2011 Sep 1 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
Col 1: 9-14
Ps 98: 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6
Lk 5: 1-11
5
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to
hear the word of God, 2he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of
them and were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked
him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the
boat. 4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your
nets for a catch.’ 5Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet
if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 6When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their
nets were beginning to break. 7So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help
them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon Peter saw it, he
fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ 9For he and all who
were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10and so also were James and John,
sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now
on you will be catching people.’11When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and
followed him.
Reflection:
Peter is a fine example of a person with a tough exterior and a soft heart. Though he was a master
fisherman and had toiled all night to no avail, he obeyed his Master and let down his nets. When Jesus
asks you to do something, make sure you have extra boats and stronger nets. Blessings will outweigh
your expectations!
2011 Sep 2 Fri: Ordinary Weekday
Col 1: 15-20
Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4. 5
Lk 5: 33-39
33
Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray,
but your disciples eat and drink.’34Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the
bridegroom is with them, can you? 35The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from
them, and then they will fast in those days.’ 36He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a
new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the
new will not match the old. 37And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will
burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh
wineskins. 39And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’
Reflection:
No one, after tasting the love of the Lord, wants to go back to one’s old ways. But woe to him/her that
backslides after experiencing the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; it would have been better off for
that person in his/her former state. It would be like tearing a new garment and stitching the piece on
the old – the new will be torn, and the patch of new will not match the old!
2011 Sep 3 Sat: Gregory the Great, pp, r, dr M
Col 1: 21-23
Ps 54: 3-4. 6 and 8
Lk 6: 1-5
6
One Sabbath while Jesus was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain,
rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is
not lawful on the sabbath?’ 3Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his
companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence,
which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ 5Then he said to
them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’
Reflection:
In order to know how much God loves us, we have to understand how much He loved His Son, Jesus. In
Jesus, we have been made God’s sons and daughters. So why do we doubt we are God’s beloved? We
are guilty, but He sacrificed His Son. We can now stand beside Him blameless and holy without blemish
and free from accusation.
2011 Sep 4 SUN: TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ez 33: 7-9
Ps 95: 1-2. 6-7. 8-9 (8)
Rom 13: 8-10
Mt 18: 15-20
15
‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are
alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take
one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three
witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to
listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. 18Truly I tell you,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for
you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among
them.’
Reflection:
Finding fault is one of our favourite pastimes. But we are called to move on a little higher and fix faults,
forgive offences and get our brother/sister on the right path with love. Love is the fulfilment of the law.
Love fixes a lot in a very little time. Love is not an option, it’s the only answer.
2011 Sep 5 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Labor Day
Col 1: 24 – 2: 3
Ps 62: 6-7. 9
Lk 6: 6-11. Labor Day Proper Mass: Blessing of Human Labor
6
On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right
hand was withered. 7The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the
sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8Even though he knew what they were
thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood
there.9Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save
life or to destroy it?’ 10After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did
so, and his hand was restored. 11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they
might do to Jesus.
Reflection:
Christian life is not about being popular; it’s about living a Christ-centred life. We are called to be
ambassadors of Christ. Only when we behave like people who have been saved can we bring others into
the kingdom of God. We have to let our walking do the talking. Jesus never wanted to be popular; He
just did what he knew was right even if it meant upsetting a few people along the way.
2011 Sep 6 Tue: Ordinary Weekday
Col 2: 6-15
Ps 145: 1b-2. 8-9. 10-11
Lk 6: 12-19
12
Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to
God. 13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named
apostles:14Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and
Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the
Zealot,16and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
17
He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great
multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had come to hear
him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were
cured. 19And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of
them.
Reflection:
We are no longer under the Law, but under Grace. If anyone tries to draw you away from this fact with
hollow teachings not based on the Word of God, shake the dust off your feet and walk free. Do not be a
captive to his/her philosophy. Jesus fulfilled the written code... with its regulations that was against us.
The law was nailed to the cross! We live in the fullness of Christ.
2011 Sep 7 Wed: Ordinary Weekday
Col 3: 1-11
Ps 145: 2-3. 10-11. 12-13ab
Lk 6: 20-26
20
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22
‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on
account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in
heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24
‘But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25
‘Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Reflection:
Our journey on earth is to prepare us for heavenly glory. Setting our minds and hearts on things of the
world will tire us mentally and emotionally. We have to struggle everyday and put away from within us
everything not pleasing to God. It’s a daily battle, but one made easy with Jesus’ companionship along
the way.
2011 Sep 8 Thu: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary F
Mi 5: 1-4a or Rom 8: 28-30
Ps 13: 6ab. 6c
Mt 1: 1-16. 18-23
1
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his
brothers, 3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and
Hezron the father of Aram, 4and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon,
and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of
Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of King David.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
18
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged
to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her
husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to
dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will
save his people from their sins.’ 22All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through
the prophet: 23‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’
Reflection:
Joseph obeyed the angel’s command and took Mary to be his wife... though, being the gentleman that
he was, he had made up his mind to dismiss Mary quietly; though the situation would have created a
scandal. Are we willing to follow God’s gentle whisper and walk in his ways, or are we too concerned
about what the world will think of us? It’s a tough call.
2011 Sep 9 Fri: Peter Claver, p, r, ms M
1 Tm 1: 1-2. 12-14
Ps 16: 1b-2a and 5. 7-8. 11
Lk 6: 39-42
39
He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40A
disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41Why do
you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42Or how can you
say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see
the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
Reflection:
We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s mercy. Yet, He longs to have us back. Even a “disaster” like
Saul became St Paul. The thief to the right side of the crucified Christ received eternal life with just one
simple act of faith in the dying moments of his life. He never gives up on us... right until our last breath.
2011 Sep 10 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
1 Tm 1: 15-17
Ps 113: 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7
Lk 6: 43-49
43
‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44for each tree is known by its
own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45The good
person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure
produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
46
‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and do not do what I tell you? 47I will show you what someone is
like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48That one is like a man building a house, who
dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but
could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49But the one who hears and does not act is like a man
who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it
fell, and great was the ruin of that house.’
Reflection:
Time and again Jesus stressed that we should be doers of the Word. When we consciously journey with
Jesus, He will give us ample opportunities to be doers. After the theory, He gets practical (Jesus has a
great sense of humour), through “trials” which we all furiously try to pray away.
2011 Sep 11 SUN: TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Sir 27: 30 – 28: 7
Ps 103: 1-2. 3-4. 9-10. 11-12 (8)
Rom 14: 7-9
Mt 18: 21-35
21
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often
should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-
seven* times.
23
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts
with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought
to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children
and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
Reflection:
If we want to live with the unmerited favour of God, we have to have a forgiving heart. If we understand
the wrong that has been pardoned us, we will easily forgive those who have hurt us. If you have not
forgiven, you have not really lived.
2011 Sep 12 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Holy Name of Mary
1 Tm 2: 1-8
Ps 28: 2. 7. 8-9
Lk 7: 1-10
7
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion
there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3When he heard about
Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4When they came to
Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5for he loves
our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ 6And Jesus went with them, but when he was
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am
not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only
speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers
under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave,
“Do this”, and the slave does it.’ 9When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the
crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ 10When those
who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Reflection:
God is always on the look out as to how we will surprise Him. And the only way we can really surprise
God is to display immense confidence and faith in Him. The Centurion asked his friends to tell Jesus ‘only
to speak the Word and his slave would be healed’. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
2011 Sep 13 Tue: John Chrysostom, bp, dr M
1 Tm 3: 1-13
Ps 101: 1b-2ab. 2cd-3ab. 5. 6
Lk 7: 11-17
11
Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him.
12
As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his
mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the
Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14Then he came forward and
touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ 15The dead
man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus* gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they
glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his
people!’ 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Reflection:
Jesus is compassionate. He is moved by our plight even before we move to Him. The widow did not ask
Jesus to bring her only son back to life, but Jesus did it of his own accord. How much more will He give
us if we ask? Ask and you will receive so that your joy may be complete.
2011 Sep 14 Wed: EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS F
Nm 21: 4b-9
Ps 78: 1bc-2. 34-35. 36-37. 38
Phil 2: 6-11
Jn 3: 13-17
13 14
No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And
just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that
whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not
perish but may have eternal life.
17
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world
might be saved through him.
Reflection:
In the Old Testament, whenever anyone was bitten by a serpent, he/she had to look at the bronze
serpent erected by Moses and he would live. The serpent (evil one) still bites (entices). All we have to do
is look at the cross, cling to it and we will be saved. The Cross is our pathway to the highway.
2011 Sep 15 Thu: Our Lady of Sorrows M
1 Tm 4: 12-16
Ps 111: 7-8. 9. 10
Optional Sequence Stabat Mater
Jn 19: 25-27 or Lk 2: 33-35, Lk 7: 36-50
25
And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of
Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing
beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ 27Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your
mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Reflection:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which we have been blessed, are not for our personal gain. It is to
empower us spiritually, to bless others with all humility, and to build up another’s faith. It is more
blessed to give than to receive. Like the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, we have to
spend more time with the Lord to fuel our desire to give.
2011 Sep 16 Fri: Cornelius, pp, mt, and Cyprian, bp, mt M
1 Tm 6: 2c-12
Ps 49: 6-7. 8-10. 17-18. 19-20
Lk 8: 1-3
8
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the
kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits
and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife
of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their
resources.
Reflection:
Fighting the good fight is putting your foot down when you are tempted to take the easy way out.
Imagine where we would have been if Christ had not embraced the Cross! Remember, gold is tested in
fire; so too, those tested in the furnace of humiliation are found acceptable to God.
2011 Sep 17 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM/ Robert Bellarmine, bp, r, dr
1 Tm 6: 13-16
Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 4. 5
Lk 8: 4-15
4
When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5‘A
sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the
birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture.
7
Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8Some fell into good soil, and when
it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’
9
Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the
secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that
“looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.”
11 ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12The ones on the path are those who have
heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe
and be saved. 13The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But
these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14As for what fell
among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the
cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15But as for that in the good soil,
these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear
fruit with patient endurance.
Reflection:
Times of trials are the time your faith is tested to the full. Are you able to endure with patience, clinging
to the Word of God, or are you distressed and always grumbling? Remember, the bigger the test, the
greater the testimony!
2011 Sep 18 SUN: TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Is 55: 6-9
Ps 145: 2-3. 8-9. 17-18 (18a)
Phil 1: 20c-24. 27a
Mt 20: 1-16a
20
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for
his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
3
When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4and he said to
them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5When he went
out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and
found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7They said
to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening
came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of
them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more;
but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against
the landowner, 12saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who
have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am
doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you
and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose
with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16So the last will be first, and the
first will be last.’
Reflection:
How blessed is the one who experiences the love of the Lord on one’s deathbed. Even though he/she
may have been a lukewarm Christian, should he/she turn towards the Saviour at the last moment, great
will be his/her reward. So who are we to complain? “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your
ways my ways.”
2011 Sep 19 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Januarius, bp, mt
Ezr 1: 1-6
Ps 126: 1b-2ab. 2cd-3. 4-5. 6
Lk 8: 16-18
16
‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so
that those who enter may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything
secret that will not become known and come to light. 18Then pay attention to how you listen; for to
those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will
be taken away.’
Reflection:
It is difficult, once you encounter Christ, not to show it. There is a transformation. The soldier who
pierced the side of Jesus had his deformed eye cured as drops of blood splattered on his eye. That
soldier later became St Longinus. He let his light SHINE!
2011 Sep 20 Tue: Andrew Kim Taegon, p, mt, Paul Chong Hasang, ca, mt, & co.,
mts M
Ezr 6: 7-8. 12b. 14-20
Ps 122: 1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5
Lk 8: 19-21
19
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.
20
And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ 21But he
said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’
Reflection:
It is one thing to hear the Word of God and another thing to actually do it. We should not only be
hearers of the Word but doers as well. When we fulfil this condition of Jesus, we are then called children
of God.
2011 Sep 21 Wed: Matthew, ap, ev F
Eph 4: 1-7. 11-13
Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5
Mt 9: 9-13
9
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him,
‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
10
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him
and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat
with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 12But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I
have come to call not the righteous but sinners.
Reflection:
There is much rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner then one hundred righteous men. Our task
is to be united in Christ’s body, to go in search of those who are lost and hurting; not envy someone
else’s gifts. We all have a BIG part to play in God’s eternal plan.
2011 Sep 22 Thu: Ordinary Weekday
Hg 1: 1-8
Ps 149: 1b-2. 3-4. 5-6a and 9b
Lk 9: 7-9
7
Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said
by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others
that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom
I hear such things?’ And he tried to see him.
Reflection:
Keeping the House of God in order is living according to His precepts. Often, we wonder how our right
living does not help us materially. But God sees the heart and searches the mind. For our efforts not to
be in vain, we should first keep God’s house in order, then our barns will be full and our vats will
overflow.
2011 Sep 23 Fri: Pio of Pietrelcina, p M
Hg 2: 1-9
Ps 43: 1. 2. 3. 4
Lk 9: 18-22
18
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the
crowds say that I am?’ 19They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of
the ancient prophets has arisen.’ 20He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered,
‘The Messiah of God.’
21
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo
great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third
day be raised.’
Reflection:
We have to confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and King of kings. There is no other name given
in heaven or on earth by which we should worship. Confessing that He is the Son of the living God is an
act of faith.
2011 Sep 24 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM
Zec 2: 5-9. 14-15a
Jer 31: 10. 11-12ab. 13
Lk 9: 43b-45
43
And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44‘Let these words sink into
your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ 45But they did not understand this
saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to
ask him about this saying.
Reflection:
Many a times we do not understand what scripture tells us, and we do not grasp it. Moreover, like the
disciples, we are afraid to ask. And that is a terrible fate. Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall
find; knock and it shall be opened to you. If we only seek the help of the Holy Spirit, our of
understanding of God’s Word in the Bible will become that much simpler and more exciting.
2011 Sep 25 SUN: TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ez 18: 25-28
Ps 25: 4-5. 6-7. 8-9 (6a)
Phil 2: 1-11
Mt 21: 28-32
28
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the
vineyard today.” 29He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went
to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did
the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the
prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of
righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and
even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Reflection:
There are a ‘righteous few’ who look down on those who do not obey the Word of God, or so they feel.
It is not enough to say, “I will do.” It is important to do.
2011 Sep 26 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Cosmas and Damian, mts
Zec 8: 1-8
Ps 102: 16-18. 19-21. 29 and 22-23
Lk 9: 46-50
46
An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47But Jesus, aware of their
inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48and said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this child
in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least
among all of you is the greatest.’
49
John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop
him, because he does not follow with us.’ 50But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not
against you is for you.’
Reflection:
Doing the Lord’s work, performing miracles in the name of Jesus is no feat we should take credit for. We
have to serve in order to rise. Perform God’s wonder-working power with all humility.
2011 Sep 27 Tue: Vincent de Paul, p, rf M
Zec 8: 20-23
Ps 87: 1b-3. 4-5. 6-7
Lk 9: 51-56
51
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52And he sent
messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him;
53
but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. 54When his disciples James
and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and
consume them?’ 55But he turned and rebuked them. 56Then* they went on to another village.
Reflection:
Jesus is not easily perturbed. Even though James and John wanted to command fire because the town
did not receive Jesus, Christ himself was calm. Not everyone will welcome you in the name of Jesus, and
when you are ridiculed because of His name, jump for joy because great is your reward in heaven.
2011 Sep 28 Wed: Ordinary Weekday/ Wenceslaus, mt/ Lawrence Ruiz, mm, mt,
& co., mts
Neh 2: 1-8
Ps 137: 1-2. 3. 4-5. 6
Lk 9: 57-62, Jn 1: 47-51
57
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ 58And
Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to
lay his head.’ 59To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my
father.’ 60But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the
kingdom of God.’ 61Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my
home.’ 62Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom
of God.’
Reflection: The kingship of Jesus Christ is not only for when we are here on earth, His dominion extends
far and beyond. Our pleasure here on earth is to proclaim his Name; then our reward in heaven will be
satisfying.
2011 Sep 29 Thu: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, archangels F
Dn 7: 9-10. 13-14 or Rv 12: 7-12a
Ps 138: 1-2ab. 2cde-3. 4-5
Jn 1: 47-51, Lk 10: 1-12
47
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom
there is no deceit!’ 48Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw
you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You
are the King of Israel!’ 50Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig
tree? You will see greater things than these.’ 51And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see
heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
Reflection:
There’s plenty of harvest when you come in to do the Lord’s work. Unfortunately, many back off
because of the fear of being ridiculed or the hard work to be put in. But if you do work in the vineyard of
the Lord, there’s plenty of harvest that will see your needs through.
2011 Sep 30 Fri: Jerome, p, dr M
Bar 1: 15-22
Ps 79: 1b-2. 3-5. 8. 9
Lk 10: 13-16
13
‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But at the
judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
16
‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me
rejects the one who sent me.’
Reflection:
Very often, we know what it takes to lead a good Christian life, but are minds are conditioned to sync
with the ways of the world. In doing so, we blank out the call to lead a higher, more meaningful and
powerful Christian life