Daily Readings

August 28, 2025, Thursday

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1

1 Thessalonians 3:7–13

Brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 90:3–4, 12–13, 14 and 17

Response: Fill us with your merciful love, O Lord, and we shall exult.

You turn man back to dust,

and say, “Return, O children of men.”

To your eyes a thousand years

are like yesterday, come and gone,

or like a watch in the night.

Response: Fill us with your merciful love, O Lord, and we shall exult.

Then teach us to number our days,

that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Turn back, O Lord! How long?

Show pity to your servants.

Response: Fill us with your merciful love, O Lord, and we shall exult.

At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;

we shall exult and rejoice all our days.

Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us;

give success to the work of our hands.

O give success to the work of our hands.

Response: Fill us with your merciful love, O Lord, and we shall exult.

Alleluia

Matthew 24:42a, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Stay awake, be ready; the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Gospel

Matthew 24:42–51

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed’, and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Reflection

None of us knows how long we will live, nor did Jesus reveal how long human history would continue before he came again for the final judgement. This should make us realize that we need to be always ready to meet the Lord, to have our actions true, and our conscience always clear. We need to be living as if each day were our last, as if our eternal happiness depended on the choices and actions of this very day. Every moment is precious and important in God’s eyes, and the one necessary thing is working to attain our salvation. This is more important than anything else we can accomplish in life. Often it can seem that God is distant and not involved in our lives. It can seem that he is not coming back anytime soon, and this can lead us to become distracted with many other things. Every day we need to renew our spirit of faith in God and his constant presence, living each day to please him, no matter how long the delay seems to be.

St Augustine of Hippo, Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church (354-430)

Today is the feast of Saint Augustine (354–430).

He was raised in the Christian faith by his mother, though he was not baptised as a child. In his youth, he left the Church in search of ‘truth’.

For a time, he embraced Manichaeism (a heresy), and later explored Neo-Platonism. He also lived with a mistress, with whom he had a son.

Throughout this time, his mother, St Monica, prayed fervently for his conversion.

Augustine eventually encountered the great St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Both were brilliant minds, but it was Ambrose—by the grace of God—who succeeded where others had not. Augustine was baptised in 387.

He returned to North Africa and was eventually elected Bishop of Hippo, a role he served in faithfully for 34 years.

He died as the Roman Empire was collapsing and barbarian forces were attacking Hippo.

Augustine left behind a profound body of writings that continue to guide and inspire. One of his most famous reflections reads:

“Late have I loved you, Beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved you!
Lo, you were within, but I was outside, and I sought you out there…
You called, shouted, and broke through my deafness;
You flared, blazed, and banished my blindness;
You breathed your fragrance on me, I drew in breath and now I pant for you.
I tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst;
You touched me, and I burned for your peace…”

Augustine is regarded as one of the great teachers of the early Church. His theological insights significantly shaped Christian doctrine. Over time, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has continued to refine and expand upon his teachings—yet much of his thought remains deeply relevant today.

We are custodians of a living deposit of faith. As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit continues to lead us into a fuller understanding of that faith in every age.

As we reflect, we hear the words of Jesus echo: “Wise is the scribe who brings forth treasures both old and new.”

Daily Readings

August 27, 2025, Wednesday

Memorial of Saint Monica

Reading 1

1 Thessalonians 2:9–13

You remember, brothers, our labour and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct towards you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 139:7–8, 9–10, 11–12ab

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

O where can I go from your spirit,

or where can I flee from your face?

If I climb the heavens, you are there.

If I lie in the grave, you are there.

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

If I take the wings of the dawn

or dwell at the sea’s furthest end,

even there your hand would lead me;

your right hand would hold me fast. 

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

If I say, “Let the darkness hide me

and the light around me be night,”

even darkness is not dark to you,

the night shall be as bright as day. 

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

Alleluia

1 John 2:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever keeps Christ’s word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.

Gospel

Matthew 23:27–32

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.

Reflection

Chapter 23 of Matthew’s Gospel gives us the Master’s scathing condemnation of the Jewish leadership, expressing the rolling thunder of Jesus’ anger and sorrow at the hypocrisy or double standards of the Scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus levels three accusations against the Pharisees: 1) they do not practice what they preach, 2) they resort to a very narrow and burdensome interpretation of the Torah, and 3) they seek public acknowledgement and glory for themselves rather than for God. What Jesus wants is a pure heart, with no element of deceit. We should not follow the dog-in-the-manger policy of the Pharisees by not keeping God’s commandments ourselves and not allowing others to keep them. Let us avoid frivolous sweari…

St Monica, Widow (331-387)

Monica, a Christian, was married at the age of 20 to Patricius, a pagan official at Tagaste (North Africa), whose violent temper and dissolute pagan habits caused her much suffering, making the Christian education of their offspring rather difficult; but after 18 years of married life Patricius, whom she had borne three children, finally embraced the Faith, and died soon after.

Thenceforth Augustine, her eldest son, was her sole preoccupation, for during his studies at Carthage he had become ensnared by the Manichaean heresy, and kept a woman as mistress for the next 15 years. Monica tried in vain to persuade a visiting Bishop, who had himself passed the Manichaean errors, to lead her son back to the truth; she had to content herself with the bishop’s assurance that “it is impossible that the son of such tears should perish!”

Monica followed Augustine to Milan, where she befriended the great Bishop, St Ambrose whose eloquence and sanctity helped Augustine to come into the Church at Easter 387.

“My son, I had but one object in life, and that was to see you a Catholic,” Monica once said to Augustine; “God has done more than I had dared to hope for in that he has taught you to despise all that the world can offer in order to follow him. Bury my body where you will. All I ask is that you remember me always at the altar of God!”

Monica died in the arms of Augustine in Ostia, the port of Rome, aged 56.

Reflection: “Never can I describe what her love was for me! By her glance as well as her words she raised our hearts to God. If I am Your Child, Oh my God, it is because you did give me such a mother!” (St Augustine)

Daily Readings

August 26, 2025

Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

You yourselves know, brothers that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 139:1–3, 4–6

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

O Lord, you search me and you know me.

You yourself know my resting and my rising;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark when I walk or lie down;

you know all my ways

through and through.

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

Before ever a word is on my tongue,

you know it, O Lord, through and through.

Behind and before, you besiege me,

your hand ever laid upon me.

Too wonderful for me, this knowledge;

too high, beyond my reach.

Response: O Lord, you search me and you know me.

Alleluia

Hebrews 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Gospel

Matthew 23:23–26

At that time: Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

Reflection

Jesus criticizes those who look well on the outside but within leave a lot to be desired. We all know that appearances can be deceptive. There isn’t always a good fit between the person we present to others and the person we are in our heart of hearts. It is clear from the Gospel Reading that Jesus is more interested in how people are in their hearts than in how they appear. He wants his followers to attend to what is within first, their basic attitudes and values, and not to be worried about appearances. If what is within is right, then it will show itself in how we appear to others. Jesus praised Nathanael as a person who was incapable of deceit, or, in an older translation, a ‘man in whom there is no guile.’ In other words, there was a harmony between what was within him and what was evident to others. Nathanael had plenty of work to do on what was within, as Jesus went on to point out, but, at least, he wasn’t pretending to be someone he was not.

St Zephyrinus Pope Martyr(-217)

St Zephyrinus became the XVth Pope in 199 on the death of St Victor I. Three years later Emperor Septimius Severus, whose mother, a Christian, had at first inclined him to be tolerant of the faith, issued his edict of persecution, prohibiting all conversions to Christianity and Judaism under the severest penalties.

Pope Zephyrinus entrusted to his Archdeacon St Callistus I, the administration of the burial ground which the Church had acquired on the Appian Way (its first landed property), and this has ever since been known as the Catacombs of St Callistus. The narrow subterranean galleries of the Roman catacombs, lined on both sides with tiers of recessed tombs, were gradually extended to greater depths and to distances of many miles, so that they eventually became a maze way. The entrances were carefully concealed in vine­yards or disused sandpits. As recently as 1849 a Papal crypt was discovered in these Catacombs which had served for the interment of the Popes.

Zephyrinus had to contend with a number of heretical sects, and it was during his reign that Tertullian went over to the Montanists, who were then very active in Rome. This Pope also abolished the use of wooden chalices, decreeing that these be replaced with glass ones if metal was too expensive. He also required all the faithful to receive Holy Communion at Easter.

Zephyrinus won the crown of martyrdom on 26 August 217. His relics are enshrined in San Silvestro at Rome, the church for English Catholics in the Eternal City.

Reflection: “I am telling you the truth, you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness”  (Jn 16:20).

Daily Readings

August 25, 2025

Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

1 Thessalonians 1:1–5, 8b–10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. But your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 149:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6a, and 9b

Response: The Lord takes delight in his people.

Sing a new song to the Lord,

his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;

let Sion’s children exult in their king.

Response: The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let them praise his name with dancing,

and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people;

he crowns the poor with salvation.

Response: The Lord takes delight in his people.

Let the faithful exult in glory,

and rejoice as they take their rest.

Let the praise of God be in their mouths

this is an honour for all his faithful.

Response: The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia

John 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel

Matthew 23:13-22

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

Reflection

Here Jesus gives us some very useful tools to help us discern truth from lies or error, and true teachers from false teachers. False teachers fail to see and worship Jesus as the Messiah. Ask yourself, does this person, I’m listening to and following, believe Jesus is the Christ?  Is he worshipping Jesus as the Messiah?  Is he teaching me to worship Jesus as Messiah? False teachers may be devout, but in their zeal, they bring great harm to others. Ask yourself why I listen to this person. Is it because he is very entertaining? Because I like his accent? Because he is fun to watch? Or does he speak the truth? False teachers twist the scriptures for their gain. Ask yourself, does this teacher say what the Bible says? Does he go beyond the Scriptures and claim extra knowledge? Does he view the Bible as God’s Word, authoritative and the source of truth?

St Louis IX King, Confessor (1214—1270)

Louis was only 11 when he became king on his father’s death in 1226. For 10 years he ruled under his wise mother’s guardianship, even as she continued to exert a beneficent influence on French affairs until her death in 1252. At 19, he married Marguerite of Provence, who bore him 10 children; he proved himself a devoted husband and father.

By nature and upbringing deeply religious, Louis never forgot his mother’s assertion: “I would rather see you dead at my feet than guilty of one mortal sin!” Each day he took time to attend two Masses, to recite the Divine Office and, unknown to his subjects, spent long hours in prayer and acts of penance. The custom of genuflecting during the Creed at the homo factus est and at the passages in the Gospels pertaining to the Lord’s death on the Cross, owes its origin to him. Indifferent to personal comfort, his tender sympathies went out to the poor and unfortunate.

Strong-willed yet holy, he was a friend of the clergy and particularly of the young Franciscan and Dominican Orders, himself becoming a Franciscan tertiary before embarking on the seventh Crusade. Probably most famous among the buildings which he caused to be erected, are the college of the Sorbonne, which became the theological faculty of Paris, and the Sainte Chapelle, an architectural gem, which housed the relics of the True Cross and the Crown of Thorns.

He succumbed to a malignant fever in 1270. Canonized in 1297, St Louis is revered as the patron of stone masons, printers and barbers.

Reflection: “Be always ready rather to suffer all manner of torments than to commit any mortal sin” (St Louis).

Daily Readings

August 23, 2025

Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Ruth 2:1–3, 8–11; 4:13–17

Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favour.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech. Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.” Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favour in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighbourhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 128:1–2, 3, 4, 5

Response: Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

and walk in his ways!

By the labour of your hands you shall eat.

You will be blessed and prosper.

Response: Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; your children like shoots of the olive around your table.

Indeed thus shall be blessed

the man who fears the Lord.

Response: Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Sion.

May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life!

Response: Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Alleluia

Matthew 23:9b, 10b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have one Father, who is in heaven; and you have one instructor, the Christ.

Gospel

Matthew 23:1–12

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practise. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection

The life of Jesus is about finding ways to serve and to live as a servant. But today in our life, be it in the Church or in the society our central concern is to be happy, and successful, and “become a better me.” We’re supposed to be finding ways to bring others joy, helping them be the best they can be. When the Christian faith is really and truly lived out in service, looking after the welfare of others, everyone is a winner, and God is praised and exalted. But, when our first inclination is to isolate ourselves in our cares and concerns, we lose a lot.

St Rose of Lima, Virgin (1586 -1617)

Isabella de Florez took the name Rose Marie when she was confirmed at the age of 11 by Archbishop St Turibio. Like her role model, St Catherine of Siena, she led a rather austere life of prayer, fasting and severe mortification within her family circle, even as she helped support it through her exquisite lace and embroidery work.

In spite of a decade of family opposition and ridicule, Rose finally attained her long-desired goal of becoming a religious. As a Dominican tertiary at 20, Sister Rose of St Mary redoubled her penance — she partook of almost no food, wore an iron chain around her waist and a spiked metal crown concealed in her hair.

Our Lord revealed himself to her on numerous occasions, leaving her for hours in an ecstasy of peace and joy after she had successfully overcome diabolical temptations against purity and constancy in faith. She in turn would offer him all her mortifications in expiation for the sins and evil she saw all about her, including idolatory, and for the suffering souls in Purgatory.

“I beheld great scales in our Lord’s hands,” she once wrote, “and with minute care he distributed among the souls as many blessings as he had loaded them with affliction. You must know that in the true scales of Paradise grace corresponds to tribulation! No one would complain about the weight of his cross, if he knew of the scales in which it has been weighed!”

Beatified in 1668, Clare was canonized in 1671—the first American-born saint!

Reflection: “Contradictions bring us to the foot of the Cross, and the Cross to the gate of heaven” (St John B.M. Vianney).

Daily Readings

August 22, 2025

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading 1

Isaiah 9:2–7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 113:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8

Response: May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

praise the name of the Lord!

May the name of the Lord be blest

both now and forevermore!

Response: May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord,

above the heavens his glory.

Response: May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

Who is like the Lord, our God,

who dwells on high,

who lowers himself to look down

upon heaven and earth?

Response: May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,

from the ash heap he raises the poor,

to set them in the company of princes,

yes, with the princes of his people.

Response: May the name of the Lord be blest forevermore.

Alleluia

See Luke 1:28

R.    Alleluia, alleluia.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.

Gospel

Luke 1:26–38

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Reflection

When God asked in the days of Isaiah who would  go on His behalf, Isaiah responded, “Here I am; send me.” When the angel told Mary, ‘You are going to have a child born of the Holy Spirit’, Mary simply responded by saying, “I am the servant of the Lord.” I am just a servant; I am happy to serve the Lord. Ask me to do anything and I will do it. Whatever you need, Lord, that is what I will do!  Not ‘whatever is convenient for me, that is what I will do’. Mary will do anything to serve the Lord. This is a statement of great faith, in contrast to Zechariah who doubted. Mary believed and was ready for the task. We need to have the faith that says God can do anything and that we want to be the ones through whom God’s plans are accomplished. Not only do we want God’s plan to be done, but we want to be the ones to do God’s work and be servants in God’s plan.

Queenship of Mary (1955)

From the earliest centuries of the Church, Christians have addressed fervent prayers and hymns of praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because of her eminence, Christians have always acknowledged the royal excellence of the Mother of God whose Son “will reign in the house of Jacob forever” (Lk 1:32).

From the testimonies of the Fathers, theologians concluded that the Blessed Virgin is Queen of all creation, Sovereign Mistress of all humankind. “Since the great Virgin Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of the King of Kings, the Church justly honours her, and wishes that she be honoured with the glorious title of Queen,” says Saint Alphonsus de Liguori.

Proposing the traditional doctrine on the Queenship of Mary, Pope Pius XII says in his encyclical Ad Coeli Reginam: “We commend that on the festival there be renewed the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon this there is founded a great hope that there may arise an era of happiness that will rejoice in the triumph of religion and in Christian peace.

“Therefore, let all approach with greater confidence more than before, the throne of mercy and grace of our Queen and Mother to beg help in difficulty, light in darkness and solace in trouble and sorrow; and let them strive to free themselves from the servitude of sin....”

Reflection: “Mary’s conformity to the will of God was total. Mary enjoys God.     She ...  has a very special place in paradise: more perfect than that of the other saints because she is the Queen” (Blessed James Alberione).

Daily Readings

August 21, 2025

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope

Reading I

Judges 11:29–39a

In those days: The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh and passed on to Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed on to the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand. And he struck them from Aroer to the neighbourhood of Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with a great blow. So the Ammonites were subdued before the people of Israel. Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah. And behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. And as soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow.” And she said to him, “My father, you have opened your mouth to the Lord; do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, on the Ammonites.” So she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me: leave me alone for two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains and weep for my virginity, I and my companions.” So he said, “Go.” Then he sent her away for two months, and she departed, she and her companions, and wept for her virginity on the mountains. And at the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow that he had made.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 40:5, 7–8a, 8b–9, 10

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord,

and has not gone over to the proud who follow false gods.

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,

but in an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

Then I said, “See, I have come.”

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:

“I delight to do your will, O my God;

your instruction lies deep within me.”

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed;

you know it, O Lord.

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Alleluia

Psalm 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 22:1–14

At that time: Again Jesus spoke to chief priests and elders of the people, in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Reflection

Because of Christ’s unending and undeserved love for you, He, your eternal King has called you to the wedding banquet. You did not deserve it or earn it, but he freely provides all that you need. Don’t unduly think of yourself highly – but rejoice in your Saviour abundantly. You do not need to, and cannot, provide a life well lived to enter heaven. The only option you have is to depend on Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness, the results of his life and death in our place. And Jesus gives that mercy and forgiveness freely to all. You have the certainty of eternal life not because of you, but because of your Saviour. You will be seated at that eternal feast wearing the ‘wedding garment’ because you will be – and indeed are – clothed in your Saviour. You will be safe and protected with him forever because he has forgiven you.

Pope St Pius X, Pope, Confessor (1835-1914)

“To restore all things to Christ, in order that Christ may be all in all” was the motto of this 258th successor of Peter. And succeed in his endeavour he certainly did! For there was no aspect of the Church in which he did not enter, to discern, direct, determine, relaunch — the Liturgy, the Sacraments, catechesis, homiletics, Biblical study, Canon Law, sacred art and music, the social apostolate, priestly formation, matters ecclesiastical - whatever!

Born Giuseppe Melchiore Sarto in the diocese of Treviso, Italy, Pius X was the epitome of simplicity and humility, yet firm and decisive. His extraordinary intellectual endowments, high moral character, and solid piety evidenced from early youth, won him laurels during his seminary training at Padua—“in discipline second to none, of greatest ability, endowed with a very good memory and most promising”.

Ordained priest in 1858, he was consecrated Bishop of Mantua in 1884, created Cardinal in 1893 and made Patriarch of Venice three days later. Noted for his charity, he took the keenest interest in the fate of the working classes and was thus instrumental in drawing away many workers from the atheistic Socialist Trade Union.

Elected Pope 1903, his very first encyclical, E Supremi Apostolatus Cathedra, together with his allocution to the Sacred College of Cardinals set the tone for his pontificate.

The hostilities of World War I having saddened him to death in 1914, he was beatified in1951 and canonized in 1954.

Reflection: “Experience teaches that the man who exercises a frequent and rigid censorship over his thoughts, words and actions, is better capable of hating and avoiding evil and of cultivating earnestly what is good” (Pope St Pius X).

Daily Readings

August 20, 2025, Wednesday

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1

Judges 9:6–15

At that time: All the leaders of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem. When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honoured, and go to hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go to hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go to hold sway over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 21:2–3, 4–5, 6–7

Response: In your strength, O Lord, the king rejoices.

In your strength, O Lord, the king rejoices;

how greatly your salvation makes him glad!

You have granted him his heart’s desire;

you have not withheld the prayer of his lips.

Response: In your strength, O Lord, the king rejoices.

You came to meet him with blessings of prosperity;

you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.

He asked you for life and this you have given:

days that will last from age to age.

Response: In your strength, O Lord, the king rejoices.

By your saving help great is his glory;

you have bestowed upon him majesty and splendour;

you have granted him blessings forever,

made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.

Response: In your strength, O Lord, the king rejoices.

Alleluia

Hebrews 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of God is living and active, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Gospel

Matthew 20:1–16a

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market-place, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first.”

Reflection

Why settle for the usual daily wage when God wants to give you “whatever is right” for your life, your needs, and your salvation? “Whatever is right” will always be more than fair, more than we could ask for or imagine. Yet we sometimes trust a wage-based life more than we trust grace. In so doing, we deny ourselves and others the life God wants to give. So how might we begin to move from a wage-based life to the vineyard of grace? Stop comparing yourself and your life to that of others and you will create room for grace to emerge. Refuse to compete in such a way that someone must lose for you to win. Trust that in God’s world, there is enough for everyone. Let go of expectations based on what you think you or others deserve. Give God the freedom to pay whatever is right knowing that God’s ways are not your ways. Make no judgements, whether of yourself or others. That is the way of grace, the way of God.

St Bernard of Clairvaux Abbot Confessor, Doctor of the Church (1091-1153)

St Bernard came from one of the leading noble families of Burgundy (France). Raised in piety by his mother, he decided at 22 to give up his knightly career and become a monk. His great persuasive powers were already evident when, in 1113, seeking admission from St Stephen Harding to the Cistercian monastery of Citeaux, he brought along 30 like-minded companions, including his widower father, an uncle and four brothers!

Bernard’s spiritual progress in the monastery was rapid, and after barely three years he was placed at the head of a group of 12 monks who were to establish a new foundation at Clairvaux, whose name meant “Valley of light”. And at this place a new light emanated from his personal magnetism, enthusiastic love of God, mildness and purity, all of which, combined with courageous zeal, attracted large numbers of men from the most diverse walks of life, including a king’s son, to the austerity of monastic life.

Bernard, a man of outstanding erudition, was, on account of his intellectual and persuasive powers, naturally drawn into every ecclesiastical controversy, ably exposing the fallacies in Abelard’s teaching which exalted human reason and rationalism. He wrote his much esteemed “Book of Considerations” to stress the need of personal sanctity in the visible Head of the Church, all temporal matters being secondary.

Bernard was canonized in 1174 and declared Doctor of the Church in 1830.

Reflection: “A person who prays carelessly, and yet expects his prayers to be heard, is like a man who pours bad grains into a mill, but expects to receive good flour in return” (St Bernard).

Daily Readings

August 19, 2025

Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Judges 6:11–24a

In those days: The angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valour.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” And he said to him, “If now I have found favour in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.” So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord is Peace.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 85:9, 11–12, 13–14

Response: The Lord speaks of peace for his people.

I will hear what the Lord God speaks;

he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful,

and those who turn their hearts to him.

Response: The Lord speaks of peace for his people.

Merciful love and faithfulness have met;

justice and peace have kissed.

Faithfulness shall spring from the earth,

and justice look down from heaven.

Response: The Lord speaks of peace for his people.

Also the Lord will bestow his bounty,

and our earth shall yield its increase.

Justice will march before him,

and guide his steps on the way.

Response: The Lord speaks of peace for his people.

Alleluia

2 Corinthians 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Though Jesus Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Gospel

Matthew 19:23–30

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Reflection

As you will recall, in yesterday’s gospel, the rich young man, who wanted to become Jesus’ disciple, was unable to accept Jesus’ condition to detach himself from his wealth. That’s the trouble with riches. We pass so easily from the possession of riches to being unwittingly or perhaps knowingly possessed by them and then not even God can free us of our slavery. The rich man in yesterday’s gospel is a perfect example. The rich are those who have steady work, secure jobs, assured incomes, comfortable homes, healthy food… all that in a country where the vast majority of the people live below the poverty line. We are the rich and therefore – we are people at risk in Jesus’ eyes. Let us ask ourselves today: can we detach ourselves, not from the basic needs for our daily living, but from our surplus? Can we detach ourselves from it and offer it to God, to Jesus, for the poor? If we cannot, then we are no different from the rich man mentioned in yesterday’s gospel. God cannot work miracles in our hearts if we are unwilling. Do we want to be possessed by God or are we slaves of money?

St John Eudes, Confessor, Father, Doctor of the Church (1601-1680)

A native of Normandy (France), John Eudes took a vow of chastity at 14 and after a brilliant stint of studies under the Jesuits at Caen, entered the French Oratory of Cardinal Berulle. Ordained at 24, he proved to be the most prodigious missionary priest France had seen since the days of St Vincent Ferrer, “the prodigy of his age”.

In 1643, with the approval of Cardinal Richelieu, John Eudes left the Oratory and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for priests, to further their sanctification and to give popular missions. The seminaries conducted by his “Eudists” were a great aid in overcoming Jansenism, stressing as they did the true doctrine of God’s infinite compassion for humankind.

When, for a while, he was forbidden to preach and to hear confessions, he devoted his efforts to ascetical writing and to spreading devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, their feasts being first celebrated in 1672 and 1648 respectively, with a Mass and proper office specially composed by him. The Society of the Heart of the Most Admirable Mother founded by him is a kind of Third Order.

Born on 14 November 1601, John Eudes died on 19 August 1680. At his beatification in 1909, he was proclaimed “father, doctor, and apostle of the liturgical cults of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary” by Pope Pius X. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI on 31 May 1925.

Reflection: “Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires and his disposition live and reign there” (St John Eudes).

Daily Readings

August 18, 2025

Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Judges 2:11–19

In those days: The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger. They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 106:34–37, 39–40, 43ab & 44

Response: O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people.

They failed to destroy the peoples,

as the Lord had commanded them;

instead they mingled with the nations,

and learned to act as they did.

Response: O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people.

They also served their idols,

and these became a snare to entrap them.

They even offered their sons

and their daughters in sacrifice to demons.

Response: O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people.

So they defiled themselves by their actions;

their deeds were those of a harlot.

Then God’s anger blazed against his people;

he was filled with horror at his heritage.

Response: O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people.

Time after time he rescued them,

but in their malice they dared to defy him.

In spite of this he paid heed to their distress,

so often as he heard their cry.

Response: O Lord, remember us with the favour you show to your people.

Alleluia

Matthew 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Gospel

Matthew 19:16–22

At that time: A man came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Reflection

The young man in today’s gospel has been faithful to all the commandments that Jesus mentions; yet, something is bothering him. He asks ‘What more do I need to do?’ For this rich young man, the call of Jesus to follow him required him to let go of his great wealth. Although he heard the voice of Jesus to this effect, he could not bring himself to part with his riches and follow Christ. And so we read that he went away sad…. Jesus addresses a personal call to each one of us in a unique way. We should find our security only in God and not in worldly possessions and achievements.

St Helena Empress (c.250 – c.330)

St Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great is said to have been of humble Asian origin, an inn keeper in Bithynia, when Constantius Chlorus, then only an army officer, married her. However, 21 years later, upon becoming Emperor of the West, he divorced her for political reasons but Constantine, their only son, remained faithful and devoted to his mother and, once he ascended the throne, had imperial honours conferred on her.

After her son’s victory over Maxentius in 313, Helena, too, became a Christian, and a model and fervent one at that, her munificent liberality and her influence as Empress greatly favouring the spread of the faith. After causing the erection of numerous churches in Europe, she undertook, at 75, an expiatory journey to the Holy Land, and there erected a church near the grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem and another on the Mount of the Ascension near Jerusalem.

Credited with the discovery of the “true cross”, she turned her palace in Rome into the Church of Santa Cruce in Gerusalemme, where, to this day, are enshrined a fragment of the True Cross and Pilate’s inscription. St Helena is considered the Patron of dyers and of needle and nail makers.

Reflection: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:8).

Daily Readings

August 17, 2025

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Jeremiah (38:4-6, 8-10)

In those days the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.” So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud. Ebed-melech went from the king’s house and said to the king, “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Response: Lord, make haste to help me!

I waited, I waited for the LORD, and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.

Response: Lord, make haste to help me!

He drew me from the deadly pit, from the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, made my footsteps firm.

Response: Lord, make haste to help me!

He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God. Many shall see and fear and shall trust in the LORD.

Response: Lord, make haste to help me!

Wretched and poor though I am, the LORD is mindful of me. You are my rescuer, my help; O my God, do not delay.

Response: Lord, make haste to help me!

Reading 2

Hebrews (12:1-4)

Brethren, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Alleluia

John 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel

Luke 12:49-53

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Reflection

Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet came at a most unhappy time in the Israelite history. He received his prophetic call when he was merely 14 years old. The event described in today’s Reading takes place during the reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem was in progress. As the siege was on, Jeremiah was cast into an open well from which he was later rescued. Zedekiah himself lost the battle against the Babylonians and was taken captive there and had a miserable death. Jeremiah survived but was later taken to Egypt where he died.

In the Second Reading, the author of Hebrews calls Jesus as the pioneer and perfector of our faith. This title recalls the close link between Christian endurance and faith, namely, what is at stake is perseverance in faith in spite of tribulations and persecutions. By his glorifying passion, Jesus established the foundation that allowed believers to have access to faith.

The gospel of today places before us some sayings of Jesus which are prophetic warnings. Two important words in these sayings are fire and baptism. Fire is among the necessities of life. If used well it can give warmth and comfort. If used for wrong purposes, it can be dangerous, for example, in a war fire can destroy everything. Fire is also associated with God’s Word or his message through the prophets. It also refers to the judgement of God, because as Jesus continues to speak to the crowd he speaks of division and discord in families. In the context of the Jerusalem travel narrative, the fire and the baptism that have not yet been kindled must relate closely to the rejection and death that await Jesus in Jerusalem. Note that Jesus does not speak of the baptism of others but of a baptism that he himself must undergo which is a reference to his approaching death. Jesus anticipates that the opposition he now faces will cause his death. Until his death occurs, aspects of what he can accomplish are held up.  

Jesus came as a sign of peace among human beings; he has not come as the fiery reformer that John once expected. Yet his ministry is now described by him as a source of discord among the very people he came to serve and save. Jesus has, indeed, come to bring peace. Yet the immediate result is division. He reminds the disciples that one of the results of his coming is that he will divide people, even families. In effect, Jesus is telling the disciples to expect division and rejection. Jesus offers his disciples an opportunity that results either in benefits from God or further distancing from Him. Today’s gospel passage is typical of Jesus who speaks thing bluntly, for he speaks about casting a fire on earth and divisions in families on account of their allegiance to Christ. All these were realities in the early Church because the early Christians endured untold sufferings and persecutions to keep faith alive which they considered more precious than anything else in the world. We have come a long way and Christian faith except in small pockets here and there can be lived in absolute freedom. While we relish our faith and the benefits that come with it, let us not forget the struggles that had to be gone through and the price that had to be paid.

(Source: The Sunday Liturgy)

St Hyacinth, Confessor (1185 -1257)

A native of Polish Silesia and of noble ancestry, St Hyacinth was made a Canon at Cracow after receiving his doctorate in law and divinity. In 1220 he accompanied his Bishop to Rome and, meeting St Dominic there, asked to be received among the first disciples into the young Order of Preachers, together with his compatriot St Ceslas. The holy founder soon made him the head of a mission band which he was sending out to preach the faith in Poland, a task at which he proved highly successful, founding as he did friaries wherever he went.

Because of his three missionary journeys, covering Pomerania, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden and Norway in the north, spanning 40 years — always on foot and ever in danger from barbarians and wild beasts —Hyacinth is called the “Apostle of the North”. He also preached in Russia and the Ukraine in the south, even reaching far-off Tibet and China in the east. Returning to his central monastery at Cracow as an old man of 72, he died soon after on 15 August 1257 and was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1594.

Reflection: “Grace can do nothing without the will and the will can do nothing without grace” (St John Chrysostom).

Daily Readings

August 16, 2025

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Joshua 24:14–29

In those days: Joshua spoke to the people, saying, “Now fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance. After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred ten years old.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 16:1-2a and 5,7-8,11

Response: It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

you yourself who secure my lot.”

Response: It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord before me always;

with him at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

Response: It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand, bliss forever.

Response: It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.

Alleluia

See Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little children the mysteries of the kingdom.

Gospel

Matthew 19:13–15

At that time: Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Reflection

Children are often viewed as a nuisance. Jesus says we should take care of these little ones who are so helpless and dependent, and love and welcome them as we would love and welcome Jesus himself. God loved us when we were helpless in our sins. We need to love the little children who are helpless and dependent on us. This certainly applies also to children in the womb, who are the most helpless and dependent children of all. And then, today’s passage also teaches us that we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. So, let me ask you today: Are you a child of God? Have you humbled yourself before Him?

St Stephen of Hungary King Confessor (969 -1038)

Named Vajk at birth, Stephen was baptized in 985, together with his father. At 20 he married Gisela, the sister of Duke Henry III of Bavaria, who later became Emperor Henry II. On his father’s death Stephen is said to have obtained from Pope Sylvester II the title and crown of “Apostolic King of Hungary”. At the same time permission was given him by the Holy See to further Christianize his realm by the establishment of ten bishoprics and the assignment of prominent foreign monks. At his coronation on Christmas day in the year 1000 Stephen consecrated Hungary to the Blessed Virgin.

Stephen decreed that every tenth town should build a church and furnish land and workers for the support of a Priest, who was chosen by the bishop and received the necessary books from him, but the king furnished and equipped the church buildings. Stephen also founded pilgrims’ hospices in Rome, Ravenna and Constantinople, and a monastery in Jerusalem.

Stephen, who was canonized along with his son, Emeric, in 1083, is revered as Hungary’s greatest Saint and hero. His right hand, which has remained incorrupt and represents his country’s most treasured relic, is enshrined in a chapel in the great church of Our Lady of Buda.

Reflection: “Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next” (St Stephen).

Daily Readings

August 15, 2025, Friday

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading 1

Judith (13:18-20; 14:9b)

In those days, Uzziah said to Judith, “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth; and blessed be the Lord GOD, who created the heavens and the earth, who has guided you to strike the head of the leader of our enemies. Your hope will never depart from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of God. May God grant this to be a perpetual honour to you and may he visit you with blessings, because you did not spare your own life when our nation was brought low, but have avenged our ruin, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people said, “So be it, so be it!” The people raised a great shout and made a joyful noise in their city.

Psalm

1 Sam 2:1, 4-5, 6-7,8abcd

Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my saviour.

My heart exults in the LORD;

my horn is exalted in the LORD.

My mouth derides my enemies,

because I rejoice in your salvation.

Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my saviour.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

but the feeble bind on strength.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,

but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.

The barren has borne seven,

but she who has many children is forlorn.

Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my saviour.

 The LORD kills and brings to life;

he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich;

he brings low and he exalts.

Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my saviour.

He raises up the poor from the dust;

he lifts the needy from the ash heap

to make them sit with princes

and inherit a seat of honour.

Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my saviour.

Reading 2

Galatians: 5:13-17

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the f lesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.

Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Lk 1:48b

Behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 1:46-55

At that time Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those  who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.

Reflection

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the celebration of her solemn entrance into the glory of heaven. It is her reward for the ‘Yes’ she gave in response to God’s plan of salvation. Like a river which is absorbed into the sea after a long run, today, the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken up into the glory of heaven. This is what we commemorate today.

The Assumption can be best understood with a good understanding of Catholic beliefs about Christ’s person and the person of Mary. Only Mary, born without the stain of original sin, could give birth to Christ, fully God and fully man. Due to her role in God’s salvation plan, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of redemption that her son has won for all humanity. The Church, therefore, recognizes Mary as the sign of the salvation promised to all. God is unique in all His ways and impeccable in everything He does. In the coming of His only begotten Son in human form, He chose the holy and immaculate womb of the Virgin Mary to accomplish the mystery of the Incarnation. Filled with the grace from above, this stainless Maiden received the singular honour of being the Mother of her Creator. Her Assumption into heaven is another instance of the manifestation of the “fullness of grace” in her, in the most special of ways. May the merits of the feast of today bring us to share in the promises of God fully accomplished in the Virgin Mary.

The Feast in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary brings us to celebrate the great things which the Lord accomplished in her. All of these great things were accomplished by God for the greater glory of His name and for the spiritual edification of all those who believe. The unthinkable and the unimaginable happened to Mary because she believed and trusted in the unfailing power of God. This exemplary and unwavering faith of Mary remains the foundation of the many great things which the Lord accomplished in her.

In the blessed and holy Virgin Mary, we see what God wishes for all of His children and what the power of grace can achieve in all who place their trust in God. Mary is the model of all the Christian virtues because in her was deposited the ‘the fullness of grace’. Being full of grace she is able to be a dispenser of grace through her powerful intercession. Through her faithfulness to God and trust in His plans and promises, she embodies all the merits of Christ her Son. By imitating her virtues, we make ourselves available to experience the power and working of God’s grace and to receive in our lives the merits of Christ.

Today’s Solemnity fills us with confidence and illumines our hope. Saint Josemaria Escrivá teaches: “We are still pilgrims, but our Mother has preceded us and already, indicating the end of the road, she encourages us that it is possible to get there and that we will get there if we are faithful because the Blessed Virgin is not just our example, she is the Help of Christians.” Let us, therefore, fix our gaze on Mary, already assumed into heaven! She is the certainty and proof that her children will one day have their bodies glorified with the glorious Christ.

Source: The Sunday Liturgy

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lack of explicit mention of the privilege of the Assumption as such in the NT notwithstanding, tradition and sound theological reasoning indicate its implicit revelation in the scriptures. St Germanus of Constantinople (d. 733) wrote that Mary’s virginal body is an altogether holy and chaste dwelling for God and can never know dissolution into dust.

“Mary conceived without detriment to her virginal modesty, brought forth her Son without pain, passed hence without decay, according to the word of the angel, or rather God speaking by the angel, that she might be shown to be full, not half-full, of grace,” wrote Pope Alexander III (1159-1181). In 1568, Pope Pius V made the feast of the Assumption a holy day for the entire church.

Since Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life himself has said, “Where I am, there shall my servant be also” (Jn 12:26), how can his own Mother not share his dwelling place? Consequently, it was only after he had sought and obtained from the world’s bishops a formal assessment as regards the sentiments of the people in each diocese that Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption as a doctrine of faith in his Encyclical, Munificentissimus Deus, on 1 November 1950. Rightly then, on this feast, the greatest of Mary’s feasts, the Church Universal with one voice joins Mary in exulting: “Holy His Name!”

Reflection: “The present life is for eternity and our happiness is proportionate to our goodness on earth. And Mary, our mother will help us to lead a good and holy life” (Blessed James Alberione).

Daily Readings

August 14, 2025, Thursday

Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Reading 1

Joshua 3:7–10a, 11, 13–17

In those days: The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’” And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down towards the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 114:1–2, 3–4, 5–6 

Response: Alleluia.

When Israel came forth from Egypt,

the house of Jacob from a foreign people,

Judah became his temple,

Israel became his domain.

Response: Alleluia.

The sea beheld them and fled;

the Jordan turned back on its course.

The mountains leapt like rams,

and the hills like yearling sheep.

Response: Alleluia.

Why was it, sea, that you fled;

that you turned back, Jordan, on your course?

O mountains, that you leapt like rams;

O hills, like yearling sheep?

Response: Alleluia.

Alleluia

Psalm 119:135

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Let your face shine forth on your servant, and teach me your decrees.

Gospel

Matthew 18:21–19:1

At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Reflection

Do you struggle with unforgiveness? For anyone who is in Christ, living in unforgiveness is nothing short of hypocrisy. But Jesus has provided forgiveness for each person’s insurmountable debt of sin. Therefore, God calls us to forgive one another as Christ forgave us. What are some ways – subtle and obvious – that you treat people whom you are struggling to forgive? Do you ghost them? Ignore/avoid them? What has God forgiven you of? Be honest with yourself before Him. How does this shift your perspective? Against whom do you harbour unforgiveness? What steps do you need to take in forgiving them? As you remember your sin, take time to pray for those who have sinned against you. It might help to pray the words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us” (Mt 6:12).

St Maximilian Mary Kolbe Martyr (1894 -1941)

Maximilian, who was baptized Raymond, was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1918 in Rome. In 1930, he went as a missionary to Japan.

Returning to Poland in 1936 as director of Poland’s chief Catholic publishing complex, he incurred the wrath of the Gestapo—in 1939 he was imprisoned for his anti-Nazi propaganda; released, he was re-arrested in 1941 for aiding Jewish refugees during World War II and deported to Auschwitz. Here, when one of the prisoners escaped, ten men were selected at random to die of starvation in an empty bunker. One of these, Franciszek Gajowniczek, a father of nine, wailed: “No, God! Not me, please! What will become of my poor wife and children?” Deeply moved, Fr Kolbe stepped out of the ranks and said to Commandant Fritsch, “I am a Catholic priest from Poland. I am old. I want to take his place because he has a wife and children,” exemplifying Christ’s redemptive love—“There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13).

Fr Kolbe diligently prepared them to meet their end praying and singing praises to the Lord instead of weeping in despair. It was not long before death took its toll on those emaciated bodies. Kolbe alone remained. The cell being needed for the next batch of the condemned, his death was hastened with an injection of carbolic acid, whereafter his remains were found to be in a state of illumination in the dark cell, before being cremated.

Maximilian was beatified in 1971 and canonized in 1982.

Reflection: “In the same way, your light must shine before people so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16).

Daily Readings

August 13, 2025

Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 34:1–12

In those days: Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigour unabated. And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 66:1–3a, 5 and 8, 16–17

Response: Blest be God, who gave life to my soul.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;

O sing to the glory of his name.

O render him glorious praise.

Say to God, “How awesome your deeds!”

Response: Blest be God, who gave life to my soul.

Come and see the works of God:

awesome his deeds among the children of men.

O peoples, bless our God;

let the voice of his praise resound.

Response: Blest be God, who gave life to my soul.

Come and hear, all who fear God;

I will tell what he did for my soul.

To him I cried aloud,

with exaltation ready on my tongue.

Response: Blest be God, who gave life to my soul.

Alleluia

2 Corinthians 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Gospel

Matthew 18:15–20

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Reflection

Jesus talks directly to his followers to tell us what our fellowship ought to be like. If a brother or sister in the faith hurts you, angers you, saddens you, or does you wrong in any way, you go and talk to him/her about it directly, one-on-one. Not only does this manner of working out difficulties lead to forgiveness, but it also does so in a graceful way. The offended party isn’t dragging the offender through the mud. If it gets worked out here, no one else needs to know. Right here, Jesus gives a clear blueprint for how our communities might be holy places where holy relationships might flourish. And, it’s something that we need to practice until it is so ingrained in our DNA that we can’t imagine living another way. After all, for Jesus, there isn’t another way.

Sts Hippolytus and Pontianus

St Hippolytus, whose name means “a horse turned loose”, was a learned priest in Rome and the most important theological writer of his time. He claimed to have been a disciple of St Irenaeus, while St Jerome refers to him as “a most holy and eloquent man”.

At first, however, he was known for his “holier-than-thou” attitude towards the Church, unafraid of censuring even the Pope. He criticized Pope St Zephyrinus for not being prompt in detecting and denouncing heresy. Attacking the contemporary Trinitarian Modalism (an assertion that the three Persons of the Trinity are merely modes, or self-manifestations of one and the same God) and Patripassianism (a theory that God the Father himself suffered on the cross) he propounded a doctrine on the Logos that was close to subordinationism (viz., the Son and the Spirit merely proceed from the Father and are therefore subordinate to him).

In 235, Hippolytus was banished to Sardinia by Emperor Maximus. Here, sharing his exile was none other than Pope Pontianus himself, who, during his reign (230-235), had held a synod which confirmed the excommunication of Origen in Alexandria.

The election of St Anterus ended the schism but his near instant martyrdom was followed by the election of Pope St Fabian (r.236-250) who brought the mortal remains of Hippolytus and Pontianus to Rome and accorded them a solemn burial — to Hippolytus in the cemetery of the Via Tiburtina and Pontianus in the crypt of St Callistus.

Reflection: “Master teacher of humankind, the Church is enlightened by the Holy Spirit. She has two enemies: sin and ignorance. She does not reject discovery, knowledge, the natural and divine sciences, but rather examines, adopts and uplifts these so that they can make a precious contribution to her teaching” (Blessed James Alberione).

Daily Readings

August 12, 2025

Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 31:1–8

Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. And he said to them, “I am one hundred twenty years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ The Lord your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken. And the Lord will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Responsorial Psalm

Deuteronomy 32:3–4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12

Response: The Lord’s portion is his people.

For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;

ascribe greatness to our God!

The Rock, his work is perfect,

for all his ways are justice. 

Response: The Lord’s portion is his people.

Remember the days of old;

consider the years of many generations;

ask your father, and he will show you,

your elders, and they will tell you. 

Response: The Lord’s portion is his people.

When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,

when he divided mankind,

he fixed the borders of the peoples

according to the number

of the sons of God. 

Response: The Lord’s portion is his people.

But the Lord’s portion is his people,

Jacob his allotted heritage.

The Lord alone guided him,

no foreign god was with him. 

Response: The Lord’s portion is his people.

Alleluia

Matthew 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord; and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.

Gospel

Matthew 18:1–5, 10, 12–14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

Reflection

The world entices us with convenience, pleasures of all types, a desire to possess, and a different definition of love than we knew when we were more innocent. To me, the parable of the lost sheep seems reversed in today’s world, as the ninety-nine seems lost, not the one. It is virtually impossible not to want what the ninety-nine have unless we willingly turn to Jesus. In turn, we can learn to speak in a soft voice, humble like a child. The path to innocence is a symbolic desire to “allow Jesus to find you.”

St Porcarius and Companions

Porcarius was the abbot of a monastery in Lerins, an island off the coast of southern France. The abbey was established in the fifth century and by the middle of the eighth century, the monastery had dozens of monks, novices and students/seminarians. About the year 732, abbot Porcarius was warned by an angel that Barbarians would shortly swoop down upon the abbey and destroy it. Heeding the warning, the holy abbot managed to send off 36 younger monks to safety in the boats that were at their disposal. Finding no escape route, he assembled all his fellow monks in the chapel and advised them to place themselves in the hands of God for His guidance and support and to be prepared to suffer martyrdom, if necessary. As predicted, in 732 their island was invaded bythe Moors from South Africa who not only looted the monastery but also butchered all the inmates except four young monks who were carried off and sold as slaves.

Reflection

Though leadership and position of authority are associated with honour and power, it is inextricably tagged with the responsibility to guide and defend their protégés. A good shepherd protects his sheep and lays down his life for them as and when need arises. The captain of the Titanic might have taken a leaf from the life of St Porcarius.

Quotation

“We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:7-8).

Daily Readings

August 11, 2025, Monday

Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 10:12–22

Moses spoke to the people, saying “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 147:12–13, 14–15, 19–20

Response: O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

O Sion, praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates;

he has blessed your children within you.

Response: O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

He established peace on your borders;

he gives you your fill of finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth,

and swiftly runs his command.

Response: O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

He reveals his word to Jacob;

to Israel, his decrees and judgments.

He has not dealt thus with other nations;

he has not taught them his judgments.

Response: O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

Alleluia

See 2 Thessalonians 2:14

God has called us through the gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel

Matthew 17:22–27

At that time: As the disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others”, Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Reflection

This gift of love cost Jesus his life so we have an obligation, a responsibility, a requirement that forms our mission to share it. Jesus instructs us to sell all we have to receive this great gift and to share it through merciful acts of kindness, giving alms and helping others, especially the poor. In this way, Jesus promises that we will store up treasure in heaven. The sacrifice of our earthly treasure not only assures us of a heavenly reward but a new life here on earth as this love atones and redeems. If we try to keep it to ourselves, we will waste it and will be held accountable when Jesus returns. He promises however that those who spread his rule of love will be elevated and receive an eternal reward, while those who fail to love, will suffer the consequences of a loveless life not only here on earth but for all eternity.

St Clare Abbess Virgin (1193-1253)

When St Francis preached the Lenten sermons in the church of St George at Assisi (Italy) in 1212, he so inspired the 18-year-old Chiara (meaning “light” or “illustrious”) of the noble Favaronne family, that she determined to follow the Poverello in his life of Christian poverty. She secretly slipped out of her parental castle on the night of Palm Sunday (March 18-19), and, accompanied by her aunt Bianca and another companion, made her way through the forest to the little chapel of the Portiuncula in the valley, where she exchanged her rich clothing for a coarse tunic and veil, and, shorn of her long, golden hair, vowed her life to Christ’s service in utter poverty.

Within a fortnight, Clare was joined by her younger sister (St) Agnes. The young Order of “Poor Clares” began to grow rapidly, and during the next few years her own mother, (Blessed) Ortolana, another sister, Beatrice, and her aunt Bianca also placed themselves under her direction. Foundations were established in many countries of Europe during her 40-years tenure of office, mainly for the care and education of poor girls.

Cardinal Ugolini, the new Order’s protector, drew up a rule in 1219, based on the Benedictine one and forbidding communal poverty. Her firm insistence on St Francis’ ideal of absolute poverty and total dependence on alms, finally won from Pope Innocent IV, two days before her death, the solemn confirmation of the definitive rule.

Clare’s funeral was attended by the Pope and his entire court, and two years later the holy foundress who was solemnly canonized in 1255.

Reflection: “Dispose of me as you please; I am yours by having consecrated my will to God. It is no longer my own” (St Clare).

Daily Readings

August 10, 2025

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Wisdom (18:6-9)

That night was made known beforehand to our fathers, so that they might rejoice in sure knowledge of the oaths in which they trusted. The deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of their enemies were expected by your people. For by the same means by which you punished our enemies you called us to yourself and glorified us. For in secret the holy children of good people offered sacrifices and with one accord agreed to the divine law, that the saints would share alike the same things, both blessings and dangers; and already they were singing the praises of the fathers.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22

Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.

Ring out your joy to the LORD, O you just; for praise is fitting for the upright.

Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen as his heritage.

Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.

Yes, the LORD’s eyes are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.

Our soul is waiting for the LORD. He is our help and our shield. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O LORD.

Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.

Reading 2

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12

Brethren, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

ACCLAMATION

(Mt 24:42a, 44)

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Stay awake therefore, and be ready; the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.   

GOSPEL

Luke (12:35-40)

At that time Jesus said to his disciples, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Reflection

In the First Reading the author asks his readers to be proud of their faith. He addresses his fellow Jews in an effort to encourage them to take pride in their traditional faith. He seeks to convince them that their way of life, rooted in the worship of the one true God, is of an incomparably higher order than that of their pagan neighbours. Moreover, he attempts to justify their present suffering through the promise of immortality as a reward for their steadfast perseverance in the pursuit of righteousness.

The Second Reading gives us a general definition of faith. The author defines Faith as the assurance of things hoped for and as the knowledge of things not seen. The author here juxtaposes two ideas taken from JudeoHellenistic tradition. One, coming from the biblical tradition connects faith with things hoped for, while the other, taken from Hellenistic tradition sees faith as a source of knowledge. The author insists especially on the first principle of faith which is more dynamic.

The gospel of today places before us instructions of Jesus regarding watchfulness and readiness. The girding up of the loins pictures readiness. Long garments in the ancient world were drawn up around the loins whenever anyone wanted to move quickly. The image of the burning lamps shows someone’s readiness to move about during darkness. Jesus calls his disciples to look for his return at any time of the day or night.

The parable is about a master coming from the marriage feast. Jesus compares his disciples to servants who await their master’s return from a wedding feast. Such feasts in the ancient world could last for days, often as long as one week. The servants are to be ready to open the door and serve their master upon his return, which is an allusion to Jesus’ Second Coming. Those who are of objects of God’s pleasure are those who are found waiting when the Lord returns.  Jesus promises to share a meal with them, recline at table with them, and serve them at the meal. Jesus will be so pleased with those who wait for him that he will serve them at the great banquet table, which pictures final eschatological blessing.

The parable and the explanation conclude with the principle that is the basis for evaluation: the more one knows, the more responsible one becomes, so that more will be asked of one when evaluated. Contextually, this remark is directed at the disciples, since they know more about Jesus than anyone else. They bear the most responsibility of all that Jesus addresses, and they need to be faithful as a result. A practical lesson is this: those who are vigilant and ready will enter into the eternal feast with the Lord. It is this hope that fills us with joy and gives meaning to our lives. The Lord comes not only at the end of our lives but in many ways during our life. He comes in a very special way when we come to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. It is a time of communion with the Lord and the community that celebrates the Eucharist. Being faithful is the first quality needed in the steward. Wisdom and prudence are the qualities needed to recognize the signs of the times and act accordingly.

(Source: The Sunday Liturgy)

St Lawrence of Rome, Martyr ( - 258)

In keeping with the edict of Emperor Valerian in 258, sentencing all Christians to death and confiscating their property, Pope Sixtus II, along with four of his seven deacons was being led to die. Lawrence grieved that he was not being taken too. “Do not cry, my son,” said the Pope comfortingly, “in three days you will follow me!” And so it happened, that Lawrence, who was in charge of all Church property matters and finances, was called before the Prefect of Rome who imagined that the Christians possessed considerable treasure and demanded that it all be turned in for the emperor’s use.

Having readily agreed, Lawrence managed to obtain a three days reprieve and went about disposing off all the money he had in hand to the dregs of society, even selling the sacred vessels to increase the sum. Three days later, he gathered a huge number of the blind, lame, maimed, lepers, widows, orphaned and numerous other poor and brought them before the Prefect, declaring unabashedly: “These are the treasures of the Church!” Furious at having been so tricked, he was ordered to be roasted to death over a slow fire. Lying naked on the gridiron over burning coals, his sense of humour instantly came to his rescue and he said to the judge and the executioners: Assum est; versa, et manduca!—i.e., “it is well done; turn it over and eat it!”

Lawrence died praying for the city of Rome, winning, in keeping with his name, great “laurels” for the Church.

Reflection: “Well done, good and faithful in small things! I will entrust you with greater. Come! Enter into the joy of your master!” (Matthew 25:21).

Daily Readings

August 9, 2025

Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 6:4–13

Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you – with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant – and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 18:2–3a, 3bc–4, 47 and 51ab  

Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.

I love you, Lord, my strength;

O Lord, my rock, my fortress,

my saviour. 

Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.

My God, my rock where I take refuge;

my shield, my saving strength,

my stronghold.

I cry out, “Praised be the Lord!”

and see, I am saved from my foes. 

Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord lives, and blest be my Rock!

May the God of my salvation be exalted.

The Lord gives great victories to his king

and shows merciful love for his anointed.

Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.

Alleluia

See 2 Timothy 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

 Gospel.

Matthew 17:14–20

At that time: A man came up to Jesus and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Reflection 

The disciples were called by God, they listened to his teachings and gave up everything to follow our Lord. Naturally, we assume that they had extraordinary faith because they were so close to Jesus. But their faith lacked substance, as does ours. That the disciples struggled and failed many times is comforting to us. For I know there is hope for me and many others whose faith is weak, fall into temptation, and sink when called to faithfully walk with Christ.  The key to discipleship is to ask God questions in prayer, seek His direction in faithful fellowship, and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us and reveal what we need to grow closer to Jesus. Jesus’ mercy is without measure for those who seek it. Let us all listen to our failing moments, seek God’s guidance in prayer and fellowship, and plant our mustard seeds of faith.

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Martyr (1891–1942)

Only the fool says in his heart that there is no God”—the truth of this old saying was evident in the life of this most illustrious of Jewish converts to Christianity. Teresa Benedicta, formerly Edith Stein, suddenly, in her early teens, stopped believing in God and declared herself an atheist in the year 1904. In time, however, being not foolish but highly intelligent, this youngster became a convert not only to belief in God but to belief in Him as taught, propagated and practised by the Catholic Church.

Having lost her father when she was barely 21 months old, Edith grew up to be a headstrong girl and showed much promise first as a student and later as a lecturer. An avid seeker of the truth, she had so brilliant an intellect that she could take and put together sets of opposing ideas or philosophies—as regards how life works—in a way that made perfect sense. It was obviously this intelligence that led her, in the autumn of 1921, to be captivated by the story of the life and times of the great mystic, St Teresa of Avila. 

She entered the Carmelite Cloister at Cologne in 1933 and, later, at her investiture in 1934 took the name Teresa Benedicta à Cruce, which literally meant Teresa blessed by the cross. This worthy “daughter of Israel”, was beatified in 1987 and canonized in 1998.

Reflection: “Let us remember that God asks all of us, from the greatest to the least, to bear sufferings with Christian faith and optimism for love of Him” (Blessed James Alberione).

Daily Readings

August 8, 2025

Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest

Reading 1

Deuteronomy 4:32–40

Moses spoke to the people, saying “Ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power, driving out before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day, know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 77:12–13, 14–15, 16 and 21

Response: I remember the deeds of the Lord.

I remember the deeds of the Lord,

I remember your wonders of old;

I muse on all your works,

and ponder your mighty deeds.

Response: I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Your way, O God, is in the holy place.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who works wonders.

Among the peoples you showed your power.

Response: I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Your strong arm redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

You guided your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Response: I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Alleluia

Matthew 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Gospel

Matthew 16:24–28

 At that time: Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Reflection

Speak of the need for stability. The disciples, who had given up everything to follow Jesus, have just been told he would die! Yet, he also spoke of his resurrection, but they did not pay attention to that. Each one was wondering, what does this mean to me? What will I do, where will I go, and how am I going to survive? That may be how you are feeling today. You might be worried about how you will live and survive. These things can be a real shock. Just the way the disciples were shocked, they had given up much more than you and I have given up. It is at that exact moment that Jesus told them that earthly riches would not profit them like heavenly riches. There is something of far greater value than worldly riches.

St Dominic Guzman Confessor (c.1170-1221)

The name Domingo (Spanish) means “I belong to God”. In time this founder of the great Order of Preachers (Dominicans) was to prove the truth of its meaning by the joy that radiated from his mystical union with God.

Dominic studied at Palencia and, in 1196, joined the Canons Regular (Augstinian Friars) at the Cathedral of Osma. He led a disciplined life of prayer and penance. In 1203, passing through southern France whilst on a trip to Denmark with Bishop Diego of Osma (whom he had succeeded as Prior), he was appalled at the confusion created in the minds of the faithful by the preaching of the Albigenses. The Albigenses—or Cathars, “the pure”—claimed to be Christians but held the heteredox belief that flesh and all matter was evil, that the spirit was of God, and that flesh and spirit were therefore in permanent conflict. Further, they denied the Incarnation and rejected the sacraments. That apart, the Albigenses lived in admirable personal austerity, inveighing continually against the worldliness and wealth of the Church and its Prelates.

Dominic rose to the occasion. He established a convent of nuns at Prouille with a group of women converted from the heresy, and with his group of friar-preachers, was welcomed into Toulouse by Bishop Foulques who established them as “diocesan preachers” in 1215. Subsequent to the Lenten sermons Dominic preached before Innocent III and his court, he was appointed Papal theologian, an office ever since held by a Dominican Priest.

Dominic was canonized in 1234.

Reflection: “A man who governs his passions is master of the world” (St Dominic).

Daily Readings

August 7, 2025

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Numbers 20:1–13

In those days: The people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there. Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarrelled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarrelled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7abc, 7d–9

Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

Come, let us ring out our joy to the Lord;

hail the rock who saves us.

Let us come into his presence,

giving thanks; let us hail him with a song of praise.

Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

O come; let us bow and bend low.

Let us kneel before the God who made us,

for he is our God and we the people

who belong to his pasture,

the flock that is led by his hand.

Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

O that today you would listen to his voice!

“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as on that day at Massah in the desert

when your forebears put me to the test;

when they tried me, though they saw my work.

Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.

Alleluia

Matthew 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Gospel

Matthew 16:13–23

At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people 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-Jonah! 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 gates of hell 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.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Reflection

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus’ real identity is revealed and proclaimed, for He was not only for the Jews, and his people, but for the whole of humanity. We also see Peter and his two personalities. At first, he shows great insight and perceptiveness. He calls Jesus “the Son of the Living God”. And Jesus responded by calling him the Rock on which his Church would be built. However, Peter reproaches Jesus for mentioning his impending suffering and death. Jesus makes a swift turnaround from praise to rebuke. He chastises Peter for being an obstacle to his mission. We reflect today on how we are like Peter in many ways. Like Peter, Jesus Christ, my saviour, has held out his hand to save me from drowning in sorrow, selfishness, anger, pride, greed, and even denying God’s existence.  This sense of the impossible becoming possible would not exist without the rock of my spiritual and physical Church community.

St Sixtus II and Companions  Pope and martyr, martyrs (- c.258)

One of the most violent persecutions faced by the Church was the one begun by Emperor Decius in 250 and continued by his successor, Valerian, whose first edict (257) forbade the believers to ever hold assemblies. Thus, incessantly hunted, Pope Sixtus II, who had succeeded Pope Stephen I in August 257, would meet with his clergy for the Eucharist in the catacombs (underground caverns which doubled as cemeteries). On 6 August 258 they were found in the cemetery of Praetextatus on the Appian Way. Sixtus, together with four of his deacons, Saints Januarius, Vincent, Magnus and Stephen were seized and beheaded. Another deacon, St Lawrence was martyred 4 days later. Sixtus was buried in the nearby cemetery of St Callistus.

Persecution apart, in the first and only year of his pontificate, he was faced with a controversy about the validity of Baptism by heretics. He shared the view of the North African bishops who, under St Cyprian, denied recognition of such baptism. However, apparently influenced by Dynosius of Alexandria, he adopted a tolerant attitude as regards the divergent rebaptism policies of the Eastern Churches, even going to the extent of deputing envoys to discuss the matter with Cyprian at Carthage.

The most highly venerated pope martyred after St Peter, St Sixtus II is commemorated in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

Reflection: “Pray that we may think of immortality rather than death. . . . We know that soldiers of Christ are properly not killed, but crowned” (St Cyprian).

Daily Readings

August 6, 2025, Wednesday

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Reading 1

Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14

“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9

Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice;

let the many islands be glad.

Cloud and darkness surround him;

justice and right are the foundation of his throne.

Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

The mountains melt like wax

before the face of the Lord,

before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice;

all peoples see his glory.

Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

For you indeed are the Lord,

most high above all the earth,

exalted far above all gods.

Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

Reading 2

2 Peter 1:16–19

Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Alleluia

Matthew 17:5c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 9:29b-36

At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”– not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Reflection

How does today’s Gospel touch our lives? The disciples’ experience of Jesus’ transfiguration was an invitation for them to transform themselves too. The goal of our life is to be one with God. How is that transformation to take place? “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” By listening to Jesus and living by his teachings in life. By integrating his will into my vision of life even if it is hard. It means having total trust in walking his way, which will bring me into full union with God, the source of all Truth, Love, Happiness, and Peace. Today’s Gospel reveals a paradox of our Christian faith: we belong here and we do not belong here. We are to find God in this world, but this is not our permanent home. We are pilgrims on a journey to a place of total union with our God of Truth and Love. However, it is easy to get obsessed with things on the way, but life goes on and it is important to know where it is headed.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

While living among his disciples, Jesus had often spoken to them of his kingdom, and of his second coming in glory—the parousia at end-time. But, about a year before his passion, in order to strengthen them in their faith in the kingdom and of his glory therein, he gave them a wonderful vision, an experience that was to prepare them the better for what was to come.

He took three of his closest disciples, Peter, James and John atop a high mountain—traditionally referred to as Mount Tabor in Galilee, which is some 2000 ft above Lake Tiberias. There they saw him suddenly transfigured, i.e., his face brilliantly illuminated sun-like and his clothes dazzling a glistening white, while in conversation with him appeared Moses and Elijah.

The Transfiguration was thus a turning point in which Jesus was not only seen revealed firsthand as the long-awaited Messiah, but was acknowledged as the beloved and only begotten Son of God by the Father. For Peter, James and John, it was a foretaste of the very essence of his redemptive work that would translate itself into the Resurrection, the basis of which is suffering and death. Indeed, the transfiguration prefigures the everlasting enthronement of Christ. It is this glorification that the Church celebrates today.

Reflection: “It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here forever. What greater happiness or higher honour could we have than to be with God, and to be made like him and to live in his light?” (Bishop Athanasius of Sinai)

Daily Readings

August 5, 2025

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Numbers 12:1–13

In those days: Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. And suddenly the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. And the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned towards Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” And Moses cried to the Lord, “O God, please heal her – please.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 51:3–4, 5–6ab, 6cd–7, 12–13

Response: Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your merciful love;

according to your great compassion,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me completely from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.

Response: Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

My transgressions, truly I know them;

my sin is always before me.

Against you, you alone, have I sinned;

what is evil in your sight I have done.

Response: Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

So you are just in your sentence,

without reproach in your judgment.

O see, in guilt I was born,

a sinner when my mother conceived me.

Response: Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Create a pure heart for me, O God;

renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence;

take not your holy spirit from me.

Response: Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Alleluia

John 1:49b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!

Gospel

Matthew 14:22–36

[After the crowd ate and were satisfied,] Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent word around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Reflection

In the struggles and complexities of life, it seems natural for Christians to seek signs of God’s will and His presence. Yet the true Christian challenge is to believe in the presence of God precisely when it is least discernible. Peter’s challenge to Christ came not from a strong (even if impetuous) faith in Jesus, but from the sad reality of “little faith.”  The Christian cannot walk on water and is not meant to do so. But God does empower every disciple to believe against the odds, to face the struggles, and to mature and grow in faith in the process. The essence of Christian life is not signs but faith. The desire for signs does not originate from God. Yet it is precisely from instances of “little faith” that Jesus is prepared to “reach out his hand and catch” the waverer. On the Christian journey, Jesus invites disciples to follow. In this incident, Peter took the initiative, and Jesus accepted his challenge to underline for Peter, and for all subsequent believers, the meaning of deep faith.

Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major

Theological debate over Christ’s dual nature as God and man turned into dissent in Constantinople in the early 5th century with Bishop Nestorius and his chaplain, Athanasius preaching against the title Theotokos, i.e., “Mother of God”, insisting that Mary was merely the mother of the human Jesus. The Council of Ephesus in 431, however, reaffirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God. In commemoration, Pope Sixtus III (432-440) rebuilt the Liberian Basilica in Rome and dedicated it to Saint Mary Major.

Built atop the Esquiline, one of the seven hills of Rome, it is one of the four Patriarchal Cathedrals commemorating the first centres of the Church, Saint John Lateran representing Rome, the See of Peter, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, and Saint Peter’s, the See of Constantinople being the other three. Saint Mary Major, representing the See of Antioch is the largest Church in Christendom honouring God through Mary. Legend has it that this magnificent Basilica, originally built by Pope Liberias (352-366), was the result of a dream of a wealthy though childless Roman couple, desirous of pledging their entire fortune to the Mother of God. Her approval of their vow was indicated by a sudden midsummer snowfall one night in August 355 and in an apparition instructing them to build a church at the spot, an identical dream of the Pope corroborating the same.

It was Pope Pius V, who lies buried in the Basilica, that extended this feast to the Universal Church.

Reflection: “I encourage you, be men and women of deep and abiding faith…. Let the Good News of Christ radiate from your hearts, and the peace he alone gives remain forever in your souls” (Pope Saint John Paul II).  

Daily Readings

August 4, 2025, Monday

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Reading 1

Numbers 11:4b–15

In those days: The people of Israel wept and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in hand mills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, each one at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favour in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favour in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 81:12–17 

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

My people did not heed my voice,

and Israel would not obey me.

So I left them

in their stubbornness of heart,

to follow their own designs.

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

O that my people would heed me,

that Israel would walk in my ways!

At once I would subdue their foes,

turn my hand against their enemies. 

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

Those who hate the Lord

would cringe before him,

and their subjection would last forever.

But Israel I would feed with finest wheat,

and satisfy with honey from the rock.”

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

Alleluia

Matthew 4:4

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Gospel

Matthew 14:13–21

At that time: When Jesus heard [of the death of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Reflection

Isn’t there some way each of us might feed someone, too? Maybe it’s that co-worker you know who needs some encouragement. Maybe it’s a neighbour who’s having a hard time. Maybe it’s something around the community – helping with Sunday school, sharing a meal, starting a new small group of your own for charity. Let’s not pretend we aren’t capable or qualified or called, even, to respond to the needs of those around us. Let’s hear Jesus’ command to give the world something to eat. And let’s realise that we have all we need to make that happen – that because of God’s love for us, we are called and are capable of doing the work of Christ in and for the sake of the world.

Saint John-Baptist Marie Vianney

Born in the fanatically anti-clerical and irreligious age of the French Revolution, Jean-Baptiste Marie grew up an unlettered farmhand and made his First Communion at 13. As such, he encountered great difficulties in his studies for the priesthood and only his sterling character and spiritual depth, backed by the special intervention of his Pastor, finally procured for him his ordination in 1815.

Assigning him to the obscure village of Ars near Lyons, the Vicar General told him: “There is not much love of God in that parish. You will enkindle it!” In fact, the villagers and farmers were living in a state of acute spiritual and moral neglect. Vianney set about working quietly among them, particularly the poor and sick, spending many hours daily before the Blessed Sacrament, pleading for the conversion of his flock.

His chiefest and most successful labour involved spending 14 to 18 hours daily in the Confessional. So many were miraculously healed, Ars itself being morally and spiritually transformed within a few years that the people, consisting of the well and the sick, among them Cardinals and Bishops (usually incognito), besides priests, religious and lay people from every conceiveable walk of life from all parts of Europe and even America with their problems, in 20 years, totalled over 2 million! To care for them all, the Cure was dispensed by his Bishop from attending the annual Priests’ retreat.

Toward the end of his life he was made honorary Canon of Lyons, and the French government knighted him with the Légion d'honneur, though of course he cared nothing for such accolades.

He was canonized in 1925.

Reflection: “Anything we do without offering it to God, is wasted” (Saint John Baptist Marie Vianney).

Daily Readings

August 3, 2025

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Ecclesiastes (1:2; 2:21-23)

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (90)

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

You turn man back to dust, and say, “Return, O children of men.” To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, come and gone, or like a watch in the night.

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

You sweep them away like a dream, like grass which is fresh in the morning. In the morning it sprouts and is fresh; by evening it withers and fades.

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

Then teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Turn back, O LORD! How long? Show pity to your servants.

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

At dawn, fill us with your merciful love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Let the favour of the LORD our God be upon us; give success to the work of our hands. O give success to the work of our hands.

Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

Reading 2

Colossians (3:1-5, 9-11)

Brethren, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

ACCLAMATION

Alleluia. Alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia. (Mt 5:3)

GOSPEL

Luke (12:13-21)

At that time, someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.”

Reflection

The overall theme of today’s liturgy of the Word is that without God all human actions turn to futility. It is true that what we produce through years of hard work cannot all be enjoyed by us. It is also true that human life is full of pain and suffering and our minds are not always at peace. But a God-fearing person can find meaning in all these. Qoheleth urges us to fear God and obey him. Only when God is taken into account and his will observed does life impart purpose and satisfaction.

The parable of the rich fool centers around a man with a very productive land. The issue with the rich farmer is that due to a bumper crop, he has insufficient storage room for his harvest. Rather than building additional barns and thus taking up land that might otherwise be used for agricultural production in subsequent years, he elects to tear down his current storage facilities in order to make room for larger ones. The intention of farmer becomes clear: he is going to hoard his produce and release it to the market when the prices are high.

Having made plans to resolve his problems, the man concludes that he can now live in total leisure and self-indulgence. Jesus has contempt for his selfish attitude of taking one’s ease, eating, drinking, and making merry. His future perspective is entirely self-centred and selfindulgent. The man’s mistake is that he has laid up treasure for himself alone. He has morally mismanaged his wealth, giving no thought to the needs of others or thanking God. The man mistakenly thinks that he is only responsible for himself. The comfort that allows the man to focus on himself is the product of greed.

Ironically, the years of ease this man eagerly anticipates are unexpectedly cut short by the one who has authority over his life. He did not fulfil his moral responsibility before God to care for the needs of others. Now God issues a rebuke and takes action: he calls the man a fool and requires his soul. God rejects his covetousness. All the benefits of self-directed planning and labour come crashing down by God’s command. God demands an account of the man’s mortal soul and his grain and wealth cannot pay his debt.

Jesus applies the parable by noting that this is the fate of all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich towards God. The parable does not condemn planning or wealth per se. Rather, Jesus’ complaint is against the person who takes wealth and directs it totally towards one’s self. The message of the parable is simple. The amassing of a superabundance of material possessions for the sake of the good life becomes the height of folly in the light of the responsibility of life itself and the assessment of it which will take place once it is over.

Covetousness is the desire to have more than one actually needs. It not only leads to strife; it also expresses a fundamentally wrong attitude to life, according to which possessions are all that really matter. Thus the rich farmer is a fool, a godless and therefore senseless person.

(Source: The Sunday Liturgy)

St Waltheof Confessor (-1160)

St Waltheof was the 2nd son of Simon, Earl of Huntingdon and Matilda or Maud, niece of William the Conqueror. In his childhood days, while his elder brother Simon liked to build castles and play at soldiers, Waltheof took great delight in building churches and monasteries of stone and wood. Not surprisingly, when Waltheof grew up, he felt strongly inclined to the religious life.

After the death of his father, his mother Maud was given in marriage by King Henry I to St David I, King of Scotland. Following his mother to Scotland, Waltheof formed an intimate friendship with St Aelred who was then master of the royal household there.

Deciding to be a religious, he left Scotland and joined the Canons of St Augustine at Nostell. Not long after he was made Prior of Kirham. But desirous of a stricter way of life, and encouraged by the advice of his friend Aelred, then Abbot of Rievaul, he joined the Cistercian monks. Within barely four years of his profession, he was chosen Abbot of Melrose. When, in 1154, he was nominated archbishop of Saint Andrews, he sought the help of St Aelred in declining the office.

St Waltheof died at an advanced age on 3 August 1160. Miracles at his tomb led to his incorrupt body being transferred to a new marble sarcophagus in 1171, and once again in 1240 to the east part of the chapter house.

Reflection: “What will this avail me to eternal life?” (St Waltheof).

Daily Readings

August 2, 2025

Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Leviticus 25:1, 8–17

The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, “You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years. Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field. “In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property. And if you make a sale to your neighbour or buy from your neighbour, you shall not wrong one another. You shall pay your neighbour according to the number of years after the jubilee, and he shall sell to you according to the number of years for crops. If the years are many, you shall increase the price, and if the years are few, you shall reduce the price, for it is the number of the crops that he is selling to you. You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God, for I am the Lord your God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 67:2–3, 5, 7–8

Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

O God, be gracious and bless us

and let your face shed its light upon us.

So will your ways be known upon earth

and all nations learn your salvation.

Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and shout for joy,

with uprightness you rule the peoples;

you guide the nations on earth.

Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its fruit

for God, our God, has blessed us.

May God still give us his blessing

that all the ends of the earth may revere him.

Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Alleluia

Matthew 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Gospel

Matthew 14:1–12

At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Reflection

When King Herod heard of Jesus, he thought that John had been raised from the dead. Why was he thinking of John? Because he was the one responsible for John’s undeserved death; the injustice that he did to John was perpetually bothering him. That is why on learning of the reputation of Jesus, he became so fearful, imagining that Jesus was John came back to life. The wrongs that we’ve done in the past would hang around our neck like an albatross. We would be reminded of it now and then unless we take positive action to be healed of it. Let us avoid doing anything that would hurt anyone, let us always do good and be humble and peaceful. And if we ever offend or hurt the feelings of someone we must not do it again, but confess our sins and make restitution for the same.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard Priest, Founder (1811-1868)

Early on in life, Pierre-Julien Eymard had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. However, weak health and paternal opposition were initial obstacles to his priestly vocation.

Eventually ordained Priest in 1834, he served in a parish at Grenoble until 1839 when his undying devotion to Mary led him to join the Marist Fathers, a congregation he served as spiritual director of its junior seminary at Belley and as rector of the College of La Seine-sur-Mer. He organized the Third Order of Mary and, in 1845, was named provincial superior at Lyons. A powerful preacher of Eucharistic devotions, his own Eucharistic spirituality began to mature and evolve to a new level, whereby, captivated by the love of God as manifested in Christ’s gift of himself in the Eucharist, he sought to form within the Marists a group specifically dedicated to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. However, with no scope in evidence for such activity within the Marian apostolate he obtained permission to leave the Marists and, in 1856, founded the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Paris and was their Superior General for the rest of his life.

In 1858, in collaboration with Margurite Guillot, Eymard founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a cloistered contemplative congregation for women, with perpetual exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as its aim. He also founded the Priests’ Eucharistic League and the Blessed Sacrament Confraternity. He was canonized in 1962.

Reflection: “If one wants to, he can receive daily Jesus-Host, the Son of Mary, the blessed fruit of her womb. Jesus enters into the soul that is free from sin and rests there as in a new crib; he unites himself with us in a physical and spiritual union, permanent and transforming” (Blessed James Alberione).

Daily Readings

August 1, 2025, Friday

Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1

Leviticus 23:1, 4–11, 15–16, 27, 34b–37

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.” And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord. Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the Lord. On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the Lord. On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. For seven days you shall present food offerings to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the Lord. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work. These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 81:3–4, 5–6ab, 10–11ab

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

Raise a song and sound the timbrel,

the sweet-sounding harp and the lute;

blow the trumpet at the new moon,

when the moon is full, on our feast.

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

For this is a statute in Israel,

a command of the God of Jacob.

He made it a decree for Joseph,

when he went out from the land of Egypt.

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

Let there be no strange god among you,

nor shall you worship a foreign god.

I am the Lord your God,

who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

Response: Sing joyfully to God our strength.

Alleluia

1 Peter 1:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The word of the Lord remains for ever; and this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Gospel

Matthew 13:54–58

At that time: Coming to his home town Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his home town and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Reflection

The people who listened to Jesus thought that they knew him. They made the mistake of thinking that they knew everything there was worth knowing about him; he was too familiar to them, and that led to prejudiced ideas about him; they had him all summed up and were ready with their conclusions. In bringing our lives before God, we ask God to enlighten us, to help us look at our situations afresh and to be open to Him rather than making our conclusions. When we come to conclusions out of our prejudices, it may be difficult to go forward.

Saint Alphonsus De Liguori Bishop Confessor, Doctor of the Church (1696 - 1787)

As a boy, Alphonsus, the eldest of a family of seven children, annually made a retreat with his father. He obtained a doctorate in law at 16 but gave up his highly successful practice at 27, seeking God’s will in prayer and works of charity. Ordained priest in 1726, he founded the Redemptorists [Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer] in 1732 and travelled about Naples (Italy), gaining numerous conversions through his “Mission” apostolate, emphasizing that “the most perfect charity consists in being zealous about our neighbour’s spiritual good.”

After 1752 he devoted himself so zealously and effectively to writing as to become known as the “Prince of Moral Theologians”, his remarkable devotion to Our Lady and the Blessed Sacrament spurring him to compose such significant dogmatic and ascetical works as The Glories of Mary, The Way of Salvation and The True Spouse of Christ to name but a few. Alphonsus particularly favoured short, affective petitions and acts of love, emphasizing that “he who prays is saved; he who does not pray is damned.”

Weakened by severe austerities Alphonsus fell victim to a severe attack of gout and rheumatic fever which left him partially paralysed to the day of his death. It was only at 79, however, did the Pope agree to relieve him of his episcopal duties.

The first and only professional “Moral Theologian” to have been canonized [1839], Saint Alphonsus, the patron of Confessors and of Moral theologians, was declared Doctor of the Church in 1871.

Reflection: “Whoever desires the fruit must go to the tree; whoever desires Jesus must go to Mary: and whoever finds Mary will most certainly find Jesus” (Saint Alphonsus de Liguori).

Daily Readings

July 31, 2025, Thursday

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Reading 1

Exodus 40:16–21, 34–38

In those days: Moses did according to all that the Lord commanded him. In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected. Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars. And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 84:3, 4, 5–6a, and 8a, 11

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.

My soul is longing and yearning

for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh cry out

to the living God.

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.

Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself

in which she sets her young, at your altars,

O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.

Blessed are they who dwell in your house,

forever singing your praise.

Blessed the people whose strength is in you,

they walk with ever-growing strength.

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.

One day within your courts

is better than a thousand elsewhere.

The threshold of the house of God

I prefer to the dwellings of the wicked.

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.

Alleluia

See Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may pay attention to the words of your Son..

Gospel

Matthew 13:47–53

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there.

Reflection

We commemorate today Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. His motto was the Magis, ‘For the greater Glory of God.’ Life is meant to aim at the higher realities that take us to new horizons. Jesus in today’s gospel forms a platform from which we can look at life and live for the greater glory of God. He compares the kingdom of God with a dragnet which attracts all kinds of sea species. Through this parable, he points out the fact that there will be a final judgment for all of us. Therefore, we must look at our lives seriously. We need to take responsibility for our actions. Our present life will lay the foundation for the life to come.

Saint Ignatius de Loyola Confessor (1491-1556)

Baptized Inigo, Ignatius was the last of the 11 children of parents of noble descent in northern Spain. During a long convalescence following a serious injury sustained in the siege of Pamplona, he read the life of Christ and a book of Saints’ lives which made him realize the hollowness and futility of his own. “If the Saints could do this, why not I?” he asked himself.

After his recovery he spent a year in solitude at Manresa, searching for God’s will, and then made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was already 33 when he took up the study of Latin among the schoolboys of Barcelona, and later devoted 11 years to philosophy and theology, at various Universities. At Paris, when doing his Master’s [1535], he was able to attract six young men to his life of mortification, poverty and spiritual exercises, among them Saints Peter Faber and Francis Xavier.

The “Jesuits”, as they came to be popularly called, grew rapidly in number and fervor and were soon conspicuous in all the towns of Italy, caring for the poor and the sick, preaching in the streets, explaining Catholic truths in simple, direct language, and encouraging the frequent reception of the sacraments. At Ignatius’ death the 16 year-old Society already counted about 1,000 members and over 100 houses.

Ignatius, an implacable foe of Protestantism, died in 1556, was beatified in 1609, canonized in 1622 and declared Patron of Spiritual Exercises and Retreats in 1922.

Reflection: “The more desperate, things seem, the more we must hope in God. When man’s aid fails, God’s is close at hand” (Saint Ignatius de Loyola).

Daily Readings

July 30, 2025

Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Exodus 34:29–35

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterwards all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9 

Response: You are holy, O Lord our God.

Exalt the Lord our God;

bow down before his footstool.

Holy is he!

Response: You are holy, O Lord our God.

Among his priests were Aaron and Moses;

among those who invoked his name was Samuel.

They cried out to the Lord and he answered.

Response: You are holy, O Lord our God.

To them he spoke in the pillar of cloud.

They obeyed his decrees and the statutes

which he had given them.

Response: You are holy, O Lord our God.

Exalt the Lord our God;

bow down before his holy mountain,

for the Lord our God is holy.

Response: You are holy, O Lord our God.

Alleluia

John 15:15b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I have called you friends, says the Lord; for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Gospel

Matthew 13:44–46

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Reflection

Jesus continues to explain the truths of the kingdom of God by using life-changing parables. He compares the kingdom of God with the precious pearl and the treasure in the field. The parable of the treasure in the field teaches us that the kingdom of God is our right and it comes with a great price. The parable of the precious pearl teaches us that we need to set right our priorities in life. We are inheritors of the kingdom of God. How worthy are we to stake claim to it? Let us seek what is everlasting and thus cherish eternal life.

Saint Peter Chrysologus Bishop Confessor, Doctor of the Church (c.380-450)

In the 5th century, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the West was Ravenna, not Rome. And one of the most distinguished archbishops the See of Ravenna had was Saint Peter Chrysologus whose flair for preaching, a firm determination and fierce loyalty to the Church not only in terms of its teaching but its authority as well, stood him in good stead in the face of rampant pagan abuses, including the monophysitism of Eutyches.

A native of Imola, Italy and a product of its education, Peter became bishop when he was only a deacon. He shepherded Ravenna with rare zeal, urging his flock to partake of the Eucharist more frequently. Speaking against the riotous New Year celebrations, he coined his now famous quote: “He who amuses himself with Satan cannot rejoice with Christ!”

His writings and sermons, some 176 of which are extant [as is the mosaic covered cathedral he erected in Ravenna], contain no great originality of thought, yet are sound in doctrine and full of moral applications for daily living. His attitude towards learning gave substance to his exhortations and changed those who heard him, and, in time, he came to be called “Chrysologus”, i.e., “Golden Worded”.

Saint Peter Chrysologus died on 2 December 450, the authenticity of content in his sermons earning  him the title of Doctor of the Church in 1729.

Reflection: “Clothe yourself with the garment of sanctity, gird yourself with the cincture of chastity; let Christ be the covering of your head; let the Cross of Christ be the protection for your face; instil in your breast the sacrament of divine wisdom, let the odour of your prayers always ascend upon high” (Saint Peter Chrysologus).

Daily Readings

July 29, 2025

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Reading I

1 John 4:7-16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:2–3, 6–7, 8–9, 14–15, 16–17, 18–19

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

I will bless the Lord at all times;

praise of him is always in my mouth.

In the Lord my soul shall make its boast;

the humble shall hear and be glad.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

Look toward him and be radiant;

let your faces not be abashed.

This lowly one called; the Lord heard,

and rescued him from all his distress.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

The angel of the Lord is encamped

around those who fear him, to rescue them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

Guard your tongue from evil,

and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn aside from evil and do good.

Seek after peace, and pursue it.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

The Lord turns his eyes to the just,

and his ears are open to their cry.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked

to destroy their remembrance from the earth.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears,

and rescues them in all their distress.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Response: Look toward him and be radiant.

Alleluia

John 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
 

Gospel

John 11:19–27

At that time: Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Reflection

he three friends of Jesus, namely, Martha, her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus reveal their beautiful human characteristics: Lazarus becomes the instrument of strengthening the faith of Martha. As Jesus resuscitates him, Martha’s faith is deepened. Martha expresses her faith statement thus: “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God, who is coming into the world.” Mary becomes the epitome of discipleship because she chose the right place to remain seated at the feet of Jesus and listen to him. Let us imbibe and imitate the fine qualities of these three friends of Jesus. The more we understand the role of these three people the better will our lives be.     

Saint Martha of Bethany Virgin (- c.84)

Among Jesus’ closest friends, at whose home he delighted in being a guest were the two Bethany sisters, Martha and Mary, and their brother Lazarus. John says, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (11:5) - it was with them that he spent the last few days before the Passion. The Church today honours Martha.

Martha, presumably the eldest, was ever “busy about much serving”, anxious as ever about her guest’s comfort. She has thus become the prototype of the activist Christian who seeks cooperation even in terms of hospitality, that oldest of Christian virtues, while Mary has come to be regarded as the symbol of the contemplative life. Yet, Martha was obviously also a woman of deep faith with unbounded trust in the Lord’s divine power— “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask of him” (Jn 11:21-22).

It was to Martha that Jesus declared: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die”—words uttered at every Christian burial. Her counter-declaration, however, is a classic example of a thriving faith: “Yes Lord! I do believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into the world” (Jn 11:25-27).

Reflection: “The essential is certainly that, in the world as it is, the Lord’s disciples should be channels of God’s salvific action, by being ceaselessly purified, enlightened and comforted by frequently approaching the God of tenderness and pity” (Pope Saint John Paul II).

Daily Readings

July 28, 2025

Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 401

Reading 1

Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34

In those days: Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it. And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin – but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 106:19–20, 21–22, 23

Response: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

They fashioned a calf at Horeb,

and worshiped an image of metal;

they exchanged their glory

for the image of a bull that eats grass. 

Response: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

They forgot the God who was their saviour,

who had done such great things in Egypt,

such wonders in the land of Ham, such marvels at the Red Sea. 

Response: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

For this he said he would destroy them,

but Moses, the man he had chosen,

stood in the breach before him,

to turn back his anger from destruction. 

Response: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Gospel

Matthew 13:31–35

At that time: Jesus put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.

Reflection

Shared from Daily Liturgy

Jul 28, Mon

The purpose of teaching with the help of parables is to explain the eternal truths through the visible realities. Parables or stories point to something which we may not be able to grasp with our limited knowledge. It therefore unfolds the mystery of life by showing concrete, day-to-day examples. The parables of the ‘mustard seed’ and the ‘leaven’ teach us that the kingdom of God will grow taller and wider gradually. It will grow taller because it aims upward and it will widen because it caters to the needs of everyone without discriminating based on caste, class, colour and creed. We must realize that we are the characters appearing in the parables and it is through us that the kingdom of God will grow taller and wider.

Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception Virgin (1910–1946)

As a child, Alphonsa, baptized Anna, was so fascinated by the life of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux that she set herself the twin-objective of becoming a “nun” and a “saint” through prayer and penance. Resolved never to marry, Anna planned to disfigure herself by putting her foot into a big fire so as to foil the marriage plans an aunt who had brought her up since the untimely death of her mother had for her. But she accidentally slipped and fell right into the fire! Her recovery from the resultant burns was followed by due assent from her aunt to fulfil her dream!

Anna joined the Clarist Convent in Bharananganam as a postulant in 1928, taking the name Alphonsa, received the habit in the year 1930, entered the “novitiate” in 1935, and took her vows in 1936. Illness and misunderstandings dogging her life and formation, her virtues of steadfastness, concern and patience stood her in good stead. When her superiors suggested that she should pray for permanent relief from her ailments, she answered: “I am ready to suffer not only this but anything. ….. Let the Lord do with me as he wills, trampling over, wounding or piercing me, a humble sacrificial offering for the sake of … priests and religious who are growing less fervent in their spiritual life.”

Alphonsa died just three weeks before her 36th birthday [1946] and was canonized in 2008.

Reflection: “By your most cruel death give me lively faith, a firm hope and perfect charity, so that I may love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength.” (Saint Clare)

Daily Readings

July 27, 2025

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Genesis (18:20-32)

In those days the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” So the men turned from there and went towards Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the LORD said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the LORD, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find fortyfive there.” Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the LORD. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (138)

Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

I thank you, LORD, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down towards your holy temple.

Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

I give thanks to your name for your merciful love and your faithfulness. You have exalted your name over all. On the day I called, you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul.

Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

The LORD is high, yet he looks on the lowly, and the haughty he knows from afar. You give me life though I walk amid affliction; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes.

Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

With your right hand you save me; the LORD will accomplish this for me. O LORD, your merciful love is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.

Response: On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

Reading 2

Colossians (2:12-14)

Brethren, “Having been buried with Christ in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

ACCLAMATION

Alleluia. Alleluia.

(See Rom 8:15bc)

You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke (11:1-13)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Reflection

Abraham is a person who is privy to God’s secrets and one who prays for his people. Abraham prays not just for his own people but also for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. God willingly hears the pleas of Abraham but the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are unpardonable and Abraham realizes it. Here we have the lesson that sin invites punishment and yet praying for remission is the only way. In the Second Reading Paul compares the pagan past of the Colossians with their present state. They were once separated from God on account of their sins. But now because of the death of Christ God has made them alive in Christ. He has graciously forgiven their sins and therefore the cause of spiritual death has been done away with. After having taught his disciples how to pray and having given them what we call the Lord’s prayer, Jesus goes on to tell the parable the persistent friend. The parable’s background is that in the first-century Palestine, food was not as readily available as it is today. There were no evening shops, and bread was baked each day to meet the day’s needs. The host in this parable faces a real problem: he has a late-night visitor and he has no food to offer him. The man has the chance of going to a neighbour who might have the bread but is probably asleep. If the host calls on the neighbour, then the neighbour would be under obligation to respond for that was the accepted custom those days. The risk involved in such a case was that by waking the master of the house one would wake everyone else because the ancient house was basically a one-room affair. When he arrives at the door of the neighbour, he notes that the door remains closed; the family has retired for the evening. Besides, the children are asleep with him in bed. Getting up will wake the children – a great inconvenience! The hesitation that the neibhbour expresses is not so much a lack of ability to provide the food but an unwillingness to do so because of the chaos it would cause. The man takes courage and wakes up the neighbour at mid-night. He is willing to go to any lengths and to suffer even great rebuke to get the bread so that he can be a good host. The point here is that just as the host at midnight responds to the request, so too will God grant the genuine requests of his children speedily. If an irritated person responds to boldness, so you can be bold with the Gracious One. If a person responds the way we find in the parable, surely a gracious God will respond to those who have the nerve to make their requests.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches about the fundamental attitudes the disciple must have in prayer: a concern for God’s character and honour and the desire to see him overcome evil in His kingdom. Perhaps the most ignored feature of the prayer is that it is a community prayer, not an individual one. Provision, forgiveness, and protection are asked for the community. The lesson of the Lord’s Prayer is that we pray not just for the individual’s needs, but also for the needs of the community.

St Innocent I Pope Confessor ( - 417)

Elected three days after the death of Pope Anastasius (27 December 401), this energetic and gifted Pope ruled the Church for 16 years. Innocent obtained from Emperor Honorius a drastic decree against the Manichaeans, Montanists and Priscillianists. While he was unsuccessfully trying to arrange peace terms at Ravenna between the Western Roman Emperor and Alaric the Goth, the latter captured and sacked Rome in 410.

St Innocent did much to strengthen ecclesiastical discipline, decreed that Roman customs should be the general norm, and that “all ecclesiastical matters throughout the world are, by divine right, to be referred to the Holy See”. His zeal for the welfare of the Church embraced both the West and the East, but he was unable to get St John Chrysostom reinstated at Constantinople because the Eastern Emperor favoured the usurper Theophilus. St Innocent’s death on 12 March 417 was mourned deeply by the entire Church.

Reflection: “I command you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it, whether the time is right or not; to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Daily Readings

July 26, 2025

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading I

Exodus 24:3–8

In those days: Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 50:1–2, 5–6, 14–15

Response: Give your praise as a sacrifice to God.

The God of gods, the Lord,

has spoken and summoned the earth,

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Sion, the perfection of beauty,

God is shining forth.

Response: Give your praise as a sacrifice to God.

“Gather my holy ones to me,

who made covenant with me by sacrifice.”

The heavens proclaim his justice,

for he, God, is the judge.

Response: Give your praise as a sacrifice to God.

Give your praise as a sacrifice to God,

and fulfil your vows to the Most High.

Then call on me in the day of distress.

I will deliver you

and you shall honour me.

Response: Give your praise as a sacrifice to God.

Alleluia

James 1:21bc

Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 13:24–30

At that time: Jesus put another parable before the crowds, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’

Reflection

In the parable of the sower in today’s gospel, the land owner, in his prudence, allows the weeds to grow along with the wheat until the harvest. The reason for this is that in the process of removing the weeds from the ground, the wheat also might inadvertently get uprooted. This understanding of the landowner teaches that God does not want an innocent person to be punished. God is patient and forgiving. But God’s patience cannot and should not be taken as a chance to go on committing more mistakes. Time and opportunities are given to us to correct our faults and failings. If these God-given opportunities are used for our improvement and growth, the influence of evil (weeds) will gradually be eliminated and we will grow and produce good fruits for the kingdom of God.  

Saints Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1st century)

The Proto-Gospel of James, dating back to the middle of the second century, names Mary’s parents as Anna—or Hannah which means “grace”—and Joachim, denoting “Yahweh saves”, and declares that their daughter was born in answer to fervent prayer after a long childless marriage.

Anne and Joachim came from among a people who rose from the faith of Abraham, of a people formed by Moses, which Exodus describes as thirsting to know God’s face. Anne is glorious among the saints because it was in her that the Immaculate Conception per se took place, whereby she became the mother of the Mother of God, and in effect the “grandmother” of the Messiah. Saint John Damasus says: “For she who was to be born had to be a first-born daughter, since she would be the mother of the first-born of all creation, ‘in whom all things are held together’.”

The feasts of Saint Anne and of Saint Joachim were each quite ancient in the Eastern church (4th century) but came to be observed universally in the 15th or 16th century. In fact, 26 July was initially observed as Saint Anne’s feast day only, until it came to be celebrated as the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim and thus observed as Parents’ Day in recent times, reminding parents and grandparents of their responsibility to keep up the practice of traditional human values.

Reflection: “Dear Christians, young and old, the essential is certainly that, in the world as it is, the Lord’s disciples should be channels of God’s salvific action, by being ceaselessly purified, enlightened and comforted by frequently approaching the God of tenderness and piety” (Pope Saint John Paul II).

Daily Readings

July 25, 2025

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Reading 1

2 Corinthians 4:7–15

Brethren: We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke”, we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 126:1–2ab, 2cd–3, 4–5, 6

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord brought back the exiles of Sion,

we thought we were dreaming.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter;

on our tongues, songs of joy.

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Then the nations themselves said, “What great deeds

the Lord worked for them!”

What great deeds the Lord worked for us!

Indeed, we were glad.

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Bring back our exiles, O Lord,

as streams in the south.

Those who are sowing in tears

will sing when they reap.

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,

bearing seed for the sowing;

they come back, they come back with a song,

bearing their sheaves.

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Alleluia

See John 15:16

I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 20:20–28

At that time: The mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the chalice that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my chalice, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reflection

oday we celebrate the feast of Saint James the apostle. In the Gospel, we see that for James and his brother John, greatness meant occupying worldly power and position. That is why they, through their mother, approached Jesus for places at his right and left in his kingdom. They did not hide their ambition. Other disciples too looked forward to a similar share of power. This is the worldly way of achieving greatness. Jesus has a different idea of true greatness: “The greatest among you must be the servant of all.” A generous and willing heart that serves others is the sign of true greatness. Jesus’ life is an example of such greatness achieved through humble service. Paul teaches us in his Letter to the Philippians: “The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had, who, though being divine in nature, did not claim equality with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant….” (Phil 2:5-8).

Saint James the Greater Apostle and Martyr (- c. 63)

James and his younger brother, John the Evangelist, were the sons of Zebedee, a prosperous fisherman of Galilee. Their mother, Salomé, was believed to have been a sister of the Blessed Virgin, in which case the two brothers, the “Sons of Thunder”, would have been first cousins of our Lord. They assisted their father in his fishing and were in partnership with Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. These four young men seem to have enjoyed pride of place among the Apostles, even as Peter, James and John (often taken to symbolize faith, hope and charity), were the ones privileged to witness our Lord raising to life the daughter of Jairus, his Transfiguration, and finally his agony at Gethsemane.

Saint James the Greater was the first Apostle to be martyred. Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great who had massacred the Holy Innocents, was trying all ways to appease the Jews, and in 43 AD had James arrested and. as one of the leading men in the rapidly growing Church, beheaded.

Another tradition since the 9th century claims that James preached in Spain and that his body was brought to Compostela in the north-western corner of the Iberian Peninsula where his shrine became in medieval times one of the greatest pilgrimage centres of Christendom. Though the very fact of his visiting Spain remains disputed, he continues to be revered as the Patron Saint of Spain and Chile, of druggists, pilgrims and potters, besides being invoked in times of war and against rheumatism.

Reflection: “If I love Jesus, I ought to resemble him. If I love Jesus, I ought to love what he loves, what he prefers to all else: humility” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard).

Daily Readings

July 24, 2025

Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Exodus 19:1–2, 9–11, 16–20b

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain. And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you for ever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Responsorial Psalm

Daniel 3:52, 53, 55, 54, 56

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our ancestors,

and to be praised and highly exalted forever;

and blessed is your glorious, holy name

and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever.

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are you in the shrine of your holy glory

and to be extolled and highly glorified forever.

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are you upon the throne of your kingdom

and to be extolled and highly exalted forever. 

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are you, who sits upon cherubim and looks upon the deeps,

and to be praised and highly exalted forever. 

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven

and to be sung and glorified forever. 

Response: You are to be praised and highly exalted forever!

Alleluia

See Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little children the mysteries of the kingdom.

Gospel

Matthew 13:10–17

At that time: The disciples came and said to Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.’ For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Reflection

We can identify three reasons why Jesus spoke in parables with his disciples. 1) He taught them the eternal truths that needed explanation through parables because the everlasting truths are not simple to understand. 2) The stories or parables serve as effective tools to get the attention of the audience. Jesus often taught in the open field and on the banks of the lakes and therefore had to capture the attention of the people through parables. 3) The parables were effective means for the listeners to analyse and examine their conscience. People do not like to receive advice all the time, but they like stories that appeal to them. Let us understand the deeper meaning of the parables used by Jesus and live the way He wants us to lead our lives.

Saint Francis Solano Confessor (1549-1610)

Born to Matteo, then Mayor of the Andalusian town of Montilla, Spain and head of the Supreme Court, and his wife Anna, both of whom were known for their piety and virtue, Francis received his a Jesuit education before entering the Friars Minor at 20 and was ordained priest at 27. His boundless compassion for the sick and the sinner was amply demonstrated during an outbreak of the plague in Granada, Spain, when he gave himself over entirely to nursing the stricken people.

While on a mission to South America in 1589, he was shipwrecked south of Panama, before eventually reaching Lima, Peru. For the next twenty years, he successfully evangelized in Peru, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay at the cost of much personal sacrifice.

Francis’ zeal for making Christ known and loved by all expressed itself in a life of faith, piety, prayer and care, apart from speedily mastering the numerous difficult dialects of South America, winning the people’s interest and goodwill by playing for them on his violin and snapping his fingers to imitate the Castanets. His ministrations to the ailing were adequately backed by knowledgeable medical lore. Unfortunately, the numerous writings and musical compositions (carols, songs and dances in honour of the Christ Child and the Blessed Virgin) of this “Wonderworker of the New World”, which were sent to Rome in support of the process of his beatification, have since been lost.

Beatified in 1675, Francis was canonized in 1726.

Reflection: “We cannot honour God by expecting great things from Him. Confidence is the virtue that gives him the greatest honour” (Saint Claude).

Daily Readings

July 23, 2025

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Exodus 16:1–5, 9–15

The people of Israel set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked towards the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. And the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 78:18–19, 23–24, 25–26, 27–28

Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

In their heart they put God to the test

by demanding the food they craved.

They spoke against God and said:

“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?” 

Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Yet he commanded the clouds above,

and opened the gates of heaven.

He rained down manna to eat,

and gave them bread from heaven. 

Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Man ate the bread of angels.

He sent them abundance of food;

the east wind he stirred up in the heavens,

the south wind he directed by his might. 

Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

He rained flesh upon them like dust,

winged fowl like the sands of the sea.

He let it fall in the midst of their camp,

and all around their tents. 

Response: The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever.

Gospel

Matthew 13:1–9

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Reflection

“A sower went out to sow.” The seeds the farmer sows in various types of soil are of the same quality, but the yield is of varying measures. Even if the seed is of the best quality, the yield would depend on the quality and the surroundings of the soil. Every farmer knows that only fertile soil with enough moisture and sunshine yields abundant crops. God sows His word in human hearts. The presence of the evil one and his temptations are a reality that can snatch away the seed of goodness from us. There is also the possibility of a poor, shallow and uninspiring heart that does not help the Word of God to grow and produce fruit. Again, the worldly forces of wealth and all its allurements can make it impossible to focus on God’s Word and thus cause it to disappear in favour of worldly attractions. A heart that is clean and free of all external influences and distractions receives the Word of God and produces abundant fruits. How disposed am I to the Word of God and its growth and fruitfulness in my life?

Saint Bridget of Sweden Widow (1303-1373)

Bridget (or Brigitta), brought up by an aunt after the untimely demise of her devout parents, lived her life to the full first as a married woman and then as a religious. Married when barely 13 she lost her husband, Ulf Gudmarsson, in 1344, after 28 years of a happy marriage that bore them four sons and four daughters, of whom, Catherine of Sweden is a saint.

Her penitential exercises and prophetic visions constantly on the rise since the early age of seven, the Passion of Christ marked the centre of her faith that expressed itself in charity. In response to one of her numerous “revelations”, Bridget founded the double Order of the Holy Redeemer (for men and women, with separate enclosures for each) at Vadstena in 1346, with generous endowments from the king. There were, in imitation of Christ’s 72 disciples (12 Apostles and Saint Paul), 4 Deacons, 8 Lay Brothers, and in a nearby convent 60 Nuns, who by their prayers were to sustain the preaching apostolate of the priests. In keeping with what her name denotes, viz. courage and strength, she did not fear to reprove the king himself, besides princes, priests and popes, for dereliction of duty and morals.

During her Holy Land pilgrimage in 1372, she was blessed with four months of near continuous visions of the Lord’s life and Passion. These began with the young maiden Mary in her parents’ home, while in the humble cave at Bethlehem she witnessed Our Lady kneeling enthralled before her newborn Infant and exclaiming: “Be welcome, my Lord and my Son!”

Bridget was canonized in 1391.

Reflection: “The world would have peace if men of politics would only follow the Gospels” (Saint Bridget).

Daily Readings

July 22, 2025

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Reading 1

Song of Solomon 3:1–4ab (Or: 2 Corinthians 5:14–17)

The bride responds: On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not. The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves.

OR

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Brothers and sisters:
The love of Christ impels us,
once we have come to the conviction that one died for all;
therefore, all have died.
He indeed died for all,
so that those who live might no longer live for themselves
but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh;
even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh,
yet now we know him so no longer.
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 63:2, 3–4, 5–6, 8–9

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you;

for you my soul is thirsting.

For you my flesh is pining,

like a dry, weary land without water. 

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

I have come before you in the sanctuary,

to behold your strength and your glory.

Your loving mercy is better than life;

my lips will speak your praise. 

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

I will bless you all my life;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be filled as with a banquet;

with joyful lips, my mouth shall praise you.

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

For you have been my strength;

in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.

My soul clings fast to you;

your right hand upholds me. 

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way?
I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

John 20:1–2, 11–18

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” – and that he had said these things to her.

Reflection

The feast of Mary Magdalene invites us to be messengers of the good news of Jesus. She was privileged to proclaim to the apostles that she had seen the Risen Jesus. She went to the tomb where Jesus was laid and there she encountered him. She rushed to the apostles and announced to them the Good News of the resurrection. All of Mary’s activities reveal her great love for the Lord, a love that led her to the tomb of Jesus even in the dark hours of the night. As she was rewarded with the first appearance of Jesus after his resurrection, the risen Lord called her by name. She recognised him as the same Jesus who was crucified but was now risen and alive. She was given the mandate to be the first to announce his resurrection. Like Mary, those who love the Lord recognize him, and then he calls them by name and sends them out with the Good News of his loving and redeeming presence.

St Mary Magdalene Penitent (c.84)

The Gospels all accord Mary Magdalene a unique place among Jesus’ followers. Her surname probably owes its origin to her birthplace, a town called Magdala near Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. According to the ancient and very plausible tradition in the Latin Church, Mary the sinner is synonymous with Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus and with Mary Magdalene. This “Mary who is called Magdalene” was freed from seven devils (the seven deadly sins) by our Lord; “the sinner” lovingly anointed his feet; and according to St John she was “Mary of Bethany” (and thus the sister of Martha), who “sat at the Lord’s feet” and listened spellbound to his every word. The Eastern Church, however, venerates three distinct persons named Mary.

The Lord’s most ardent and loving follower, Mary Magdalene stood with his beloved mother at the foot of the Cross, witnessed his burial and was the first to see both the empty tomb and the risen “Rabboni” on Easter morning. Indeed, it was she who was sent by Him with the good news to the other disciples, a commission that earned her the title “Apostle to the Apostles” in the early Church.

 Catholics revere Mary Magdalene as a pattern of the contemplative life and even of conversion. She probably died at Ephesus, but a French legend tells of Mary, Martha and Lazarus coming to southern France and converting the Provence district.

Reflection: “When you commit any sin, repent of it at once and resolve to amend. If it is a grievous sin, confess it as soon as possible” (St Alphonsus Liguori).

Daily Readings

July 21, 2025

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Exodus 14:5–18

In those days: When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

Responsorial Psalm

Exodus 15:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6

Response: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation;

this is my God, and I will praise him,

my father’s God, and I will exalt him.  

Response: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.

Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,

and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.  

Response: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

The floods covered them;

they went down into the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,

your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.  

Response: I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.

Alleluia

Psalm 95:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Today, harden not your hearts, but listen to the voice of the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 12:38–42

At that time: Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great sea creature, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Reflection

People sought a sign from Jesus to establish his credentials as a preacher and miracle worker. The Pharisees asked for a sign not for the sake of believing in him but to test and trap him. Jesus comments on their double standards, pointing out that only an evil and adulterous generation asks for signs. They are not truthful to themselves. Jesus points out how people had genuinely repented at the preaching of Jonah and listened to Solomon’s wisdom. If they could repent and change their lives, those asking for signs from Jesus also ought to change at the preaching of Jesus because he is greater than Jonah and Solomon. Today’s gospel, therefore, is an invitation to all of us to listen to Jesus our Saviour and change our lives.

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi   

Giulio Cesare de Rossi showed clear evidence of a religious vocation and his future oratorical prowess at an early age. At 16 he joined the Capuchins as Brother Lawrence and, while still a Deacon, preached the Lenten sermons with such fervour, his style carefully adapted to the spiritual needs of his listeners, his obvious sanctity capturing their hearts that he found himself subsequently called to preach in most of the large cities in Italy. A competent linguist, it was most specifically because of his excellent knowledge of Hebrew that Pope Clement VIII called him to Rome to instruct the Jewish populace, among whom he made many converts.

Elected Superior General of the Capuchins in 1602, he declined re-election three years later. At the behest of Emperor Rudolf, Lawrence obtained from the German princes much needed help to oppose the formidable Turks. Animated by a supreme confidence that fired the enthusiasm of his contingent of 18,000 soldiers, he rode into battle heading it with a Crucifix raised high in his hand, putting the Turkish army of 80,000 at Stuhlweissenburg to flight!

Lawrence’s achievements in the Post-Tridentine restoration of Catholicism earned him, in the words of Pope Benedict XV, “a truly distinguished place among the most outstanding men ever raised by Divine Providence to assist the Church in time of distress.”

Lawrence died exactly 60 years after his birth when on a mission to Philip III of Spain on behalf of the people of Naples. He was beatified in 1783, canonized in 1881 and declared Doctor of the Universal Church in 1959.

Reflection: “Brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure of your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10).

Daily Readings

July 20, 2025

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Genesis 18:1-10a

In those days the LORD appeared to Abram by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O LORD, if I have found favour in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on – since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three measures of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

Response: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Whoever walks without fault; who does what is just, and speaks the truth from his heart. Whoever does not slander with his tongue.

Response: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Who does no wrong to a neighbour, who casts no slur on a friend, who looks with scorn on the wicked, but honours those who fear the LORD.

Response: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Who lends no money at interest, and accepts no bribes against the innocent. Such a one shall never be shaken.

Response: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?

Reading 2

Colossians 1:24-28

Brethren, now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Alleluia

Cf. Luke 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Gospel

Luke 10:38-42

At that time Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Reflection

In today’s First Reading as Abraham is resting in his tent he sees three men coming to him. Abraham’s concern for his guests is a model of oriental hospitality. Abraham asks the angelic messengers if he could serve them a meal to which their answer is “yes”. Having partaken in a grand meal, the guests make enquiries about Sarah and announce the birth of a son long awaited by them. But Abraham is not convinced and wonders if at the age of one hundred years he would still be able to father a child. But God reiterates his promise and says that Sarah will indeed bear a son and he is to be called Isaac. Sarah eventually gives birth to the son of the promise.

In the Second Reading Paul writes about his suffering. What does Paul mean by saying that in his body he completes what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ? On the face of it, Paul seems to say that Christ’s suffering is insufficient and so Paul is completing it. But this goes against the basic NT teaching that Christ has accomplished the reconciliation between God and humankind through his suffering and has not left anything incomplete. Hence, the correct understanding points to the need of suffering required for the growth of the Church. This reminds us that we too will have to undergo suffering.

The gospel of today tells the story of Martha and Mary. After the story of the good Samaritan, the Lucan travel account calls the reader’s attention to Jesus’ progress on his journey towards Jerusalem by relating a visit in a certain village to Martha and Mary ( Lk 10:38-42). In the preceding episode there was a contrast between the Samaritan and the Jewish priest and Levite; in this one the contrast is seen between the reactions of Martha, the perfect host, and Mary, the perfect disciple.

Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to his teaching like a true disciple. While Martha is too worried about the cares of this world, Mary continually listens to Jesus. We see that only Martha is slaving away. She alone is preparing the meal for Jesus and the others. Mary is relaxing at the Master’s feet, doing nothing—at least according to Martha, who turns to Jesus to enlist the teacher’s help in getting help for her “ministry” as a reference to food preparation. Martha is irritated at her sister’s behaviour and demands that Jesus speak to Mary so that she might help. She is confident that if Jesus speaks to Mary he can convince her sister to help. The narrator indicates that her agitation is misguided and her perspective is improper. She is too busy for him, even though she is doing a good thing. Jesus intends to correct her misconception. Jesus commends Mary’s decision. She has chosen the one thing that really counts: to sit and reflect on Jesus’ teaching and the Kingdom of God. She has chosen the good portion. Response to God’s Word is the most important for a disciple. Mary has done the right thing. Martha should slow down and relax. The disciple should never be too busy to sit at Jesus’ feet. The disciple who reflects on Jesus’ teaching is the ideal disciple.

Source: The Sunday Liturgy

Saints Elias and Flavian (Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Antioch respectively)

An Arab by birth, Elias was an anchorite in Egypt who fled to Palestine in 457, before the Monophysite persecution of Timothy the Cat, the patriarch of Alexandria. Given shelter by Euthymus in his Laura of Shael, he founded a community at Jericho. Appointed patriarch of Jerusalem in 494, he met Flavian, a Syrian heiromonk who was also a delegate to the imperial court at Constantinople and succeeded him to the See of Antioch in 498.

Elias suffered much for his adherence to the Council of Chalcedon. He entered into communion with Euphemius and Macedonius, the Constantinopolitan patriarchs, and refused to communicate with the Monophysite patriarch of Antioch and Alexandria. He submitted a profession of faith to Emperor Anastasius I; but the Emperor interpreted it as anathema to the reality of the two natures in Christ. Elias protested against this interpretation and sent another profession of faith based on Chalcedon. He was summoned to condemn the doctrine of Chalcedon in 511 at the Synod of Sidon, but he won over the majority of the Bishops and sent a delegation under Saint Sebas to Jerusalem to defend his position.

Both Elias and Flavian were orthodox at heart and they were eventually driven from their Sees for their refusal to cooperate with the imperial support of Monophysitism. Flavian died in exile at Petra in Arabia and Elias at Aila and are named together in the Roman Martyrology.

Reflection: “The more we conquer ourselves the more he gives us of his grace; and if today we have had power to overcome our difficulty, tomorrow and the day after we shall be able to surmount others that are much greater and more distressing” (Saint Vincent De Paul).

Daily Readings

July 19, 2025

Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Exodus 12:37–42

In those days: The people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves. The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. At the end of four hundred thirty years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 136:1 & 23–24, 10–15 

Response: For his mercy endures forever.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

He remembered us in our distress,

for his mercy endures forever.

And he snatched us away from our foes,

for his mercy endures forever.

Response: For his mercy endures forever.

The firstborn of the Egyptians he smote,

for his mercy endures forever.

He brought Israel out from their midst,

for his mercy endures forever;

with mighty hand and outstretched arm,

for his mercy endures forever.

Response: For his mercy endures forever.

The Red Sea he divided in two,

for his mercy endures forever;

he made Israel pass through the midst,

for his mercy endures forever;

he flung Pharaoh and his force in the Red Sea,

for his mercy endures forever.

Response: For his mercy endures forever.

Alleluia

2 Corinthians 5:19

In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Gospel

Matthew 12:14–21

At that time: The Pharisees went out and conspired against Jesus, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Reflection

We encounter two kinds of people in today’s gospel: The Pharisees, who were plotting to get Jesus out of their lives, and a large crowd of people who followed Jesus and whom he had healed. The first group promotes conspiracy, hatred, destruction, death and annihilation of the innocent and the killing of Truth because they could not withstand the presence of the Truth, that is, Jesus. The second group follows Jesus with open hearts and Jesus gives them new life and hope. They accept and live by the Truth. What would we choose if we were offered life and death, truth and falsehood, destruction and promotion of life?

Sts. Justa and Rufina, Virgins & Martyrs (A.D. - 287)

Sts Justa and Rufina were two Christian women at Seville in Spain who maintained themselves by selling earthenware. But they refused to sell vessels for the use of heathen ceremonies so as not to concur in idolatrous superstitions. Infuriated, the heathens broke up their stock-in-trade. Justa and Rufina retaliated by overthrowing the image of a false goddess, whereupon, they were impeached before the Governor.

The Prefect commanded them to renounce their Faith and offer sacrifice to the very goddess whose image they had overthrown. They politely declined, but boldly confessed Christ as their Lord. As a result, the Prefect ordered that they be stretched on the rack and their sides torn with hooks. An idol was placed near the rack with incense that if they should offer sacrifice they should be released, but their fidelity could not be shaken. Consequently, Justa died on the rack while Rufina was strangled to death and their bodies burnt.

The two saints are greatly venerated in Spain and their names doubtless represent historical martyrs in that place.

Reflection: “Take away the fuel and you take away the flame” (St Ulric).

Daily Readings

July 18, 2025

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Exodus 11:10–12:14

In those days: Moses and Aaron did many wonders before Pharaoh, and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbour shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute for ever, you shall keep it as a feast.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 116:12–13, 15–16bc, 17–18

Response: The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the name of the Lord.

How can I repay the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the name of the Lord.

Response: The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the name of the Lord.

How precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful.

Your servant am I, the son of your handmaid;

you have loosened my bonds.

Response: The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the name of the Lord.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;

I will call on the name of the Lord.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill

before all his people.  

Response: The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the name of the Lord.

Alleluia

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me.

Gospel

Matthew 12:1–8

At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Reflection

In today’s gospel we see Jesus and his disciples doing something that was forbidden to do on Sabbath. The hungry disciples of Jesus picked up corn from the field and ate. The religious leaders found fault with their simple action and accused them of breaking the law of the Sabbath. Jesus, understanding the agony of hunger very well, shows why it is more important to satisfy human needs than to be faithful to the rituals and regulations of the Sabbath. If a law stipulates the denial of food to a hungry person, we should do away with that law. Is our worship today helping us to become more sensitive and humane towards the hungry and the needy?

St Frederick Bishop and Martyr (-838)

When young, St Frederick was trained in piety and sacred learning among the clergy of the Church of Utrecht, Holland. After he was ordained priest, he was given the charge of instructing the converts by Bishop Ricfried. About the year 825, he was chosen to succeed Ricfried to the See of Utrecht. The new Bishop at once began to establish order everywhere, and sent St Odulf and other zealous labourers into the Northern parts to dispel the paganism that still flourished there.

According to tradition Frederick became involved in the difficulties between the sons of the Emperor, Louis the Debonair, and their father and step-mother. He also fell out of favour with the Empress, whom he had taken the opportunity to admonish, though charitably, to turn to a life of morality.

The inhabitants of Walcheren were barbarous and most averse to the Gospel. So, he took upon himself the duty of teaching and evangelizing them. According to tradition, on 18 July 838, after he had celebrated Mass and was about to make his thanksgiving, he was stabbed by two assassins. He died saying with the Psalmist, “I will praise the Lord in the land of the living”.

Reflection: “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory, which overcomes the world, our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Alexius, the only son of his parents, and who was educated in Rome, learnt from the charitable example of his parents that the riches given away to the poor remain with us forever, and that alms-deeds are a treasure transferred to heaven, with the interest of an immense reward. While yet a child he was intent on the relief of all whom he saw in distress, and thought himself obliged to those who received his charity and regarded them as his benefactors.

Fearing lest the distraction of earthly honour separate or distance him from what is more noble or godly, Alexius, by divine inspiration, decided to renounce the world. On his wedding night, with his bride’s consent, he secretly left Rome, and giving away to the poor in the far East all that he had with him, spent several years at the gate of Our Lady’s church in that city, living on alms, until an image of Mary spoke and revealed his holiness to the people as “the man of God”. Thereupon he fled back home; but his father, failing to recognize him, received him as a beggar and employed him, allotting a corner under the staircase where he lived for seventeen years, unknown, bearing patiently the demeaning attitude of his own father, spouse and slaves.

Eventually, when death ended this cruel martyrdom, they learned, albeit late, the truth from some of his own writings, even as God testified to his servant’s sanctity by way of many miracles.

Reflection: “Pride is an illusion, a lie and a theft. And since it is a truth of faith that we are nothing, he who esteems himself and thinks that he is someone is a seducer who deceives himself” (Saint John Eudes).

Daily Readings

July 16, 2025

Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Exodus 3:1–6, 9–12

In those days: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, “And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 103:1–2, 3–4, 6–7 

Response: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all within me, his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and never forget all his benefits. 

Response: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

It is the Lord who forgives all your sins,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with mercy and compassion. 

Response: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

The Lord does just deeds,

gives full justice to all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

and his deeds to the children of Israel. 

Response: The Lord is compassionate and gracious.

Alleluia

See Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little children the mysteries of the kingdom.

Gospel

Matthew 11:25–27

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Reflection

In today’s gospel, Jesus thanks the heavenly Father because the message of God’s kingdom was revealed to the little ones – the simple, humble, ignorant and sinful – instead of the wise, learned religious leaders and the ruling class. The so-called wise and learned are too proud to hear, to understand and to accept the new teaching that Jesus came to reveal. The simple, humble, ignorant and sinful ones (little ones) in their humility are open to his message and respond to it by changing the way they live. Jesus, knowing that all this success came from his heavenly Father, acknowledges that everything has been entrusted to him by his Father. How humble are we to listen, to understand and to accept God’s message? How thankful are we for the precious gift of faith?

Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Marie Madeleine Postel, Foundress (1756-1846)

According to tradition, Simon Stock, the aged general of the Carmelite Order, had appealed to Our Lady for her protection over his oppressed congregation. In response, on this day in 1251 she appeared to him at Cambridge, England, and presented to him the brown scapular, which became the prototype of all the others. Mary assured him that all who were duly invested with it and wore it faithfully with filial love and confidence in her power and goodness, would experience the effects of her powerful intercession, and obtain the grace of final perseverance and her motherly protection at death.