1. General Evaluation about the joys and challenges of the year 2022,
· Family
· Health
· Economy
· Education
· Formation
· Friendship
· Social life
· The world in general
· Etc
There have been a lot of challenges and joys which have in these areas
2. Self-Evaluation in the past year:
Num 6:22-27.
Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8.
Gal 4:4-7.
Luke 2:16-21 Full Readings
Brethren, Happy New Year 2022: May the LORD bless us and keep us! May the LORD shine his face upon us and be gracious to us! May the LORD look upon us kindly and give us peace! Especially in this New Year. This a way of blessing as we see in the first readings and let us claim these blessings to enable us to start this new year in the hands of the Lord as we surrender everything. We implore the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God, whose feast we celebrate today, and the newly born and named king, Jesus as we see in today's Gospel. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).
1 John 2:18-21,
Psalm 96: 1-2.11-12.13,
John 1:1-18 Full Readings
Brethren today is the last day of the Year 2022 and on this day let us look back and see how the year has been. How has God been with us in different situations? How has God been a light and a lamp to my steps? Where have I left God aside in my business? What are the many blessing that God has showered upon me this year? Try to see God and his hand in everything and in every situation, you have been through in this year and thank Him. As John says in the first reading, you may also have seen that many antichrists have appeared (1 John 2:18); those who tried to take you away from the light that newborn king brings to the world to the darkness, which Satan and his Angels always seduce all to follow. You may also see that many of us suffered directly or indirectly with many life problems, challenges, misfortunes, losses and every kind of difficulties; indeed, it may have been a very difficult year for many of us.
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21/Col 3:12-17
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 Full Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. The feast is celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, that is, the Sunday between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (both exclusive), or if both Christmas Day and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God are Sundays, on 30 December (always a Friday in such years like the way this is this year). Today let us pray that the holy family may be our model and pray for all broken families that God may mend them, those who have lost their family member or members that God may be their family member and rest the dead in peace, and that all our families may become a holy ground in which everyone is called to be holy.
1 Jn. 2:3-11,
Psalm 96:1-2a.2b-3.5b-6,
Luke 2:22-35 Full Readings
Unless you do not believe in Jesus, God's graciousness and the working of the Holy Spirit, you must be covered with wonder and awe, just as I am, and as Mary and Joseph, concerning the events that happened right away from the annunciation of Jesus, his birth and after his birth. All of us have heard incredible stories of moments in which the Holy Spirit intervened in or directed these events. These events surrounding Jesus' birth are really great events that turned the salvation history around and cause of joy and unending glory and praise to God.
1 John 1:5-2:2,
Psalm124:2-3.4-5.7b-8,
Matthew 2:13-18 Full Readings
Brethren, today we celebrate the feast day of the Holy innocents who were killed by Herod as he sought to kill Jesus whom he saw as a great threat to his kingship. Just because of Jesus' love, he died and saved from our sins, almost the only thing of which babies are capable is love. In considering these babies as martyrs the Church is suggesting that in their love, they offered their lives in place of the life of the baby Jesus. Chromatius (died 406 AD) comments: "In Bethlehem therefore all the babies were slain. These innocents who died then on Christ's behalf became the first martyrs of Christ. David refers to them when he says, 'From the mouths of nursing babies you have perfected praise because of your enemies, that you might bring ruin to the enemy' (Psalm 8:2). ... For in this persecution even tiny infants and nursing babies were killed on Christ's behalf and attained to the consummate praise of martyrs. Meanwhile the wicked king Herod was destroyed, he who had usurped the realm to defend himself against the king of the heavens. Thus it is that those blessed babes have deservedly lasted beyond others. They were the first who were worthy to die on Christ's behalf."(excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 6.2).
1 John 1:1-4.
Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,11-12.
John 20:2-8 Full Readings
Today, we celebrate the feast day of St John the Apostle. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, wrote his Gospel as an eyewitness of the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1,14), and who died and rose for our salvation. Not only did he write one of the four Gospels, but he also wrote various letters that are preserved. The letter we read in the first reading is a perfect example.
Acts 6:8- 10; 7:54-59
Ps 31:3bc-4.6
Matthew 10:17-22 Full Readings
Brethren, Stephen whose feast we celebrate today, a deacon of the early Church, was ready to bear witness to his faith in the Lord. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed the resurrection of Christ and called his people to conversion and faith. The forgiveness that he offered to those who killed him reflects the forgiveness offered by Jesus himself to those who crucified him. The feast of Saint Stephen, known as the proto martyr, the first witness/martyr, reminds us of the high price we pay as we place our faith in the newborn King.
Is 52:7-10.
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.
Heb 1:1-6.
Jn 1:1-18 Full Readings
Happy and Merry Christmas Brethren. Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it, for our Saviour Jesus Christ is born; the Lord has remembered his people and has raised a king amidst us who will rule in righteousness and justice and the light of the world. Let us Rejoice and celebrate.
2 Samuel 7: 1-5.8b-12. 14a.16,
Psalm 89:2-3.4-5.27 and 29
Luke 1:67-79 Full Readings
Brethren, today we come to a conclusion of the story of annunciation, birth, naming of John the Baptist and defining his mission. This story has a divine intervention in the history of salvation as John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the saviour who is being born tomorrow on Christmas day. However, the story also consists of Zechariah being made mute as a result of doubting the message of Angel Gabriel. And yesterday, we saw him speaking again after naming the child, John, as the Angel had commanded him at J0on’s annunciation. In the gospel today we see Zekariah filled with the Holy Spirit and praises God in the well-known Benedictus which is said every morning in the liturgy of hours. This Benedictus not only blesses the Lord but also defines the mission of Jonn.
Malachi 3:1-4; 4:5-6,
Psalm 25:4-5ab.8-9.10 and 14 (R. see Luke 21:28)
Luke 1:57-66 Full Readings
Brethren, the Old Testament prophets foretold the return of the prophet Elijah (Malachi 3:1, and 4:5) who would announce the coming of the Messiah - the Savior and Ruler of the earth. In the first reading, Malachi tells us that God is to prepare people for the coming of the Lord, the Day of the Lord. The day of the Lord in the Bible would be sadness and misery for those who are not prepared. The Good News for us is that God has sent the prophets to prepare us for this day. John the Baptist, best of all prophets, fulfils the role of Elijah, the Messianic prophet, as Jesus confirmed (Matthew 11:13-14). His miraculous birth shows the mercy and favour of God in preparing his people for the coming of its Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from being the percussor of Jesus, there are more similarities and differences between John and Jesus.
Song of Solomon 2:8-14,
Psalm 33:2-3.11-12.20-21,
Luke 1:39-45 Full Readings
Isaiah 7: 10-14,
Psalm 24:1-2.3-4ab.5-6,
Luke 1:26-38 Full Readings
Brethren, the readings of the last Sunday of Advent always turn to Mary, as she waits for her child to be born. Since the beginning of advent, we have seen different personalities who played an important role in the salvation history: the prophets who culminated with the greatest of them, John the Baptist, whom we have taken many days reflecting on him, Saint Joseph, who we were reflecting on last week, Zechariah, Elizabeth and others, and then this last week, we turn to Mary, whose greatest Fiat culminated the salvation history by giving birth to Jesus, the Lord, king and saviour of the world, the Messiah who was to come as promised long ago through the lips of the Holy Prophets. Let's implore Mother Mary to always show us the example in doing the will of God, and let's keep vigil with her as she undergoes labour and finally gives birth to Jesus on Christmas day.
Zephaniah 3:1 -2.9-13,
Ps 34:2-3.6-7.17-15.19,
Matthew 21:28-32. Full Readings
Beloved friends in Christ, today we have a great teaching from the parable of the two sons who were told by their father to go and work on the farm. The first son refused but later changed his mind and went to work on the farm; he hesitated, but proceeded to do everything the father asked. The second one said Yes but didn't go to work on the farm; he gave a fine display of obedience but did nothing. This Gospel teaches us that it is not about those who just say and not do but those who do. It is also never too late, until it is late (final judgment), to change our mind, our attitude, our behavior like the second son, and do what is right. We may have developed certain habits in our lifetime, such as drinking, gambling, gossiping, stealing, or cheating. Whatever unhealthy patterns we may have acquired, we have the power to change at any time and can decide to live our life more freely and lovingly by God’s grace.
Genesis 3:9-15.20,
Psalm98:1.2-3ab.3cd-4,
Ephesians 1:3-6.11-12,
Luke 1:26b-38 Full Readings
The following reflection is from Catholic Daily Reflections. What does it mean to be “full of grace?” This is a question at the heart of our solemn celebration today.
Today we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Savior of the World, under the unique title of “The Immaculate Conception.” This title acknowledges that grace filled her soul from the moment of her conception, thus preserving her from the stain of sin. Though this truth had been held for centuries among the Catholic faithful, it was solemnly declared as a dogma of our faith on December 8, 1854, by Pope Pius IX. In his dogmatic declaration he stated:
Isaiah 35:1 –10,
Psalm 85:9ab and 10. 11 -12.13-1,
Luke 5:17-26 Full Readings
Indeed, who can forgive sins but God alone? This was a complaining and a criticizing question asked by the Scribes and the Pharisees after Jesus had healed a paralytic man, who was brought to him by his friends through the roof of the house because the crowd was too much, and they could not access Jesus apart from removing the roof and bringing him down to Jesus. These scholars of the law knew the Bible, and indeed they were right in saying that it is God alone that forgives sins and to see the man standing before them claim to do just this must have been stunning. Where they missed a point was in their failure to recognize that the man amidst them was God, his only begotten Son who has the power over everything including the power to forgive sins.
