St Dominic, Priest18th Week in Ordinary Time: Thursday 8th August 2019Num. 20:1-13; Ps. 95(94):1-2,6-7,8-9; Mt. 16:13-23 (Ps Wk II) Is it mere coincidence that it was near Caesarea Philippi, near that was popularly believed to be the entrance to Hell, that Peter receives the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Jesus asks the disciples a…
SS Xystus II, Pope & Comps. Martyrs18th Week in Ordinary Time: Wednesday 7th August 2019Num. 13:1-2,25; 14:1,26-29,34-35; Ps. 106(105):6-7,13-14,21-22,23; Mt. 15:21-28 (Ps Wk II) Today’s Gospel passage reminds us of the importance of faith in the healing process. The faith and wisdom of the Canaanite woman reflects her profound understanding of the implication of the…
Transfiguration of the Lord Transfiguration : Tuesday 6th August 2019Dan. 7:9-10,13-14 or 2 Pt. 1:16-19; Ps. 97(96):1-2,5-6,9; Lk. 9:28-36 (Ps Wk II) “This is my Son, the Chosen One Listen to Him.” This reveals and confirms the identity of Jesus — Son of God. It reminds us of the special link between this Transfiguration episode…
Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary18th Week in Ordinary Time: Monday 5th August 2019Num 11:4-15; Ps. 81(80)12-13,14-15,16-17; Mt. 14:13-21 (or 14:22-36) (Ps Wk II) Many spiritual traditions teach us that craving gets us in trouble. When we crave something, it overrides our prudence, inner peace, and patience. The Israelites had been complaining ever since…
“Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you must return.”18th Week in Ordinary Time: Sunday 4th August 2019Qoh/(Eccl) 1:2; 2:21-23; Ps. 90(89):3-4,5-6, 12-13,17; Col. 3:1-5,9-11; Lk. 12:13-21 (Ps Wk II) Though Qoheleth does not use the word “death” in this short passage from his book, nevertheless he is reflecting on the fact that…
What is your sense of justice? Is it based on love or on human emotions?17th Week in Ordinary Time: Saturday 3rd August 2019Lev. 25:1,8-17; Ps. 67(66):2-3,5,7-8; Mt. 14:1-12 (Ps Wk I) The scripture readings provide us with a contrast between God’s and man’s justice. In the first reading, we read that God asks Moses to…
Heavenly Father we thank you for the gift of Your Son.17th Week in Ordinary Time: Friday 2nd August 2019Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop Lev. 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34-37; Ps. 81(80): 3,4,5,-6,10-11; Mt. 13:54-58 (Ps Wk I) “I am your God who led you out of the land of Egypt.” These words from Psalm 81, today’s Responsorial Psalm, are…
Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor17th Week in Ordinary Time: Thursday 1st August 2019Ex. 40:16-21,34-38; Ps. 84(83):3,4,5-6,8,11; Mt. 13:47-53 (Ps Wk I) Where could the Israelites find and worship God during their wandering in the desert wilderness? There were no special places or holy sites, and temples or synagogues still lay far in the future.…
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, priest and Founder of the Society of Jesuits, also known as Jesuits17th Week in Ordinary Time: Wednesday 31st July 2019Ex. 34:29-35; Ps. 99(98):5,6,7,9; Mt. 13:44-46 (Ps Wk I) An encounter with the divine can leave us forever changed. After his conversation with God, Moses’ face was so radiant that the people…
Saint Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor17th Week in Ordinary Time: Tuesday 30th July 2019Ex. 33:7-11; 34:5-9,28; Ps. 103(102):6-7,8-9,10-11,12-13; Mt. 13:36-43 (Ps Wk I) In today’s first reading from the Book of the Exodus we get a sense of the people’s awe and reverence for the Lord. The tent where people could consult with the Lord…