"STAY WITH US, LORD" (Luke 24:29)

1st Reading                Exodus 16: 2-4. 12-15 Psalm                            78: 3 & 4bc. 23-24. 25 & 54 (R. 24b) R://"The Lord gave them bread from heaven" 2nd Reading              Ephesians 4: 17. 20-24 Gospel                          John 6: 24-35 MURMURING IN THE WILDERNESS Today is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) and the first Sunday of August. For our knowledge, August is traditionally dedicated to devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This month calls us to draw ever closer to Mary and imitate her purity. We entrust the month into the maternal care of Mary.  The Word of God this Sunday takes us once again into the issue of "food." Last week, we reflected on "food," where Elijah, through the power of God, multiplied 20 barley loaves for 100 me...

1st Reading                2 Kings 4: 42-44 Psalm                           145: 10-11. 15-16. 17-18 (R. 16) R://"You open our hand, Lord, and you satisfy us" 2nd Reading             Ephesians 4: 1-6 Gospel                         John 6: 1-15 DO NOT HOARD GRACE Dear friends, today is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the last Sunday of July. We thank God for how far he has brought us.  I would like us to consider a few details from the first reading of today (2 Kings 4: 42-44). It is closely related to the Gospel passage in that they both deal with the multiplication of bread in a time of scarcity. The first reading narrates Elisha's multiplication of bread for the "hundreds." Let us look at three details in that beautiful and inspiring narrative. These three details work against ...

1st Reading          Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm                     23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6 (R. 1). R://"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want" 2nd Reading        Ephesians 2:13-18 Gospel                   Mark 6: 30-34 GOD IS STILL GATHERING HIS FLOCK Today is the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). Last Sunday, we realised that we are on a journey through life as indicated by the Church’s liturgical year. As we journey together, we acknowledge the indispensable place for leadership. The Word of God for this Sunday focuses on leaders, those entrusted with the duty of being at the forefront of affairs in a community.  There is much to say about leaders and leadership. However, I suggest that we stay within the context of the first reading from Jeremiah 23: 1-6. This passage is one of those passages that directly hit the issue of she...

1st Reading                 Amos 7: 12-15 Psalm                            85: 9ab & 10. 11-12. 13- 14 (R. 8) R:// "Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation"    2nd Reading              Ephesians 1: 3-14 Gospel                         Mark 6: 7-13 THREE DIMENSIONS OF MISSIONARY SUPPORT Dear friends, we identify that today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). Nearly and steadily, we are getting to the first half of the Church’s liturgical year. This clearly shows us that we are on a journey. As such, every journey is marked by certain dimensions of support. The Word of God for this Sunday, especially the Gospel passage, seems to zoom our focus towards these dimensions of support for every journey.  The Gospel passage, from Mark 6: 7-13, con...

1st Reading         Ezekiel 2: 2-5 Psalm                    123: 1-2a. 2bc. 3-4 (R. 2ef) R://"Our eyes are on the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy"  2nd Reading       2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 Gospel                  Mark 6: 1-6 THE DANGERS OF REJECTION Dear friends, today, the 14th Sunday, in Ordinary Time (Year B), is also the 1st Sunday in July (2024). July, according to Catholic tradition, is dedicated to devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. As we enter this new month, we ask God to continue to save us from evil and shield us from what will separate us from him so that always and everywhere we may be faithful to his commands.  The first reading for this Sunday is from Ezekiel 2:2-5, a short passage loaded with many implications to help us journey well in life. Let us put the text into perspective.  The context of the fi...

1st Reading          Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2: 23-24 Psalm                      30: 2 & 4. 5-6. 11-12a & 13b (R. 2a) R:// "I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up"  2nd Reading         2 Corinthians 8: 7. 9. 13-15 Gospel                    Mark 5: 21-43 THE CHOICE FOR GOD Dear friends, today, the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B), is also the last Sunday and the last day in June 2024. Looking back, we cannot but be grateful to God for his providence and the gift of life, although daily life and experience show us harsh realities. As we talk about life, we necessarily think of its opposite, death, a reality in our world as we reflect on the Word of God. We shall also remember that last Sunday, we talked about how some of life's changing scenes can affect us. Death is one. The first reading is from Wisdom 1: 13-15, 2: 23...

1st Reading           Job 38: 1, 8-11 Psalm                      107: 23-24. 25- 26. 28-29. 30-31 (R. 1) R//: "O give thanks to the Lord for He is Good; for his mercy endures forever" 2nd Reading         2 Corinthians 5: 14-17 Gospel                    Mark 4: 35-41 RELYING ON GOD'S POWER TO CALM THE STORMY SEA Dear friends, today is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B). We come to realise that we have made a journey quite far into the Ordinary Season, for which we need to understand that every journey made had an obstacle. However, the responses to the obstacles are what we need to look at because obstacles are always present to challenge our faith journeys. Let us consider a few details from both the first reading and the Gospel about the question of obstacles. Before that, let us remember how last Sunday's readings assure us to rel...