If you are asked to describe what you see, what would you write? Would you describe the black splatter of ink, or would you write about the white part of the paper? Psychologist and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Rick Hanson shared that the human brain is hardwired to focus on and recall the negatives more than the positives. Hence [...]
This Sunday’s readings challenge us to live courageously according to the values of God - which often go against those of the world. The first reading provides a perfect example of attempts to live holy lives in a world that does not understand us at all. It calls us to examine how we live our lives for Christ even in [...]
Once again the Lord calls us to conversion and repentance for His great love and mercy is boundless. The story of Zacchaeus (yes, another tax collector!) shows us the faith and humility we need to facilitate salvation. In the reflection on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, tax collectors were despised and hated in first-century Israel for collaborating with the [...]
Saint Augustine of Hippo Born: November 13, 354, Algeria Died: August 28, 430 Canonised: Pre-Congregation Patronage: Brewers, theologians Details Well educated, lived an earthly and sinful life; Through prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, he converted; Became a bishop; Wrote doctrinal and theological works; Doctor of the Church; Quotes: Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart [...]
On 8 October 2022, Saturday, 3pm, all ministry members were informed to gather for an announcement of a major ministries reshuffle: choirs will no longer be singing, but will be arranging flowers, clicking slides, and praying for the dead; altar servers will longer be serving on the sanctuary, but will be singing on the choir loft. Ministry members were all [...]
Pride, humility, trust in God. These are the themes that emerge for me from the readings and responsorial psalm this week. Pharisees were highly regarded in Jewish culture of that time, while tax collectors, on the other hand, are often thought to have cheated people, fattening their own pockets by charging them more than the required taxes and were despised [...]
Preparing the reflections was a very big task for me. I often felt stressed out as I feel that I am not equipped to write something that people will read or that I would be able to correctly showcase how reflections should be written. After reading the First and Second readings and the Gospel repeatedly, trying to get inspiration, and [...]
“Every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” – Matthew 13: 52 A central tenet of the faith of a Catholic is that by an act of love, God has revealed Himself and given Himself to man (CCC. [...]
When was the last time you fell ill? What was that like? I recall when I contracted COVID-19. I felt so tired, as if I was weighed down by an unseen rock, unable to get out of bed, coughing, wishing it would end. It was hard even to pray. And when it finally subsided, all I thought was “Oh, [...]
I recently had the honour and privilege of being the responder for the Eucharistic Celebration of the Holy Matrimony of a pair of amazing friends. While I have been for many weddings, I never really gave much thought to the proceedings. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony really brings to mind in a surprising way, the parable, "And no one [...]