Month: November 2025

by

(Usus Antiquior) First Sunday of Advent (I Classis) – Sunday, 30 November 2025 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Romanos – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans

Romans 13 : 11-14

Fratres : Scientes, quia hora est jam nos de somno surgere. Nunc enim propior est nostra salus, quam cum credidimus. Nox praecessit, dies autem appropinquavit. Abjiciamus ergo opera tenebrarum, et induamur arma lucis.

Sicut in die honeste ambulemus : non in comessationibus et ebrietatibus, non in cubilibus et impudicitiis, non in contentione et aemulatione : sed induimini Dominum Jesum Christum.

English translation

Brethren, knowing the time, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past, and the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light.

Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy, but put you on the Lord Jesus Christ.

by

(Usus Antiquior) First Sunday of Advent (I Classis) – Sunday, 30 November 2025 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Introit

Psalm 24 : 1-3 and 4

Ad Te levavi animam meam : Deus meus, in Te confido, non erubescam : neque irrideant me inimici mei : etenim universi, qui Te exspectant, non confundentur.

Vias Tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi : et semitas Tuas edoce me.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

To You, o Lord, have I lifted up my soul : in You, o my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed. Neither let my enemies laugh at me, for none of them who wait on You shall be confounded.

Show, o Lord, Your ways to me, and teach me Your paths.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Excita, quaesumus, Domine, potentiam Tuam, et veni : ut ab imminentibus peccatorum nostrorum periculis, Te mereamur protegente eripi, Te liberante salvari. Qui Vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Bestir, o Lord, Your might, we pray to You, and come, that, defended by You, we may deserve rescue from approaching dangers brought on by our sins, and being set free by You, obtain our salvation. You Who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

by

Saturday, 29 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today on this last day of the liturgical year, we are still yet again reminded by the readings from the Sacred Scriptures with its eschatological or end-of-the-world as we know it in nature, where we are being reminded that as we are going to enter into the new liturgical year with the start of the Advent Season tomorrow on the First Sunday of Advent, we do not enter into this new time, season and liturgical year with still the same wrong mindset that many of us may be having in our own lives, as some of us may still continue to live our lives in the manner that is truly ignorant and unbecoming of our identity and nature as Christians. We should make good use of whatever opportunities and chances that God has provided to us, in each and every moments that we have been given.

In our first reading today, we heard the continuation of the story of the apocalyptic visions of the prophet Daniel, which he received when he was in the land of Babylon, where the Lord explained to him the visions that he has received about the future, about the coming time of dominion and power of the evil ones dominating this world, and by which they would persecute those who remained faithful to the Lord, of both things that had happened by now in our present day as well as those things that had not happened yet. The Lord revealed to Daniel that those four beasts that he had seen in the vision represented the upcoming kingdoms and powers of the world, the haughty and arrogant rulers and tyrants that would dominate the others and brought about great sorrows for the faithful people of God, and yet, as the visions have shown him, in the end, none of those would last.

Ultimately, in the end, the Lord will be triumphant and His dominion and kingdom will last forever, and He will reign over all of us, His faithful and beloved ones, in an eternity of true happiness and joy. This is something the Lord has reassured us with and which He will not deny to us because He is always ever faithful to the promises that He has made to us. God does not abandon us and He has always been with us, even through the most challenging and difficult moments in our lives, and He has always consistently provided us all with everything that is necessary to allow us to persevere through even the greatest of challenges and trials in life. If we continue to trust and have faith in the Lord, eventually we will be vindicated and share in His glorious triumph, and no more sufferings and sorrows will come our way in the life that is to come for us with God.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard of the words of the Lord Himself, Who reminded all of His disciples and followers that they should not give in to the temptations of worldly pleasures, ambitions and desires, all of which can become serious obstacles in our journey towards the Lord and His salvation. And if we are truly serious in seeking to follow the Lord faithfully in all things, then we should also make the conscious efforts, works and endeavours to live our lives worthily in accordance to what He has taught and shown us to do in our own respective lives. We should not be ignorant of the things that the Lord has provided to us in our journey, all the guidance, wisdom and all the help that He has provided to us.

As Christians, each and every one of us are reminded that all of us are the bearers and witnesses of the Lord’s truth and Good News in our respective communities and societies, amongst our family members, relatives and our circle of friends. All of us should always be good examples and inspirations of our faith in everything that we say and do, and we should not instead be the source of scandal and dissension, division and impropriety in the manner and way that we live our lives. Unfortunately, the reality is such that, more often than not, as many of us might have experienced in our own respective lives, it is our fellow Christians that might have caused us the most difficulties, heart pains and dilemma because of the manner and way how they behave, which were unbecoming of Christians.

Let us also look upon our own actions, words and deeds, in how we interact with one another, lest we ourselves also behave in the manner that is unworthy, scandalous and unbecoming of being Christians. All of us are reminded that our actions and contributions can be both positive and negative, and depending on how we behave and how we carry out our lives, we can both inspire others to come closer to the Lord and on the other hand, we can also cause others to be scandalised and to be more distanced away from God. And in the end, we will be held accountable and have to be responsible for each and every one of those actions and choices on how we have behaved, and if we have behaved in the manner that is unbecoming of Christians, then we will have to account for them.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all reflect upon everything that we have heard and discussed from the readings of the Sacred Scriptures, and let us see in what way how we can be better disciples and followers of the Lord, even amidst the many challenges and trials that we may be facing in our lives. Let us all not be hypocrites and merely paying lip-service in our faith but truly show our genuine faith through real actions, words and deeds, in everything that we said and did at all opportunities and circumstances. Let us remember that as Christians, we are all called to be faithful and committed disciples of Our Lord, to be His authentic witnesses and as the ones to proclaim His truth, love and Good News to everyone that we encounter in each and every moments of our lives.

May the Lord continue to guide and strengthen us in our respective journeys and paths in life, and may He continue to encourage us to persevere through the many life’s challenges and trials. May He continue to empower us all so that our every lives and actions truly embody our Christian faith, and that we may continue to inspire many others we encounter in our lives and paths, leading all towards God and His salvation, now and always. And as we enter into this new season and liturgical year, let us all strive to be ever more committed and dedicated in living our lives in accordance to our Christian faith. Amen.

by

Saturday, 29 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Luke 21 : 34-36

At that time, Jesus said to the people, “Be on your guard : do not immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, like a trap! For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

by

Saturday, 29 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Daniel 3 : 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87

All people on earth, praise and exalt Him forever.

Israel, praise and exalt Him forever.

Priests of the Lord, praise and exalt Him forever.

Servants of the Lord, praise and exalt Him forever.

Spirits and souls of the just, praise and exalt Him forever.

Those who are holy and humble of heart, praise and exalt Him forever.

by

Saturday, 29 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saturday Mass of Our Lady)

Daniel 7 : 15-27

I, Daniel, was deeply troubled, since these visions terrified me. I approached one of those who were standing there, and asked him to tell me what all this meant. He answered me and gave me the interpretation of these things : ‘These four beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, to possess it eternally, forever and ever.’

Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, different from the others, extraordinarily terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws; that ate, tore into pieces and crushed underfoot whatever remained. I also wanted to know about the ten horns it had on its head, and about the other horn which had sprung up, and the first three horns that fell, and about this horn with eyes and a mouth that spoke with arrogance, and that looked greater than the other horns.

As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was subduing them until the One of Great Age came, to do justice for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom. Then I was told : ‘The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all the kingdoms. It will devour the earth, crush it and destroy it.’

‘The ten horns are ten kings who shall rise from this kingdom. Another one will rise up after them and destroy three kings. This king shall insult the Most High and persecute the holy ones of the Most High. He shall try to change the feasts and the laws. The holy ones shall be handed over to his power for a time, two times, and half a time.’

‘But judgment will come and dominion will be taken from him; he shall be destroyed and utterly wiped out. The kingship, dominion and leadership of all the kingdoms of the world shall be given to the people of the holy ones of God Most High : His kingdom will be without end. All the kingdoms shall serve Him and be subject to Him.’

by

Friday, 28 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we approach the end of the current liturgical year and as we are going to enter into the new season with the start of Advent in two days’ time, we continue to listen to the words of the Sacred Scriptures highlighting to us the eschatological readings and revelations from the Word of God through His prophets and messengers, reminding us of the eventual coming of His salvation and all that He has promised, all the fulfilment of everything which He has reassured all of us, His beloved ones with. God wants to remind us that He is always with us and in the end, if we continue to have faith in Him, eventually we shall be vindicated and triumphant with Him.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Daniel we heard about the continuation of the passage from the prophet Daniel and this time, the details of the vision of the prophet Daniel which he received of the upcoming upheavals that would happen in due time, which is also echoed by St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in his own Book of Revelations or the Book of Apocalypse of St. John. In that vision we heard how Daniel saw the four great and wicked beasts that would arose, which St. John would later on witness as well. Those beasts represent the forces of evil, those arrayed against us and seeking our destruction and downfall. They represent the kingdoms and the powers of the world that had risen and will rise up against God and all those who are faithful to Him.

But as we all heard, no matter how mighty or frightening those beasts were, they were all to be defeated, crushed and destroyed by the Lord Himself, Who will rescue all those who are truly dear and precious to Him. In the end, everything has to submit to the power, authority and dominion of God, and while Satan and all of his wicked forces may be able to hold dominion for a while over us and over the world through sin and evil, through all the darkness and wickedness present all around us, but eventually, through the Lord and all that He has done for us and our sakes, we will be triumphant in our struggles and oppositions against him and his other forces of evil, if we put our complete faith and trust in the Lord, even in the darkest and most difficult moments.

Daniel then saw the wonders of Heaven and the Lord in all of His glory, where he saw a grand vision of Heaven and God Himself upon His Throne, a revelation of things to come, with the prediction of what would come to happen, as he saw God Himself as the One of Great Age, representing the Heavenly Father, and also the Son of Man, who is the representation of the Son of God, the Divine Word, Who at that time had not yet been incarnate and manifest in the flesh, an event which at that time was still a few centuries away. Yet, at that time, through what Daniel had seen, was a glimpse of what the Lord Himself would accomplish and fulfil for our sake, in delivering all of us from 

Through the vision of the prophet Daniel, the Lord wants to remind us all that He has always been with us, and if we remain truly faithful to Him, despite all the challenges, trials and difficulties that we may face in our paths and journeys, 

and He will never abandon us. None of us, even those of us who think of ourselves as being small, weak, poor and unworthy, are beyond God’s love, grace and protection. God loves each and every one of us most generously and wonderfully, and He wants us all to be truly beloved and to thrive with Him and through Him, and He has given us all these revelations and hope so that we too may be strengthened and encouraged in our daily moments in life.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel of St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard of the words of the Lord Jesus Himself speaking to His disciples and followers, reminding all of them of the sign of the times which they all can observe and appreciate to know of what would happen. His reminders to His disciples were mainly meant to let them know and to be aware that His coming and return into this world, the Second Coming, also known as parousia, can come at any time, and they ought to present this in everything that they proclaim to everyone they encounter, to all the faithful, reminding them all to be truly faithful in all things and to be committed in their way of living their lives do that they will always be worthy of the Lord in all of their words, actions and deeds.

What the Lord has told us will come true just as He has always been faithful to His promises to His servants and people, in how He has fulfilled His promises of salvation and deliverance through the sending of His Son, Our Lord and Saviour Himself, Jesus Christ, the Son of God manifested in the flesh so that by His appearance and arrival in this world, He might show unto us the genuine and most wonderful love that is truly boundless, selfless and perfect, made tangible and real to us through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, through His appearance and dwelling among us, and also through everything that He had said, revealed and done, ultimately through His most loving and selfless sacrifice on the Cross, the ultimate loving sacrifice He had done for all of us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore remember that in everything we may encounter in our respective lives, in each and every moments, we should always put our faith and trust in the Lord, believing that through Him alone we can find true satisfaction and joy, fulfilment and true happiness in life. Let us all be good examples in inspirations for one another in how we live our own respective lives so that in all the things that we say and do, we will always be the authentic, courageous and responsible bearers and witnesses of our Christian faith, that is not merely just a formality or empty gesture, but truly lived in a genuine manner in our everyday lives.

May the Lord continue to strengthen and encourage us all in our every efforts and endeavours, in all the good works we carry out in our every moments throughout our lives. May He continue to give us the willingness to go forth courageously and authentically to be good and worthy witnesses of Our Lord’s truth and Resurrection, of all the things which He has shown and taught us all from the beginning. May God bless us all in our every steps and endeavours, now and always. Amen.

by

Friday, 28 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Luke 21 : 29-33

At that time, Jesus added this comparison, “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

by

Friday, 28 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Daniel 3 : 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81

Mountains and hills, praise and exalt Him forever.

Everything that sprouts on the earth, praise and exalt Him forever.

Springs of water, praise and exalt Him forever.

Seas and rivers, praise and exalt Him forever.

Whales and fishes, praise and exalt Him forever.

All the birds of heaven, praise and exalt Him forever.

Animals, wild and tame, praise and exalt Him forever.

by

Friday, 28 November 2025 : 34th Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Daniel 7 : 2-14

Daniel said, “I saw the following in my vision : the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, and four great beasts, each one different from the other, came out of the sea. The first was like a lion with eagle’s wings. As I looked at it, its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, stood up on its feet like a man, and was given a human heart.”

“The second was a beast like a bear; it was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told : Go and devour much flesh. I went on looking and saw another beast like a leopard with four wings on its back; it had four heads and dominion was given to it.”

“I continued seeing my visions of the night and saw a terrible fourth beast. It was fearful and extraordinarily strong; it had great iron teeth; it ate, tore into pieces, and crushed underfoot whatever remained. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns. I was looking at the horns, when another small horn sprang among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for the new. It had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that uttered insolent words.”

“I looked and saw the following : Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took His seat. His robe was white, as snow, His hair, white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire. A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before Him. Thousands upon thousands served Him and a countless multitude stood before Him. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.”

“But as I remembered the haughty words of the horn with human eyes and mouth, which I had seen before, this animal was killed before my eyes; and its body destroyed and cast into the fire. Dominion was taken from the other animals, though they were allowed to stay alive for a time, until the fixed time.”

“I continued watching the nocturnal vision : One like a Son of Man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into His presence. Dominion, honour and kingship were given Him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served Him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; His kingdom will never be destroyed.”