Saints

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Tuesday, 3 February 2026 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, and St. Ansgar, Bishop (First Reading)

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

2 Samuel 18 : 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 31 – 2 Samuel 19 : 3

Absalom was riding a mule and happened to meet the guards of David. As the mule passed under the thick branches of a big oak tree, his head was caught in the oak tree and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule has was riding went its way. Someone reported to Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree.”

So Joab took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree. David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman posted at the roof of the gate, on the wall, saw a man running alone. So he called out and reported to the king who said, “Move away and stand here.” He moved aside and stayed there.

The Cushite arrived and said, “Good news for my lord the king! YHVH has done you justice today and saved you from all those who rebelled against you.” The king asked the Cushite, “How is the young Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you end up like that young man.”

The king was greatly disturbed and, going up to the room over the gate, he wept and said, “O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, o Absalom, my son, my son!”

It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” So the victory that day turned into mourning for all the people, when they heard that the king was grieving over his son.

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Saturday, 31 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened to the words of the Sacred Scriptures and as we all reflect and ponder upon its meaning and truth, let us all spend some time remembering just how wonderful God’s love and mercy is for all of us, that even when we have sinned against Him, He has always been rich in mercy, compassion and forgiveness, in wanting to embrace us all with His great love, to bring us all back to Himself, to gather us all, His beloved and yet lost sheep scattered all throughout the world, and He has always been welcoming and kind in reaching out to us, as our most loving and patient Good Shepherd, calling all of us to return to Him, giving us the assurance of His most generous and compassionate love.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Samuel, we heard of the continuation of yesterday’s story of the time when King David of Israel, the king whom God had blessed and secured in his position as king and ruler over all of Israel, in which on one occasion he encountered the beautiful wife of his own captain of the guard, Uriah the Hittite, a woman named Bathsheba, whom we may also know as the one who would become the mother of the famous King Solomon, David’s son who would become his eventual successor. At that time, Bathsheba was still married and the wife of Uriah, and we heard how David was tempted upon seeing Bathsheba which led them to commit sin of adultery before the Lord. We can see from this how even the faithful and famous King David himself was also a sinner and was able to fall into sin during his life.

And not only that, but David tried to conceal the fact and settle the problem by trying to make Uriah to sleep with his wife so that her pregnancy with David would not be discovered and a great disgrace be known to everyone. But Uriah did not do all that, and in the end, David plotted for Uriah’s death by purposely placing him at the frontline of the battle, which then led to his death and then David was free to take Bathsheba as his own wife. Through all of these that we have heard from today’s story of David’s life and this particular incident, and what happened afterwards, we can see how dangerous sin and its allures can be, and how weak our flesh can be, in the face of temptations and sin, which can lead us to commit ever greater mistakes and faults in life.

Yet, despite all of that, God eventually still forgave David after He had chastised him through the prophet Nathan as we heard in our first reading passage today, as unlike his predecessor Saul who doubled down on his sins and disobedience, David was truly repentant after the prophet Nathan pointed out his mistakes to him. This is also therefore an example of how sometimes we may not realise that we are in the wrong, especially when we allow ourselves to be swayed and deluded by the temptations and sins around us. God is however all loving and forgiving, and He wants to forgive us all should we truly seek His forgiveness and mercy, and He never stops any one of us from coming towards Him to be forgiven and loved fully and completely once again. What matters is that we should realise our errors and faults, doing our very best to improve ourselves and seek God’s forgiveness, mercy and love.

We must also take note that although David had committed sin with Bathsheba, God did not forbid them to be together, but instead, transforming both of them to be part of His Divine plan as mentioned. This aligned with what I have highlighted earlier on that our Church and therefore the Kingdom of God is not the gathering place for the perfect and the ones without sin or fault, but rather as often mentioned, is a ‘hospital for sinners’. God gathers everyone that He loves, all of us, without any bias, prejudice or exceptions, and He does not reject anyone, no matter how sinful they have been. Even the worst sinners are still beneficiaries of God’s most wonderful love and mercy, which He always extends to all those who seek them.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Mark the Evangelist, we heard of the account of the moment and time when the Lord Jesus and His disciples were travelling in the lake, likely the Lake of Galilee and they were all afflicted by the terrible storm, waves and wind that battered their boat. We heard how the disciples were all terrified, scared that their boat would capsize and would go under all those waves. And yet, then we heard how the Lord reassured them all and showed them His power and might, calming the storm with the mere command of His words, and everything was well again. The disciples were all naturally astonished and surprised at the turn of events, the great miracle that the Lord Himself has shown them.

Linking to what we have heard from our first reading earlier about what happened to King David, we are reminded that this storm, all the waves and the wind that battered the disciples in the boat are just like the temptations, sins and darkness present all around us, all the uncertainties of our lives and everything which made us all to lose our faith and trust in the world. But as we have seen, God has the answer to all of our troubles, and if we only hold firmly onto Him as our anchor and steady guide in life, He will rescue us and help us all out of our predicaments, because ultimately we must realise that God loves us all so generously and wonderfully, each and every one of us.

That is why, brothers and sisters in Christ, it is right and just for us to follow the Lord once again more wholeheartedly, and learn to commit ourselves to Him once again, to the best of our abilities despite our flaws and sins. Today, we can model ourselves based on the great examples which our holy predecessor, St. John Bosco, a great priest of the Lord and holy man of God, whose feast we celebrate today, have done. St. John Bosco was remembered greatly for his great piety, love and dedication to God, as well as for his great love and compassionate care for those whom he encountered in the midst of his missions and works, as a priest and most well-known in his role as one who initiated and was in charge of an outreach to the underprivileged youth, those juveniles and teenagers who had none to lead and guide them to the right path.

St. John Bosco helped to get them proper education and place to stay for those who were orphaned and homeless, and cared for their spiritual, mental and material needs. He dedicated much of his time to touch the lives of the underprivileged, and inspired many others to begin similar initiatives, resulting in the blooming of many institutions of Christian education that benefitted especially the underprivileged youths, and in particular underprivileged girls. The faith, dedication and commitment which St. John Bosco has shown us should inspire us all as well in our lives so that hopefully we may also become good sources of inspiration and hope for many others whom we encounter and all those who have witnessed our actions and works.

May the Lord continue to guide us all and bless our many good works and efforts in following Him ever more wholeheartedly in all things and at all times. God has always been generous in loving us and we all should appreciate everything that He has always done for us, in calling on all of us to return to Him and to His loving Presence. Let us all be therefore good and worthy witnesses of His truth, bear with courage and confidence the Good News and all that He has presented and taught to us in our world today. May our actions, words and deeds are truly worthy of being good Christian disciples and followers in all things and at all times. Amen.

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Saturday, 31 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Mark 4 : 35-41

At that time, on that same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they left the crowd, and took Him along in the boat He had been sitting in, and other boats set out with Him. Then a storm gathered and it began to blow a gale. The waves spilled over into the boat, so that it was soon filled with water. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

They woke Him up, and said, “Master, do You not care if we drown?” And rising up, Jesus rebuked the wind, and ordered the sea, “Quiet now! Be still!” The wind dropped, and there was a great calm. Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you so frightened? Do you still have no faith?”

But they were terrified, and they said to one another, “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

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Saturday, 31 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 50 : 12-13, 14-15, 16-17

Create in me, o God, a pure heart; give me a new and steadfast spirit. Do not cast me out of Your presence nor take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Give me again, the joy of Your salvation; and sustain me, with a willing spirit. Then I will show wrongdoers Your ways and sinners will return to You.

Deliver me, o God, from the guilt of blood; and of Your justice, I shall sing aloud. O YHVH, open my lips, and I will declare Your praise.

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Saturday, 31 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

2 Samuel 12 : 1-7a, 10-17

So YHVH sent the prophet Nathan to David. Nathan went to the king and said to him, “There were two men in a city : one was rich; the other, poor. The rich man had many sheep and cattle, but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb he had bought. He himself fed it and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and slept on his lap. It was like a daughter to him.”

“Now a traveller came to the rich man, but he would not take from his own flock or herd to prepare food for the traveller. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared that for his visitor.”

David was furious because of this man and told Nathan, “As YHVH lives, the man who has done this deserves death! He must return the lamb fourfold for acting like this and showing no compassion.” Nathan said to David, “You are this man! Now the sword will never be far from your family because you have despised me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite for yourself.”

“Thus says YHVH : Your misfortune will rise from your own house! I will take your wives from you and give them to your neighbour who shall lie with them in broad daylight. What you did was done secretly, but what I do will be done before Israel in broad daylight.”

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against YHVH.” Nathan answered him, “YHVH has forgiven your sin; you shall not die. However, because you have dared to despise YHVH by doing such a thing, the child that is born of you shall die.” Then Nathan went to his home.

YHVH struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and the child became very ill. David entreated God for the child. He kept a strict fast and lay on the ground the whole night. The elders of his house asked him to rise from the ground but he refused. Nor did he join them to eat.

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all gather together to listen to the words of the Sacred Scriptures we are reminded that we should always trust in the Lord and believe in His Providence, His plan and everything that He has meant for us. We should nurture the seeds of faith, hope and love that have been given to us so that we can grow ever stronger in our faith and commitment to God, and that we will be the worthy, shining beacons of our faith and hope in Him, becoming good role models and examples of our genuine and ever growing faith at all times. That is what we have been called to do as Christians, so that even in the smallest things we do, we will always bear wonderful and rich fruits of our faith.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Samuel of the instructions and the reply that the Lord sent through the prophet Nathan to David, the famous King of Israel and servant of God, who has been faithful throughout all his life and who has done many great and wonderful things for the Lord and His people. At that time, David has been blessed with a long and successful reign, and after many years of earlier struggles and tribulations, he has finally secured his reign and kingdom, bringing it to a golden age and glorious time, and as such, he wanted to establish a great new House and Temple for the Lord in Jerusalem, just as he has established his palace in that city. David wanted to build a proper dwelling for the Lord and indeed, his intentions were good and worthy.

However, God had different plans on what it was to be, and He told King David that it was His will such that it would not be him but his own son and successor, Solomon who would be the one to build the great Temple and House worthy of His Name and Holy Presence. And at the same time, God also reassured and affirmed David that He would make his house and reign secure, that he would end his reign in peace and go to rest with his forefathers, while his son and descendants will continue to hold the kingship over Israel unlike that of his predecessor Saul. Eventually, God did indeed fulfil everything as He had said, with the great Temple that David had planned and prepared for, being built by Solomon as a worthy House of the Lord, known as Solomon’s Temple. 

Not only that, but David’s house continued to hold the true kingship over Israel despite the later division of the kingdom into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, to the days of the Messiah and beyond, for Jesus our Lord and Saviour, the Son and Heir of David was also descended from David, making the dominion of David and his house lasting and persevering into eternity. This is showing that God is always ever faithful to His promises and words, and we can indeed trust in His Providence, love and in all the things that He has planned for us. God will not abandon us in our hour of greatest need, and He will not leave us alone even when things are most difficult and the conditions are hardest and most challenging for us. He will always be there for us.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, we heard of the passage from the Gospel according to St. Mark the Evangelist in which we heard of the famous parable of the sower, where the sower sowed the seeds that landed on different places, highlighting what happened to each one of those different seeds that landed in the different places. We heard how those seeds that landed on the roadside and on the rocky ground, and all those that landed among the brambles and thorns were unable to grow properly, either because they were picked off by birds, scorched to death by the hot Sun, or because they were unable to compete with the brambles and thorns, and were killed by those plants and weeds surrounding them.

As the Lord mentioned it, all those referred to those people who did not truly have genuine faith in the Lord, who might have listened to the Lord and yet did not let His words and truth to touch them deep within. On the other hand, those seeds that landed on the rich and fertile soil refer to those who have allowed God’s words to take deep roots within them, and not only that, but they also provided the best and most suitable conditions and environment in which their faith and trust in the Lord could grow and flourish, by their constant awareness of God’s Presence in their lives, and by living their lives with true and genuine faith in God, trusting in Him to guide them all in their journey. And we may not realise it at first, but in doing so, we are opening ourselves to great graces which can allow us to impact so many more people than what we may know of.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all also follow the good examples of one saint whose life and works can inspire us to deepen our faith and trust in God ever further. I am quite sure that many of us have heard the name St. Thomas Aquinas, a great and holy Priest and servant of God, and also an esteemed Doctor of the Church after his passing from this world. The Universal Church celebrates his feast on this day. He was known for his great devotion to God and great theological masterpieces, particularly his magnum opus, the ‘Summa Theologiae’. As a great theologian and servant of God, St. Thomas Aquinas spent a lot of time and effort to help the people of God to know better about Him and the truth about His love and compassionate mercy towards us. St. Thomas Aquinas did a lot of great works together with his other contemporaries like St. Dominic and St. Francis of Assisi, who in their own ways help to bring God’s people to be ever closer to Him.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore reflect upon the words of the Sacred Scriptures which we have received today, and which we have discussed earlier on. Let us all ponder how we can be truly ever more faithful and committed to God in all things, to grow in our trust and faith in Him so that by our everyday living and our every actions we will grow ever stronger in faith and in our conviction to lead a life that is truly blessed and filled with God’s grace. Let us all be good examples, role models and inspirations for one another, following the good examples of our holy and devoted predecessors like King David and St. Thomas Aquinas among many others, leading each other towards the Lord and His salvation.

May the Lord our most loving God continue to guide and strengthen us all in our journey towards Him. May He empower all of us to live ever more courageously in accordance with His will, to be shining beacons of His light and truth to everyone around us. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, all the things that we have done and which we will do for His greater glory, now and always. Amen.

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Mark 4 : 1-20

At that time, Jesus began to teach by the lake; but such a large crowd gathered about Him, that He got into a boat and sat in it on the lake, while the crowd stood on the shore. He taught them many things through parables. In His teaching, He said, “Listen! The sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some of the seed fell along a path; and the birds came and ate it up.”

“Some of the seed fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil; it sprang up immediately, because it had no depth; but when the sun rose and burnt it, it withered, because it had no roots. Other seed fell among thorn bushes; and the thorns grew and choked it; so it did not produce any grain.”

“But some seed fell on good soil, grew and increased and yielded grain; some seed produced thirty times as much, some sixty, and some one hundred times as much.” And Jesus added, “Listen then, if you have ears.”

When the crowd went away, some who were around Him with the Twelve asked about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But for those outside, everything comes in parables, so, that, the more they see, they do not perceive; the more they hear, they do not understand; otherwise they would be converted and pardoned.”

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How, then, will you understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those along the path, where the seed fell, are people who hear the word, but as soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”

“Other people receive the word like rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word, they accept it with joy. But they have no roots, so it lasts only a little while. No sooner does trouble or persecution come because of the word, than they fall. Others receive the seed, as seed among thorns. After they hear the word, they are caught up in the worries of this life, false hope of riches and other desires. All these come in and choke the word, so that finally it produces nothing.”

“And there are others who receive the word as good soil. They hear the word, take it to heart and produce : some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred times as much.”

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 88 : 4-5, 27-28, 29-30

I have made a Covenant with David, My chosen one; I have made a pledge to My servant. I establish his descendants forever; I build his throne for all generations.

He will call on Me, “You are my Father, my God, my Rock, my Saviour.” I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

I will keep My Covenant firm forever, and My love for him will endure. His dynasty will last forever; and his throne, as long as the heavens.

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Wednesday, 28 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

2 Samuel 7 : 4-17

That very night, YHVH’s word came to Nathan, “Go and tell My servant David, this is what YHVH says : Are you able to build a house for Me to live in? I have not dwelt in any house since I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. But I went about with a tent for shelter. As long as I walked with the Israelites, did I say anything to the chiefs of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel? Did I say : Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?”

“Now you will tell My servant David, this is what YHVH of Hosts says : I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great, as the name of the great ones on earth.”

“I will provide a place for My people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked man oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over My people Israel it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. YHVH also tells you that He will build you a house.”

“When the time comes for you to rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your son after you, the one born of you; and I will make his reign secure. He shall build a house for My Name and I will firmly establish his kingship forever. I will be a Father to him and he shall be My son. If he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod, as men do.”

“But I will not withdraw My kindness from him as I did from Saul when I removed him out of your way. Your house and your reign shall last forever before Me, and your throne shall be forever firm.”

Nathan repeated these words and related this vision to David.

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Tuesday, 27 January 2026 : 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Angela Merici, Virgin (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Holy Virgins)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we all listened to the words of the Lord contained within the Sacred Scriptures and as we all ponder upon their meaning, importance and relevance to us in our world today, we are all reminded that as the holy people of God, we are all called to follow the Lord faithfully and wholeheartedly as how our holy predecessors had done, like King David in the past, in his wholehearted commitment and dedication to God, in doing God’s will and in being ever attuned to His Law, commandments and to His teachings. We are reminded that we should always live our lives in the manner that is truly pleasing to God, in loving Him and also in loving those people around us, especially those whom God had entrusted to us to love and care.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of the prophet Samuel, we heard of the moment when King David finally managed to bring the Ark of the Covenant or the Ark of God from its temporary housing at the house of Obededom to the city of Jerusalem. The context was that David had been wanting to bring the Ark of the Covenant which had always been kept in the wilderness, in the Holy Tent of Meeting since the days of the Exodus to a more permanent place in Jerusalem, in the Temple and House that he has planned to make for the Lord. However, in the earlier attempt to move the Ark into Jerusalem, an accident struck and one of the priests transporting the Ark was killed, and hence, David suspended the plan to bring the Ark into Jerusalem for some time.

We heard then about how David finally managed to bring this great Ark of God into Jerusalem, joyfully leading the procession before God’s Ark into the city, singing and dancing with great joy. This moment was described as a great event, a great moment of joy as God Himself has come into the midst of His people, dwelling among them again in the city which He has established as his city, firmly securing the reign and rule of David, His servant as King and leader of the people He had chosen as His own. And this is a reminder of how God Himself one day, a millennium or so after this moment, would come in the flesh among His people, an even greater entry and arrival than the Ark of the Covenant, as He appeared before all of us in the form of His Son, the Divine Word and Son of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Mark the Evangelist, we heard of the moment when the relatives of the Lord Jesus came to Him when He was preaching and ministering to the people of God, and we heard how when some people told the Lord that His relatives, including His Mother Mary was there, He told the whole assembled people that all those who followed God’s will and obeyed Him, faithfully living their lives according to His Law and commandments, all of these were His brothers, His mother and relatives. To us who heard the Lord and what He said, some of us might think that the Lord was being very rude to His Mother and relatives, but this was not in fact what He meant to do.

Instead, when the Lord Jesus said those words before the assembled people of God, He intended for all of them to know that His works and ministry, and God’s favour were not limited by connections to Him, unlike what was common in the world then, and what is still very common in our world even to this day. I am referring to the networks and connection which we often use to determine our response to one another, and what kind of favour we can give and gain from each other. Those who are connected by familial or blood ties tend to get higher and better preferences, and this is what the Lord wanted to make clear that His love is universal and meant for everyone, and not merely limited or restricted within His family and inner circle. And that is also the message and truth of Christian faith and love as well.

In this matter, we can then follow the good examples of St. Angela Merici, one of the great saints of God, whose feast we are celebrating today. St. Angela Merici was the famous founder of the religious order of the Ursulines, also known as the Company of St. Ursula that led to the later foundation of the Order of the Ursulines. St. Angela Merici was inspired since her early youth to commit herself with some others to work for the cause of the training and education of young Christian girls, which is still the inspiration for the educational institutes established by the Ursulines. Through her efforts and piety, many came to be inspired to follow in her example in dedicating themselves to God’s work in this area of Christian education and empowerment of people.

St. Angela Merici dedicated herself and inspired many others together in the ministry that she had committed herself as part of the Company of St. Ursula, establishing schools and orphanages, caring especially for the needs of young Christians, especially that of young, underprivileged Christian girls, who were often exploited and in disadvantageous positions. St. Angela Merici dedicated her life to this ministry, and many more people would come to follow her examples in working for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of His people. Through her efforts and works many people came to be touched by God’s love and truth, and became closer to God and His salvation.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore reflect upon what we have just heard from the Scriptures and see how we can live our lives each day with true dedication and commitment to the Lord, in our own unique ways and in the manner that God has entrusted to us, with our diverse and distinct gifts and all the opportunities that He has presented to us. Let us all serve Him joyfully like King David had done, and remember that in everything that we do in glorifying His Name, even the smallest and what seems to be insignificant, all of these truly matter to the Lord, Who knows everything that we do, even in secret, and He will bless us all even more abundantly, strengthening us to do His will and His works in our world today.

May the Lord continue to strengthen each and every one of us with the resolve to carry out living our lives with great faith and dedication, so that in every works and actions that we do, we will always be exemplary and inspirational, becoming good role models to everyone around us in faith and life. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, all the things that we do in our lives to glorify Him, now and always. Amen.