The Lord’s presence is always within us34th Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 27th November 2019Dan. 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28; (R. Ps.) Dan. 3:62,63,64,65,66,67; Lk. 21:12-19 (Ps Wk II) The apocalyptic literature from which our readings are drawn at the end of the Church’s year — whether from the Hebrew Scriptures or from the New Testament itself —…
The Lord’s presence is always within us 34th Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 26th November 2019Dan. 2:31-45; (R. Ps.) Dan. 3:57,58,59,60,61; Lk. 21:5-11 (Ps Wk II) Earthly power in all its forms can seem overwhelming and impossible to resist. Who are we to stand against economic, political, and religious forces? We can feel helpless…
St Catharine of Alexandria, virgin & martyr34th Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 25th November 2019Dan. 1:1-6,8-20; (R. Ps.) Dan. 3:52,53,54,55,56; Lk. 21:1-4 (Ps Wk II) Apart from the doctrine inherent in today's story and especially in Jesus' comment, this passage can act as a test of our knowledge of the incarnate Jesus. Many people…
Christ Our King 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Christ the King :Sunday 24th November 20192 Sam. 5:1-3; Ps. 122(121):1-2,4-5; Col. 1:12-20; L. 23:35-43 (Ps Wk II) There is a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. We find many examples in our world of the abuse of power, oppression, injustice, and cruelty. Christ is a different…
St Clement I, pope & martyr33rd Week in Ordinary Time :Saturday 23rd November 20191 Mac. 6:1-13; Ps. 9:2-3,4,6,16,19; Lk. 20:27-40 (Ps Wk I) The Jews were so upset with the desecration of the Temple that they gained the strength to retake Jerusalem and to tear down what King Antiochus had erected on the altar. They…
Do we show reverence in the Church where we gather for the Eucharistic celebrations and other prayer services? 33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Friday 22nd November 20191 Mac 4:36-37,52-59; (R. Ps.) 1 Chr. 29:10,11,12; Lk. 19:45-48 (Ps Wk I) In the Gospel account on the Cleansing of the Temple, it is meant to re-iterate…
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Thursday 21st November 2019Zec. 2:14-17; (R. Ps). Lk. 1:46-47,48-49,50-51, 52-53,54-55; Mt. 12:46-50 (Ps Wk I) Today, the Church commemorates the presentation of Mary at the Temple by her parents, Anna and Joachim. Although the feast has no basis in the scriptures, it has a…
As Christians, God and his law must come first33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Wednesday 20th November 20192 Mac. 7:1,20-31; Ps. 17(16):1,5-6,8,15; Lk. 20(19):11-28 (Ps Wk I) The first reading from Maccabees is the account of the mother and her seven sons. When they were forced by a ruler to break God’s law, they refused…
Lord, come and stay with me33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Tuesday 19th November 20192 Mac. 6:18-31; Ps. 3:2-3,4-5,6-7; Lk. 19:1-10 (Ps Wk I) What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door and said, “I must stay at your house today?” Would you be excited or embarrassed? Jesus often “dropped-in” at unexpected times…
Dedication of the Basilicas of St Peter and St Paul33rd Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 18th November 20191 Mac. 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64; Ps. 119(118):53,61,134,150,155,158; Lk. 18:35-43 (Ps Wk I) The Jews were called to live according to God's laws rather than the pagan culture of the society in which they were living. King Antiochus had commanded…