In Biblical times and in desert areas, travellers would often travel across long distances by foot or by saddled animal. Their feet would become dusty and encrusted in dirt. People would place jars of water at the thresholds of their homes and the weary traveller would wash his or her feet with the water. The epitome of a hospitable [...]
We are all sinners, and we continue to sin even after Reconciliation. Many of us, including myself, always get a wake-up call when the season of Lent is approaching. We tell ourselves we will abstain from sin, we will fast, we will become better children of God. But why do we wait to want to do this only during [...]
It is difficult to plough on in the Lord’s vineyard by our own merit. Even more so in the season of Lent, which is a time of wondrous Grace if we knew how to tap on to God’s abundant love. Here are a couple of Scripture texts that may enable us to draw closer to God. Baruch 3: 1-2 [...]
This year, the season of Lent begins on the 6th of March, which is also the Feast of St. Colette. St. Colette or Nicolette as she is popularly called, was a reformer and founded 17 Fransciscan convents. She brought many back to the original rule of St. Francis, despite the abuse and persecution she faced. While she was blessed [...]
The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, written by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988, speaks of the vocation and mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the world. The introduction offers us a reflection on the Parable of the labourers in the vineyard in Matthew 20. The Lay members of Christ’s Faithful People may be [...]
As we celebrate the Chinese New Year (CNY), let us give praise to God our Father, with a deep sense of thanksgiving in being reunited with the members of the extended family. Family gatherings are times to thank God for His manifold blessings. It is also a time to remember our forefathers and those who have passed on in [...]
Faith journaling is a gift for the long haul, to make your faith active. “Journaling is a pathway for joy & a powerful tool in the hands of love.” It could be a habit-based approach to your spiritual growth, to help you focus on what is God saying to you. How should one begin? There is no right or [...]
We are all sinners, and we have been wounded in some way or another. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim [...]
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of [...]
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all its sins.” Psalm 130: 5-8 There [...]