Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, July 1, 2022, Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Am 8:4-6, 9-12

Psalm 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131

Mt 9:9-13                                    Full Readings

Saint Junipero Serra

It is the Sick who need a Doctor

Brethren, nobody likes tax-collectors. In the days of Jesus, what made it worse in this case was that they were working for the hated enemy, the Romans. But Jesus positively chose them as his company. He called Matthew to follow him, and then went and had dinner with a group of them. He must have known that they were lonely and worried by their isolation, and wanted to heal them, just as he wants to heal us. So he went out of his way to call the sinners, not even asking them to repent first, but just because they needed him. He wasn’t worried that they were despised or even hated, nor that they were cut off from all the normal practices of religion. What scandalized the ‘people who went to church’ was that Jesus seemed positively to enjoy the company of these dirty sinners. He did the same with Zacchaeus, the chief tax-collector of Jericho, who must have been a rogue. Three times in this gospel Jesus says, ‘What I want is love, not sacrifice’. He didn’t care whether they ‘went to church’ or kept the rules. He must have known that there was good in everyone, if only it is allowed to come to the surface.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, June 30, 2022, Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Amos 7:10-17,

Psalm 19:8.9.10.11,

Matthew 9: 1-8 Full Readings

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

 Your Sins are Forgiven

Today we see Jesus' power not only to forgive sins here on earth but also the power of healing as he heals the paralytic. When the friends of the paralytic brought him to Jesus, Jesus after seeing their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven."(Matthew 9:2b), and then at last said to the paralytic, "Get up and pick up your bed and go off home." (Matthew 9:6b).

Daily Catholic Reflection: June 29, 2022, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles Mass during the Day, Year C

Acts 12: 1- 11,

Ps 34:2-3.4-5.6-7.5-9,

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17- 18,

Matthew 16:13-19 Full Readings

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

 Their Message Goes Out Through All the Earth.

Indeed, their message goes forth through all the earth! Today we celebrate the solemnity of two great apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul. These are arguably the most important and influential men in the Church and the world, Peter our first pope, who was chosen by the Lord to be the leader of the Church and given the task to preach the Gospel especially among the Jewish communities, and Paul, an apostle to the Gentiles, who became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good News to the whole world. In the process of conversion, both apostles experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. They are our ancestors in the faith, the ones who have handed over to us the message of life. What made them great was not their talent, personalities, or intelligence. They were leaders and saints because they cooperated with the Holy Spirit to do the will of the Lord. Today's Gospel passage gives us an early example of Peter's sensitivity to the Spirit. He declared Jesus was the son of God, and Jesus called him “Blessed,” adding, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” We need not have a superior intelligence or a winning personality to become a saint. We will be holy to the degree we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in fulfilling God’s will for our lives.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr, Year C

Amos 3:1-8, 4:11-12,

Psalm 5:5-6,7,8,

Matthew 8:23-27  Full Readings

Saint Irenaeus

Why Are You Afraid? 

Brethren, Jesus ask us today, Why are you afraid? Afraid of the storms of Life? Are you a person of little faith that Jesus will not help you during these storms even if he seems to be sleeping? Don't you know that even if Jesus seems to be sleeping, he will never let you handle challenges and storms of life more than you can endure if you are persevering with faith, trust and confidence in him? All these questions can be drawn and answered from today's Gospel which presents to us Jesus' miraculous calming down of the heavy storm when He was with his Apostles on the boat. Jesus was asleep when the storm attacked the boat, and when He was woken up, He said to the Apostles that they had little faith and then rebuked the storm. We can again ask ourselves these questions: Did Jesus know the storm and left it to attack them? Probably Yes. Then Why? He wouldn't have let the storm attack them, but it was to show that He also has been power over the forces of nature, after a series of healing miracles. Does Jesus then allow storms to come into our lives too? Is there anything we can learn from the storms of life? Probably the answer to these questions is Yes.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, June 27, 2022, Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Amos 2:6-10,13-16; 

Psalm 50:16-23; 

Mat 8:18-22.            Full Readings

Saint Cyril of Alexandria

The Cost of Following Christ

Beloved brethren, In today's Gospel we hear Jesus saying, “Foxes have holes, birds have nests but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” Jesus went about doing good, he healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and comforted the afflicted. Yet he was homeless and poor, making his home with the wretched of the earth. That was his life and that is the path every believer is called to follow. It is a call to a life of total self-giving and sacrifice; to live for God and for others without counting the cost. And once we say Yes, there is no backing down or turning back, for only cowards do that! How much sacrifice can we make in the service of the Lord? Let's reflect on some aspects from today's Gospel.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, June 25, 2022, Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Year C

Lam 2:2,10-14,18-19; 

Psalm 74:1-7,20-21; 

Luke 2:41-51            Full Readings 

Immaculate Heart of Mary 

The Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Today we celebrate and honor the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as we honored the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. The two go in hand. As we saw yesterday, Jesus' heart represents God's divine love for humanity and is where mercy and Love for humanity flows. The Heart of Mary represents and is the perfect model of responding to God's love as human beings. In responding to God's love, Mary accepted to carry the Child Jesus in her womb, gave birth to Him, raised Him and passed through all the pain by receiving a heart piercing message from Simeon, by searching for her lost son in Jerusalem and by seeing her son die on the cross. Mary's experience with Jesus was not easy but she didn't regret and give up.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3

Psalm 119:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40

Mt:7:15-20                                 Full Readings

Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher

You Shall Know Them By Their Fruits

Brethren, the fundamental moral principle is, "Do Good, Avoid evil." This principle covers every aspect of life including our Christianity. All Jesus teachings and commandments summarised by love are all based on doing good, and avoiding evil. And so everyone is supposed to always aim at doing good and avoid any sort of evil. Jesus today emphasises on the prophets and all religious ministers to put doing good at the front and after gives us the principle of knowing if one is doing good or he or she is pretending to be a wolf in a sheep's skin. This way is that we shall know them by their fruits. Jesus said this because he knew many people will come in his name who will be false prophets and these should not lead us astray.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, June 20, 2022, Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

2 Kings 17:5-8.13-15a.18,

Psalm 60:3.4-5.12-14,

Matthew 7: 1-5 Full Readings

Saint Paulinus of Nola

Fraternal Correction

In today's Gospel Jesus  challenges our judgmental attitudes with a stern warning “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you." If we judge with mercy and justice we shall also be judged with mercy and justice and the vice versa is true.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, June 19, 2022, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year C

Gn 14:18-20

Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4

1 Cor 11:23-26

Lk 9:11b-17 Full Readings

Saint Romuald

The Eucharist

Today we remember with gratitude and celebrate Jesus’ gift of his Body and Blood to us; what we Catholics call the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the most fundamental part in the life of a Catholic, a summit of Christian life (CCC 1324), for it is Jesus Himself, whom we receive, eat and drink. To give one’s own body is to give one’s time. To give one’s own blood is to give one’s very life. We might give our body but, when we give our life as well, the gift becomes truly personal. Jesus gives his body and pours out his life for love of us, to transform the world into a new creation. As we receive his body and blood in communion, let us be filled with gratitude for this amazing gift of Jesus, who wants not only to be close to us but to fill our hearts and dwell within the temple of our body, bringing with him his father and the spirit who unites them in love. In imitation, we must pour out ourselves in love for others and transform the world into a community of loving and self-sacrificing persons. What a magnificent gift we have as Catholics!

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, June 18, 2022, Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

2 Chr 24:17-25

Psalm 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34

Mt 6:24-34                                             Full Readings

Venerable Matt Talbot

Do Not Be Worried

Brethren, today, we move on to a new topic in the Sermon in the Mount. After the instructions on generosity and use of money, we move to the more general subject of trust and in confidence in God. Jesus boldly tells us not to worry and be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’  for God knows all what we need. What we are expected of is only to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us. Jesus encourages not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. All these Jesus said in order that we can only put our trust in God, not any other for nobody can serve two masters, he will either hate one or love the other or prefer less one than the other.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, June 17, 2022, Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20

Psalm 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18

Mt 6:19-23                                        Full Readings 

Saint Joseph Cafasso

Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Brethren, as human beings, planning for the future is part of us and in fact one who does not think about the future is half human. In this way, many people invest in many things and store many treasures for themselves to use them in the future or to be used by their children and the following generations. It's tempting to say that most of these investments and preparations for the future are mostly in material things here on earth. Some of us, if we have succeeded to store many treasures here in heaven, we think that is this is the end. However, Jesus in the gospel challenges this, not only to store material things but above all to store ourselves treasure in heaven. Earthly treasures are not everlasting because they pass away, moth and decay destroy them, and thieves break in and steal them. If these are taken away from us, will we still have any hope in life and after life? That's why Jesus tells us to store our treasures in heaven where they will be safe for eternity.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, June 16. 2022, Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Ecclesiasticus 48: 1-15,

Psalm 97: 1-7,

Matthew 6:7-15 Full Readings

Saint John Francis Regis

How to Pray

Brethren, today Jesus warns us about the way we pray and then teaches how to pray. We should not use many words, beat around the bush but we should be direct to the point and Jesus provides us the model of all prayer: "The Lord's Prayer." The Lord's prayer is the most common said and known prayer and a prayer which Jesus Himself gave us. However most of us just pray it for sake without paying attention to what it contains and what it means. The Lord's Prayer prayer starts with the invocation of God as our Father and then divides into halves the Seven petitions. The first three are addressed to God and the last four address human needs. Let us try to look at each one briefly with a reflective mood.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

1 Kings 21: 17-29,

Psalm 51 :3-4.5-6ab.11,

Matthew 5:43-48 Full Readings

Saint Albert Chmielowski

Being Perfect as our Father in Heaven

Today in the Gospel, we are presented with the last of the six contrasts and corrections of Mosaic law in the Sermon on the Mount. Just like the first, this too is about love which is the correction factor in all the six corrections. Jesus again teaches fundamental teachings which may not be easy to embrace by ourselves but only by His divine grace, that is: Loving not only those who love us but also our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This is what makes us unique as Christians and thus making us perfect as our Father in Heaven.

GLOBALISATION AND CHILD UPBRINGING TODAY

 

Globalization and Child Upbringing Today

When we speak of globalization, we mean that everything has been globalised including child upbringing in our families. We can therefore ask ourselves if we can notice any difference between children brought up during those days and the children of today. Today’s child upbringing has been affected by many factors; on top of them is the global world. It has really affected not only children but also the parents who are raising them. These effects are visible and onerous. It has really influenced the knowledge, skills, and forms of learning required of children as cultures are affected by worldwide influences of globalization. Children have many interpretations of these changes for themselves and their future; what then is the future with this outstanding globalization?

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, June 13, 2022, Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church, Year C

 

1 Kings 21 : 1-16,

Psalm, 5:2-3.5-6.7, 

Matthew 5 :38-42        Full Readings

Saint Anthony of Padua     

 Jesus and Non Violence

Today's Gospel presents to us a teaching hard to accept and to live indeed but only if taken literally. Can you imagine someone slapping you on one cheek and you tell him in return, 'Come on, slap this side too?'  Can you also imagine someone taking what belongs to you and instead of claiming it back, you add him more? This is what the Gospel presents to us when Jesus “You have heard how it was said, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.”  Matthew 5:38-39.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, June 12, 2022, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year C

Prv 8:22-31; 

Psalm 8:4-9; 

Rom 5:1-5; 

John 16:12-15 Full Readings 

Blessed Jolenta of Poland 

 One God: Three Persons

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity means three persons but in One God. This is the core of our Faith, without the Trinity, our faith is nothing. The Creed presents these three persons. It starts with "I believe in God the Father Almighty... And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord...I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord..." In this way it presents to us the essence of God, and a firm foundation for our faith.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday June 8, 2022, Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

1 Kings 18:20-39,

Psalm 16: 1 -2a.4.5,

Matthew 5: 17-19 Full Readings

Saint William of York

Fulfilling God's Law

Jesus in today's Gospel says, "Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish but to complete it" (Matthew 5:17). Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it and not even a little stroke will be removed from it until all things have taken place. In this way he responded to the Pharisees and Scribes who used to accuse Him of distorting the Law. Jesus fulfilled the law of God in a perfect way and in its truthfulness and invites us always to imitate him in doing so.

PENTECOST SUNDAY: REFLECTION ON THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS FRUITS

 

THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRITS  (Isaiah 11:2)

HOLY FEAR OF GOD

It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls. With this gift the Christian becomes keenly aware of anything that may hurt his/her relationship with God.  There is a holy “fear” of hurting this relationship and grace is given to avoid these things at all cost.

PIETY

Catholic Reflection: Sunday 5, 2022, Pentecost Sunday Mass during the Day, Year C

Acts 2:1-11,

Psalm 104:1ab.24ac.29bc-30.31and 34,

1 Corinthians 12:3b-7. 12-13, or Rom 8:8-17

John 20: 19-23 or Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26          Full Readings (Vigil, Extended Vigil, Mass During the Day: Pentecost Sunday)

Saint Boniface

God's Gift of the Holy Spirit 

Brethren, today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. Pentecost was a feast day in the Jewish culture. The Jews called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. In the Old Testament, it is mentioned in five places in the first five books — in Exodus 23, Exodus 24, Leviticus 16, Numbers 28, and Deuteronomy 16. It was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest or wheat harvest. It used to take place around mid May 50 days after the First Fruits.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, June 4, 2022, Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter Mass in the Morning, Year C

Acts 28:16-20.30-31,

Psalms 11:4.5,

John 21:20-25 Full Readings

Blessed Angelina of Marsciano

The Beloved Disciple

Brethren, since Easter we have read and reflected on many Gospel passages from the Gospel of John and today we conclude the Gospel. John's Gospel has chronologically presented Jesus forming and preparing His Apostles after resurrection for mission without Him physically, then praying for them, commissioning them as we saw yesterday commissioning Peter and today John presents to us the unnamed beloved disciple who would stay until Jesus comes again but according to the will of Jesus.

LITANY OF THE UGANDA MARTYRS (ENGLISH)

INVOCATIONS TO THE HOLY MARTYRS OF UGANDA

Jesus our Lord and Redeemer: Have Mercy on us

St. Mary Queen of Uganda and Martyrs’ Mother, Pray for us.

St. Charles Lwanga Youth and Catholic Action, Pray for us.

St. Mathias Mulumba ideal chief, meek and most trustful, Pray for us.

St. Joseph Balikuddembe King’s Majordomo, Uganda Protomartyr, Pray for us.

St. Dionysius Ssebuggwaawo modest and zealous for Christ’s faith, Pray for us.

St. Andrew Kaggwa model Catechist and Teacher, Pray for us.

St. Pontianus Ngondwe faithful soldier longing for Martyrdom, Pray for us.

St. Athanasius Bazzekuketta faithful steward of the royal treasury, Pray for us.

St. Noa Mawaggali humble worker and lover of Poverty, Pray for us.

St. Gonzaga Gonza most sympathetical to prisoners and afflicted, Pray for us.

St. James Buuzabalyawo King’s faithful soldier and Instructor, Pray for us.

St. Gyaaviira Musoke shining exemplar of patience and forgiveness, Pray for us.

St. Ambrosius Kibuuka, young man full of joy and charity, Pray for us.

St. Anatolius Kiriggwawajjo humble servant and most pious, Pray for us.

St. Achilles Kiwanuka most odious of superstition for Christ’s love, Pray for us.

St. Kizito child resplendent with purity and Christian joy, Pray for us.

St. Mbaaga Tuzinde who preferred martyrdom to parents’ persuasion,

Pray for us.

St. Mugagga Lubowa King’s young decorator, chaste and honest, Pray for us.

St. Mukasa Kiriwawanvu catechumen privileged with bloody Baptism,

Pray for us.

St. Adolphus Ludigo splendid follower of Christ’s spirit of service Pray for us.

St. Bruno Sserunkuuma Soldier Full example of repentance and temperance,

Pray for us.

St. John Mary Muzeeyi prudent counsellor, full of mercy and compassion,

Pray for us

Holy Martyrs of Uganda most firm and faithful to Christ and his Church,

Pray for us.

LET US PRAY

O Lord Jesus, who wonderfully strengthened the Holy Martyrs of Uganda, Charles Lwanga, Mathias Mulumba and their Companions; and gave them to us as exemplars of Faith, Fortitude, Chastity, Charity and fidelity, grant, we beseech You, that by their intercession the same Virtues may increase in us; and that we may deserve to become propagators of your Faith. You who live and reign world without end. Amen.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, June 3, 2022, Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, Martyrs

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-24,

Psalm 124: 3-5, 7-8,

Matthew 5:1-12 Full Readings

Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions: Uganda Martyrs

See Reflection of ferial today

Dying For Faith

Brethren, today the church celebrates the memorial of the Uganda Martyrs but a feast in Uganda. The Uganda Martyrs are among few African saints who were the first to receive faith in Uganda, got baptised and even died for it under the persecution of Kabaka Mwanga. With their courage and confidence to die for Christ, they planted a seed of faith not only in Uganda but the whole of Africa.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, June 3, 2022, Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, Martyrs

Acts 25: 13-21,

Psalm  103:1-2.11-12.19-20,

John 21: 15-19 Full Readings

Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions

See the Reflection Proper to the Memorial

Do You Love Me?

For a couple of days we have been reflecting on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (John 17) and today the Gospel presents a conversation between Jesus and Peter with a fundamental question "Simon of John, Do you Love Me?...Feed my Sheep." After rising Jesus took a good time to prepare His Apostles for a mission without Him physically, and when it was done he prayed for them in His Priestly Prayer and today, before the Spirit comes, he tells Peter which mission is to be undertaken: feeding the flock of Christ. This was to prepare him for being the Head of the Church which started at Pentecost.