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  Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest, Martyr  Ezekiel 16:1-15,​60,​63 Isaiah 12 Matthew 19:3-12 MARRIAGE:A REFLECTION OF THE TRINITARIAN LOVE  Our understanding of divinity affirms that the divine is infinitely good, with merciful love and faithfulness enduring eternally. Each individual is called to love in the manner exemplified by Christ. So how did Jesus demonstrate love? By laying down His life for all humanity to be saved and reconciled to the Father. True love requires significant sacrifice and demands perseverance, fidelity, and trust. In the context of today’s Gospel, we examine the concepts of marriage and divorce. Marriage serves as a reflection of Trinitarian love, with Jesus stating, ‘’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore, they are no longer two but one flesh.’’ In uniting as one flesh, there will be moments when the vitality diminishes; the metaphor of wine running out si...
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  Thursday of week 19 in Ordinary Time  Ezekiel 12:1-12  Psalm 77(78):56-59,61-62 Matthew 18:21-19:1 FORGIVENESS AND CARING The Gospel focuses on forgiveness, community, and caring for one another. Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive—suggesting seven times, perhaps because seven symbolized completeness. Jesus responds, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” meaning that forgiveness should have no limit. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the king and two servants. A servant is forgiven an enormous debt by the king, yet he refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by another servant. When the king learns of this, he punishes the unforgiving servant. The message is clear: because God has freely and endlessly forgiven us, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. The passage reminds us that living in community, including within the Church, can be difficult and requires patience, mercy, and reconciliation. As people who have ...
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Do you see the sign of the cross reflected in your life?

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Wednesday of week 19 in Ordinary Time  Ezekiel 9:1-7,​10:18-22 Psalm 112(113):1-6 Matthew 18:15-20 In today’s first reading, we encounter a vision of the prophet Ezekiel. He expresses that those who are marked with an X will be spared from destruction. What might this signify? This could be interpreted to mean that those who bear the sign of the cross will be preserved, while others may face judgment. Similarly, St. John in Revelation mentions that those bearing the seal of the living God on their foreheads will be saved (Rv 7:3), whereas those marked by the beast risk being cast into the fiery pool of burning sulphur (Rv 19:20). The cross of Christ purify us, set us free, and guide us in doing good to all— even to those who may cause us difficulties. The call to accountability for our actions and omissions is an integral part of our faith journey, both in this life and on the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will return.
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  Saint Clare, Virgin  Ezekiel 2:8-3:4  Psalm118(119):14,24,72,103,111,131 Matthew 18:1-5,​10,​12-14 A beacon of hope  Ezekiel was a priest serving in the Temple in Jerusalem when he received a divine calling to warn the people about impending destruction. He told them that if they didn't return to a faithful relationship with God, they would face exile and the fall of their nation. Instead of trusting in God's guidance, the people relied on their own wisdom, formed political alliances for self-preservation, and indulged in idol worship. Eventually, Babylon captured Jerusalem, and Ezekiel, along with the leaders, was forced into exile. During this exile, the prophet became a beacon of hope, urging the people to turn back to the Lord and offering visions of a future where they would return to Jerusalem and God's glory would restore the Temple, symbolized by the dry bones coming back to life. Today’s reading describes how Ezekiel is commanded to eat a scroll filled wit...
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  Saint Lawrence , Deacon, Martyr Feast   2 Corinthians 9:6-10  Psalm 111(112):1-2,5-9 John 12:24-26 PERSECUTED FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST  In today’s gospel passage, Jesus employs the metaphor of a seed appearing to die in the ground before blossoming anew as a symbol of His impending redemptive work—anticipating both the Cross and His resurrection: "When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.” The sacrifice of the Son of Man signifies a transformative moment that will alter God’s relationship not only with the ancient people of Israel but with all of humanity. The letter to the Hebrews affirms that Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation for all who obey God. We should always hold gratitude to God for the gift of His Son, who sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s Cross. Through His life, He established a new and everlasting covenant, sealed with His blood. He is the wheat of God—the seed that has died, risen, and in doing so, changed the world a...
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  Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   I Kg 19.9, 11-13;   Ps 84;   Rom 9.1-5;   Mt 14.22-33 Let us briefly consider what has already taken place on this day, as recorded by St. Matthew in the passage leading up to today's reading. Firstly, Jesus heard about the murder of His cousin, John the Baptist; then He healed many people; and finally, He performed the remarkable miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, which symbolizes the future Eucharist. In numerous ways, He showed compassion to the crowds following Him. He was always tuned in to their needs and willing to provide for them, tending to their physical and spiritual well-being, comforting them with His words, and ultimately nourishing them with His own body. Understandably, Jesus needed some time alone to pray, to be with His Father. His example of taking time out for private prayer, in between busy moments, teaches us that we also need to carve out time for reflection and conversati...
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God provides without limit.

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  Friday of week 18 in Ordinary Time  Nahum 2:1,​3,​3:1-3,​6-7 Deuteronomy 32:35-36,39,41 Matthew 16:24-28 What motivates us to relinquish something truly good for God? First, it is important to recognize that God is the source of all life, and we are indebted to Him in every way, including our very existence. Second, God embodies the ultimate good, and choosing to forgo something good for the sake of Christ demonstrates our love for Him, as outlined in today’s gospel: He will reward each person according to their deeds. This suggests that when our will conflicts with God's, His will should prevail. In making life decisions, we are called to prioritize God. His love is unconditional, and His generosity knows no bounds. May Jesus bring comfort to you in your moments of suffering, fear, or loneliness, and uplift you. Amen. 
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