Past Reflections

Last Sunday at the beginning of our Lenten season, Jesus conquered Satan in the desert during his temptation. The lesson of this event has volumes to teach us. The reality of evil and the devil is obvious. Temptation is real and nobody is exempted. Life is a struggle and to survive, we need to follow Jesus closely and learn from him. Today the second week of Lent, in our spiritual Lenten journey Jesus is taking us to the high mountain to experience his glory with God the Fath

At this last weekend before the beautiful season of Lent, the church invites us to reflect on our relationship with God's law and the wisdom that guides us. Sirach 15:15-20 reminds us that God has set before us life and death, good and evil. We have been given the freedom to choose, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can go for what is truly good. St. Augustine says, "God created us without us, but He did not will to save us without us." (St. Augustine) In 1 Corinthians

A story is told of a man who saw the world as so corrupt and full of evil and in an attempt to avoid any risk of being corrupted or negatively influenced, ran into the forest and lived all by himself feeding on plants and animals. He died after a happy old age but was refused entrance into heaven. St Peter congratulated him on his effort to avoid the corrupt world but had to send him back to the same world in order to influence and change it positively rather than running awa

On this last weekend of Advent, we're invited to reflect on the theme of trusting God's plan. The readings of this Sunday remind us that God keeps His promises, and we're encouraged to rely on Him instead of fear. The story of Ahaz and Joseph are powerful reminders of the importance of trust and obedience.   Ahaz, the king of Judah, is a complex figure. He's faced with a daunting challenge: the threat of invasion from the Assyrian empire. In his fear, he's tempted to seek hel

Advent is a season of waiting. We open our hearts to Jesus, and sometimes that waiting feels long and heavy. The days are dark, the world feels tired, and our spirits can grow weary. But on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday (which means “Rejoice!”), joy breaks in like the sunrise: even while we wait, joy is possible. Pope Francis reminds us: “We Christians are called to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting: we await God who loves us infinitely and at the same

The celebration of Christ the King last weekend closed the church's calendar for Year C. This weekend opens the new church year with Advent Season Year A, giving us a chance to refresh our faith. Advent, from the Latin "ad-venire" ("to come to" or "arrive"), is four weeks of prayer, reflection, and preparation for Christ's birth. It's a time to examine our lives, reflect on our need for God, and eagerly await His coming. As the Catechism says, "When the church celebrates Adve

Today, the universal church celebrates the solemnity of Jesus Christ as the King of the universe and my king marking the end of the Church year. Christ is proclaimed King because He has authority over all creation, establishing a kingdom where people can receive salvation. Jesus says, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), emphasizing that His kingship is about humble service, truth, love, and justice, not vain glory of earthly power. The preface of today’s solemnity

Living in expectation and hope is about trusting God's plan for us. It's woven into the fabric of our daily lives, giving us confidence to look forward to the future. God's sovereignty over our past, present, and future is the anchor of our faith (Jeremiah 29:11). God uses all things – good, bad, and ugly – to fashion something good for us (Romans 8:28). His sovereignty gives us peace over past mistakes, comfort in the present, and confidence for the future. He walks with us

Many people think that St Peter's Basilica is the Pope's seat because it is so famous and majestic, but it is not so. St John Lateran Basilica in Rome is the Episcopal seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, and for that reason, it is called the mother and head of all churches in the world. This beautiful basilica has a rich history, dating back to its dedication by Pope St Sylvester on November 9, 324 AD. It is named after the Lateran family, who donated the land for its const

Dear friends, when we think of the Body of Christ, we reflect on how the physical body parts work together in harmony. Each part has a unique role, and when all are healthy, it affects the entire body. The Body of Christ is the Church, comprising three components: the triumphant church, the militant church, and the suffering church. The Triumphant Church: these are our loved ones we celebrate with great joy who have made it to heaven. Having lived like us in all things and be

A story was once told of a king who visited a prison and interviewed inmates to understand why they were incarcerated. One after another, they claimed innocence. "God is my witness," one said. "I'm a victim of prejudice," another claimed. "I was framed," a third one alleged. But one convict remained silent. "You're probably innocent too?" the king asked. "No, sir," the convict replied. "I'm guilty and I deserve this punishment." The king was taken aback by the convict's hones

This weekend, Catholics all over the world gather to celebrate Mission Sunday, a day instituted by Pope Pius XI. A special collection is collected to support evangelization efforts globally. October is dedicated to reflecting on and praying for missions. The Church's mission is to announce God's love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus demonstrated this love through His life, suffering, death, and Resurrection. We fulfill this mission by living a tr

Gratitude is a powerful transforming force that can change our lives and bring us closer to God. The word "Eucharist" originates from the Greek word "εὐχαριστία," meaning thanksgiving, highlighting the significance of gratitude in our spiritual journey. Gratitude plays a crucial role in understanding salvation, as it transforms our perspective and relationship with God. When we recognize the gift of salvation, we respond with gratitude, acknowledging that our salvation is not

Navigating the challenges of faith begins with understanding that our plans are limited, while God's plan is eternal. A writer once said,...

Last weekend's readings warned us against the danger that riches pose to our Christian life. As if that is not enough, this weekend, the...

The Cross is a symbol of pain and triumph, a powerful reminder of God's love and mercy. Originally a symbol of shame and execution, the...

Stewardship is a spiritual and biblical way of life that orients us to be Christ-like in using everything we have and are in service to God and humanity. It's not just about giving or using our time, talent, and treasure; it's about being caretakers of God's gifts. We are called to accept gifts gratefully, nurture them responsibly, use gifts in loving service to others, and return gifts with interest to God. Building on this foundation, we must regularly examine our faithfuln

Discipleship is the foundation of the Christian faith. It involves a deep commitment to follow and adhere to Jesus Christ's teachings. As...

Humility is a powerful virtue that is often misunderstood in today's culture. Let's explore what it means to be humble and how it can...