Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, August 8, 2024, Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest, on Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jer 31:31-34

Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

Mt 16:13-23                                     Full Readings

Saint Dominic

Personal Experience of Jesus

When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, in today's gospel, 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: Tuesday, august 6, 2024, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Year B

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

2 Pt 1:16-19

Mk 9:2-10          Full Readings

Transfiguration of Our Lord

More Than Natural

Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, a scene where he showed the three Apostles, Peter, James and John that he is far beyond more than natural but also divine. The transfiguration comes after Jesus had made known to his disciples about the passion he was about to go through. Jesus teaches them another lesson through his transfiguration showing him the glory that will come out of his suffering and resurrection.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, August 5, 2024, Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jer 28:1-17

PS 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102

Mt 14:13-21          Full Readings

Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica

Compassion Leads to Charity

Today's parable of feeding the five thousand teaches us this fundamental thing: compassion leads and should lead to charity. When Jesus looked at the large crowd which followed him, he had compassion on them and after feeding them spiritually, he fed them physically also. When we look at others in suffering, in need and those asking our help, as human beings compassion comes in our hearts, unless we have no heart, but do we take a further step to be charitable to them? Compassion alone is not enough; Charity must follow it. The example of Jesus today should inspire us to move from compassion to Charity.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, August 2, 2024, Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Jeremiah 26:1 – 9,

 Psalm 69:5.8- 10. 14,

Matthew 13:54-58                     Full Readings

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli

No Prophet is Accepted in His Own People

Today's Gospel and indeed the first Reading shows us that really, no Prophet is accepted in his own country. When people are used to you and know your strengths and weaknesses, know your family background and how you grew up, it is very hard to convince them to listen to you even if you have a point. Dear Brethren, when you are doing well, and you have won the approval of many people, the expectation is that the people closest to you, your kith and kin, will be among them. According to Jesus in today’s Gospel, that expectation is not always met. As a matter of fact, your own people can be offended by your very success. More often than not, it is because they know you only too well. As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” How often do you take for granted what a person you know well from head to toe has to say? 

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, August 1, 2024, Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Jer 18:1-6

Ps 146:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6AB

Mt13:47-53                     Full Readings

Saint Alphonsus Liguori

The Last Judgement

Today's Gospel gives us another image of how the kingdom of God is like. Jesus says that it is like the dragnet which is cast into the sea and catches every kind of fish and then after the fishermen choose the best and throw the rest. This is how it will be at the end of the time when God's Angels will separate the good from the bad, putting the good into the kingdom of God and the bad into everlasting fire.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Jer 15:10, 16-21

Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18

Mt 13:44-46                     Full Readings

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

The Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price

Jesus, the great teacher, uses these two images today to explain and make us understand the Kingdom of God in simple and easy language. He says: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, July 26, 2024, Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

JER 3:14-17

Ps JER 31:10, 11-12ABCD, 13

MT 13:18-23                     Full Readings

Saint Joachim and Anne

Which Type of Christian Are You?

Today's Gospel presents to us the image of a Sower who went to sow. Some seeds fell on the path and were pecked by the birds, some on the rocky ground and were scorched by the sun, some in the thorns and withered because of lack of roots and others on good soil and brought forth a hundredfold. Surprisingly, Jesus meant how we receive the word of God and how we allow it to bear fruit in our lives. These four types of soil represent four types of hearts that Christians have in relation to how we receive the word of God. What type of the heart do you have in relation to receiving and growing of the word of God?