St Lucy, virgin & martyr , pray for us2nd Week of Advent (B) : Wednesday 13th December 2023Is. 40:25-31; Ps. 102:1-2,3-4,8 and 10; Mt. 11:28-30 (Ps. Wk. II) Today’s first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. It fits nicely into our Advent readings because it resonates with a significant theme of the season: hope and…
Our Lady of Guadalupe , pray for us2nd Week of Advent (B) : Tuesday 12th December 2023Is. 40:1-11; Ps. 95:1-2,3 and 10ac,11-12a,12b-13; Mt. 18:12-14 (Ps. Wk. II) Zechariah answers a longing that people have had for centuries: to experience God deeply and personally. The prophecy assures the people that the Lord is coming to dwell…
St Damasus I, pope , pray for us2nd Week of Advent (B) : Monday 11th December 2023Is. 35:1-6,10; Ps. 84:9ab-10,11-12,13-14; Lk. 5:17-26 (Ps. Wk. II) Jesus, on seeing the determination of the friends of the paralysed man, declares, “My friend, your sins are forgiven you.” The paralysed man is often the situation of many caught…
Lord, help me to clear the obstacles and distractions that block You from coming quickly to me2nd Sunday of Advent (B) : 10th December 2023Is. 40:1-5,9-11; Ps. 84:9ab and 10,11-12,13-14; 2 Pt. 3:8-14; Mk. 1:1-8 (Ps. Wk. II) John the Baptist goes ahead of the Lord. He prepares in the wilderness a way for the…
St John Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, pray for us1st Week of Advent (B) : Saturday 9th December 2023Is. 30:19-21,23-26; Ps. 146:1-2,3-4,5-6; Mt. 9:35—10:1,5a,6-8 (Ps.Wk. I) Authority is often associated with arbitrary power because many misuse it to compel others to obey and submit. Religious leaders are not exempt from this, as Jesus observed in today's Gospel. In…
Immaculate Mother Mary, pray for usIMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY : Friday 8th December 2023Gen. 3:9-15,20; Ps. 97:1,2-4; Eph. 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk. 1:26-38 (Psalter Proper) The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the dogmas of the Church. It was declared a dogma by Pope Pius IX on 8 December…
St. Ambrose, bishop & doctor, pray for us1st Week of Advent (B) : Thursday 7th December 2023Is 26:1-6; Ps. 117:1 and 8-9,19-21,25-27a; Mt. 7:21,24-27 (Ps. Wk. I) We cannot separate our faith, hope and love from daily life activities, for Scripture and the Church teach that these three virtues unite us most closely with God.…
St Nicholas, bishop, pray for us1st Week of Advent (B) : Wednesday 6th December 2023Is. 25:6-10a; Ps. 22:1-3a,3b-4,5,6; Mt. 15:29-37 (Ps. Wk. I) What happens within us, interiorly, when we read, listen to or sing Psalm 23? Many people experience comfort and consolation. Why that is so? Psalm 23 opens with these reassuring words: “The…
Lord, open my heart to hear Your truths and follow Your way1st Week of Advent (B) : Tuesday 5th December 2023Is. 11:1-10; Ps. 71:1-2,7-8,12-13,17; Lk. 10:21-24 (Ps. Wk. I) Isaiah described the attributes of a righteous ruler – wisdom, understanding, knowledge, faithfulness, and fear of the Lord. This ruler would judge with righteousness and treat…
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed1st Week of Advent (B) : Monday 4th December 2023Is. 2:1-5; Ps. 121:1-2,3-4,(4b-5,6-7),8-9; Mt. 8:5-11 (Ps. Wk. I) Who would have thought that the words of a pagan would one day find their…