(Acts 22:3-16/Acts 9:1-22; Psalm 117; Mark 16:15-18) ********************************************************** The readings, including both versions of Acts, for today’s feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, focus on his encounter with Jesus and the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples. The message for us is to encounter Jesus as did St. Paul, and be witnesses […]

Doing God’s Will – Key to Joy (2 Sam 6:12-19; Ps 24; Mk 3:31-35) ************************************ “Why do you Catholics worship Mary when Jesus pushed her away the time she came to see him with his family?” The readings today provide an answer to this query, and remind us that doing God’s will is the key […]

Letting Jesus Be Our King (2 Sam 5:1-10; Ps 89; Mk 3:22-30) ************************************ “All the elders of Israel came to David at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them.” The readings today, by their stark contrast, invite us to be like the elders of Israel in the time of David who made him […]

Living in the Kingdom of God (Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20) ********************************************************** “The time fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” With those words, Jesus is inviting us to experience his kingdom here and now through faith and repentance. The kingdom […]

Living in Balance – Memorial: St. Fabian (2 Sam 1:1-27; Ps 80; Mk 3:20-21) *************************************** “Among yourselves, charity, charity, charity, and for others, zeal for souls.” Those are the words of St. Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to the members of his congregation as he lay dying. They touch on […]

Sent to Proclaim Mercy and Heal (1 Sam 24:2-21; Ps 57; Mk 3:13-19) ***************************************** Do you see yourself as an apostle? The readings today call us to an apostolic mission of proclaiming the Good News of God’s mercy, and to a healing ministry. The gospel is all about the call of the apostles. That Jesus […]

Friendship in the Lord (1 Sam 18:6 – 19:7; Ps 56; Mk 3:7-12) ************************************** “True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare; False friends are like Autumn leaves, found everywhere.” That saying, seen on a poster at a treatment centre, touches on the first reading today that calls us to true friendship in the Lord. […]

Balancing Mercy and Faith, Law and Love:  Memorial, St Anthony, Abbot (1 Sm 1732-51; Ps 144; Mk 3:1-6) ************************************************* Why was Goliath so surprised when David struck him with a stone from his sling? Such a thing had never entered his head before! The readings today, on this memorial of the abbot St. Anthony, provide […]

Encountering Jesus (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42) ****************************************************************** A pastor was getting ready to go on vacation. He had a few parting words for the congregation: “Every pastor should take a month of vacation every year. If the pastor is really good at his work, then that pastor […]

New Life through Faith, Forgiveness and Healing Memorial: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (1 Sm 8:4-22; Ps 89; Mk 2:1-12) ******************************************************* There is a saying, “People get the government they deserve.” That saying applies to the readings and memorial liturgy today. We are invited to place our faith in Jesus, the true king of Israel, listen to […]