How are we waiting? Whenever I pray the rosary and meditate upon the first Joyful Mystery, I always wonder how Mary felt at the time when angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced such a life-changing revelation from God. I wonder what her thoughts are as she hears His plans for her. Jewish women were typically betrothed around the age [...]
On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to the colour rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. It takes its name from the first word of the entrance antiphon – “Rejoice in the Lord always!”(Philippians 4:4). But why are we joyful? Simply because our Saviour is near! In the first reading, we hear the joyful [...]
In today’s readings, we read about God’s promise of the coming of Christ. Isaiah comforts the people with the prophecy of the redemption of God’s coming. However, he talks also about having to reconcile with our one true living God. Through Isaiah, we learn that God cares for us and that He will not leave us or forsake us. His [...]
The Lord has blessed us abundantly for us to understand his love and providence. To be truly appreciative this, we should use these blessings to live in his presence. The blessings of material comfort can often turn us into jello. For comfort is what most of us seek. In this comfort, there is a letting down of our guard and [...]
Jesus’ final teaching in this week’s Gospel examines how we treat those in need. In this account, when Jesus returns in his glory, he will sit on his throne and separate people “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:32). The separation depends on how we treat people in need. To the sheep, he says, “Come, you [...]
Imagine an important exam we have to sit for, a very long journey we have to make, a critical assignment we have to submit. Imagine also that we know exactly what questions will be asked, and what the answers are, what to pack for the trip, how to go about the assignment. How should we prepare ourselves for each of [...]
The theme of today’s liturgical readings is ‘Wisdom’. What is wisdom? The letter of St James says “…the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” (3:17) Seeker of true wisdom will find her when we build a closer relationship with God. We can look at [...]
Whatever we proclaim to others we must be able to turn that into our deeds daily. This was unlike the Pharisees and Scribes who did not practice what they preached. All that is said must be put into action straight away and we must follow the footsteps and teachings of Jesus if we were to find his way, truth, and [...]
When the people came to become God's People, it was strictly prohibited to sacrifice to the pagan gods. God's laws were often broken, and as a result the Lord God permitted the people's own sins to overtake them. They were tormented by serpents, and put into exile, they lost their victories in battle, and the people became slaves to other [...]
“Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." (Matthew 22:21) In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we see a futile attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about paying taxes to Caesar. However, Jesus, in His wisdom, not only evaded their trap but delivered a profound [...]
