holy women

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Saturday, 22 July 2023 : Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle of the Apostles (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 62 : 2abc, 2d-4, 5-6, 8-9

O God, You are my God, it is You I seek; for You, my body longs and my soul thirsts.

As a dry and weary land without water. Thus have I gazed upon You in the Sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live, lift up my hands and call on Your Name. As with the richest food, my soul will feast; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

For You have been my help; I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

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Saturday, 22 July 2023 : Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle of the Apostles (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Song of Songs 3 : 1-4a

On my bed at night I looked for the one I love, I sought him without finding him; I called him and he did not answer. I will rise and go about the city, through the streets and the squares; I will seek the love of my heart…

I sought him without finding him; the watchmen came upon me, those who patrol the city. “Have you seen the love of my heart?” As soon as I left them, I found the love of my heart.

Alternative reading (Second Reading if this Feast is celebrated as a Solemnity)

2 Corinthians 5 : 14-17

Indeed, the love of Christ holds us, and we realise, that, if He died for all, all have died. He died for all, so, that, those who live, may live no longer for themselves, but for Him, Who died, and rose again for them. And so, from now on, we do not regard anyone from a human point of view; and even if we once knew Christ personally, we should now regard Him in another way.

For that same reason, the one who is in Christ is a new creature. For him, the old things have passed away; a new world has come.

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Thursday, 6 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today as we listened to the words of the Scriptures, each and every one of us are reminded that we should truly have faith and trust in the Lord, remaining true to His path and righteousness, distancing ourselves from the wickedness and evils present all around us. All of us should do our very best to embrace the path that the Lord has set before us, and not be swayed by worldly temptations, and by the coercions and pressures from all those who sought to sway and mislead us down the wrong path. In our Scripture passages today, each one of us are reminded of the moments when the Lord has shown His love and faithfulness to us, to the Covenant that He has established with us.

In our first reading today, taken from the Book of Genesis, we heard of the story of the moment when God told Abraham to bring his beloved son Isaac, the one whom the Lord had promised to Abraham, to Mount Moriah and to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed the Lord wholeheartedly and brought Isaac with him to Mount Moriah as God has commanded him to do. Abraham might have indeed been pained and dumbfounded by God’s request, as Isaac was the son he had been long awaiting for, and this might have indeed led to questions in Abraham’s heart and mind. But whatever it is, Abraham did not let all those things to sway him from his faith in God, as he fully trusted the Lord, and knew that if God had provided Isaac to him, then He would provide for him in whatever He had called him to do.

Thus, Abraham brought Isaac all the way to Mount Moriah and placed him on the altar, ready to be sacrificed and offered to God, when God sent His Angel to stop Abraham and to tell him that He had seen the great and absolute faith which Abraham had shown him, and hence, He would bless Abraham all the more and reaffirmed the Covenant which He has established with him. God gave a ram to replace Isaac, and there God reaffirmed the Covenant He made, and showed us all that He truly loves each and every one of us, as He showed Abraham that He has always held His end of the promises and bargains made. Not only that, but this offering and sacrifice of Abraham’s son, Isaac, was in fact a prefigurement of what the Lord Himself would do for us all, which I would detail in a moment.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard of the Lord Who healed a paralysed man that had been brought to Him. He healed him and showed pity upon him, seeing the faith that the man and those who brought him to Him had, only to be faced with opposition and stubborn refusal by the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in the midst of those who witnessed the miracle. Instead of giving thanks to God for the help that has been shown to the suffering man, they blamed and condemned the Lord, by thinking that He has blasphemed and uttered blasphemy by saying that He could forgive sins. They hardened their hearts and minds, and refused to believe in the truth that God had brought before their very own eyes.

Those same Pharisees and teachers of the Law had allowed their worldly desires and ambitions, their fears and attachments to the temptations of this world, their desires for fame and glory to mislead them down the wrong path. Unlike Abraham, who trusted in the Lord with all of his heart and might, who did not even withhold giving his most precious possession, Isaac, his most beloved son, the promised heir who was more worth than all of Abraham’s other vast possessions and wealth combined, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law prioritised their attachments to worldly glory and fame, and their fears that they would lose all those things were catalysts that led to their stubborn opposition against the Lord and His works.

As I mentioned earlier with the sacrifice of Isaac, the Lord Himself showed us that He was not hesitant to give us His Son, just the manner that Abraham gave his son willingly to the Lord. God gave us all His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, so that by His willing sacrifice, His obedience to His Father’s will, and by Him bearing all of our sins and wickedness, and all the punishments and consequences for those sins. God showed us His love and faithfulness, to the Covenant which He has established with us, the same Covenant that He had made with Abraham, and which was made anew and made into an eternal and everlasting Covenant through Christ, by His sacrifice of love on the Cross, by His suffering and death.

Today, the Church also celebrates the feast of St. Maria Goretti, a renowned saint remembered for her faith in the Lord, her righteousness and steadfastness amidst the things that she had to face and endure, the trial of her faith and dedication to God. St. Maria Goretti was a young woman who was born to a family of poor farmers, and her father’s early death led to her family having to live together with another family, the Serenellis, whose son, Alessandro, attempted to rape St. Maria Goretti as he made advances upon her. St. Maria Goretti resisted Alessandro’s advances and dissuaded him from committing such a sin with her, and as a result, she was assaulted many times by Alessandro, who stabbed her many times with a knife before fleeing.

St. Maria Goretti was found in a critical state, but just before she passed away, she told her mother and others that she forgave Alessandro and stating that she would want him to be in Heaven with her, along with her concern for her mother. This reflected what the Lord Himself had done for all of us, when He was on His Cross, praying for us and asking His Father not to hold our sins against us, those who have condemned Him to death on the Cross. Eventually, St. Maria Goretti’s assailant, Alessandro, repented from his sins and mistakes, and after having gone through the period of punishment and trial, in which time St. Maria Goretti appeared to him, Alessandro became a totally changed man, and together with the mother of St. Maria Goretti, they attended her canonisation as a saint.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, all of us as Christians, as God’s followers and people are therefore reminded of our obligation and calling to commit ourselves to the Lord, to give our all in devotion to God, remembering just how the Lord Himself has been faithful to the Covenant He has made with us. And as part of that Covenant, all of us are called to live our lives as faithful and committed Christians, just as how St. Maria Goretti had lived, in her upholding of the sanctity of her virginity and her upright life, and how she forgave her assailant and murderer, and her prayers for him, right to the end. Can all of us do the same with our lives as well, brothers and sisters in Christ? Can we commit ourselves more wholeheartedly as how our holy predecessors had done?

May the Lord, our most loving God and Father, continue to be with us and bless us, and may He empower each and every one of us so that we may indeed live our lives most worthily, in all things and at all times. May all of us dedicate ourselves with ever greater commitment and faith, now and always, and be ever great role models and inspirations for our fellow Christian brothers and sisters all around us. Amen.

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Thursday, 6 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Matthew 9 : 1-8

At that time, Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to His hometown. Here, they brought to Him a paralysed man, lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic, “Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven.”

Some teachers of the Law said within themselves, “This Man insults God.” Jesus was aware of what they were thinking; and said, “Why have you such evil thoughts? Which is easier to say : ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? But that you may know, that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralysed man, “Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home!”

The man got up, and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe, and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

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Thursday, 6 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Psalm 114 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Alleluia! I am pleased that YHVH has heard my voice in supplication, that He has not been deaf to me, the day I called on Him.

When the cords of death entangled me, the snares of the grave laid hold of me, when affliction got the better of me, I called upon the Name of YHVH : “O YHVH, save my life!”

Gracious and righteous is YHVH; full of compassion is our God. YHVH protects the simple : He saved me when I was humbled.

He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from weeping, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before YHVH in the land of the living.

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Thursday, 6 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)

Genesis 22 : 1-19

Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he answered, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I shall point out to you.”

Abraham rose early next morning and saddled his donkey and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He chopped wood for the burnt offering and set out for the place to which God had directed him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance, and he said to the young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He carried in his hand the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, “Father!” And Abraham replied, “Yes, my son?” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham replied, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.”

They went on, the two of them together, until they came to the place to which God had directed them. When Abraham had built the altar and set the wood on it, he bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood placed on the altar. He then stretched out his hand to seize the knife and slay his son. But the Angel of YHVH called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.” “Do not lay your hand on the boy; do not harm him, for now I know that you fear God, and you have not held back from Me your only son.” Abraham looked around and saw behind him a ram caught by its horns in a bush. He offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place ‘The Lord will provide.’ And the saying has lasted to this day.

And the Angel of YHVH called from heaven a second time, “By myself I have sworn, it is YHVH Who speaks, because you have done this and not held back your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the lands of their enemies. All the nations of the earth will be blessed through your descendants because you have obeyed Me.”

So Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba and it was there that Abraham stayed.

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Tuesday, 4 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saints)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we heard the message of the Scriptures telling us all that we have to trust in the Lord for all things and be faithful to Him even we may be facing a lot of hardships and difficulties in our lives. The Lord has always been with His faithful ones, and He will not abandon any of us to the darkness, and He will always stand by us even through the darkest of times. We have to remember this as we continue to carry out our missions in life and embark on this journey through our lives in this world, that we are not easily swayed by the many temptations all around us and by the pressures and coercions from those who seek to dissuade us from being faithful to God and from obeying His will and carrying out His commandments and Law. We have to hold firm to our faith in God knowing that in Him alone there is true hope and salvation.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of Genesis in which the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was told to us, in which God destroyed the two cities with brimstone and fire from Heaven for all the wickedness that the people in those two cities had committed before Him. At the same time, we also heard the great story of God’s love and kindness in caring for His faithful ones, as He sent His Angels to help and protect Lot, the nephew of Abraham, who had lived in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah, and who had to endure the wickedness of those who lived in that area with his family. Lot also proved himself righteous after he protected the two Angels sent to help guide Lot out of the city. Hence, as we heard, the Angels guided Lot and his family, bringing them to safety beyond the land of Sodom and Gomorrah before their destruction.

However, Lot’s wife, who was probably swayed by the temptations of worldliness that she had enjoyed and experienced when she stayed in Sodom and Gomorrah, she wavered and she turned to face the city, against the warnings of the two Angels who had warned Lot and his family not to look at the pandemonium that was happening as the two cities were destroyed by the power of God. She was therefore turned into a pillar of salt, as a sign of her disobedience and as a reminder for all of us that we should not doubt God’s providence and help. Of course the truth and reality is that this is easier said than done, as we may frequently be tempted and coerced to abandon the path of God for the corruptions and wickedness of the world.

In our Gospel passage today, we heard from the Gospel of St. Matthew the account of the moment when the Lord and His disciples were battered in the middle of the Lake of Galilee, with a great storm and huge waves that were striking at the boat where they were in. The disciples panicked and feared for their lives, and were desperately begging the Lord, Who was sleeping, to save them from their predicament. The Lord rebuked them and scolded them for their lack of faith and trust in Him, and proceeded to calm the wind, the waves and the storm, by the mere will of His words. Everyone present were astonished at the great authority and power that God has shown them, which was just yet another proof and example of God’s enduring love and providence for us all, just as He had done for Lot and his family in the old days.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a reminder for us all that we should not easily allow ourselves to be swayed and turned away from the Lord simply because we may be encountering hardships and challenges in the path that we are walking now. We should always remind ourselves that we are never alone in this journey of faith through life, and as He has repeatedly shown and reassured us, He is always there with us and for us, journeying with us, and enduring the worst together with us. After all, had He not endured the worst of sufferings and hardships, trials and persecutions for us, as He bore His Cross patiently and walked down the path of His Passion to Calvary? That is why we should keep this in mind, and keep ourselves in the path of the Lord, at all times.

Today, the Church also celebrates the feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, whose life and devotion to God, whose trust in the Lord and commitment to Him should serve as great examples and sources of inspiration for all of us to follow. All of us should look upon St. Elizabeth of Portugal, who was the Queen Consort of Portugal, remembered for her great faith in God, her care for her people and her many charitable actions and works, leading a life that was truly worthy of God, devoting much of her time and efforts to look after the poor and the sick throughout the kingdom and even beyond. She was also instrumental in the efforts she had done to convert her husband from a life of debauchery and sin, and succeeded in bringing him back to the true and genuine faith in God.

St. Elizabeth of Portugal was also an active part in the Portuguese politics and statesmanship, involved in brokering peace between the kingdoms at that time, which were often involved in wars and conflicts. She spent a lot of time in caring for the physical and spiritual needs of the many people all around her, and her great examples of faith and dedication to God, her charity and love for the less fortunate truly inspired many, like her own husband amongst many others, to turn back towards the Lord and to follow Him more wholeheartedly. And after her husband passed away, St. Elizabeth retired to the monastery of Poor Clare nuns, continuing to show love and care for the poor and the sick, donating generously for those who were suffering during famines and troubles. She supported many hospitals and religious institutions, and her examples were truly inspirational right even up to this day.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we can see how St. Elizabeth of Portugal, our holy predecessor, dedicated herself so wholly and completely to God, that despite of her position and prestige as Queen Consort, she did not let all the worldly glory and ambition, temptations and corruptions to get to her. Instead, she remained humble and committed to God, and made great use of whatever that she had been blessed with, all her blessings and excesses, to care for those who were less fortunate and suffering. All of us as Christians should be encouraged to do the same as well with our lives, entrusting ourselves to the Lord and following Him with all of our hearts and with all of our might. Let us all therefore do what we can so that we may continue to walk ever more faithfully in God’s path from now on.

May the Lord continue to bless us all and guide us, and inspire us all with the wisdom and strength to continue walking down the path of His grace and salvation, inspired by the holy saints, holy men and women of God, particularly that of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, so that our own lives and examples may become good inspiration and role models for all others around us. May God be with us always and may He remain with us, as we continue journeying together in faith, now and forevermore. Amen.

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Tuesday, 4 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saints)

Matthew 8 : 23-27

At that time, Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a fierce storm burst upon the lake, with waves sweeping the boat. But Jesus was asleep.

The disciples woke Him up and cried, “Lord save us! We are lost!” But Jesus answered, “Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?” Then He stood up and rebuked the wind and sea; and it became completely calm.

The disciples were astonished. They said, “What kind of Man is He? Even the winds and the sea obey Him.”

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Tuesday, 4 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saints)

Psalm 25 : 2-3, 9-10, 11-12

Prove me, o YHVH, put me to the test; examine my soul and my heart. For Your love is ever before my eyes, and I live in truth and faithfulness.

Let me not share the fate of sinners, nor lose my life with the violent; their hands are guilty of crimes, their right hands are weighed down with bribes.

But I will walk in integrity, redeem me, o God, be gracious to me. My foot stands firm in the straight path, I will praise You, o YHVH, in Your assemblies.

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Tuesday, 4 July 2023 : 13th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Saints)

Genesis 19 : 15-29

At daybreak the Angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and two daughters who are here, lest they perish because of the sin of the town.” As he hesitated, the men took him by the hand and his wife and two daughters with him, because YHVH had mercy on him. And they led him outside the town.

When they were outside, the visitors said to him, “Flee for your life and do not look back and do not stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the mountain lest you perish.” But Lot replied, “My lords, your servant has found favour with you, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot flee to the mountains for fear the disaster will overtake me and I die.”

“See, there is a town near enough for me to flee to and it is a small one. Let me flee there : it is very small (that is why the town is called Zoar). So I will be safe.” And the Angel answered, “I grant you this favour as well by not destroying the town you speak of. But flee fast for I can do nothing until you arrive there.”

The sun had risen on the earth when Lot reached Zoar. Then YHVH rained on Sodom and Gomorrah burning sulfur out of the heavens from YHVH, and He completely destroyed those towns and all the valley and all the inhabitants of the towns and everything that grew there. Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.

Early next morning Abraham returned to the place where he had stood before YHVH. He looked towards Sodom and Gomorrah and towards all the land of the valley and he saw smoke rising from the earth like the smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the towns of the plain He remembered Abraham and made Lot escape from the catastrophe while He destroyed the cities where Lot had lived.