Tempus post Epiphania

by

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

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

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we heard today from the readings and passages of the Sacred Scriptures of the great love that a parent has for the child he has, and also how God has shown us all His great love and kindness, in extending His ever generous love and compassion to all of us His children and beloved ones. We are reminded that we should appreciate this unconditional and generous love we have, which King David has shown in his love for his son Absalom, despite the latter having rebelled against him and wanting to overthrow him, amongst other vile things this wayward son had done to his father. That is why as Christians, all of us are called to show love in the same way too, to our brothers and sisters all around us, especially to all those who are truly beloved and dear to us.

In our first reading today, we heard of the story of the conclusion of the rebellion of Absalom, the eldest son of King David. For the context, Absalom rose up against David after having plotted with some other figures in David’s court and rebelled against his own father by courting support from the people throughout the kingdom, convincing them that he would make a better king than that of his father. Such was the support for Absalom that according to the earlier part of the accounts in the Bible, David and his loyal supporters had to leave the capital, Jerusalem in haste, leaving some of the concubines and other followers of David behind in the city. In spite of his father, Absalom even slept with some of the royal women and concubines, and these showed just how many wicked things this ungrateful son did to his father.

Yet, as we heard in today’s first reading passage, when the final battle between David’s forces and the rebellious forces led by Absalom took place, and Absalom was killed when he was cornered by the guards of David, despite the specific orders from David that his son was not to be harmed. Joab, David’s commander of the guard and his close confidant who had often acted independently on his own whim was the one who killed Absalom against the express orders from his king, likely because he knew that David would forgive Absalom and that would lead to more troubles in the future, but Joab was thinking in practical and worldly terms, and not in the manner of what someone faithful to the Lord should have done in killing a helpless man, no matter what faults the man had done.

When the news of Absalom’s death was relayed to David, we heard the great grief that David had for his dead son, no matter what the latter had done to his own father. And in this we can see the essence of true, unconditional, generous and most beautiful Christian love that all of us are called to have and to commit in our own lives, following the example of God Himself and that of King David. Why is that so, brothers and sisters in Christ? That is because similar to how David had loved his son Absalom despite the disobedience, hurt and disappointments that the latter had caused, in the same way therefore God has loved us all unconditionally and most generously, extending His love, compassion and mercy towards us all ever patiently and lovingly despite our sins and rebelliousness, our disobedience and refusal to follow Him.

Then, from our Gospel passage today, taken from the Gospel according to St. Mark the Evangelist, we heard of the two miracles which the Lord performed as He was asked by Jairus, a synagogue official to heal his sick daughter. And we can already see how Jairus really loved his daughter that he made all the trouble to go and find the Lord, asking Him to heal her from her illness. In this account of the miracles that the Lord performed in our Gospel passage today, we also heard then of the great love and compassion that God has for all those seeking His mercy and healing, as He showed His kindness and love to the woman suffering from haemorrhage and in raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead.

Through the miracles that He Himself had performed, the Lord wanted to show each and every one of us that we are all truly dear and beloved to Him, and if we put our faith and trust in Him, there is nothing that is impossible for Him, and not even death can overcome Him, for He Himself is the Lord and Master over life and death. He wants to show us all how we should love in the manner that He has done, ever more generously and sincerely, in loving Him first and foremost, and then to do the same towards everyone around us, particularly all those whom He has entrusted to us to love. That is why we are reminded today of this important mission we have in life as we heard of today’s Scripture readings.

Today, all of us should also be inspired by the examples of St. Blaise and St. Ansgar, two great saints whose feasts we celebrate this day. St. Blaise and St. Ansgar were both faithful and courageous servants of the Lord, who dedicated their lives to their respective ministries and also led holy and devout lives, as good role models and inspirations for many of us Christians across the ages. St. Blaise was a Roman bishop and martyr, who was also a renowned physician, while St. Ansgar was a Frankish and German bishop well-known for his evangelising missions and efforts to reach out to the pagans and unbelievers in the distant parts of northern Europe, and through whose works many became believers in Christ.

St. Blaise was renowned for his great compassion and kindness, as a physician who was able to heal many of their physical ailments, and also were sought by many for their spiritual and mental ailments. He cared for many of them, and healed all of them by the grace of God, some even miraculously. It was told by tradition that he even healed animals as well, and those same animals came to him just like the many other sick men and women, seeking for healing and recovery. He also cared for the spiritual needs of his flock as their bishop, and helped many to find their way to the Lord. Afterwards, Christians were persecuted intensely by the Roman Emperor Licinius, in one of the last persecutions of the Roman Empire period. Many Christians including that of St. Blaise himself were arrested, tortured and martyred. St. Blaise himself was arrested, scourged and beheaded for his faith.

Meanwhile, St. Ansgar was renowned as mentioned earlier, in his missionary efforts and works, traversing many areas beyond the traditional boundaries of Christendom back then, preaching about the Lord among many of those who have not yet known or heard of Him, and as the Archbishop of Hamburg and Bremen in what is now Northern Germany, St. Ansgar dedicated much of his time establishing the Church and its institutions, and expanding the Church’s reach among the people. Many more people came to believe in the Lord through him and through all those whom he has gathered to the same mission of the Church. His dedication, hard work and love for his flock, and for all the people of God, just as what St. Blaise has shown in his faith and life, should indeed be inspiration to all of us as Christians, in how we ought to live our lives faithfully.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all therefore be inspired by the examples of the great saints, St. Blaise and St. Ansgar, in their dedication and love for God and in their love for their fellow brethren. Let us all as Christians be truly genuine in our way of loving for everyone around us so that by our love and exemplary lives filled with true and genuine faith in God, we will touch and inspire the lives of so many others all around us. May the Lord be with us always and may He continue to bless and guide us in everything that we do, now and forevermore. Amen.

by

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

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

Mark 5 : 21-43

At that time, Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake; and while He was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around Him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet; and begged Him earnestly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may get well and live.”

Jesus went with him, and many people followed, pressing around Him. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Because she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind Him and touched His cloak, thinking, “If I just touch His clothing, I shall get well.”

Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint. But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding around You. Why do You ask who touched You?”

But He kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward, trembling and afraid. She knelt before Him, and told Him the whole truth. Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”

While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered, and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” They laughed at Him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and His companions into the room, where the child lay.

Taking her by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were amazed, greatly amazed. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it; and He told them to give her something to eat.

by

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

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

Psalm 85 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Listen, o YHVH, and answer me, for I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my life, for I am God-fearing; save Your servant who trusts in You.

Have mercy on me, o YHVH, for I cry to You all day. Bring joy to the soul of Your servant; for You, o YHVH, I lift up my soul.

You are good and forgiving, o YHVH, caring for those who call on You. Listen, o YHVH, to my prayer, hear the voice of my pleading.

by

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.

by

Monday, 2 February 2026 : Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the occasion of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, the fortieth day of Christmas. This is the day which in accordance to longstanding Christian tradition, is the last day of the great 40 days long celebration of the Christmas season. On this day, the fortieth day since we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we commemorate His Presentation at the Temple of Jerusalem, the House of God. Traditionally, this date also marks the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which Mary, after having spent forty days in confinement after childbirth, according to the Jewish laws and customs, was purified at the House of God and was welcomed back into the community of God’s people.

In our first reading today, we heard of the words of the Lord to His people through the prophet Malachi, we heard of the Lord speaking of the Covenant which He has established with His people and the Envoy of this Covenant which was coming into the world. This prophecy was often referred to the promise of the coming of the Messiah, the Holy One of God and also His herald, St. John the Baptist. In the context of today’s celebration, we are reminded of the expectation of the coming of the Saviour from the Lord, which the prophets had been proclaiming and reassuring the people of God for ages. The prophet Malachi was one of the last prophets of the Old Testament era, who continued the traditions of the prophets in delivering the words of God to His people. Through his words and ministry, the people kept on waiting patiently for the coming of the Lord’s salvation.

If Christmas marks the moment when the Lord entered into this world and appeared at last, bringing forth God’s salvation and hope, and if Epiphany marks the moment when He was revealed to the nations, to the pagan peoples and all mankind through the Three Magi or Wise Men, then this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord marks the moment when the Lord appeared and was presented not only before the Lord but also before the people of God, those who belonged to the nation of Israel. Indeed, some would have said that the Angels had appeared to the shepherds in the wilderness of Bethlehem when the Lord was born, but it was at the moment of the Lord’s Presentation at the Temple of Jerusalem, the House of God, that He was revealed to the Jewish people, to the people to whom God had promised His salvation.

The coming of the Lord and His Presentation as we heard in our Gospel passage today marked the fulfilment of the Lord’s many promises and the renewal of His Covenant which He has reassured His people again and again every time. The elderly Simeon and the prophetess Anna both witnessed the coming of the Lord in the form of the little Child, presented there that day at the Temple and House of God, and they must have been so joyful to have glimpsed the coming of God’s salvation in the flesh, before their very own eyes. And they spoke of the many great things which the Lord would do through His Son, to His parents, Mary and St. Joseph and to all those who were assembled and present there at the Temple on that day. Truly today we celebrate the Lord’s revelation to His people, the coming and appearance of His Light in this world.

That is why today’s celebration is also known as the Candlemas, the celebration of the Light of Christ revealed to all of the people of God and to all the nations. On this day we recall how the Lord has shown us His most amazing love and revealed to us His Light through His Son, so that there is Light that illuminates our path in this darkened and sinful world. All of us have received the assurances from the Lord of His love and salvation, and this day we are reminded that everything that He has ever promised and spoken to us, all have come true in Christ, our Lord and Saviour. It is thanks to the coming of the Lord that all of us can have hope again, and His Light has come into our midst to dwell among us, that we have seen the path out of the darkness and despair that surround us, the Light that is our guide and strength amidst the hardships and challenges facing us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, now as we rejoice today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, let us all also then take note that the Light of Christ has been passed on to us, just as we have the blessing of candles this day, to remind us of the Light of Christ that we all have received at our baptism. All of us have received the Light of the Lord and His Light having been present in us, should be the source of light for this world, for one another. What does this mean? It means that we should be beacons of God’s Light, His truth, love and all the hope which He has brought into our midst, taught and revealed to us. As Christians, all of us have received this truth and share this same knowledge and love of God, and we should therefore be the bearers of His Light in our world today.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, can we be truly worthy disciples of the Lord and the bearers of His Light in our world today? In order to do that, then all of us have to be filled with the Light of Christ, filled with God’s righteousness, virtues and justice. All of us have to live our lives to the best of our abilities so that we may become source of inspiration and hope for others, and that we may help others to find their way in obeying the Law and the commandments of God. Each and every one of us are parts of the Church’s effort to evangelise and to proclaim the truth of God to more and more of the people all around us, both within and outside the Church. Each one of us are the bearers of His Good News and truth, and through us many people may come to find our way to salvation and eternal life.

May the Lord continue to lead and guide us down this path of righteousness. May all of us continue to strive to live our lives as best as we can in showing our faith truly through our every day actions, even in the smallest and the seemingly most insignificant things we do in life. May all of us continue to be encouraged to live our lives to the fullest, and may He empower all of us to walk in His presence, and to glorify Him, now and always, forevermore. Amen.

by

Monday, 2 February 2026 : Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 2 : 22-40

When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the Baby up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord : Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice, as ordered in the law of the Lord : a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law.

Simeon took the Child in his arms, and blessed God, saying, “Now, o Lord, You can dismiss Your servant in peace, for You have fulfilled Your word and my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You display for all the people to see. Here is the Light You will reveal to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

His father and mother 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.”

There was also a prophetess named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father’s home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, and spoke of the Child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There the Child grew in stature and strength, and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon Him.

Alternative reading (shorter version)

Luke 2 : 22-32

When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the Baby up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord : Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice, as ordered in the law of the Lord : a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law.

Simeon took the Child in his arms, and blessed God, saying, “Now, o Lord, You can dismiss Your servant in peace, for You have fulfilled Your word and my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You display for all the people to see. Here is the Light You will reveal to the nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

by

Monday, 2 February 2026 : Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 23 : 7, 8, 9, 10

Lift up, o gateways, your lintels, open up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may enter!

Who is the King of glory? YHVH, the Strong, the Mighty, YHVH, valiant in battle.

Lift up your lintels, o gateways, open up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may enter!

Who is the King of glory? YHVH of Hosts, He is the King of glory!

by

Monday, 2 February 2026 : Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Malachi 3 : 1-4

Now I am sending My messenger ahead of Me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for Whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The Envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says YHVH of hosts. Who can bear the day of His coming and remain standing when He appears? For He will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So YHVH will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then YHVH will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days.

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

Hebrews 2 : 14-18

And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, Jesus, likewise, had to share this nature. This is why His death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime, because of the fear of death.

Jesus came, to take by the hand, not the Angels but the human race. So, He had to be like His brothers and sisters, in every respect, in order to be the High Priest, faithful to God and merciful to them, a Priest, able to ask pardon, and atone for their sins. Having been tested through suffering, He is able to help those who are tested.

by

Sunday, 1 February 2026 : Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday all of us are reminded through the passages of the Sacred Scriptures which we have heard and received, that each and every one of us as Christians, as the holy and beloved people of God, those who have been called and chosen by Him, all of us should live our lives in the manner that the Lord has shown and taught us Himself, and also which He has guided us all through His Church and our Christian faith. All of us have been taught what it means to be good disciples and followers of the Lord, in loving God first and foremost and then applying the same love to our fellow brothers and sisters, and especially more so to the ones that God has entrusted to us to love.

In our first reading this Sunday, we heard from the Book of the prophet Zephaniah, in which we heard of the prophecy of the coming of good and blessed days for the people of God, the Israelites, whom by the time of the prophet Zephaniah’s ministry had been facing a lot of hardships and struggles. The prophet Zephaniah himself according to Biblical and prophetic evidences was supposedly active during the reign of the last kings of the southern kingdom of Judah, particularly that of King Josiah, the last of the righteous kings to rule over God’s people. The northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed and its people brought into exile, the lands and cities desolated and inhabited by foreigners for about a century by that time, all because of their disobedience and sins.

And amidst that background and context, the prophet Zephaniah delivered a reassuring promise from the Lord Himself that He would find bring them all to justice and those who were meek and lowly, the poor of the land would be vindicated, and they would all indeed receive the assurance of God’s ever enduring love and grace, which He has always committed to them, through the Covenant that He had made and constantly renewed with them and with their ancestors. This is a reminder also for all of us that God always loves each and every one of His people, and He never abandons them even when they themselves had constantly disobeyed and disregarded Him and His Law. He always reached out to them and giving them hope and reassurance of His constant presence and guidance in all things.

Then, from our second reading this Sunday, taken from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful people of God in the city and region of Corinth, we heard of the words of the Apostle St. Paul speaking to the people of God there about how God has chosen those whom the world has considered to be ordinary, unimportant and without the qualities that many in the world deems to be better and worthy. This does not mean that God never chose anyone who is deemed wise, good and worthy by the world to be His followers, disciples and to be Christians like us, as that was not what St. Paul or the Lord Himself intended. Instead, what the intention truly was is that the Lord is the One Who made us worthy and He is the One Who empowered us all to be the better version of who we are.

It is not us who deem ourselves worthy, and worse still, we should not think that we are in any way superior to others simply because of our faith or our way of living our lives as Christians. Ultimately, each and every one of us are equally beloved and dear to God, and every one of us are precious to Him. And what St. Paul made in comment in today’s passage from his Epistle was intended also to educate the people of God, especially those from the Jewish origin as at that time, there were those like the Pharisees, the teachers of the Law and others who deemed themselves better and superior, spiritually better and more worthy than others whom they deemed to be sinful and unworthy, such as the tax collectors, prostitutes and those who were suffering from diseases.

This is not what the Lord wanted from His people, and something which St. Paul and the other Christian missionaries therefore highlighted in their message and preaching of the Christian truth and Good News in their missions and works among the people. God loves everyone regardless of their origins and backgrounds, and He does not have any favourites, and neither was He judgmental or biased against a certain group simply because they were seen to be less than worthy and more likely to commit sin because of their circumstances and way of living their lives. God loves everyone equally and He wants us all to know that there is no one that is excluded from His love and grace, His compassion and mercy.

Finally, from the Gospel passage this Sunday, taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, we heard of the moment when the Lord Jesus was preaching to the people gathered to listen to Him with the famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ or also known as ‘The Beatitudes’, which was a series of eight blessings or beatitudes which the Lord pronounced to those people who have lived virtuously and worthily in accordance to what God had called them to do in their lives. And through those, we are reminded yet again that the Lord is not calling the mighty and the glorious, but rather the meek, the humble and all those who are truly worthy of the Lord and His kingdom. The Lord uplifts and honours those who have been truly faithful towards Him as He has highlighted it, and we should hence take note of this in our own actions in life.

What does this mean, brothers and sisters in Christ? It means that we should strive to be like what the Lord mentioned in His Beatitudes, firstly being ‘poor in spirit’, which does not mean being physically or materially poor, but rather having an attitude of humility and desiring fulfilment in God, something which many of us tend to lack in a world full of ego and ambition. And also those who have faced hardships, sorrows, persecutions, those who hunger for justice, and those with pure intentions and pure hearts, full of love for God and for others, as these are the qualities that God is seeking in us. All of us are also called to work for peace in this world, for harmony and love between people, and for righteousness among the nations.

These are all that the Lord has entrusted to all of us as His disciples and followers to do, in living our lives to the best of our abilities as good and inspirational role models and examples. This is why as Christians we should always strive to live our lives with great faith and trust in the Lord, in doing whatever we can to follow the Lord faithfully at all times. We should not worry whether we are good enough or worthy of the Lord, because it is the Lord Himself Who will make us worthy of Him, strengthening, empowering and encouraging us with His blessings, opportunities, talents and the many other things He has given us all so that we may make good use of them in bringing forth His love, truth and Good News into this world.

May the Lord be with us always, and may He continue to strengthen us all in faith, now and always so that by our actions, words and deeds, we will always be the worthy examples and inspirations for many others all around us, in following God’s will and in doing what is right and just according to what the Lord Himself has shown and taught us. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, now and forevermore. Amen.

by

Sunday, 1 February 2026 : Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Matthew 5 : 1-12a

At that time, when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain. He sat down and His disciples gathered around Him. Then He spoke and began to teach them :

“Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land.”

“Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.”

“Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are My followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.”