Saints

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Saturday, 11 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII, Pope (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Popes)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures, we are all reminded of the need for all of us to follow the Lord faithfully and wholeheartedly, resisting the temptations to follow all the wickedness and the vile things in this world, all of which we are surrounded by, which may prevent us from truly being able to serve God faithfully as we all should have. As Christians, those whom God has called and considered to be His own beloved people, His chosen ones, each one of us ought to be good role models and examples for everyone whom we encounter in life such that we may help lead each one of them ever closer to God as we should have done. This is what we are all called to do as Christians, to embrace our calling to be good inspirations in faith to all around us.

In our first reading today, taken from the continuation of the Book of the prophet Joel, we heard of the words of the Lord presented to His people in the kingdom of Judah, to whom the prophet Joel had been sent to, calling on all of them to repent and turn away from their sins, which is much of what the prophet Joel had been sent for. Back then, the people of the kingdom of Judah had long erred in their ways and in disobeying God to the point that they had forgotten and ignored God’s Law and commandments, much like their neighbours in the northern kingdom of Israel. As a result, they faced a lot of hardships and troubles, having to endure defeats, conquests and humiliations, and Judah and Jerusalem themselves would be destroyed in the end. Another tradition and consensus placed Joel’s ministry after the destruction of Judah and the return of the people back to their homeland.

Nonetheless, the essence of what Joel presented to the people of God remained true after all, that they all ought to keep themselves away from their wicked ways and the temptations of the evils and desires of this world. The Lord is indeed so kind, loving and merciful, that in His great compassion He still cared for all those people who had sinned against Him and hardened their hearts against  Him that He still reassured them of His love and providence, and how He would once again bless them all, allowing them to rebuild and reestablish their lives and livelihood again. Indeed, if Joel’s ministry took place during the years after the Babylonian exile period, it would serve as a confirmation of everything which God has spoken repeatedly and promised through His many earlier prophets.

Then, from our relatively short Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we are reminded that obeying God, doing His will and walking in the path of His Law and commandments is what we have been called to do as those who believe in Him. This is an important reminder for all of us that amidst our very busy daily schedules, works and everything that we are often preoccupied with, we must never forget to anchor ourselves in the Lord and to remain firmly trusting in Him, putting God ever at the centre of our lives and in everything we do. This is what we are reminded of today, along with what we have heard earlier from the prophet Joel, of the need for all of us to continue to live our lives each day ever centred on God in all of our actions and activities.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Pope St. John XXIII, one of the more recent Popes who have lived and reigned as the Pope, Supreme Pontiff and Vicar of Christ in the middle of the twentieth century, leading the Church through rapidly changing and turbulent times, and was especially well-known for his contributions in convoking the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, also known as the Vatican II Council. Through his examples, Pope St. John XXIII should indeed be a great role model and inspiration for all of us in how we all should live our lives as true and genuine Christians, in all the things that we say and do in life. He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in a poor family of Bergamo in northern part of Italy today. Despite having been born into a poor family, the young Angelo Roncalli was brought up well in the faith by his devout parents.

Eventually the young future Pope St. John XXIII entered the seminary and after a period in formation, was ordained as a priest, in which he then experienced firsthand the challenges of the people and the workers then, under the tutelage of his mentor, Bishop Giocomo Radini-Tedeschi, the then Bishop of Bergamo, who was a champion of the rights of the workers at the time, and impacted the young Angelo Roncalli greatly, as he was Bishop Radini-Tedeschi’s secretary then, until the latter passed away. Then, the young priest experienced the ministry among the trenches and warfare during the First World War before being appointed as the Apostolic Delegate and representative of the Pope to Bulgaria, and ordained as a bishop in the years following the war.

The experiences of the earlier days Pope St. John XXIII in his years as Apostolic Nuncio to Bulgaria, and then Greece and Turkey, and finally Apostolic Nuncio to France greatly expanded his horizons and views of the world, its divergent and great variety of peoples and groups, and in his ability to negotiate and work with various parties and collaborators of the works of faith. In Bulgaria, he was instrumental in making bridges and connections with the separated brethren from the Orthodox Church, while during his tenure in France, he helped to repair the often tense relationship between the Church and the state. As Patriarch of Venice for several years, he would continue to do what he has always passionately and courageously done since his youth and earlier days as a priest, that is dedicating himself to his flock and all those who had been entrusted to him.

As Pope, Pope St. John XXIII devoted himself to many great works and efforts, in leading a reform to the Church, by convoking and announcing the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican as mentioned, helping to bring the Church, its practices and beliefs more up-to-date in responding to the challenges and the difficulties faced by the faithful due to the rapidly changing world and conditions. He was also instrumental in his efforts to bring about peace between the feuding superpowers in the Cold War, namely the United States of America and the Soviet Union, particularly during the intense crisis in Cuba that almost led the world to nuclear war and total destruction, publishing his Papal Encyclical, Pacem in Terris or ‘Peace on Earth’, calling upon peace between peoples and nations. To the very end of his life, Pope St. John XXIII continued to labour greatly for the Lord’s sake.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have discussed earlier in the words of the Scriptures, and in the reminders we have received where we need to put our faith and trust in the Lord, and obey His will, and as we have reflected upon the good examples and inspirations which Pope St. John XXIII had done in his life and ministry, let us all therefore be inspired to follow the good examples of this holy man of God, and strive to do our best to be the shining beacons of God’s Light in our own community, among our fellow family members, friends and circles, and even to all those whom we encounter in each and every moments of our lives, in even the smallest things we say and do, and in our every interactions with those whom we meet in life.

May God be with us always, and may He continue to strengthen each and every one of us as Christians, to be ever committed and obedient to God’s will, striving to make best use of everything which God has entrusted to us, to be His instruments that can make this whole world a better place once again, in God’s grace. May God bless our every good efforts, works and endeavours, now and forevermore. Amen.

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Saturday, 11 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII, Pope (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Popes)

Luke 11 : 27-28

At that time, as Jesus was speaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to Him, “Blessed is the one who gave You birth and nursed You!”

Jesus replied, “Truly blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it as well.”

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Saturday, 11 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII, Pope (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Popes)

Psalm 96 : 1-2, 5-6, 11-12

YHVH reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the distant islands be glad. Clouds and darkness surround Him; justice and right, are His throne.

The mountains melt like wax before YHVH, the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His justice, all peoples see His glory.

He sheds light upon the upright, and gladness upon the just. Rejoice in YHVH, you, who are blameless; and give praise to His holy Name.

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Saturday, 11 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII, Pope (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Popes)

Joel 4 : 12-21

Rise up, o people, and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, nations. Bring a sickle for the harvest is ripe; come and tread, for the wine press is full, and the vats overflow; so great is their wickedness! Multitudes and more multitudes in the Valley of Verdict! The day of YHVH is near in the Valley of Verdict! The sun and the moon become dark, the stars lose their radiance.

YHVH roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth are shaken. Indeed, YHVH is a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the Israelites. You will know that I am YHVH, your God, dwelling on Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be a holy place; and foreigners will never pass through there again.

On that day, the mountains shall drip wine and the hills flow with milk; all the streams of Judah will run with water; and a fountain will spring from the house of YHVH, and water the valley of Shittim. On the other hand, Egypt will be devastated; and Edom will become a deserted wasteland, because they committed violence against Judah and shed innocent blood in their country.

But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem through all generations. And I shall avenge their blood and not leave it unpunished, for YHVH dwells in Zion.

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Thursday, 9 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs, and St. John Leonardi, Priest (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures, we are reminded that we need to continue to believe and trust in the Lord our God, in everything that we do in our lives and in our every actions. We should always strive to be righteous and to seek the Lord in all things, ever remembering that God is truly most generous in all that He has intended for us. We should not easily lose faith in the Lord especially when difficulties and trials may come our way, and we have to be strong and steadfast in everything that we do in each and every moments of our lives. We should always remember that God is ever present with us, and He is never far especially when we are facing lots of trials and difficulties in life.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Malachi, we heard of the words of the Lord to His people regarding the matter of being truly obedient to God and trusting in Him, and how the righteous, just and worthy will be vindicated and strengthened in the end. Those who trust in the Lord and have been tested in their faith in Him will surely be blessed and they will enjoy the fullness of God’s Providence, everything that He had intended for them and desired to provide for them. Meanwhile, those who are wicked and unworthy, those who continue to act without concern and care for others, those who are selfish and seeking only to satisfy their own greed and desires, all of them shall face what they deserved, the punishments befitting their sins and wickedness.

We are all reminded therefore that God is never blind or unaware of our struggles and difficulties, and He truly knows us all very well, and He has always sought to find us wherever we are, and when we are lost to Him, He has always done His best, reaching out to us so that we may be found again and may be reunited with Him once again. He reminded us all to be virtuous, good and worthy in all things so that we may truly be good role models and examples in our Christian faith. Each and every one of us as God’s holy and beloved people ought to carry on living our lives in the manner that is inspirational and in the manner that is truly genuine and faithful. Otherwise, if we are not truly faithful to God, how can we lead others closer to God? Worse still, we may cause scandal for our faith and besmirch the Lord’s Holy Name if our actions are contrary to what the Lord has shown and taught us to do.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard of the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples, reminding each and every one of them that God is indeed our loving Father, and He will always be by our side, protecting us and providing for us for whatever we may need, at all times. And this is the faith that we should have in Him, trusting in God and His Providence. If we ask of Him, our loving Father will surely provide for us in the best manner that He knows of our needs, and we will just have to trust in His Providence and guidance. We are reminded of God’s great love, His ever generous Heart, from which overflows His generosity, His kindness and compassion towards us.

And this is why we should never take God’s love for granted, and do our very best in our own respective lives such that we may truly put our faith and trust in Him, and never waver even in the hardest struggles that we may encounter in life because we know that He is always ever present in our midst, journeying with us and guiding us through those difficult moments. If we trust in God and put our faith in Him, in our Heavenly Father Who is always ever concerned about us, His beloved children, and if we ask Him and seek Him with sincere hearts and minds, then surely in His good time, God will grant us whatever we need, and whatever we have asked of Him. It may not be exactly what we wanted, but He will surely grant us all those according to His will.

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Denis and his companions in martyrdom, as well as that of St. John Leonardi, a devout man of God and priest, the founder of the Order of Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca. First of all, St. Denis was the Bishop of Paris during the middle of the third century, in which he was remembered for his most miraculous martyrdom among with many others, who were oppressed and martyred during the intense persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Decius. St. Denis was arrested and tortured after his efforts in converting many pagans made many pagan priests and officials to be afraid of them, and he and others were brought to a hill where they were executed, with St. Denis being beheaded. However, miraculously, St. Denis still continued to preach while his head had been severed from his body, walking for a few miles before he finally died at the site where a great Basilica in his honour stands now. Not few were converted to the faith by this miraculous occasion.

St. John Leonardi meanwhile was a priest in what is now Italy, who answered God’s call for him to be a priest, and to serve among the people of God, ministering to their spiritual needs, while spreading the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the popular Forty Hours devotion, which were instrumental in checking the growth of the heresy of Protestant reformation at that time. He helped spreading the reforms of the Council of Trent, and established the aforementioned Order of Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca. He did not have it easy as he encountered opposition and challenges from those who were politically motivated back then in opposing the establishment of the new religious order, known well as the Lucca Fathers. Nevertheless, St. John Leonardi continued to do his best in doing God’s work among His people.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore reflect upon these words of the Scriptures we have just discussed earlier, and also the examples of faith and courage that St. Denis and his companions, as well as St. John Leonardi, in all that they have done, putting their faith and trust in God in everything that they do, in committing themselves in their own unique ways to serve the Lord faithfully at all times. Let us all continue to grow ever stronger in faith and do our very best so that by our good examples and actions, we may inspire and touch the lives of so many others around us. May God be with us and may He continue to bless our every good works and endeavours, in our every good works and contributions, at all times. Amen.

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Thursday, 9 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs, and St. John Leonardi, Priest (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)

Luke 11 : 5-13

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to his house in the middle of the night and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine who is travelling has just arrived, and I have nothing to offer him.’ Maybe your friend will answer from inside, ‘Do not bother me now; the door is locked, and my children and I are in bed, so I cannot get up and give you anything.'”

“But I tell you, even though he will not get up and attend to you because you are a friend, yet he will get up because you are a bother to him, and he will give you all you need. And so I say to you, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”

“If your child asks for a fish, will you give him a snake instead? And if your child asks for an egg, will you give him a scorpion? If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

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Thursday, 9 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs, and St. John Leonardi, Priest (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)

Psalm 1 : 1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Blessed is the man who does not go where the wicked gather, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit where the scoffers sit! Instead, he finds delight in the Law of YHVH and meditates day and night on His commandments.

He is like a tree beside a brook producing its fruit in due season, its leaves never withering. Everything he does is a success.

But it is different with the wicked. They are like chaff driven away by the wind. For YHVH knows the way of the righteous but cuts off the way of the wicked.

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Thursday, 9 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and Companions, Martyrs, and St. John Leonardi, Priest (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs) or White (Priests)

Malachi 3 : 13-20a

You say very harsh things about Me, says YHVH, and yet, you say : “What harsh things did we say against You?” You say : “It is useless to serve God. There is no benefit in observing His commandments or in leading an austere life for His sake. Happy are the shameless! Those who do evil succeed in everything; though they provoke God, they remain unharmed.”

Those were the very words of those who fear YHVH. YHVH listened and heard what they said. He ordered at once, that the names of those who respect Him and reverence His Name be written in a record. And He declared, “They will be Mine on the day I have already set. Then I shall care for them, as a father cares for his obedient son. And you will see the different fates of the good and the bad, those who obey God and those who disobey Him.”

The day already comes, flaming as a furnace. On that day, all the proud and evildoers will be burnt, like straw in the fire. They will be left without branches or roots. On the other hand, the sun of justice will shine upon you who respect My Name and bring health in is rays.

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Tuesday, 7 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, commemorating the Mother of God herself, Mary, in her aspect as the one who has shown and given us all her children the rosary as a means for us to find our way to the Lord through her and the rosary. The history of the rosary dated to the early Middle Ages and is often attributed to St. Dominic to whom Our Lady made her appearance, to save many souls through it. At that time, St. Dominic was involved in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heresy raging in southern France, and the rosary is one of the means through which St. Dominic used to reach out to those who have lapsed from the true faith and leading them back to the Church.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Acts of the Apostles in which it was detailed about the Lord’s disciples who had gone to witness His Ascension into Heaven, where the members of the Twelve were highlighted to us, each one by their names. They all went forth praising the Lord and believing in His message of hope and assurance, and Mary has a prominent role among them, as the Mother of God herself and as the one who is the maternal figure among all the Apostles and disciples of the Lord. And they spent their time in prayer while waiting for the arrival of the Holy Spirit that the Lord Himself has promised to them, and we see here the unity between Mary and the other early Church members, which reminds us all of the spiritual unity and bond we have with her as well.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, we heard of the moment when the Archangel Gabriel came to Mary in Nazareth, in the event known as the Annunciation of the Lord, when God finally revealed the long awaited promise of salvation for His people, the coming of the Messiah or the Saviour which He Himself has reassured His people many times throughout history for. When the Archangel Gabriel brought the Good News to Mary, it was indeed a moment of great rejoicing for the Lord having finally accomplished everything that He had promised to His people. And Mary became the Mother of God, the one to bear the Son of God Most High Himself in her, which is why we are reminded of this fact as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary today.

We are reminded that Mary is indeed our greatest intercessor and the one who can pray for us in the most powerful and effective way because she herself is now in Heaven with her Son, and is seated by His side, at the honoured position beside His Throne as the Queen Mother of Heaven. Therefore, through our devout prayer of the rosary and through our trust in the intercession of Mary, our loving Mother, each and every one of us will be strengthened and empowered to go through the many difficult challenges in life, as we must remember that we are never alone, but Mary herself, and together with the innumerable saints and Angels of God, all of them are always by our side, praying with us and supporting us throughout the way. Through the rosary we can also help focus ourselves on the Lord amidst all the challenges, distractions and trials in life.

This Feast of our Lady of the Rosary itself has been instituted from the origin of the great victory of the forces of Christendom, the Church and God’s faithful people against the forces of those who sought the destruction of the Church and the Christian faith, and those who sought to dominate the world and oppress the ones who believe in the true path of the Lord, our God and Saviour. At that time, approximately four hundred and fifty years ago, the mighty and growing Ottoman Empire had been swallowing many Christian states and dominions, and has set its eyes to attack more of Christendom, threatening many Christian nations and even the city of Rome itself. Hence, the combined forces of Christendom was assembled by the Pope together with the cooperation of several Christian states in a great Holy League.

The mighty forces of the Ottoman Empire did not discourage the combined forces of Christendom from various countries and states then assembled at the site of Lepanto in what is today part of Greece. At that place, a great battle therefore took place, which forever changed the balance of power and marked a major turning point in the then constant warfare and struggle between the Ottomans and the forces of Christendom. According to eyewitness accounts of the battle, there were those who saw a great heavenly vision of Mary appearing on the skies, together with mighty host of Angels, fighting together with the forces of Christendom against the forces of the unbelievers, crushing them and destroying the mighty fleet of the Ottomans.

The great victory and triumph was celebrated by the whole Christendom, and the Pope ordered that all the church bells ought to toil and ring for the celebration of this great triumph, and he also instituted the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, on this very date, which was the date of the Battle of Lepanto, and eventually this Feast of Our Lady of Victory is celebrated as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, reminding us all of the constant intercession and help that Mary, our loving Mother has always provided for us, and also the power of the rosary and our prayers in our constant and daily struggles with sin and evil, with darkness and all the forces of the evil ones. Let us all not forget to spend the time to pray to the Lord, with the company of His loving Mother, Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, who is also our mother, and all the saints.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, having heard of the history of the rosary and how this celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary came to be, let us all hence make good use of the rosary which our Blessed Mother herself has provided to us to help us in our journey of faith and life. Let us all draw ever closer to Our Lord through His Blessed Mother, and through our devout prayers in the rosary and our other faithful commitments in life. May God be with us always and may He continue to strengthen us each day, in our every good works, efforts and endeavours. Amen.

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Tuesday, 7 October 2025 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 1 : 26-38

In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

The Angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the Angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a Son, and you shall call Him Jesus. He will be great, and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the kingdom of David, His ancestor; He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and His reign shall have no end.”

Then Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the Holy Child to be born of you shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child; and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible.”

Then Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said.” And the Angel left her.