of Mary 

Joseph, a Man Enchanted by the Dreams of God.

Brethren, what a Great Man, St Joseph is! He was made great not because of any privileges but because of the choices he made in life. Today’s Gospel refers to him as a “righteous man” and as a man who “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Thus, his greatness is primarily on account of his moral righteousness and obedience to the will of God. The first reading proclaims an everlasting kingdom and how God decided to grant it to a “son of David.” The Gospel proclaims the accomplishment of the promise made to David: one of his descendants has fulfilled the words of Nathan beyond all expectations. The second reading speaks of Abraham, the man who placed his trust in God. Like Abraham, Joseph too believed that the dreams of God would be fulfilled. Abraham and Joseph prove that whoever puts their trust in God will never be disappointed.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March, 18 2021, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year B

Exodus 32:7- 14;

Psalm 106:19-20.21-22.23;

John 5:31-47 Full Readings

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

Witnesses to Jesus' Identity and Mission 

Brethren, today we continue our reflection on the identity, person and mission of Jesus, from Sunday up to today. As we have seen, Jesus is a Son of God, who came to earth to give life in fullness to whoever believes in Him (John 3:16) and save us from our sins as the promised Messiah whom God had promised when the first man sinned. However, it was difficult for the Jews to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah and that is why we see many confrontations with Jesus especially when he calls himself Son of God (John 5:18). This did not stop Jesus from fulfilling his mission and he first tells the Jews the relationship between him and God, his father, as we saw in yesterday's gospel. This still was not easy for Jews to understand and in today's Gospel which continues the confrontation of Jesus with the Jewish leaders on the Temple, Jesus points out the witnesses that witness to his divinity and his mission as the saviour of the world. All these were to bring the kingdom of God here on earth but also that all will believe and have life everlasting with God. these witness are:

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 17, 2021, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year B

Is 49:8-15;

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18;

Jn 5:17-30 Full Readings

Saint Patrick, Bishop, Missionary

The Union Between Jesus and His Father

Dear, as we move towards Holy Week and Easter, Jesus is gradually revealing himself of who he is. He does this through his miracles but in today's Gospel he tells the Jews directly about the relationship between and his Father. This means that Jesus called himself the son of God which was the second accusation which led to his death in addition to breaking the law of sabbath. One of the fundamental Christians teachings and the basis of our faith is the Trinity, one God in three persons, each with distinctive roles. In addition to being a redeemer and saviour of the world, Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father, when we see him, we see God, when he is at work, then, it is God who is at work. They work in union with one another and this is what Jesus establishes and tells the Jews in today's Gospel.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 16, 2021, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year B

Ezekiel 47:1— 9.12;

Psalm 46:2-3.5-6.8-9;

John 5: 1 – 16 Full Readings

Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer

Life Flows From Jesus

Brethren, today’s readings speak of the healing power of water. Next to air, water is the other element that living organisms most need to survive and thrive. Human beings, animals and plants cannot go for so long without water before they die. Communities, nations have been known to go to war in order to secure access to water, and many people and animals, as we watch news, are dying of drought because of lack of water. Some of the water shortage is  as a result of human error, and numerous communities across the globe are experiencing water shortage. Humans, animals and plants in those places are threatened with extinction. We may not be able to do much to solve the water problems of the world. But we can at least do all in our power to meet the water needs of those around us – “I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.”

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 15, 2021, Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Year B

Isaiah 65:17-21;

Ps 30:2 and 4.5-6.11-12a and 13b;

John 4:43-54 Full Readings 

Saint Louise de Marillac

 A New Heaven and New Earth

Brethren, today's readings give us hope amidst the world which has totally lost hope, light to the dark world of today, and a way to the world which has lost its way. The Lord in first Reading promises to make a new Heaven and a new  Earth, that is, a new Life. This new life consists of forgetting the past suffering and restoration of Joy and Gladness,  many years of good living and thus no more infant deaths,  no more weeping but rejoicing in the Lord forever and thus peace will reign.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 14, 2021, Fourth Sunday of Lent Year B

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23

Psalm:137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6;

Ephesians 2:4-10;

John 3:14-21 Full Readings

Saint Maximilian

Believe in Jesus to be Saved

Brethren, today’s Sunday is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. It is called so following the first word of the opening antiphon: "Rejoice, Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning, exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast." Laetare means Rejoice and therefore this Sunday is a Sunday of joy. It marks the half of the Lenten season (though strictly speaking, it is on Thursday of the third Sunday of Lent)  and Easter is enticingly near. The vestments worn by the celebrant are rose-colored, not violet. This sunday is also important because it is the day of the second scrutiny in preparation for the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil. Laetare Sunday is paralleled to Gaudete Sunday.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 13, 2021, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

Hosea 6:1-6;

Psalm 51:3-4.18-19.20-21ab;

Luke 18;9-14 Full Readings

Saint Leander of Seville

 God Answers the Humble

Brethren, in today's Gospel, we are presented with the self righteous Pharisee and a sinner who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee boasted of his doing good, while a sinner humbled himself, knowing that he is a sinner, and he went away justified.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

Hosea 14:1-9,

Psalm 81:6c-8a.8bc-9.10—11ab.1 4,

Mark 12:28b-34 Full Readings

Blessed Angela Salawa

 A Call to Conversion and to Love.

Brethren today's readings invite us to metanoia, to change from our sinful nature, and then to love God and our neighbours and doing so means that we are not far from the kingdom of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 11, 2021, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

Jeremiah 7:23-28;

PSALM Psalm95:1-2.6-7abc.7d-9;

Luke 11:14-23 Full Readings

Saint John Ogilvie

 Listening to the Voice of God

Dear brethren, listening is a virtue in itself, for it is only when we listen that we can learn and understand.  Listening to the voice of God keeps us informed, wise and safe.  Rebellious people never listen because they are stubborn.  The Lord rejects those who harden their hearts and rebuff His voice but He blesses those who listen and adhere to His voice.   Today God calls us to believe in Him and to gather with Him. Let us therefore heed the voice of God and lead holy lives as a people. The Jews in the first reading did not heed to the voice of God and what he was telling them and finally their temple was destroyed and many taken to exile. “O that today you would listen to His voice harden not your hearts!

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

Deuteronomy 4:1.5-9;

Psalm 147: 12-13.15-16. 19-20 (R. 12a);

Matthew 5:17-19 Full Readings 

Saint Dominic Savio

 Fulfilling the Law

Brethren, today's first reading and the Gospel talk about the law and its fulfilment. The Law which was given to the Jews was to foster life and to live in communion with God the source of all life, for when we are in God then we have life. Jesus puts it clearly in today's Gospel that he didn't come to abolish this law but to fulfill it, though the scribes and Pharisees were always condemning him for breaking the law. The Pharisees and scribes followed the letter of the law while Jesus, in fulfilling the law, brought and taught the Spirit of the law, that is, law that fosters life and love of God and neighbours.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 9, 2021, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

Daniel 3:2.11-20,

Psalm 25:4-Sab.6 and 7cd.8-9,

Matthew 18:21-35 Full Readings

Saint Frances of Rome

To be Forgiven, You must Forgive

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do” (Colossians 3:13).

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 8, 2021, Monday of the Third Week of Lent, Year B

2Kings 5:1-5;

Psalm 41: 2-3, 42: 3-4;

Luke 4: 24-30 Full Readings

St john of God

 God Uses Any One

Brethren, when you are doing well, and you have won the approval of many people, the expectation is that the people closest to you, your kith and kin, will be among them. According to Jesus in today’s Gospel, that expectation is not always met. As a matter of fact, your own people can be offended by your very success. More often than not, it is because they know you only too well. As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” The lack of recognition by his people did not deter Jesus from carrying on with his mission of salvation. The lack of recognition by people should not stop a disciple of Jesus from doing whatever good he has been sent to do.

Daily Catholic Reflection: March 7, 2021, Third Sunday of Lent Year B

Exodus 20:1-17,  Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11,

1 Corinthians 1:22-25,

John 2:13-25 Full Readings

If first Scrutiny take place today, readings of Year A are used Scrutiny Year A Readings

Saints Perpetua and Felicity

 Cleansing the Temple

Brethren, on this third Sunday of Lent, we are presented with Jesus cleansing the Temple. Today, this temple is us and Jesus longs to cleanse us, so that we become the true temples of the Holy Spirit and of the Trinity at large. It must have been difficult for Jesus to enter the temple and see all that was not as his Father intended it to be. Imagine the chaos as Jesus flipped over tables, brandished a whip, and angrily ordered the money changers to leave. People and animals scattered. As the tables turned over, coins rolled to the ground and people climbed over each other to pick them up. The disciples observed the pandemonium, their mouths probably gaping open. What a mess! But a necessary mess—even a holy mess. This mess was brought about by the love which Jesus had for his Father's house, it was a holy mess, holy anger, holy zeal which we should have in attaining the things of God.