Ss. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, bishops & doctorsWeekday of Christmas : Monday 2nd January 20231 Jn. 2:22-28; Ps. 97:1,2-3ab,3cd-4; Jn. 1:19-28 (Ps. Wk. II) In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist was questioned on his identity. Here there was a delegation sent by Sanhedrin to look into the activities of ‘an authorised teacher’.…
God’s love for us was revealed when He sent His only Son into the WorldSolemnity of The Holy Mother of God : Sunday 1st January 2023Num. 6:22-27; Ps. 66:2-3,5,6,8; Gal. 4:4-7; Lk. 2:16-21 (Psalter proper) The priestly blessing from Numbers is one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible, and it reveals God to…
God’s love for us was revealed when He sent His only Son into the World7th Day within Christmas Octave : Saturday 31st December 20221 Jn. 2:18-21; Ps. 95:1-2,11-13; Lk. 1:1-18 (Ps. Wk. I) On this, the last day of the year, we read once again the magnificent prologue to John’s Gospel. It is read twice,…
St Thomas Becket, bishop & martyr6th Day within Christmas Octave : Friday 30th December 20221 Jn. 2:12-17; Ps. 95:7-9,10; Lk. 2:36-40 (Ps. Wk.I) “When peaceful silence lay over all…Your powerful Word leapt down from heaven.” These words are from the Book of Wisdom and our Opening Antiphon today. In the light of Christmas, they bear…
St Thomas Becket, bishop & martyr5th Day within Christmas Octave : Thursday 29th December 20221 Jn. 2:3-1 1; Ps. 95:1-3, 5-6; Lk. 2:22-35 (Ps. Wk. I) For John and his community, faith and love are inseparable. Jesus commanded us to love one another – even laying down our lives for one another. John makes it…
Lord, help me walk in Your lightHOLY INNOCENTS, Martyrs : Wednesday 28th December 20221 Jn. 1:5--2:2; Ps. 123:2-3,4-5,7-8; Mt. 2:13-18 (Ps. Wk. I) We celebrated the Feast of the Birth of Our Lord a few days ago. It marks a significant moment in the history of humanity. Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, has…
Lord, I pray for personal friendship with YouFeast of St John, Apostle & Evangelist : Tuesday 27th December 20221 Jn. 1:1-4; Ps. 96:1-2,5-6,1 1-12; Jn. 20:1a,2-8 (Ps. Wk. I) John did not deal in fantasies or rumours, just reality. And the reality for him and his community was the person of Jesus Christ, who had…
Lord, help me to show mercy to others and to walk the path of peaceSt Stephen, First Martyr : Monday 26th December 2022Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 30:3-4,6,8, 16-17; Mt.10:17-22 (Ps. Wk. I) (Psalter proper) Are we good witnesses to Christ in the face of difficulties and challenges of the secular world? In some places of…
Lord, help me to show mercy to others and to walk the path of peaceNATIVITY OF THE LORD (Day Mass) : Sunday 25th December 2022Is. 52:7-10; Ps. 97:1,2-4,5-6; Heb. 1:1-6; Jn. 1:1-18 (or 1-5,9-14) (Psalter proper) The Gospel of John uses poetry to describe Christmas. Poetry has a great capacity to convey layers of meaning…
Lord, help me to show mercy to others and to walk the path of peace4th Week of Advent (A) : Saturday 24th December 20222 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps. 88:2-5,27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 (Ps. Wk. IV) Often people want to do favours for God without really consulting Him. David wanted to build a ‘house’…