True freedom

Mt 17:22-27

When the disciples were together with Jesus in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised up again.’ And a great sadness came over them. When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners,’ Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.’ Read More

 Do not falter along the way

1 Kgs 19:4-8

In those days, Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.  And the angel of the Lord came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.”  And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. Read More

To hate one’s own life in this world

Jn 12:24-26

Reading for the Feast of St. Lawrence

At that time Jesus said to his disciples: “In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him”. Read More

NEVER GIVE UP

“As long as we live, we will fight. As long as we fight, it is a sign that we are not defeated and that the good Spirit dwells in us. If death does not find you a victor, may it at least find you a fighter” (St. Augustine).

A wise and helpful saying of St. Augustine! Indeed, we must never lose heart, even if we experience defeats in our journey of following Christ or in our apostolic endeavors. Read More

Come, we’re going for our people

Est 4:17 k-m, r-t

Reading for the memorial of St Edith Stein

In those days Queen Esther took refuge with the Lord in the mortal peril which had overtaken her. She took off her sumptuous robes and put on sorrowful mourning. Instead of expensive perfumes, she covered her head with ashes and dung. She mortified her body severely, and the former scenes of her happiness and elegance were now littered with tressestorn from her hair. She besought the Lord God of Israel in these words: My Lord, our King, the Only One, come to my help, for I am alone and have no helper but you and am about to take my life in my hands.

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You are the Messiah

Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do men say that the Son of man is?”  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.  He said to them, But who do you say that I am?  Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Read More

FEAST OF GOD THE FATHER: “Father of all humanity”

Through the meditations of the last few days, we have had the opportunity to encounter God the Father more closely. Sometimes negative experiences that we may have had in our lives prevent us from recognizing the true image of God, for example, if the relationship with our biological father was rather problematic. However, one should not get caught up in these experiences; instead, it becomes even more necessary to discover God as our loving Father, who is able to heal our wounds and fill any inner emptiness with Himself. Read More