Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, March 1, 2024, Friday of the Second Week of Lent, Year B

LENT SERIES DAY 17: FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT (How can we pray better during this lent?) (https://youtu.be/-eKX2Hn3bmo) 

Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a

Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

Mt 21:33-43, 45-46                       Full Readings

Saint David of Wales

Using Our Talents for the Kingdom

Brethren, the Patriarch Joseph, presented in the first reading, was a dreamer. He incurred the wrath of his brothers by telling them his dreams and because their father showed him greater love than he showed them. They retaliated by selling him into slavery. Jesus incurred the wrath of his fellow Jews because he was the Son of God and told them so. They retaliated by getting him crucified. Great good came out of the evil done to Joseph and Jesus. God used Joseph to save his people from famine. The same God used the death of Jesus for the salvation of the world. That is what always happens when we are made to suffer unjustly, and we refuse to respond with hatred or bitterness. God always writes straight on crooked lines.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, February 29, 2024, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent, Year B

 

LENT SERIES DAY 16: THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT (How can we pray better during this lent?) (youtube.com)

Jer 17:5-10

Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Lk 16:19-31                        Full Readings

Saint Oswald

Desire Charity in Your Richness

Brethren, what would you prefer: to be rich only physically and miss heaven, or to be rich spiritually and attain eternal life? In the Gospel reading today we are presented with the contrast of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed life here on earth with his riches without thinking of the other, while Lazarus suffered and even longed to eat from the leftovers of the rich man, which the rich man refused him. When they died, Lazarus attained eternal life and the rich man eternal fire. The only happiness the rich had was here on earth, the happiness which did not last. Let us endeavor to look for everlasting happiness by enriching our spiritual life.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent, Year B

 

LENT SERIES DAY 15: WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT (What is Contemplative Prayer) #brwilson (youtube.com)

Jer 18:18-20

Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

Mt 20:17-28                         Full Readings

Blessed Daniel Brottier

Can You Drink the Cup?

In today's Gospel, after Jesus gives us the third of his great prophecies of the Passion, there follows immediately the request of the mother of Zebedee’s sons for a high position in the Kingdom. Perhaps it was a bit bold of her to ask that of Jesus, but it was clearly a mother’s love that was behind her request. In Mark, it is the disciples themselves who asked Jesus for this favour. But did they understand what she and her sons were asking? No, if they did realise what they were asking, they may not have asked Jesus for this “favour” at all. Instead, the mother would have asked her sons to remain faithful to Jesus, carry their crosses and follow Jesus promptly in order for them to be able to sit at the side of Jesus in his kingdom. They were only thinking in worldly terms, taking Jesus as a political Messiah.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

 

LENT SERIES DAY 14: MENTAL PRAYER/MEDITATION: https://youtu.be/P9SiOQNxlqs

Is 1:10, 16-20

Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

Mt 23:1-12                    Full Readings

Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows 

Change Your Ways

"Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit."

Brethren, the above verse is the verse before the Gospel which can summarize what is expected of us in this Lenten season: to change our ways. Let's endeavor to create a new spirit, a new beginning, a new relationship with God and neighbors, for God has really called us for this change. In the first Reading the Lord warns the leaders of Sodom and the people of Gomorrah to change and turn away from their old ways of life otherwise, they are doomed to destruction.

Daily catholic Reflection: Monday, February 26, 2024, Monday of the Second Week in Lent

LENT SERIES DAY 13: MONDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT (What is Vocal Prayer?) Br Wilson #lentseries (youtube.com)

Dn 9:4b-10

Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13

Lk 6:36-38                      Full Readings

Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows 

The Reciprocity Principle

Brethren, in the Old Testament reading of today we see the example of Daniel, a man of great faith in God's mercy and just ways, who prayed daily, not only for himself, but for his own people, and for his persecutors as well. Daniel was 'shamefaced' before God because he recognized that his own people who had been called and chosen by God as the people of Israel, were now suffering in exile due to their sins and unfaithfulness to the covenant God had made with them (see Daniel 9:4-10). Daniel did not sit in judgement over the failings and sins of his own people, instead he pleaded with God for compassion, pardon, and restoration. Our shame will turn to joy and hope if we confess our sins and ask for God's healing love and mercy. Lent is actually meant for this, are we using wisely?

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, February 25, 2024, Second Sunday of Lent, Year B

LENT SERIES DAY 12: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (Why Should We Pray?) // Br Wilson #brwilson #lentseries (youtube.com)

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

Rom 8:31b-34

Mk 9:2-10                      Full Readings

Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin 

Faith that leads to God Glory

It is easy to see why faith is the main theme of the first reading, though it is more difficult to discover this theme in the gospel. Abraham needed faith to follow the road God showed him, and so too does the Christians; to follow Christ. It is this faith that will lead us to God's Glory, to experience the beatific vision and reach the transfiguration experience. Jesus mission here on earth was to show us the way how we attain this beatific vision; if we have faith in him, we will surely enjoy with him in heaven. St Paul in the second reading teaches us that it is Christ Jesus who died, was raised and who also is at the right hand of God interceding for us. He is interceding for us so that one day, all of us may be like him and enjoy the eternal happiness God has prepared for us in the beatific vision experience. Faith is a great tool for this.

Daily catholic Reflection: Saturday, February 24, 2024, Saturday of the First Week of Lent

LENT SERIES 11: SATURDAY OF FIRST WEEK OF LENT (What the Church Asks Us in Lent: pray, fast, Alms) - YouTube

Dt 26:16-19

Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

Mt 5:43-48                               Full Readings

Blessed Luke Belludi

The Perfect love

Brethren, God is love and where there is love, there is God. In the first readings God calls us his people, but we shall remain his people when we love him and follow his commandments. All his commandments are summarized into one, which is love. This implies that we shall remain God's people if we love. In the Gospel, Jesus defines what this love is. It is the sacrificial love given to everyone even your enemies. He invites us to love and pray for our enemies for this is what makes us unique as Christians different from other beliefs. People will know that we are Christians only by our love, and therefore, Christian life must be a life of love.

Daily catholic Reflection: Friday, February 23, 2027, Friday of the First Week of Lent

LENT SERIES DAY 10: FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT (The Origin of the Way of the Cross) Br Wilson (youtube.com)

Ez 18:21-28

Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

Mt 5:20-26                                    Full Readings

Saint Polycarp

Personal Responsibility

Brethren, on this second Friday of Lent, we are all encouraged and invited to abstain from meat and if possible, deny ourselves some food by fasting, for the sake of those who don't have. This will help us to move out to give alms to the anawim of the Lord.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, February 22, 2024, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

LENT SERIES DAY 9: THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT (The Desert Experience) // Br Wilson - YouTube

1 Pt 5:1-4

Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

Mt 16:13-19                                     Full Readings

Chair of Saint Peter

Personal Experience of Jesus

Today we celebrate the ‘Chair of Saint Peter’. The Chair of Saint Peter represents the authority Jesus gave to Peter among the twelve apostles as their leader. Today’s Gospel brings into focus the election of Peter and his successors. When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, he received several answers. It was only Simon who answered, “you are the Son of the living God.” Instantly, Jesus reminded Simon that his answer was a revelation from God. Nonetheless, he changed his name from Simon to Peter, and placed authority and responsibility of the new people of God, the church, on him. It is incontrovertible to argue, as some often do, that Peter is not the first Pope. Jesus himself gave him this privilege, because it was revealed by the Father. We should always try to conform to the teachings of the church, for when the Church speaks through her leaders, it is Jesus that speaks. Listen.

Daily Catholic Reflection: February 21, 2024, Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

LENT SERIES DAY 8: WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT (Why dates of Ash Wednesday & Easter Change) - YouTube

Jonah 3:1-10

Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

Lk 11:29-32                                      Full Readings

Saint Peter Damian 

No More Sign than Jesus

Brethren, the sign of Jonah is mostly understood by Matthew to mean the resurrection of Jesus after three days in the tomb, just as Jonah emerged from the belly of the sea beast after three days. But the story of Jonah has lovely value also for itself. The story of Jonah is written of course by a Jew but mocking the Jews for their complacency and their conviction that the Chosen Race were the only ones to be saved. The message is obvious: the gentiles are more responsive to the word of God than it is to the Jew. We, as Christians, have to be careful because we have all the gospel truth but if we don't take it seriously, other people, even have never heard the Gospel, will inherit the kingdom of God first before us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

LENT SERIES DAY 7: TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT (Why Lent consists of 40 Days) // Br Wilson (youtube.com)

Is 55:10-11

PS 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

Mt 6:7-15                               Full Readings

Saint Jacinta and Francisco Marto

How to Pray

Brethren, today Jesus warns us about the way we pray. When we pray, we should not use many words, beat around the bush but we should be direct to the point. Jesus provides us with 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. Because it’s so familiar, we can sometimes find ourselves reciting this beautiful prayer thoughtlessly, babbling like the pagans. Most of us just pray it for sake without paying attention to what it contains and what it means. As St. Edmund reminds us, “It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction.” Today let us try to reflect on this prayer more deeply.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, February 19, 2024, Monday of the First Week of Lent, Year B

LENT SERIES DAY 6: MONDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT (Why is Gloria not Sung During Lent?) Br Wilson (youtube.com)

Lv 19:1-2, 11-18

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

Mt 25:31-46                       Full Readings

Saint Conrad of Piacenza

Christ is in Evey Person

Today's readings my dear brethren have a double importance: firstly, a strong call for almsgiving and following God's law (first reading) in this Lenten season; and secondly, a criterion which God will use to judge us at the end of time on the judgement day. God has only one criterion of judging us here on earth and at the end of time: how we love others. Our lives are successes or failures on the basis of what we have done to alleviate hunger, thirst, exile, nakedness, disease, prison. Jesus tells us that our religion is summed up in the diligence and zeal with which we fight against these situations. To drive home this truth even more, he uses the image of the final judgement not only to show us what will happen at the end of the world, but also to teach us what should really count in our lives. Two striking points are stressed in today's gospel which we must take seriously.

Daily Catholic Reflection: February 18, 2024, First Sunday of Lent, Year B

LENT SERIES DAY 5: FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (Why Sundays are not part of the 40-day fast during lent) (youtube.com)

Gn 9:8-15

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

1 Pt 3:18-22

Mk 1:12-15                        Full Readings

Blessed John of Fiesole

Overcoming Temptations

On every first Sunday of Lent, we are presented with the Gospel of Jesus being led to the desert to be tempted by Satan as a preparation for his ministry. Today we read the Markan Version of this story. My dear friends, Is temptation good?  Certainly it’s not a sin to be tempted.  Otherwise our Lord could never have been tempted Himself.  But He was. And so are we. As we enter into the first full week of Lent, we are given the opportunity to ponder the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Saturday, February 17, 2024, Saturday after Ash Wednesday

LENT SERIES DAY 4: SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY (Why We Can't Sing Alleluia in Lent) Br Wilson - YouTube

Is 58:9b-14.

PS 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Lk 5:27-32                          Full Readings

Seven Founders of the Servite Order

It is the Sick who Needs a Doctor

Living in denial is a terrible misfortune. No Christian should be there. The scribes and Pharisees in their holier than thou attitude categorised the tax collectors and others as sinners undeserving of the company of Jesus. Jesus however retorts that it is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick. The church is both a gallery of saints and a hospital for sinners. Let us ask ourselves today: Am I so wrapped up in my virtue, like the Pharisees, that I feel I do not need Jesus? Do I feel I do not need to go to confession? Am I resolved to be less judgmental of others who sin differently? Am I resolved to respond more promptly, like Levi, to the invitation of Jesus to follow him?

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, February 16, 2024, Friday after Ash Wednesday

LENT SERIES DAY 3: FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY (Why we don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent) Wilson. - YouTube

Is 58:1-9a

PS 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19

Mt 9:14-15                          Full Readings

Saint Gilbert of Semphringham

The Fruits of True Fasting

Brethren, it is the first Friday of lent and Fridays of lent are days for fasting and denying ourselves not only meat but all things which stop us from coming closer to our God. Today's readings give us the way we should fast truly and what fruits should characterise our fasting. Most times we think denying ourselves food or anything pleasurable is what really fasting means but it is far more than this. Firstly fasting should be a spiritual exercise bringing us closer to God by leaving all the pleasures of the world and focusing on God alone. Secondly, true fasting leads us to charity. Some of us may fast but then keep the food or anything we have fasted from for another day. This is not what fasting entails; what we have fasted from should be collected and given out in the form of charity, for fasting should make us feel with those who do not have when we pass through the experience of self-denial. Through self denial, we should feel what those who don't have everyday feel, and then be moved to help them.

Daily catholic Reflection: Thursday, February 15, 2024, Thursday after Ash Wednesday

LENT SERIES DAY 2: THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY (Significance of Purple Color During Lent) Br Wilson (youtube.com)

Dt 30:15-20

PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Lk 9:22-25                Full Readings

Saint Claude la de Colombiere

Choose Life or Death

Brethren, today's readings present to us the fundamental choices we have to make as Christians: to choose Life or Death as we see in the first reading, and to choose the world or choose to save our souls, as presented in the Gospel. With the former, choosing life means following God's commandments and choosing death means disobedience to God who is the source of life. With the latter, choosing the world and its pleasures means you let God outside your life for God is opposed to the world and you are going to lose your soul but choosing to save your soul means to carry your cross daily and follow Jesus. Reflect today on what you want to choose today and move with it through this Lenten period.