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Monday, 28 September 2026 : 26th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, Martyr, and St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scriptures, we are all presented with the reminders for us to remain faithful to God and obedient to Him. Each one of us are expected to commit ourselves to His cause and to follow Him wholeheartedly, giving our whole lives and attention, focusing our hearts and minds on Him, and dedicating our time and efforts to His cause. All of us should be genuine in our faith and way of life so that we may be truly exemplary and worthy of the Lord, despite the many challenges and trials that we may have to face amidst that path of following the Lord. Hopefully through what we have discussed and discerned with today’s readings from the Scriptures can strengthen and encourage us to walk ever more faithfully in God’s Presence.

In our first reading today, all of us heard from the Book of Job the beginning of a series of discourse from this servant of God named Job, who was well-known for being one struck down by Satan and afflicted with all sorts of maladies and unfortunate occurrences and events, and yet remained faithful to the Lord despite all of that. We heard how God and Satan had a conversation in which the latter made a bet that should he strike down at Job and his belongings, and eventually even at his own body and physical being, then Job would abandon the Lord and defy Him. But God knew Job well and He knew that Job would always be faithful to Him despite all the trials and hardships that he was facing from Satan’s attacks.

Historically, there was little evidence that Job ever actually existed, and consensus amongst Biblical scholars and archaeologists are that Job was actually a figurative person probably based on some real stories and experiences, who was highlighted and told in order to show us the importance of perseverance in faith, and how God would not abandon His faithful ones even amidst the greatest of challenges and trials. God will always remember all of His people, and all the more so for those who have shown their faith to Him. It may be that we have to suffer for a time and for some moments, but in the end, we shall be triumphant together with God.

Regardless whether Job was actually historical, existent or not, we should heed the message of what we have heard from the Book of Job and based on what more we knew about Job and his story. God always loves all of His people, and He has always shown His love and care in ways that we may often even not be aware of. The Lord wants us to know that we always have Him by our side and despite the challenges that we have to face, we can always depend on Him and trust in Him. Unfortunately, often time it is we who abandon Him and ignore Him, and put our trust in everything else but the Lord.

That is why in our Gospel passage today, we heard the words of the Lord Jesus speaking to His disciples, which serve as a reminder that all of us ought to seek the Lord with genuine faith, like that of little children coming towards the Lord. Those little children came to the Lord with true and genuine faith, unadulterated and unaffected by worldly ambitions, desires and other things that often distracted us from our path towards God. We must not allow ourselves to be swayed by those who seek our downfall and destruction, and we have to heed the Lord’s words, His calling and all that He had done for our sake. We have to continue to trust in Him and put our faith in Him and be like those children in being genuine in our devotion and commitment.

The Lord called on all of us to be humble and to free ourselves from all sorts of worldly temptations and delusions, all the false treasures and corruptions often present all around us, and remaining faithful to God. Job was able to remain faithful to God despite the many calamities he had encountered, in the numerous material and personal losses that he had to endure, all because he trusted in the Lord much more than he trusted in the powers, wealth and might of the world. He trusted that God Who had given him everything, had the right to take everything back from him, and that God would take care of him and all that he needed. That is, brothers and sisters, the faith that all of us should have as well.

We must remember that our lives, our every words, actions and deeds as Christians truly matter a lot because it is by them all that we can truly walk confidently towards God and His salvation. And we must not forget that each and every one of us are ourselves called to be good role models and inspirations for one another in how we live our lives in this world, just as Job himself had done. We should continue to remember that God is always by our side, ever protecting us and providing for us, and even whenever we suffer, we do not suffer it all alone, as God is holding us up, suffering it all with us, just as He has suffered the ultimate suffering and punishment on the Cross for us. Not only that, but God also placed in our midst those who care for us, those who support us and love us.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of St. Wenceslas, a great man of God who was the Duke of Bohemia in the early Middle Ages. He was a great and upright man, who was dedicated to his role as the ruler over his country and people. At that time, the land of Bohemia, in what is now Czech Republic, was still only recently converted to the Christian faith, with significant numbers of the people still held on to their old pagan faith and beliefs. St. Wenceslaus and his many efforts were instrumental in improving not just the livelihood and well-being of the people under his rule, but also in the establishment of the strong foundation of the Church and the Faith among the people, and he also tirelessly did his best to advance the cause of the Lord and His Church. Unfortunately, he fell into the court politics and oppositions against him and his rule eventually led to him being assassinated by the collusion of his own brother, becoming a martyr of the Faith.

Then, today also marks the Feast of the Holy Martyrs of Japan, St. Lawrence Ruiz and his companions in martyrdom. St. Lawrence Ruiz himself, also known better as St. Lorenzo Ruiz, was not a Japanese, but rather hailing from the Philippines, where he was falsely accused of a crime, which led him to seek refuge overseas, and which led him to end up in Japan after boarding a ship bearing some Catholic priests from Macau clandestinely trying to enter the country. At that time, Japan under the reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate had closed its doors to any foreigners, except for very few merchants, and especially banned the Christian faith and its missionaries. Christians and the foreign missionaries, as well as local clergy were persecuted harshly and many died for their faith as martyrs.

St. Lawrence Ruiz was among those Christians who were persecuted and arrested because of their faith, and they all chose to remain steadfast and true to their faith in God, rather than to safeguard their lives and betray their Lord and Master. They refused to give in to the pressures from the authorities, despite the threat of certain death and most agonising forms of sufferings that they all had to endure in defending their faith to the very end. Thus that was how St. Lawrence Ruiz and his fellow companions in martyrdom perished, but their bravery, faith and commitment to God became source of inspiration and strength for so many others who had witnessed and heard of their most exemplary faith in God.

May the Lord our God, who inspired us with the lives of his courageous saints, St. Wenceslaus, as well as St. Lawrence Ruiz and his companions, continue to strengthen each one of us so that we may continue to prevail in our commitment and devotion towards Him despite all the obstacles, trials and hardships that we may have to face in our journey in following Him, so that our perseverance and dedication, our efforts and commitment will continue to shine forth as the testimony of our faith, to proclaim God’s truth and Good News, His providence, love and faithfulness to everyone around us, to all those whom we encounter in our lives. May God bless our every endeavours and efforts for His greater glory, now and always. Amen.

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Monday, 28 September 2026 : 26th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, Martyr, and St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Luke 9 : 46-50

At that time, one day, the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so He took a little child and stood him by His side. Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My Name, welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me, welcomes the One Who sent Me. And listen : the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon Your Name, and we tried to forbid him, because he does not follow You with us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”

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Monday, 28 September 2026 : 26th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, Martyr, and St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Psalm 18 : 1, 2-3, 6-7

Hear a just cause, o YHVH, listen to my complaint. Give heed to my prayer, for there is no deceit on my lips.

Let my defence come forth from You; Your eyes see what is right. You have probed my heart, searched me at night, tested me by fire, and You have seen no wickedness in me.

I call on You, You will answer me, o God; incline Your ear and hear my word. For You do wonders for Your faithful, You save those fleeing from the enemy as they seek refuge at Your right hand.

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Monday, 28 September 2026 : 26th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Wenceslaus, Martyr, and St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Job 1 : 6-22

One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before YHVH, and Satan came with them. YHVH asked Satan, “Where have you been?” Satan answered, “Going up and down the earth, roaming about.”

YHVH asked again, “Have you noticed My servant Job? No one on earth is as blameless and upright as he, a man who fears God and avoids evil.” But Satan returned the question, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not built a protective wall around him and his family and all his possessions? You have blessed and prospered him, with his livestock all over the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike where his riches are, and I bet he will curse You to Your face.”

YHVH said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power. But do not lay a finger upon the man himself.” So Satan left the presence of YHVH. One day, while his sons and daughters were feasting in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said, “Your oxen were plowing, and your donkeys were grazing nearby when the Sabaeans came and carried them off. They killed the herdsmen. I alone escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came, “God’s fire fell from the sky and burnt all your sheep and the shepherds as well. I alone have escaped to tell you.” He had hardly finished speaking when another messenger arrived, “Three raiding teams of Chaldeans have killed your servants and carried off your camels. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

He was still speaking when another messenger came and said to Job, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the house of their eldest brother when suddenly a great wind blew across the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they all died. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

In grief Job tore his clothes and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshipped, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked shall I return. YHVH gave, YHVH has taken away. Blessed be His Name!”

In spite of this calamity, Job did not sin by blaspheming God.

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Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday we heard from the Scriptures very clear sets of readings in which we are reminded of a very important thing that all of us as Christians have to do in our lives, and that is for us to be obedient, to the will of the Lord, our God and Master, in all things and in everything we say and do in our lives. Each and every one of us as Christians should always be truly dedicated and committed to the path which God has shown and revealed to us, in carrying out His Law and commandments at every moments of our lives and to the best of our abilities in doing what is righteous, just and full of Christian virtues as much as possible. We have to be truly dedicated to God in all things, and not just in name or formality only.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, we heard of the words of the Lord delivered to His people, calling upon all of them to repent from their sins and wicked ways, highlighting how everyone will be judged by each and every one of their deeds and actions, their words and all that they have not done, and also by what they have not done in their lives, their every interactions with one another. The righteous ones will be judged for the sins that they have made, and if they are found wanting and lacking, then they will suffer for what shortcomings and mistakes they had made. Meanwhile, on the other hand, even the wicked  will be justified and made worthy for the good and faithful deeds that they have done. This is a reminder for us not to think that we are more deserving of God’s grace or more worthy than others, and then neglect our need to do God’s will.

In our second reading today, taken from the famous part of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, we heard the Apostle highlighting the obedience of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man, Our Lord and Saviour, in fulfilling what His Heavenly Father had commanded Him to do, entrusting in His hands, the salvation and deliverance of all of the people of God, the whole mankind, through His suffering and death on the Cross. He has done everything that God the Father has told Him to do, perfectly obeying everything even unto death. Unlike the first Adam, the first man and our first ancestor, and his wife, Eve, the first woman, who both disobeyed the Lord and His commands, by choosing to listen to the lies and falsehoods of the devil instead of trusting in God, Christ as the New Adam has obeyed the Lord perfectly, showing us that it is indeed possible for us to be truly faithful, obedient and committed to God.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard from the Gospel of St. Matthew about the parable of the Lord, as He told His disciples about two sons, who were different in how they responded to their father’s call upon them to do his commands. One of the child told his father that he would do what he had been asked to do, but in the end, did not do the works, while the other child said that he did not want to do what he had been asked to do, and yet, still did the work in the end, nonetheless. we heard how the Lord then asked the disciples on who actually did obey the father in the end, and it was rather unanimous that everyone agreed how the one who actually did the works, despite having refused the father’s commands earlier on, and having verbally said that he did not want to do as he was asked to. Of course, ideally, it is even better that we listen, obey in both words and actions, but as we heard and discussed, we must indeed act on what we have been called to do, and not be idle on it.

From what we have heard in that Gospel passage, we are all reminded that what God wants from us is not just mere words and proclamations only, and not just mere promises that can be empty and meaningless. He wants from us true commitment and actions, which we all should show in our every moments in life. Otherwise, if we do not do and act in the manner that we have professed our faith or beliefs in, then we are just like those hypocrites who say and profess belief in something and yet, act in a different manner from what they had said. This is not something that each one of us should be doing in our lives. The Lord Jesus in particular has often rebuked and criticised the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law for the hypocrisy of their faith and actions, and therefore, He also reminded us all, that we must be people of action, of doing God’s will in all things.

We already have the perfect example for this, which is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself, our Lord and Saviour, Whose perfect obedience we have just discussed and reflected upon. The Lord has shown us all His love and kindness, His mercy and compassion, not just with mere words and professions only, or only through promises and more promises. Instead, He has fulfilled them with real action, embodying that love through His Son, Who bore His Cross, filled with the innumerable burden of our sins and wickedness, suffering all the punishments and consequences that should have been ours, so that by His action and genuine love, all of us may be saved and delivered from damnation and certain destruction. He has shown us all the path to eternal life through His Cross, and revealed His love to us through every wounds that He endured for our sake.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have seen just how great God’s love is for us, and we have been so blessed that God has done everything for our sake, by suffering and dying on the Cross for us. He showed His love for us in real action and commitment, to the Covenant of love that He has established and affirmed with all of us. Therefore, each and every one of us should also have the same kind of love in us, love that is genuine and generous, first of all for the Lord, our God, Who has loved us and cared for us all these while, and Who has suffered and died for our sake. And we should also have the same kind of love for our fellow brothers and sisters, our fellow men and women, who live all around us, and whom we encounter in our various occasions and opportunities.

That is our calling and mission as Christians, to show God’s love and compassion, His kindness and mercy through our own actions, words and deeds. As Christians, we are all called to be filled with God’s love, to be virtuous and righteous as best as possible. Through our exemplary actions, works and deeds, that is how we can convince more and more people to come to know the Lord and to experience His love. Each and every one of us must remember that we are all part of this same ministry and mission entrusted to us by God, as members and parts of His Church, to be loving and compassionate, kind and generous to each other, and to show the light of Christ, His way and truth to everyone that we encounter in each and every moments of our lives.

Therefore, let us all remind ourselves each day and at every moment, so that we may always strive to do our best to be the good role models and examples for our fellow brothers and sisters, as good and loving Christians, filled with care and concern for our fellow men and women, and always striving to do what God has taught and shown us to do, in every opportunities presented to us. Let us all remind and inspire one another that our every works, actions and deeds may always truly glorify the Lord, our God and Master. May God bless us all in our every good efforts and endeavours, and help us in our journey and lives, in all things, and be with us always. Amen.

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Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Matthew 21 : 28-32

At that time, Jesus went on to say, “What do you think of this? A man had two sins. He went to the first and said to him, ‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ And the son answered, ‘I do not want to.’ But later he thought better of it and went. Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing to him. This son replied, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go.”

“Which of the two did what the father wanted?” They answered, “The first.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you : the publicans and the prostitutes are ahead of you on the way to the kingdom of heaven. For John came, to show you the way of goodness, and you did not believe him; but the publicans and the prostitutes did. You were witnesses of this, but you neither repented nor believed him.”

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Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Philippians 2 : 1-11

If I may advise you, in the Name of Christ, and if you can hear it, as the voice of love; if we share the same Spirit, and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg of you, make me very happy : have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit.

On the contrary, let each of you gently consider the others, as more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but, rather, that of others. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had : Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in His appearance found as a Man.

He humbled Himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted Him and gave Him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Alternative reading (shorter version)

Philippians 2 : 1-5

If I may advise you, in the Name of Christ, and if you can hear it, as the voice of love; if we share the same Spirit, and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg of you, make me very happy : have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit.

On the contrary, let each of you gently consider the others, as more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but, rather, that of others. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had.

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Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 24 : 4bc-5, 6-7, 8-9

O YHVH, make known to me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and instruct me, for You are my God, my Saviour; I hope in You all day long.

Remember Your compassion, o YHVH, Your unfailing love from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, but in Your love remember me.

Good and upright, YHVH teaches sinners His way. He teaches the humble of heart and guides them in what is right.

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Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Ezekiel 18 : 25-28

But you say : YHVH’s way is not just! Why, Israel! Is My position wrong? Is it not rather that yours is wrong? If the righteous man turns from his righteous deeds, and sins, then he dies, because of his sins.

And if the wicked man does what is good and right, after turning from the sins he committed, he will save his life. He will live and not die, because he has opened his eyes; and turned from the sins he had committed.

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(Usus Antiquior/Extraordinary Form) Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (II Classis) – Sunday, 27 September 2026 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : Green

Offertory

Exodus 24 : 4, 5

Sanctificavit Moyses altare Domino, offerens super illud holocausta et immolans victimas : fecit sacrificium vespertinum in odorem suavitatis Domino Deo, in conspectu filiorum Israel.

English translation

Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, offering upon it holocausts, and sacrificing victims. He made an evening sacrifice to the Lord God for an odour of sweetness, in the sight of the children of Israel.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Deus, qui nos, per hujus sacrificii veneranda commercia, unius summae divinitatis participes efficis : praesta, quaesumus; ut, sicut Tuam cognoscimus veritatem, sic eam dignis moribus assequamur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O God, Who through the august, communication of this sacrifice, had made us partakers of the one supreme divinity, grant, we beseech You, that, as we know Your truth, so we may ever follow it with worthy actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Communion

Psalm 95 : 8-9

Tollite hostias, et introite in atria Ejus : adorate Dominum in aula sancta Ejus.

English translation

Bring up sacrifices, and come into His courts. Adore all of you the Lord in His holy court.

Post-Communion Prayer

Gratias Tibi referimus, Domine, sacro munere vegetati : Tuam misericordiam deprecantes; ut dignos nos ejus participatione perficias. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Strengthened by the sacred gift, we render thanks to You, o Lord, beseeching Your mercy that You make us entirely worthy to partake thereof. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.