lokaalokaya

4th Sunday of Lent : Reconciliation

First Reading  Joshua 5:9a,10-12The Israelites celebrate the Passover in the promised land.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 34:2-7A prayer of praise to God.
Second Reading  2 Corinthians 5:17-21Paul preaches our reconciliation with Christ.
Gospel ReadingLuke 15:1-3,11-32
 
In Baptism, we’re given a divine birthright, made “a new creation,” as Paul puts it in today’s Epistle. But when we sin, we’re like the prodigal, quitting our Father’s house, squandering our inheritance in trying to live without Him.
Lost in sin, we cut ourselves off from the grace of sonship lavished upon us in Baptism. It is still possible for us to come to our senses, make our way back to the Father, as the prodigal does. And Lent is the acceptable time to do just that.

Third Sunday of Lent: Repentance

First Reading  Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and sends him to the Israelites.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 103:1-4,6-7,8,11A prayer in praise of God's mercy
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12Paul teaches that the Scriptures were written to set an example for us.
Gospel ReadingLuke 13:1-9
 
The patience of God super abounds the Judgement of God. The longer a barren tree is left to grow, the greater the mischief it would perpetuate. Therefore it needs to be cut off. But God is so generous to give us a second chance so that we might not only bear fruits of good works but also rend our hearts and come back to God with repentance.

Second Sunday of Lent: Transfiguration

For the apostles the transfiguration was an awe-inspiring experience. They had never seen their master like this before. Peter, filled with consolation says,“Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us erect three booths here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” On Mount Tabor they didn't want to leave. In the Garden of Gethsemane they didn't want to stay. When Jesus was arrested they all fled. But it is not to be. The transfiguration is only a preparation for things to come. With Jesus they must descend the mountain to the valley below and on to the garden of Gethsemane and Calvary.

First Sunday in Lent: Overcoming Temptation

First Reading         :  Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7Psalm                     :  Psalm 32Second Reading    :  Romans 5:12-19Gospel                   :  Matthew 4:1-11
 
Today on the 1st Sunday of Lent we are taken into the desert. When Jesus was baptized he realized his new identity (of being God’s Son) and the mission for which God had sent him (to save mankind through the way of the Cross). Now in the desert the devil tries to test both Jesus’ Identity and Mission. The devil is trying to make Jesus doubt of His identity as the divine Son and propose three easy ways to achieve His Mission. The first temptation is the proposal to give into “pleasure”instead of the Cross. The second temptation is the proposal to be addicted topower and popularity and the third temptation is the proposal to be greedy forwealth. Jesus did not displease God and loose his Sonship. He chose the narrow road of the Cross to bring us salvation.

Ash Wednesday 2025

Lectionary Readings
Joel 2:1–2, 12–17The day of the Lord is coming; return to God with all your heart.
or Isaiah 58:1–12The fast God chooses: do justice, release captives, help the poor.
Psalm 51:1–17Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new spirit within me.
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10Be reconciled to God in Christ; now is the day of salvation!
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21Don’t flaunt your fasting and prayer; store up treasure in heaven.

8 th Sunday in ordinary time year C -

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Be merciful as God is

First Reading  1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23David does not kill Saul.
 
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13A song in praise of God's mercy
 
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:45-49As we bear the image of Adam, so we will bear the image of the one from heaven.
Gospel ReadingLuke 6:27-38
Today's gospel reading is a continuation of the teaching that began in last Sunday's gospel. We continue to hear Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. Recall that in Luke's Gospel, this teaching is addressed to Jesus' disciples. This is in contrast to the parallel found in Matthew's Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus' words are addressed to both the disciples and to the crowds.
These words from Jesus' teaching are familiar to us. They constitute the crux and the challenge of what it means to be a disciple: Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give to those who ask, do unto others, lend without expecting repayment, judge not lest you be judged.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: The way to happiness

First Reading Jeremiah 17:5-8Put trust and hope in the Lord, not in human beings.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-4,6Blessed are those who follow the law of the Lord.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20Our hope for resurrection is sure because Christ has been raised from the dead.
Gospel Reading Luke 6:17,20-26 
Last Sunday we heard Jesus call Peter to be his disciple. Jesus then travels with Peter and the other disciples. Luke reports acts of healing (a person with leprosy and a paralytic man) and the call of Levi, the tax collector. Jesus also replies to questions from the Pharisees regarding fasting and the observance of the Sabbath. In the verses immediately before today's gospel reading, Jesus is reported to have chosen 12 men from among his disciples to be apostles. Apostle is a Greek word that means “one who is sent.”
Today's gospel reading is the beginning of what is often called the Sermon on the Plain. We find a parallel to this passage in Matthew 5:1-7,11 that is often called the Sermon on the Mount. As these titles suggest, there are differences and similarities between these gospel readings.
 
The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. We are challenged to examine our present situation in the context of our ultimate horizon, the Kingdom of God.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time :Disciple's Call

First Reading  Isaiah 6:1-2a,3-8Isaiah describes his vision and call from the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 138:1-5,7-8A song of thanks to God who saves us
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel that he announced to them.
Gospel ReadingLuke 5:1-11
 
In today’s Gospel Peter trusts and obeys God's word: "at Thy Word I will lay my nets". In doing so he experiences God's power in the great catch of fish. Because Peter accepts his own inadequacy and sinfulness God is able to change him. The scratches in our lives could become beautiful opportunities for God to turn a negative into a positive, a minus into a plus.

Fourth Sunday of the Ordinary Time (Year C): Rejection

First Reading Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19The Lord assures Jeremiah that he will deliver him from all who fight against him.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:1-2,3-4,5-6,15,17A song in praise of God's salvation
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13 Paul describes love as the greatest of virtues.
Gospel ReadingLuke 4:21-30
 
Today in the Gospel we see Jesus' own people rejecting Him. They were too familiar with Him to listen to Him: "familiarity begets contempt". Jesus can only repeat the proverb, that a prophet is not accepted in his own country. Are we ready to undergo different hardships for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of His Gospel?

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C :The Word of God

First Reading  Nehemiah 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10Ezra reads from the book of the Law and interprets it for all to understand.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 19:8,9,10,15A song in praise of the Law of the Lord
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Paul explains that all were baptized into the one body of Christ.
Gospel ReadingLuke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
As Jesus stands in the synagogue, he reads from the scroll handed to him; it contains the words of the prophet Isaiah. At this early moment in his ministry, Jesus announces his mission in continuity with Israel's prophetic tradition. This reading from Isaiah defines Jesus' ministry. We will find more evidence of this as we continue to read from Luke's Gospel throughout the year. Jesus' ministry will include bringing glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, healing to the sick, freedom to the oppressed, and proclaiming a year acceptable to the Lord.
Through this text from Isaiah, Jesus announces God's salvation. The “year acceptable to the Lord” is a reference to the Jewish tradition of Sabbath years and jubilee. The Sabbath year was observed every seventh year. It was a year of rest when land was left fallow and food stores were to be shared equally with all. A year of Jubilee was celebrated every fiftieth year, the conclusion of seven cycles of Sabbath years. It was a year of renewal in which debts were forgiven and slaves were freed

Second Sunday of the Ordinary Time Year C : When Jesus enters into our lives it is like 'water changed into wine'.

First Reading  Isaiah 62:1-5God delights in Israel and will rejoice as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,9-10A song in praise of God's marvelous deeds
Second Reading  1 Corinthians 12:4-11All spiritual gifts originate from the same Spirit.
Gospel ReadingJohn 2:1-11
Today is the 2nd Sunday of the Ordinary Time. The Gospel present a 'theophany' where Jesus manifests himself as the one who brings a new taste, a new colour and a new fragrance in to our lives. Wherever Jesus is - there is new life, where ever Jesus is - there is an abundance, wherever Jesus is - there is richness, and with whom Jesus is - their future is insured.

The Baptism of the Lord : Being the Beloved

First Reading  Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11   Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 104:1b-4,24-25,27-30   A prayer praising God's greatness
Second Reading  Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7  Jesus Christ saved us and renewed us with his Holy Spirit.
Gospel ReadingLuke 3:15-16,21-22
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin.

The Feast of the Epiphany: follow the star

The Feast of the Epiphany could be understood by the three S. The first S is, to See. The wise men saw the star and they followed. God speaks to us through signs. Are we able to see and understand those sings? God tells us not to see with our physical eyes but to see with our hearts. The second S is Search. The wise men were searching for Christ. Once we have found the star we have to hvae a great desire to put our desire into action and seek after that sign. The last S is Submit or to obey. The wise men did this once they found Jesus and offered to Him the best of everything. All signs finally lead us to worship the Lord. Is there a star out there beckoning you? The star is the good out there to be sought, the truth to be embraced. Even our regrets about our weaknesses and sinfulness which can sometimes stir up our conscience could be that twinkling star. It may be a feeling of anger or guilt, or perhaps a sense of loss. Let that not frighten you. Let it not create clouds to hide it from you. Follow where that star leads and when it stops, go into the house, prostrate yourself and offer your gifts. The Eucharist that we celebrate today can be itself an epiphany, an encounter with that Star, a marvellous revelation of the love of Jesus in Word and Sacrament, for those who believe. May our celebration today be an epiphany that leads us to see God more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.

The Solemnity of Mary Mother of God: The Blessing

In the first reading we find the ancient prayer of blessing which God gave to Moses to hand on to Aaron and his sons: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num 6:24-25). There is no more meaningful time than the beginning of a new year to hear these words of blessing: they will accompany our journey through the year opening up before us. The Mother of God is the first of the blessed, and it is she who bears the blessing; she is the woman who received Jesus into herself and brought him forth for the whole human family. Thus we can say that the message of hope contained in this blessing was fully realized in Mary. This was the very experience that the shepherds of Bethlehem too had, who reappear in today’s Gospel. They had the experience of standing in God’s presence and seeing the Blessing. Let us ask the grace to behold this Blessing, to receive that blessing and to be a blessing to all whom we meet.

The Feast of the Holy Family

First ReadingGenesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3(or the first reading from Cycle A: Sirach 3:2-7,12-14)God fulfills his promise to Abraham, and Sarah gives birth to a son.
Responsorial PsalmPsalm 105:1-6,8-9 (or the psalm from Cycle A: Psalm 128:1-5)A prayer of thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness to his covenant.
Second ReadingHebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19 (or the second reading from Cycle A: Colossians 3:12-21)Paul examines Abraham's example of faith.
Gospel ReadingLuke 2:22-40 (or shorter form: Luke 2:22,39-40)
 
 
This Feast of the Holy Family can help us see that families can be holy. The story of the Holy Family is the story of life not always turning out the way you expected. It’s the story of a teenage mother, conceiving a child before she was married.  It’s the story of an anxious father, confronting scandal, planning on divorce. It’s the story of a family forced to become refugees, living as immigrants in the land that once held their ancestors as slaves.  It’s the story of a missing child, and days of anxious searching by his parents. The Holy Family has to go through all the difficulties and challenges like a normal human family. But there had two great qualities: Trust in God and sacrificial love. These are the same two qualities which will bring happiness and fulfilment to our families as well. 

The Nativity of our Lord: God enters our messy world

First ReadingIsaiah 9:1-6To those in darkness, a child will be born who will have dominion over the earth.
Responsorial PsalmPsalm 96:1-2,2-3,11-12,13Sing a new song to the Lord.
Second ReadingTitus 2:11-14God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.
Gospel ReadingLuke 2:1-14
 
Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger. Why did God chose this messy condition, this dirty place to be born? The crib/the stable is a symbol. It is a symbol of our tainted nature, symbol of our wounded humanity and messy world. God wanted to be a part of this messy and sinful world. God wanted to be born to a broken and a wounded world. If the Word truly dwelt among us, then he was part of a family that, like most, was fairly dysfunctional, a mix of the good and bad, the saintly and the sinful, the glorious and the not so glorious. And this is such good news for us. The good news of Christmas is that God himself pushed into the dysfunctional and ambiguous family of man. And he continues to join us, even though we, like so many of his Israelite ancestors, are unworthy of him. Like them, we are flawed, compromised, half-finished. But he becomes our brother anyway. That's the amazing grace of the Incarnation. What appears to be our most chaotic, congested, convoluted times in our lives might be the best time for God to enter and be born (and flood us with his saving grace). 

Fourth Sunday in Advent - Nothing is impossible with God

 
 
Today’s Gospel presents to us the Annunciation to Mary by archangel Gabriel. Mary knew that from the human point of view she may not even be able to bring her pregnancy to its full term but she had faith to believe that what is impossible for us is possible for God. And so with that faith she said “yes.” She surrendered into the hands of God, and it really was surrendering because she did not know what the consequences would be. But she had faith to believe that no matter what difficulties would follow, God would provide a way out and a remedy. Mary’s final words to the angel are a model for each of us, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) And because Mary surrendered to God, Jesus came. Mary shows us how to be a follower of Jesus, making a loving surrender into the hands of God who loves us. When we wonder if we can make such an act of trust and abandonment into the hands of God let us remember that when God calls us he also gives us the grace.

Third Sunday of Advent : Shine Jesus Shine

First Reading  Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11The Lord's salvation will be made known to the poor and the oppressed.
Responsorial Psalm  Luke 1:46-50,53-54Mary sings praise to God.
Second Reading  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.
Gospel Reading  John 1:6-8,19-28
Today we celebrate Gaudate Sunday, the Sunday of Joy in the midst of the Advent penitential season. We rejoice because the Lord is near to us in the coming celebration of his birth, made present for us now. Today’s Gospel presents John the Baptist once again but this time, as a wonderful companion and friend to Jesus. He made no exaggerated claims of his greatness but claims the truth in clear terms. He could have lied and pretended to be the Christ to gain cheep popularity. But John always spoke the truth and said that he was only the voice but the Word was Jesus, that he was only the messenger but the Message was Jesus, that he was only a shadow but the light was Jesus. In keeping with the life example of John the Baptist the Gospel invites us to let Jesus shine in and through us. Can we allow Jesus to shine in us? That’s the lesson we learn from John the Baptizer.

Second Sunday of Advent : Prepare the way; metanoia

First Reading Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 85:9-14The Lord's salvation is near.
Second Reading  2 Peter 3:8-14Peter teaches that we must always be holy because the return of the Lord cannot be predicted.
Gospel ReadingMark 1:1-8
 
The message of Advent can never change or be changed: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John preaches repentance, metanoia, change, renewal, and return to God. “Change yourselves from deep within”, is the focus of his message. Our preparation is an essentially an opening of our inner being to God’s comforting and healing presence so that the Holy Spirit can transform and make a new creation of us. Repentance begins with recognizing our need for change and renewal, with dissatisfaction with who and what we are, and with the progress we have made in following Christ. This recognition of our unsatisfactory spiritual condition is basic to desire, and desire is what Advent preparation is all about.