Episodes
Thursday Nov 30, 2017
December 3 – First Sunday of Advent : Be Prepared
Thursday Nov 30, 2017
Thursday Nov 30, 2017
First Reading Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b;64:2-7
Isaiah prays for the Lord's forgiveness of the people.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19
A prayer for the Lord's protection
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Paul gives thanks to God for the faith of the Corinthians.
Gospel Reading Mark 13:33-37
Today we enter the season of Advent: a time of special preparation for the coming of the Lord. Mark's portrait of the doorman watching out to open for the Lord whenever he suddenly appears is an image of what we are expected to be doing all year long but especially during the season of Advent. The doorman keeps awake in order to recognize and welcome the Lord at his coming. Faith, likewise, transforms us into people who are able to recognize the Lord and willing to receive him. Recognition is crucial because the Lord does not always come in easily recognizable ways. At Bethlehem he came in the form of a baby and people did not recognize him. In the Parable of the Last Judgment, which we heard last Sunday, he said he came to people in the form of the most needy and disadvantaged of this world and many did not recognize him. But true people of faith did recognize him and serve him in these people who live in the blind-spot of society. Faith is first a way of seeing, and then a way of living.
Thursday Nov 23, 2017
November 26 - Feast of Christ the King: We will be judged on love
Thursday Nov 23, 2017
Thursday Nov 23, 2017
First Reading Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17
God himself will shepherd the people of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1-2,2-3,5-6Â
The Lord is our shepherd.
Second Reading Corinthians 15:20-26,28Â
Because Christ has been raised from the dead, all those who have died will also be raised.
Gospel Reading Matthew 25:31-46
On this, the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, the Feast of Christ the King, we have heard the Gospel reading about the Last Judgement. It is an extraordinary text which is not just about a future moment in history, but about the very essence of being a follower of Jesus Christ today. It is a challenge to each of us and to our Christian community to remember that being a Christian is never just something inward looking. The Christian life is never self-centred. God is love and the Christian life can only be a life which reflects that love. The Christian cannot be unconcerned about or uninterested in those around us, especially those who are marginalized. We will be judged by how we have loved and especially about how we have loved not just those near and dear to us but by how we have loved the most marginal, the people with whom we would often not normally have any contact. Christ’s kingdom will only be fully realized when our world fully witnesses to God’s kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice love and peace.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
November 19 - Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Talents, Kingdom and Accountability
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
Wednesday Nov 15, 2017
First Reading Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31
The virtues of a good wife are extolled.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2,3,4-5
Blessed are those who walk in God's ways.
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Paul warns the Thessalonians to stay alert because the day of the Lord cannot be predicted.
Gospel Reading Matthew 25:14-30
Today’s readings tell us that God gives everyone enough talents and gifts. He gives sufficient to all. Our gifts vary. He gives us not only for our own (selfish) consumption only but in order that we may use them finally to extend His kingdom. But on our part God appreciates accountability. There will be a day of judgement for everyone based on stewardship. Each will be judged by what was given to him or her. We are called to do the best with whatever we are and we have. What matters at the end is not what people’s talents are but how they are used for the kingdom. What matters is not how big or how many are our gifts, but how faithful and whole hearted are we in the use of them.
Saturday Nov 11, 2017
November 12 - Therty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time : Be Ready
Saturday Nov 11, 2017
Saturday Nov 11, 2017
First Reading Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom will come to those who seek it.
Responsorial Psalm. Psalm 63:2,3-4,5-6,7-8
Our souls are thirsting for God.
Second Reading. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(shorter form: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
God will raise all those who have died.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, teaching his disciples the importance of being prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.
According to marriage customs of Jesus’ day, a bride was first “betrothed” to her husband but continued for a time to live with her family. Then, at the appointed hour some months later, the groom would come to claim her, leading her family and bridal party to the wedding feast that would celebrate and inaugurate their new life together.
This is the background to the parable of the last judgment we hear in today’s Gospel.
In the parable’s symbolism, Jesus is the Bridegroom . In this, He fulfills God’s ancient promise to join himself forever to His chosen people as a husband cleaves to his bride . The virgins of the bridal party represent us, the members of the Church.
We were “betrothed” to Jesus in Baptism and are called to lives of holiness and devotion until He comes again to lead us to the heavenly wedding feast at the end of time (see Revelation 19:7-9; 21:1-4 ).
Please note
We appolagize for the delay of this week posting due to a technical difficulty with the hosting website.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
November 5 - Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time : Beware of pride!
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
Wednesday Nov 01, 2017
First Reading Malachi 1:14 - 2:2b,8-10
Through the prophet Malachi, God judges the priests of Israel and calls them to be more faithful to the Covenant.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 131:1-3
We find peace in the Lord.
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9,13
Paul gives thanks to God for the way in which the Thessalonians received the word of God.
Gospel Reading Matthew 23:1-12
In today's Gospel Jesus says, He who exalts himself will be humbled. Today we are reminded of the deadliest of all sins- pride. It tops the list of the even deadliest sins. It is defined as the exaltation, the glorification of the ego. A person is in a dangerous position if he or she thinks that the world is revolving around him or her, that he or she is indispensable. When a person thinks this way, he or she is already on the way to destruction. Every Christian therefore, despite the temptations to Pharisee-ism in all of us, is to seek to render selfless service rather than to obtain titles, recognition or power. Our Christian love demands of us to manifest God's love in our life. Let us remember Jesus saying, The greatest among you must be your servant. The best soil for the growth of Christian virtue is humble service and detachment - detachment from not only things, but from praise and prestige. And this is the Good News of today.