A MOMENT OF GRACEDaniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9 Eric Carle, the author and illustrator of children’s books, recalls that he was a shy six-year-old when the storytelling world opened for him:“The world seemed a cold and confusing place, except for one thing—a picture of a cityscape that faced my bed: red brick buildings with darkened windows, except for one exploding with the joyful colours of a Christmas tree. The picture was the work of an art director at my father’s job.Once, my father took me to work. I was so shy I could barely speak. The art
STAKE EVERYTHING ON ONE THING1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52 (13:44-46) A member of a youth-group, an Infosys employee, was leaving for the US and wanted to sell his Infosys shares. The others in the group were willing to do anything to buy those shares. One guy was willing to sell his bike; now this guy wouldn’t allow anyone to touch his bike! Anything for Infosys shares.Many youngsters in our shelter homes have run away from home chasing a dream. Their dreams are different but they have one thing in common: they have left everything – home and
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 (13:24-30) A bishop, sailing on an ocean liner, found that he was sharing a cabin. After he unpacked his bags, he went to the purser to leave his valuables in the ship’s safe. He remarked that he was afraid that his co-passenger might not be trustworthy. The purser smiled, accepted the valuables, and said: “Bishop, I’ll be glad to keep your valuables. Your cabin-mate has just been here and left his valuables for the same reason!” Jumping to conclusions is an exercise most of us get! We are quick to judge and want
Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071623.cfm “I’m leaving!” said a priest companion as he and I were vesting for the Eucharist. Before a stunned me could respond, he explained that his province was quitting a missionary area because even after thirty years of ministry, they were not seeing the fruit of their labour. They planned to relocate to places where the people were receptive. It is frustrating to work and not see the results of our labour. Parents, educators, mentors… we’ve been there and felt it. We want to throw our hands up and say: “That’s it! I’ve had enough.”Today’s
COUNTER THE CULTUREZechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 Extracts from Ellen Goodman’s editorial, “Battling our Culture is Parents’ Task” in the Chicago Tribune:One of your main jobs as a parent is to counter the culture. What the media delivers to children by the masses, you are expected to rebut one at a time. We need parents who know how to say “no”. But it occurs to me now the call for “parental responsibility” is increasing in direct proportion to marketplace irresponsibility.Are the kids being sold junk food? Just say no. Is TV bad? Turn it off. Counter the culture.
MAKING ROOM…2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42 The lady of the house instructed her butler before the start of a banquet: “Bentley, I want you to stand at the front door and call the guests’ names as they arrive.” “Very well, madam,” replied the butler, “I’ve been wanting to do that for years.” I guess we have all felt like Bentley and wanted to call our guests names – at least occasionally when we have had to welcome people who aren’t particularly welcome-able.But think of the times people welcomed us warmly, perhaps, with a broad smile, open
FEARLESS IN PERSECUTIONJeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33 On 22 May this year, a Catholic priest, Reverend Javier García, was killed in Michoacan, Mexico, the ninth slain in the country in the past four years. According to Agenzia Fides, 18 missionaries were killed worldwide last year: 12 priests, four religious, one seminarian, and one lay person. Today, as always, those who proclaim the Gospel and its values, those who stand for justice and truth, are ill-treated and persecuted. Some give up; most fight on. What sustains them? Today’s liturgy gives us an indication! The first reading describes Jeremiah’s difficult mission:
Every evening at the Oratory at Don Bosco Matunga (Mumbai), the kids play for a while before they study. I watch them as the captains choose their teams for basketball or cricket. The younger ones have their heads down and shuffle their feet as they hear the captains call the names of the older kids or the better players. Sometimes, a captain does not see an older or stronger player and calls the name of a younger kid. The joy on his/her face is a sight to behold.Human elections everywhere – whether in politics or business or sports – is
In the depths of faith’s embrace, behold,The Sacred Heart, a story to be told.A symbol of love that knows no bounds,In grace and mercy, eternal it resounds. Within that heart, a flame divine,A beacon of hope that will forever shine.A heart that beats with compassion’s art,Guiding us through life’s intricate chart. Oh, Sacred Heart, ablaze with love’s fire,A sanctuary in which souls aspire.In your embrace, we find solace and peace,A refuge where earthly worries cease. With wounded hands outstretched so wide,A testament to love’s ultimate stride.They bear the scars of sacrifice untold,Redemption’s story forever unfold. Your eyes, a mirror of
WE BECOME WHAT WE EATDeuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58 We give a lot of thought to the food we eat. And that’s good because our diets significantly affect our lives and the planet. In many ways, we become what we eat.We need to pay attention to our spiritual diets because these affect us even more. Our minds gnaw at the stressors in our lives and soon we find we’re consumed by them. The media constantly bombards us with quick-fix ads, hateful speech, and violent entertainment; social media could give us even more negativity. It’s so easy for
