Daily Catholic Reflection: November 17, 2020, Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious, Year A

Revelation 3 : 1-6.14-22,

Psalm 115:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5,

Luke 19:1-10 Full Readings

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

 Open Up for Jesus

Brethren, Jesus’ encounter with people is mainly to restore them to life and also to friendship with God. He came to save what was lost. Hence, he does not make any distinction between class, race or religion. All are dear to him. As good by first reading, He stands at the door and knocks. He “enters and shares a meal” with anyone who opens the door and receives him, offering salvation. The psalmist in Psalm 15 enumerates the qualities of a transformed person. These qualities can be attributed to Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus. Personal encounter with Jesus is very important. It brings about the needed transformation and salvation.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 16, 2020, Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Tear A

Revelation 1 : 1-4; 2: 1-5 a,

Ps  1:1-2.3.4,

Luke 18:35-43 Full Readings

Saint Margaret of Scotland

 What Do You Want Me to Do for you?

Brethren, we are approaching the end of the liturgical year and the church provides us with readings related to the end of time, calling us for preparation for the end of time, for we never know when the day when the Son of Man is going to come back and sit on his throne to judge the living and the dead. This call for preparation for the coming of the Son of Man is not to instill fear in us but to encourage us to put on the armor of faith, love and to live according to God's will in our lives. With this, we shall be found worthy to enjoy eternity with Christ.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 15, 2020, Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Proverbs 31:10-13. 19-20.30-31,

Psalm 128:1-2.3.4-5,

1Thessalonians 5:1-6,

Matthew 25:14-30 Full Readings

Saint Albert the Great

 Fear of God

Brethren, this Sunday’s readings in a way tell us about the fear of God and its benefits. Fear in the Bible does not mean the secular meaning of an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm or being afraid of someone. Rather fear means the respect of God, observing his commandments and living according to his will. God's favour will always be upon such a person as Mary declared in her Magnificat (Luke 1:50) and will lack nothing as Psalm 34:9 tells us (Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing).

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 14, 2020, Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

3 John 5-8,

Psalm 112: lb-2.3-4.5-6,

Luke 18:1-8 Full Readings

Saint Gertrude the Great

 Persistence in Prayer and Faith 

Brethren, we often think of prayer as mere asking, but today's parable in the Gospel encourages us to pester God as the wronged widow pestered the Unjust Judge. The parable of the widow and the judge was told in order to teach perseverance in prayer. People, including Christians, easily give up when their prayers are not given immediate response by God. Some people become bitter, some fainthearted, some even blaspheme and deny God outright. The widow offers an example of insistence and persistence in prayer. In telling this parable Jesus enjoins on us the responsibility of persistently coming to God out of our faith and trust in him. It is not only when we are faced with difficulties and problems that we approach God, but even when things go well.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 13, 2020, Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, Year A

 

2 John 4-9,

Psalm 119: 1.2.10.11.17. I b,

Luke 17:26-37 Full Readings

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

 Be Ready for Final Day 

Brethren, how can we be ready and prepared for the final day? The first Reading gives us how to live prepared for this day, that is to live according to the commandments, which are summarised in love. The commandment of love of God and neighbour is the greatest of all commandments, says St John in today’s first reading. This is the way of Jesus and this is the true manner of living.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 12, 2020, Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr, Year A

Philemon 1: 7-20,

Psalm 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10,

Luke 17:20-25 Full Readings

Saint Josaphat

 The Kingdom of God is Here 

Brethren, What is the Kingdom of God and what does it entail? St Paul says the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Roman 14:17). Therefore, if we live in a just society and render justice in all that we do, we live in righteousness, that's holy life and in joy, peace, love and Harmony with one another, then we are already living in the kingdom of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: November 11, 2020, Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop, Year A

Titus 3:1-7,

Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6,

Luke 17:11-19 Full Readings

Saint Martin of Tours

 Gratefulness to God.

Brethren, The qualities of good Christian living are enumerated in the first reading: Obedience, openness, peaceable, considerate, gracious to all, not to be slanderous, not to be slaves to various desires and pleasures, not living in malice and envy and not hating one another. And the gospel reading of today teaches the virtues of faith and gratitude. The faith of the lepers healed them. It shows that Jesus has power over every form of disease and that his words are efficacious. Ten lepers were healed but only one of them returned to give thanks to Jesus. The only one that returned was a Samaritan. The Samaritans were not regarded well by the Jews. We should not look down on any tribe or race. We should be thankful to God and others for the good we receive every moment.