Catholic blog

by

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and St. Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Bishops and Holy Virgins)

Psalm 110 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Alleluia! I thank YHVH with all my heart in the council of the just, in the assembly. The works of YHVH are great and pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are His deeds, His righteousness endures forever. He lets us remember His wondrous deeds; YHVH is merciful and kind.

Always mindful of His Covenant, He provides food for those who fear Him. He shows His people the power of His arm by giving them the lands of other nations.

by

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and St. Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Bishops and Holy Virgins)

1 Timothy 3 : 14-16

I give you these instructions, although I hope I will see you soon. If I delay, you will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the household of God, that is, the Church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. How great, indeed, is the mystery of divine blessing!

He was shown in the flesh and sanctified by the Spirit; presented to the Angels and proclaimed to all nations. The world believed in Him : He was taken up in glory!

by

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr, and St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Lord from the Sacred Scriptures, we are reminded that each and every one of us as the disciples and followers of Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, and as God’s holy and beloved people, each and every one of us ought to be good role models and examples for one another in faith, and we should always strive our best to fulfil our respective calling and mission as Christians in each and every moments in our lives. All of us are reminded and challenged that we must not be idle in living our lives with faith but that we must always inspire by our examples in even the smallest things that we say and do so that many more people may come to believe in God through us and our inspiration as well.

In our first reading today, taken from the Epistle of St. Paul to his protege and disciple, St. Timothy, we heard the Apostle telling St. Timothy about the manners and the expectations which are made of those who seek to be the elders and ministers of the community of the faithful. He highlighted two roles, namely those of overseers and deacons in today’s passage. For the context, this position of overseer or elder is what is now known as bishops, the ones entrusted with the care of the flock of the Lord’s faithful. And therefore as those entrusted with this heavy responsibility ought to have good morals and obedience to the Law and commandments of God, or else it will be easily a scandal of the faith and if the shepherds themselves were unfaithful, then how can they expect the people of God to be faithful as well?

Meanwhile, the deacons were those who were entrusted with the care of the physical needs and requirements of the people, in sharing the goods and alms of the Church, supporting the communities of the faithful and also caring for the poor, the sick and the less privileged within the communities of God’s people. Those who had been chosen and selected as deacons in the early Church spent their time, efforts and works to mingle among the people of God, caring for them and ministering to them, spending a lot of time in their midst. And it is then the deacons who brought up the needs and the concerns of the faithful to the assembly of the Church, to the bishops and the priests entrusted with the leadership and care of the flock of God’s faithful.

In the same manner, those who have been chosen to that office of deacons, and also the other ordained ministries indeed should be of good and faithful qualities in life, and they should indeed be good role models and examples for everyone around them. However, this should not be restricted only to those who have been chosen as the leaders of the faithful, but in fact serve as reminders and inspirations for all of us, God’s faithful and holy people, that as Christians, each and every one of us are also expected to carry ourselves with faith and dedication to God, to live our lives in the manner that is truly worthy of Him, in each and every moments of our lives. We must not allow ourselves to bring scandal to our faith simply because we are unable to stay true to our calling and mission as those whom God had called and chosen.

In today’s Gospel passage, taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, we heard of the story of the moment and time when the Lord Jesus came to a town called Naim, where there was a procession of a widow’s deceased son as he was being brought to be buried, and the Lord had pity on the old widow, and He miraculously brought the widow’s son back to life by His power, and many of the people who were there including the Lord’s own disciples witnessed that miraculous occasion. That is what He has shown to all of them regarding His obedience to the will of His heavenly Father, and how those who belong to the Lord ought to behave and act, in showing love, mercy and compassion to everyone around them.

The Lord Himself spent a lot of time and effort in caring for the needs of those who sought Him, those who were troubled in body and spirit, those who had the need to be healed and made whole again, and He patiently did all of these, even when He and His disciples were very tired. The Lord spent His time to reach out to those who are downtrodden and troubled, those who have been ignored, abandoned and ostracised by the community to show them the true and enduring love of God, which He has manifested before us in the most perfect and best way possible. And it is by this example that we are all called to follow in our own respective lives, in how we carry out our actions with the fullness of God’s love, truth and grace.

Today, the Church also celebrates the Feast of two great saints and holy men of God, namely that of Pope St. Cornelius, Successor of St. Peter the Apostle as Bishop of Rome and St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage in North Africa. Both of these great servants of God had indeed exemplified what St. Paul had told St. Timothy in our first reading passage today, in their dedication to God and in their faith, in how they carried out their missions and in their commitments to God’s people, the flock entrusted to their care. Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian both led the Church through times of divisions and difficulties, rampant with external threats and persecutions as well as disagreements and divisions among the faithful.

At that time, the Church was bitterly divided between those who advocated harsh stance against those Christians who had lapsed from their faith or who had offered sacrifices to the pagan gods and idols, many of whom had to do so under pressure and duress from the Roman state, and those who advocated a more moderate and forgiving stance in relation to those who have lapsed from their faith for various reasons, as long as they repented sincerely and genuinely. Those who advocated harsh and strict opposition against readmitting lapsed Christians were led by one popular priest Novatian, who was elected as an Antipope in opposition to the legitimate Pope in Rome, arguing that those who have lapsed from the faith had been barred from returning and they had been denied salvation, while those led by Pope St. Cornelius and his immediate predecessors championed a more conciliatory tone and attitude.

Eventually, the cause championed by Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian of Carthage won in the end, overcoming the challenges from those who supported the strict and unbending ideals of Novatian and his group. Through the patient efforts of both of these great servants of God, eventually, slowly but surely, the unity of the Church was restored and many of the faithful came to embrace their fellow brethren who had lapsed from the faith, due to various reasons, as long as they were committed and willing to make themselves worthy and full of God’s grace again, through embracing His forgiveness and mercy. Both Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian of Carthage were eventually martyred during the intense persecutions against the Church which were carried out by the Roman state during the middle of the third century, but their courage, faith and dedication remained great inspirations to many even to this very day.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we reflect upon the words of the Sacred Scriptures and upon the faith and dedication which Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian had done, let us all continue to do our best to live in the most righteous, virtuous and worthy manner, in doing what we can as Christians, as those whom God had called and chosen, so that we may be good inspirations and role models for everyone around us, and to all those whom we encounter each day. May the Lord also continue to strengthen our faith within us, and give us the courage and perseverance to remain ever more faithful and committed to what He has shown and taught us to do in our lives. May God bless our every good efforts, works and endeavours, now and always. Amen.

by

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr, and St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Luke 7 : 11-17

At that time, a little later, Jesus went to a town called Naim. He was accompanied by His disciples and a great number of people. As He reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Do not cry.” Then He came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young man, I say to you, wake up!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

A holy fear came over them all, and they praised God saying, “A great Prophet has appeared among us. God has visited His people.” The news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places.

by

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr, and St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Red

Psalm 100 : 1-2ab, 2cd-3ab, 5, 6

I will sing of Your love and justice; to You, o YHVH, I will sing praise. I will walk the way of integrity – o YHVH, when will You come to me?

With a blameless heart, I will walk within my house. I will not set before my eyes anything that is base. I hate the deeds of faithless people.

He who deals with others treacherously, I will silence. He who talks and acts arrogantly, I will not endure.

I will choose from the faithful of the land, those who may dwell with Me; only the upright shall be My servant.

by

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Pope St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr, and St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Red

1 Timothy 3 : 1-13

If someone aspires to the overseer’s ministry, he is, without a doubt, looking for a noble task. It is necessary, that the overseer (or bishop) be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, responsible, judicious, of good manners, hospitable and skilful in teaching.

He must not be addicted to wine, or quarrelsome, but be gentle and peaceful, and not a lover of money, but a man whose household is well-managed, with obedient and well-mannered children. If he cannot govern his own house, how can he lead the assembly of God? He must not be a recent convert, lest he become conceited, and fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover, he must enjoy a good reputation among the outsiders, lest people speak evil about him, and he fall into the snare of the devil.

Deacons, likewise, must be serious and sincere, and moderate in drinking wine, not greedy for money; they must keep the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. Let them be first tried and, if found blameless, be accepted as deacons. In the same way, the women must be conscientious, not given to gossip, but reserved and trustworthy.

A deacon must be husband of one wife, and must know how to guide his children and manage his household. Those who serve well as deacons will win honourable rank, with authority to speak of Christian faith.

by

Monday, 15 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day the Church celebrates the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which is always celebrated on the day following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Both feasts are indeed related to each other as we cannot separate the sufferings and sorrows of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows when she witnessed the cruel and most painful sufferings of her Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. Mary’s great sorrow, seeing all that her Son had to undergo for the sake of the salvation of the world indeed reminded us of the great love and devotion which she has always had in following and committing herself to all that God had planned and revealed to her, in everything that He has entrusted to her in the story of our salvation.

In our first reading passage today, taken from the Epistle to the Hebrews, the author of this Epistle spoke of the great obedience which Christ our Lord and Saviour had shown in following the commands and the will of His heavenly Father, in taking up His Cross and bearing upon Himself the whole combined burdens of the sins of the whole world, of all mankind, past, present and future, of all time. Such a seemingly infinitely heavy and impossible burden it may be, but the Lord bore it patiently out of His even greater love for each and every one of us. And this role was what He had been sent into this world for, the Divine Word and Son of God Incarnate Who had been made Son of Man through His mother Mary, who is truly His mother.

And when Christ suffered on the Cross, He really did suffer genuinely, as although He is God, the Divine Word of God, but He is also fully Man at the same time, and He truly did suffer in the flesh, all the pain and wounds that He endured out of love for all of us, and seeing this kind of suffering is something that no one, and especially no mother would have wanted to witness to happen to her own child. This had been presaged and revealed to Mary herself many years previously as we heard in one of our two possible Gospel passages for today, from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist. At the time when Mary and St. Joseph presented the Child Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem, the old man of God named Simeon had been promised by the Lord that he would not pass away before beholding in person the Saviour that God had promised all of His people.

It was at that very occasion that Simeon spoke to Mary regarding what she would have to face amidst the upcoming challenges and pains that she would have to suffer as part of the mission which God had entrusted to her. She would face the worst of heartbreaks and sorrow when seeing her own Son being persecuted, suffering and dying before her. And as we heard, Mary listened to the words of Simeon and kept those words in her heart, trusting in the Lord in everything that He had planned, and not even once questioning what the Lord had intended to do with her. As what she had responded to the Archangel Gabriel at the time of the Annunciation, she is truly the handmaid of the Lord, and she devoted herself wholly to Him, in everything that He had entrusted to her.

And in the other Gospel passage from the Gospel according to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, we heard of the moment when the Lord Jesus was dying on the Cross, and how He entrusted His own Mother Mary to the care of His beloved disciple, St. John himself, and then conversely, also entrusted St. John to the care of His Mother. Through this symbolic act, what in fact happened was the entrustment of all of us mankind, represented by St. John, to the Mother of Our Lord herself, to be our loving and caring Mother, Our Lady and Mother of Sorrows, whose heart had been greatly troubled by the sufferings of her own Son that she had witnessed, as she followed Him throughout the whole Way of the Cross. That is why Mary has always been so passionate and committed to help us all, her own adopted children, to find our way to the salvation in her Son.

Having seen for herself everything that the old man of God, Simeon, had predicted to her, indeed Mary’s heart must have been pained as if she was pierced by many swords.
And yet, she remained firm in her resolve to follow through what had been entrusted to her, and she committed herself ever more to the mission, which therefore should be great inspiration for all of us to follow in our own lives as Christians. Mary is indeed the perfect example of faith, and how each and every one of us should live our own lives so that we may truly align ourselves to the Lord’s will, to everything that He has shown and taught us to do. And while we may encounter a lot of hardships, disappointments and challenges in life, we should remain firm in faith as what Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows has shown us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, from the sufferings and pains that she had encountered, Mary our loving Mother has constantly shown us her love even to this day, as proven by her many efforts and works, in appearing to us at the times of great need. Mary’s proven apparitions in Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima, among others, all usually happened during times of great conflicts and turmoils, all of which would cause the downfall of many people through violence and wickedness, and as such, Mary showed herself to remind all of us her children that we should not disobey the Lord but instead remembering that we should turn towards Him and asking Him for His mercy and forgiveness, or else we will suffer the fate of those who have rejected God’s generous offer of mercy, just as how her Son had suffered on the Cross for our sins.

May all of us continue to walk in the path that Our Lord has shown us, and may we continue to put our hope and faith in Him despite the many challenges and hardships that we may have to endure and persevere through in life. May Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, our loving Mother continue to intercede for us all in our journey of faith and life, and may through her patient prayers, intercessions and guidance, many more of us come to seek the Lord and find our true joy and redemption in Him. May God bless us always, now and forevermore. Amen.

by

Monday, 15 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

John 19 : 25-27

At that time, near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw the mother, and the disciple whom He loved, He said to the mother, “Woman, this is your son.”

Then He said to the disciple, “This is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.

Alternative reading

Luke 2 : 33-35

At that time, the father and mother of Jesus wondered at what was said about the Child. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, His mother, “Know this : your Son is a Sign; a Sign established for the falling and rising of many in Israel, a Sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”

by

Monday, 15 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 30 : 2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20

In You, o YHVH, I take refuge, may I never be disgraced; deliver me in Your justice. Give heed to my plea, and make haste to rescue me.

Be a Rock of refuge for me, a Fortress for my safety. For You are my Rock and my Stronghold, lead me for Your Name’s sake.

Free me from the snare that they have set for me. Indeed You are my Protector. Into Your hands I commend my spirit; You have redeemed me, o YHVH, faithful God.

But I put my trust in You, o YHVH, I said : “You are my God.” My days are in Your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, from those after my skin.

How great is the goodness which You have stored for those who fear You, which You show, for all to see, to those who take refuge in You!

by

Monday, 15 September 2025 : 24th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Hebrews 5 : 7-9

Christ, in the days of His mortal life, offered His sacrifice with tears and cries. He prayed to Him, Who could save Him from death, and He was heard, because of His humble submission.

Although He was Son, He learnt, through suffering, what obedience was, and, once made perfect, He became the Source of eternal salvation, for those who obey Him.