Mass on Sunday, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord January 4, 2026

First Reading: (Isaiah 60:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 72)

"All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord".

Alleluia

We saw His star at its rising and have come to do Him homage.

Gospel: (Matthew 2:1–12)

Reflection: 

"Jesus, the True Shining Star"

The Epiphany reveals Jesus as the light for all nations, the star that never fades. The magi teach us five essential lessons:

1. Follow the True Star

The wise men were guided by a star that led them directly to Christ.
We often chase “stardom” - success, admiration, achievement-but every earthly star eventually fades.
Jesus alone shines forever.
If we follow Him, His light leads us to the Father.

2. Offer Him Your Gifts

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize Christ’s kingship, divinity, and saving death.
We too are invited to offer Him our gifts, our talents, time, sacrifices, and love.

3. Give Him Homage

The magi fell down in worship.
Do we approach God with reverence?
Do we pray, enter church, and live as though we truly stand before a King?

4. Do Not Participate in Evil

The magi refused to cooperate with Herod’s deceit.
We are called to the same courage, to refuse gossip, injustice, manipulation, or harm, even silently.

5. Do Not Become Like Herod

Herod feared losing power.
His insecurity led to jealousy, deceit, and violence.
We too can “kill” others with envy, pretense, or malice.
Jesus saves; Herod destroys.
We must choose which path we walk.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ is the one true star who leads us safely to God.
If we follow His light, we not only avoid the darkness of jealousy and fear, we become radiant ourselves.

May Jesus, the shining star, guide your steps and fill your life with His light.

Amen

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Reflection Saturday, January 3, 2026 Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

First Reading:  (1 John 2:29, 3:1–6)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 98)
Response: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

The Gospel: (John 1:29–34).

Reflection

Today's Reflection is inspired by “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’”

John the Baptist recognizes Jesus, points Him out, and reveals Him to his followers as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This single sentence is filled with deep meaning and profound significance.

What is striking is John’s choice of image.
Why a lamb?

Why not the lion of God?
Why not the tiger of God?
Why not the goat, the horse, or the eagle of God?

Why the Lamb of God?

The lamb symbolizes innocence, docility, humility, and willingness. Among animals, lambs are gentle and easily led. They do not resist. They do not fight back. They submit.

The prophet Isaiah captures this image beautifully when he describes the suffering servant:

“Like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Jesus endured insults, mockery, beating, and humiliation. He was spat upon. He was falsely accused. Yet He spoke no word in His defense. He did not retaliate. He did not argue. He did not fight back.

Like a lamb, He went willingly.

Not because He was weak.
Not because He lacked power.
Not because He was foolish.

Rather, He chose to act this way.

He chose to bear suffering so that greater harm might be avoided.
He chose silence so that peace might be achieved.
He chose the cross so that salvation might be won.

Even as He was nailed to the cross, He prayed:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Before Pilate, when accused of many things, Pilate himself was astonished:
“Do you have nothing to say in response?”
But Jesus remained silent, like a lamb.

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

But how does a lamb take away sin?

Jesus fulfills what was foreshadowed in Leviticus chapter 16, the ritual of the scapegoat. Each year, the sins of the people were symbolically placed upon a goat, which was then driven into the desert to die. The goat carried the sins of the people away.

Jesus becomes the final and perfect Lamb.
On Him, humanity placed its sins.
He carried them to the cross.
He died so that we might live.

We remember growing up hearing sayings like:
“Who will be the scapegoat?”
Or the story of “who will bell the cat?”

Everyone agrees something must be done, but no one wants to take the risk.

Jesus took the risk.
He bellied the cat.
He became the scapegoat.
He became the Lamb of God.

Application to Our Lives

The theme of today’s meditation is:

“Be the Lamb of God in your family.”

As we begin this New Year, God invites each of us to reflect deeply:

• Can you carry the burden of your family so that peace may reign?

• Can you accept blame, even when you are innocent, for the sake of harmony?

• Can you endure insult without retaliation so that unity is preserved?

Sometimes, peace costs something.
Sometimes, peace demands sacrifice.
Sometimes, peace requires silence.

You do not always need to prove your innocence.
You do not always need to defend your position.
You do not always need to win the argument.

There are moments when choosing to be the Lamb of God in your family, workplace, or community brings healing far greater than being right.

Let us pray for that grace.

Today’s celebration of the Most Holy Name of Jesus invites us to contemplate the mystery of salvation revealed through the Incarnation.

The name Jesus, announced by the Archangel Gabriel, means “God saves.”
Indeed, there is no other name by which we can be saved.

At the name of Jesus:

• Every knee must bow.

• Every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory and praise of God the Father.

Let us show reverence for this Holy Name.
Let us not use it carelessly or in vain.
If we demand respect for our own names, how much more should we honor the Name that saves us?

The devil flees at the sound of the Name of Jesus.

Let us bow our hearts at its mention.
Let us invoke it with faith.
Let us live worthy of it.

Amen.

Inspired by 

Fr. Blessed

By Pal Ronnie 

Bombs Where Ballots Failed: Maduro is Probably Gone for Good?

Years ago, and it's like yesterday, there was a campaign loudly promoted under the slogan “Maduro Must Go.” That effort, despite sanctions, rhetoric, and international pressure, ultimately did not pan out.

Early-morning news in America today, however, reports something far more drastic: the Trump administration bombed Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were reportedly captured by U.S. forces.

What the campaign failed to accomplish years ago, this new U.S. foreign policy of bomb-and-capture appears to have achieved.

Oh, what a world.

We will be watching closely to see what follows-because history reminds us that the aftermath is often more consequential than the strike itself. Diplomacy is always the way to go, even when power chooses a louder path.

Mass Readings and Reflection January 2nd 2026

First Reading: (1 John 2:22–28)

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
 

Alleluia Verse :(Hebrews 1:1-2)

Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son.
Alleluia.

Gospel: (John 1:19–28)

Reflection 

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on who Jesus truly is and how we respond to that revelation.

In the First Reading, St. John challenges us to hold fast to the truth we have received from the beginning: that Jesus Christ is Lord. In a world where many voices compete for our loyalty, John reminds us that faithfulness to Christ is rooted not in clever arguments but in remaining in Him, grounded in His love and truth.

The Gospel highlights the testimony of John the Baptist. When questioned about his identity and mission, John points clearly to the one who is to come, Jesus, the Lamb of God. His role wasn’t to draw attention to himself but to point others toward the Savior.

Reflection:
Ask yourself: Do I confidently proclaim Jesus as the Christ in my life? Am I like John the Baptist, willing to step aside so that Christ may take center stage in my heart and in the world?

Through prayer and witness, may we also become voices pointing others to the Lord, embodying His love and truth in all we do. 

Amen 🙏 

The Mass Readings and a reflection for Sunday, January 26, 2026

Fishers of Men:

First Reading: (Isaiah 8:23–9:3)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14)

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Second Reading: (1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17)

Alleluia: (Matthew 4:23)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

Gospel: (Matthew 4:12–23)

Reflection

Today’s readings center on light, unity, and discipleship.

A Light in the Darkness
Isaiah’s prophecy foretells that the people who walked in darkness will see a great light, a promise fulfilled in Christ. When Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, he brings that light into a world still burdened by fear, injustice, and uncertainty. Like the ancient people of Israel, we too live with darkness around us, fears, divisions, wounds, and confusion. Yet, Christ’s coming invites us out of despair into the radiance of God’s presence and purpose. 

Called to Unity
St. Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians to be united reflects a need that still resonates today. As disciples, we are called to set aside divisions, rivalries, and labels that fracture community. Our unity does not come from conformity, but from Christ who binds us together, not under human leaders, but under God’s love. 

Follow and Fish for Souls
In the Gospel, Jesus calls ordinary fishermen with a simple command: “Follow me.” Their immediate response, leaving nets behind, shows complete trust and readiness to let Christ redirect their lives. Discipleship demands that we also leave behind what keeps us from following Jesus wholeheartedly, whether comfort, fear, or distraction, and embrace a life shaped by the Kingdom of God. 

Living the Light Today:

• In prayer, ask God to reveal where you are walking in darkness, discouragement, confusion, or disunity.

• In relationship, seek unity by listening and forgiving where divisions persist.

• In mission, respond to Jesus’ call by serving others with compassion, helping them encounter the light of Christ. 

Amen

Happy 2026

Happy New Year 🙏

 

Recap 2025 for You and Happy New Year

As the year comes to a close, I sit and reflect on everything that happened in the calendar year 2025. A lot has happened for sure, in America and elsewhere. Below are some worth chronicling.

The BIGGEST & Most Sensational Stories of 2025

US & Israel Strike Iran
A coordinated military assault on Iranian nuclear facilities sends shockwaves worldwide.
The attack is framed as “defensive,” but critics call it a reckless escalation that risks all-out regional war.
Nuclear fears return to the global stage, raising questions about who controls the narrative of “threats.”

Benjamin Netanyahu Visits the White House Five Times
Bibi becomes Washington’s most frequent foreign visitor of the year, fueling speculation about covert agreements and wartime planning.
His repeated presence symbolizes the tightening U.S.–Israel alliance and reinforces accusations that American Middle East strategy is driven externally, not domestically.

Assassination of Charlie Kirk
A conservative firebrand is shot at a university event in Utah, triggering a political earthquake.
Conflicting reports and rushed FBI statements create a fog of doubt — conspiracy theories flourish, trust erodes, and political martyrdom reshapes the right.

Epstein Files Release-But Still No Truth
Over 300,000 documents are released, but heavy redactions protect elite networks once again.
The public gets scandal-fragments, not names.
Delayed transparency convinces many that America has “tiers of justice,” with the powerful shielded by selective secrecy.

Trump ICE Raids Escalate
New enforcement waves sweep neighborhoods and workplaces, sowing panic.
Citizens and even Indigenous people report wrongful detentions, exposing systemic chaos.
Critics argue the raids double as a surveillance expansion tool and a distraction from elite corruption.

“False Flag” Events Ignite Panic
Highly publicized attacks — including New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and National Guard shootings in DC, trigger national fear.
Commentators across the spectrum suggest manipulation: staged events to justify expanded security powers and normalize state intrusion.

Fake Ceasefire & Gaza Reconstruction Controversy
The October “peace plan” is sold as hope but experienced as displacement and strategic land acquisition.
Observers warn that “rebuilding” may mean profit-driven gentrification disguised as humanitarian aid.

LA Wildfires and the Politics of Land
Historic fires destroy thousands of homes, especially in middle-class Black communities.
Billionaire-controlled water resources hinder firefighting; developers swoop in.
Survivors call it “disaster capitalism made visible.”

MAGA Breaks with Israel
For the first time in decades, major right-wing voices openly criticize Israel over Gaza.
Greene, Rogan, and Bannon fracture MAGA consensus, redefining loyalty tests and reshaping conservative foreign-policy identity.

Zoran Mandami Wins NYC
A progressive triumph that immediately faces the machinery of compromise.
Mandami promises affordability but keeps establishment policing strategies and meets with Wall Street, exposing the limits of urban progressivism inside a capitalist power structure.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns
Breaking with Trump over Epstein transparency and foreign wars, Greene steps down abruptly.
Her fall shows the cost of diverging from movement orthodoxy,  and hints at a future media empire built on grievance.

Nancy Pelosi Retires
After decades as a defining power broker, Pelosi steps away, symbolizing the sunset of Democratic centrism.
Her departure leaves questions: will progressives finally rise, or will donor-class politics reassert itself under new names?

Pal Ronnie
Happy 2026

Mass Readings and Reflection December 31st 2025

(Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas)

First Reading: (1 John 2:18-21)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13)

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia: (John 1:14a, 12a)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us;
to all who received him, he gave power to become children of God.

Gospel: (John 1:1-18)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. 

Reflection:

Theme of the Day: The Word Who Became Flesh

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the identity of Jesus as the eternal Word, present with God from the beginning, before all creation. In the Gospel of John, we hear the profound truth that this Word became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing God’s glory and inviting us into relationship as children of God. 

The First Letter of John reminds us that faithfulness to Christ is demonstrated not by mere association, but by abiding in him, remaining in truth and love. Even as confusion and false teachings abound, we are called to stand firm in the truth that we have received through the Holy Spirit.

The Psalm urges all creation to rejoice before the Lord, anticipating the justice and salvation that the Word brings into the world. 

As we close the calendar year, may this Word, eternal, life-giving, and fully God, continue to shape our hearts and guide our steps.

God has been so good.

God bless you

Happy New Year

Pal Ronnie

Daily Mass Readings December 29, 2025

First Reading: (1 John 2:3–11)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 96:1–2a, 2b–3, 5b–6)

R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! 

Alleluia: (Luke 2:32)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Luke 2:22–35)

Reflection

Today’s readings draw a straight line between light, love, and revelation.

1. The First Reading: Love proves discipleship

John is blunt:

• You cannot claim to know Christ and harbor hatred.
• Love is not optional; it is the evidence of living in the light.
• Darkness is not just moral failure, it is blindness, confusion, and disorientation.

For many if us who values clarity, structure, and truth, John’s message resonates:
Love is the organizing principle of the Christian life.

2. The Gospel: Simeon sees what generations longed for

Simeon represents the faithful remnant, those who wait, pray, and trust even when God seems silent.

His words reveal three truths:

• Christ is salvation, not an idea, but a person.
• Christ is universal, “a light to the Gentiles.”
• Christ is divisive, not because He intends conflict, but because truth exposes hearts.

Mary’s pierced heart reminds us that discipleship includes joy and suffering intertwined.

3. The Octave of Christmas: Light is already shining

John says, “the true light is already shining.”
Simeon says, “my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Christmas is not just a memory, it is a present reality.
The Light has come, and darkness is already losing its power.

4. A question for prayer today

Where in your life is Christ inviting you to step out of darkness, resentment, fear, self-protection, and into the light of love?.

God bless you. 

Have a wonderful day. 

Pal Ronnie 

Holy Family Sunday