Faithfulness and Love

Monthly Archives: July 2015

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted on by Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Memorial, Presentation Leave a comment

Today we celebrate the Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple. The Memorial of the presentation of Mary in the Temple is not found in the Bible but from sources other than the Bible, which we call “Sacred Tradition.” It is found in an extra-biblical source called the Infancy Narrative of James. In that text, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne had been childless, but then they received a message from heaven that they would have a child. In thanksgiving, they brought the child Mary to the Temple to consecrate her to the Lord. It is believed that Mary remained in the Temple to be formed and prepared for her role as the Mother of God. This feast shows that even in her childhood Mary was completely dedicated to God.

From this Memorial, we are reminded of our presentation, dedication and consecration to God when we were baptised. We were transformed to be God’s chosen children, and our duty is to go forth to preach the Good News and to present our lives as an offering that is pleasing to God. Just as Mary fulfilled her mission to bring Jesus Christ into the world, we too are called, chosen and sent to fulfil our mission in bringing His message into the world. Are we following Mary’s example and doing our part earnestly, diligently and joyfully?

Housekeeping – Week 33 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Housekeeping, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

13 Nov 2016 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
14 Nov 2016 – Monday of Week 33 Year 2
15 Nov 2016 – Tuesday of Week 33 Year 2
16 Nov 2016 – Wednesday of Week 33 Year 2
17 Nov 2016 – Thursday of Week 33 Year 2
18 Nov 2016 – Friday of Week 33 Year 2

Friday of Week 33 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 33rd, Friday, Ordinary Time, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Truth can be sweet and sour or even bitter at the same time. How so? For those who seek truth, it can be sweet, especially if the truth is what liberates them or exposes the injustice which they have gone through. On the other hand, truth can be sour or even bitter, especially for those who are the guilty party or those who have been doing the persecuting or being unjust. So, truth can affect people in different ways, depending on which side of the truth one is in.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus “taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.” The chief priests and the scribes time and again were unable to get rid of Jesus, since He was on the side of truth, and the people around Him wanted to cling on to the truth. Later, these people managed to get rid of Jesus, or so they thought, but the means used to get rid of Jesus was once again through deception and lies. But Jesus rose again and showed these people that He could not be silenced or disposed of, since the truth will prevail, no matter how hard one tries to hide it or sweep it under the carpet.

In our lives, have we been tasting the sweetness of truth, or have we been tasting its sourness or even its bitterness? Whatever we taste, it all depends on whether we are striving to live the truth, or to continue kidding ourselves and living a lie.

Housekeeping – Week 32 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 32nd, Housekeeping, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

6 Nov 2016 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
7 Nov 2016 – Monday of Week 32 Year 2
8 Nov 2016 – Tuesday of Week 32 Year 2
9 Nov 2016 – Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
10 Nov 2016 – Thursday of Week 32 Year 2
11 Nov 2016 – Friday of Week 32 Year 2

Housekeeping – Week 30 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 30th, Housekeeping, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

23 Oct 2016 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
24 Oct 2016 – Monday of Week 30 Year 2
25 Oct 2016 – Tuesday of Week 30 Year 2
26 Oct 2016 – Wednesday of Week 30 Year 2
27 Oct 2016 – Thursday of Week 30 Year 2
28 Oct 2016 – Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles – Feast

Tuesday of Week 30 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 30th, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

Nowadays, looking for a man or a woman who is true, genuine, loving and caring is not so easy. This is especially true if one gets to know another through social media or through the internet. We come across many situations where a person appears to be one way online, but could be quite different when met in person. Even when we get to know a person, the person may be putting on a show or a mask to appear different from what he or she really is. This is where we need to be cautious and discern carefully, find out more about the person, before we even consider any serious relationship which may lead to marriage.

Marriage is not something which we play play, since it is a life-long commitment. That is why we should take heed of what St. Paul tells us in today’s reading: “Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy… To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.” May we be properly prepared and discern carefully whether the other person is whom we would want to live with for a lifetime, and may we depend on God for His help and guidance, so that we would learn to love unconditionally, just as He loves us.

Housekeeping – Week 29 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 29th, Housekeeping, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

16 Oct 2016 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
17 Oct 2016 – Monday of Week 29 Year 2
18 Oct 2016 – Saint Luke, Evangelist – Feast
19 Oct 2016 – Wednesday of Week 29 Year 2
20 Oct 2016 – Thursday of Week 29 Year 2
21 Oct 2016 – Friday of Week 29 Year 2

Saint Luke, Evangelist – Feast

Posted on by Posted in Evangelist, Feast, St. Luke Leave a comment

When we go for a holiday or a trip, some of us would pack so many things, since some of us feel it is better to have more than enough clothes or accessories so that we would not run out of clean clothes to wear or certain items which we feel may be necessary and may not be so easy to find at the destination we are going, or that purchasing such items could be expensive. But sometimes, we find that we end up using a lot less than we carry, and we may have to lug around so many things, making our journey or trip cumbersome, or we may worry about things going missing or stolen. This is why we should consider only bringing what we really need so that we can enjoy our holiday and trip with minimal distraction or issues.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asking us not to worry too much about bringing so many things, since He tells us: “Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.” What is Jesus trying to tell us? He is trying to tell us that our focus is not to be too concerned about what we need to bring with us, but our duty and responsibility in proclaiming the Good News. Jesus is reminding us not to get distracted with other things, since proclaiming the Good News should take all our effort and attention. Are we able to do our part, do our best and leave it in the hands of the Lord, knowing that He will provide for us and care for us?

Housekeeping – Week 28 Year 2

Posted on by Posted in 28th, Housekeeping, Ordinary Time, Sunday, Weekday, Year 2 Leave a comment

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

9 Oct 2016 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
10 Oct 2016 – Monday of Week 28 Year 2
11 Oct 2016 – Tuesday of Week 28 Year 2
12 Oct 2016 – Wednesday of Week 28 Year 2
13 Oct 2016 – Thursday of Week 28 Year 2
14 Oct 2016 – Friday of Week 28 Year 2