Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, October 1, 2023, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Ez 18:25-28

Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Phil 2:1-11

Mt 21:28-32                               Full Readings

Saint Therese of Lisieux

Personal Responsibility

This Sunday's readings my dear brethren call us to profound personal responsibility of both our behaviors and the choices we make, to repentance, and shows us the fairness of God's judgment. Ezekiel in the first reading is addressing a common human tendency, that is, to blame God for the consequences of our actions. The Lord says, "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?" When faced with adversity or the outcomes of our decisions, it's all too easy to question God's fairness and righteousness.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, September 30, 2023, Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13

Lk 9:43b-45                                Full Readings

Saint Jerome

The Suffering Messiah

Today's Gospel presents to us the prediction of Jesus of his suffering. The disciples could not however understand that the Messiah would suffer and were left confused and could not even ask any more questions. What did Jesus mean in today's gospel.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, September 29, 2023, Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12ab

Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

Jn 1:47-51                          Full Readings

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

The Archangels

Today the church celebrates the archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Who are they and why do we celebrate them? They are the unseen and unsoiled spirits poised at God’s command. The three archangels are mentioned in the Bible by name. We never walk alone; we are surrounded by millions of angels. This feast also recalls the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Rome in the fifth century.

Daily catholic Reflection: Thursday, September 28, 2023, Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Hg 1:1-8

Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

Lk 9:7-9                          Full Readings

Saint Wenceslaus

Guilty Conscience Cannot be Suppressed

Who do you most admire and want to be like? People with power, influence, fame, or wealth? Scripture warns us of such danger (see Proverbs 23:1-2). King Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous affair with his brother's wife. Herod, however, was more of a people pleaser than a pleaser of God. Herod not only imprisoned John to silence him, but he also beheaded him simply to please his family and friends.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest on Wednesday of the Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Ezr 9:5-9

Psalm: Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8

Lk 9:1-6                           Full Readings

Saint Vincent de Paul

God's Providence in Mission

Today's Gospel presents to us the sending of disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God which is at hand and the instructions they are to follow, that is, how they are to carry out their mission. First of all, they are to proclaim the Kingdom of God and perform miracles. Secondly, they are to carry nothing for their journey for the worker deserves his or her pay, the people they are proclaiming to will take care of them but above all, that God will provide for them wherever they go.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, September 22, 2023, Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

1 Tm 6:2c-12

Ps 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20

Lk 8:1-3                              Full Readings

Saint Lorenzo Luiz and Companions

Women in Mission

Today's Gospel presents to us the role played by women in the mission of Jesus Christ. We see many women including Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus has chased out seven demons, Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna and many others following Jesus. What is interesting to note is that these women not only were following Jesus as true disciples, but they were also providing for him and His Apostles. We credit them for their discipleship and generosity.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

1 Tm 3:14-16

Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Lk 7:31-35                              Full Readings

Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions 

The Indifferent Generation

Jesus looks at his generation and calls it a childish generation which acts indifferently. They have become depraved and perverse. They reject that which is sane and good and embrace that which is evil. They call evil good and tag good evil. They spurn God’s love and become obstinate in their rejection of God’s goodness. John came and lived an austere life, they named him a mad eccentric and put his head on a platter of gold. Jesus came, ate, drank and socialized, and they tagged him a drunkard and dragged him to a cross. Our generation seems similar to that of Jesus in its indifference. We complain of lack of time, but we waste time gossiping, watching pornography, we pray for the fruit of the womb and also fight for the right to abort. We cry to God for protection, and we reject his laws about the use of freedom. The words of Saint Paul should stir us: “When I was a child I spoke like a child and reasoned like a child but now that I am old, I leave my childish ways.” We are people who have failed to respond appropriately to God and what he instructs us.

Daily catholic Reflection: Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

 

1 Tm 3:1-13

Ps 101:1b-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6

Lk 7:11-17                               Full Readings

Saint Januarius

I Tell You, Arise

Brethren, in a number of places, the Gospel records that Jesus was "moved to the depths of his heart" when he met with individuals and with groups of people. Our modern use of the word "compassion" doesn't fully convey the deeper meaning of the original Hebrew word which expresses heart-felt "sympathy" if not "empathy" and personal identification with the suffering person's grief and physical condition. Today, we see the only miracle which Jesus performs without the response to anyone’s faith within the village. As Jesus was going to Nain (which means green pastures), he was moved with mercy and compassion because of the widow who had lost his only son and was being carried to the tomb for burial. This woman had nothing left with her because she had earlier lost a husband and now the only son. The only secure means of welfare in biblical times was one's family. This woman had lost not only her loved ones, but her future security and livelihood as well. Jesus having this in mind, his compassion made him help her son by bringing her back to life by mere words, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" Where do we want Jesus to raise us up? In our own sorrow or grief, we are reminded, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, September 17, 2023, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Sir 27:30—28:7

Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

Rom 14:7-9

Mt 18:21-35                          Full Readings

Saint Robert Bellarmine

Reciprocal Forgiveness

Brethren, forgiveness is the lifeblood of any Christian community. We cannot live together without upsetting one another, unwittingly, or even deliberately. So, forgiveness is the vital step. This stems from the fact that God has forgiven us much. The willingness to forgive those who offend us is a sacred duty. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is an act of the will. But what happens when we do not choose to forgive? We run the risk that our own sins will be held against us. Our first reading for Mass today considers this point: “Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Does anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord? Can one refuse mercy to a sinner like oneself yet seek pardon for one’s own sins?” (Sirach 28:2-4).

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, September 16, 2023, Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

1 Tm 1:15-17

Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5 and 6-7

Lk 6:43-49                          Full Readings

Saint Cornelius and Cyprian

Upon which Foundation is Your Life?

Is it on a rock? Or is it on Sand? Does your life produce good fruits or bad ones? How can we know a good foundation on which to build our lives? How can we be able to produce good fruits? The Gospel today as well as first reading answers these questions.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Col 3:1-11

Ps 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab

Luke 6:20-26                          Full Readings

Saint John Chrysostom 

Jesus' Way of Happiness: The Beatitudes

Today, we reflect on St. Luke’s version of the beatitudes which offers us the heavenly idea of happiness which is the Jesus' way of happiness. To be “blessed” means to be happy. The beatitudes paint a picture of the abundant life he wants us to enjoy (John 10:10). In the heavenly economy, those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated are happy. This is quite different from the world's idea of happiness, which says, “eat, drink, and be merry!” Jesus is teaching us that we will be truly happy only when we place him at the center of our life and let go of the temporal things that block our relationship with him. Jesus gave his disciples a "way of happiness" that transcends every difficulty and trouble that can weigh us down with grief and despair. Jesus' way of happiness, however, demands a transformation from within - a conversion of heart and mind which can only come about through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, September 11, 2023, Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Col 1:24–2:3

Ps 62:6-7, 9

Lk 6:6-11                       Full Readings 

Saint Cyprian

Stretch Out Your Hand

Beloved brethren, it is clearly stated in Exodus 20:8; and Deuteronomy 5:12 that keep the Sabbath Holy, and also to the tradition of the Jews, no single work would be done on this day, perhaps, even if it is saving someone's life (exaggerated for emphasis). But in the Gospel today Jesus shows that the law is made for man, and man is made for God. When the law stands in the way of salvation, the Lord dispenses with the law and reaches out with love and compassion.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, September 10, 2023, Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Ez 33:7-9

Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Rom 13:8-10

Mt 18:15-20                           Full Readings 

Saint Thomas of Villanova

Fraternal Correction

In one of the sermons of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) on fraternal correction, he teaches: "If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today's scripture: 'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.' If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother's wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse....

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, September 9, 2023, Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest, on Saturday of the twenty second week in ordinary time

Col 1:21-23

Ps 54:3-4, 6 and 8

Lk 6:1-5                             Full Readings 

Saint Peter Claver 

The Lord of the Sabbath

"The Son of man is the Lord of Sabbath," says Jesus. Today's Gospel presents to us Jesus giving the true meaning of Sabbath. After the Apostles had picked the ears of corn and ate them on Sabbath, some Pharisees blamed them for working on Sabbath for it was prohibited to do any work on Sabbath. Recall the Third Commandment given through Moses: “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God. You shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:8–10). From this Commandment, the Pharisees had developed a complex commentary which went into great detail about what kind of work was forbidden on the Sabbath in their view. One such regulation was to pick and mill grain. Thus, they judged that this was what the disciples were doing and were, therefore, violating the Third Commandment. However, Jesus' response, arguing from the scriptures, is very clear, the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath. What does this really mean?

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, September 7, 2023, Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Col 1:9-14

Ps 98:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

Lk 5:1-11                           Full Readings             

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

I Will Make You fishers of Men.

Let us reflect today on the call of the first Apostles. The Gospel today teaches and invites us to follow Christ and participate in the universal mission of fishing souls for God. After Peter and his companions, the two sons of Zebedee, has spent the whole night fishing without catching anything, Jesus tells them to cast into the deep, and behold, they had a great catch. This catch was very shocking that Simon Peter, in his actions in those few moments with Jesus; embracing his command, falling to his knees, acknowledging his sinfulness, and choosing to follow; demonstrated a great awakening in spiritual maturity. At last, he tells them that from then they are to be fishers of people; they left everything and followed Jesus. What can we learn from this call of first Apostles?