Mass Reflection on the Readings on November 25th 2025

First Reading: (Daniel 2:31–45)

Responsorial Psalm: (Daniel 3)

 “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

Gospel: (Luke 21:5–11)

In today’s first reading, we encounter Nebuchadnezzar’s mysterious dream of the great statue, brilliant gold, shining silver, resilient bronze, iron mixed with clay. Each section of this statue represents a kingdom that rises with power but eventually collapses. Even the strongest empire, built on iron, shatters when it meets the stone “hewn from the mountain without a hand.” That stone—small, humble, not crafted by human strength—destroys every earthly power and grows into a mountain that fills the whole earth. This is the Kingdom of God: not built on force, armies, or political cunning, but established by God Himself.

The message is clear: all human power is temporary, but God’s sovereignty is eternal. Kingdoms rise and fall, economies shift, leaders come and go, but the reign of God endures. We are invited today to examine what kingdoms we trust in. Do we lean on politics? Wealth? Institutions? Or do we root our lives in the Kingdom that cannot be shaken?

The angels, the heavens, the waters above the heavens, all creation lifts its voice in praise. This psalm reminds us that worship is not merely a human activity but a universal one. All creation, stars, winds, fire, mountains, praises the Lord by simply being what God created it to be.

In a world often filled with noise, division, and anxiety, this psalm calls us back to our true purpose: to glorify God with our lives. Just as creation praises Him effortlessly, we too are invited to live in gratitude, joy, and humility.

In the Gospel, Jesus confronts the admiration surrounding the beauty of the temple. Though stunning and sacred, even this magnificent structure, the pride of Israel, will fall. Jesus then warns His followers: do not be deceived by those who claim false authority, false messiahship, or false promises. Turmoil will come, wars, earthquakes, famines, plagues, but these are not the end.

Here Jesus teaches us to stay awake, stay grounded, and stay faithful. The disciple’s strength is not in fear but in faith. When the world trembles, when uncertainty surrounds us, Christ calls us not to panic but to discern, to trust, to remain anchored in Him.

Implications:

1. The Impermanence of Worldly Power
Empires crumble. Systems shift. What is impressive today may be forgotten tomorrow. Only God’s Kingdom endures.

2. Faith Over Fear
Jesus does not promise us a world free of turmoil. He promises His presence and calls us to courage, calm, and clarity.

3. Universal Praise
All creation glorifies God. We join that great hymn when our words, actions, and lives reflect His goodness.

4. Hope in Endurance
The Book of Revelation echoes today’s readings: “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” True victory belongs to those who endure in faith.

When news headlines shake us, when society feels uncertain, when personal trials weigh heavily on our hearts, today’s readings give us a spiritual compass: Remember that these are passing shadows. God’s Kingdom is the only unshakeable foundation. Anchor your hope in Christ, the stone not cut by human hands. Practice daily praise, joining creation in glorifying the Lord with your words, your work, and your witness. Stay vigilant and discerning. Many voices seek to distract or deceive, but only Christ offers truth, direction, and peace.

Today, the Lord invites us to trust more deeply, praise more intentionally, and stand more firmly in His eternal Kingdom.

May we remain faithful, calm, courageous, and confident in the God whose Kingdom shall have no end.

God bless you

Pal Ronnie 

Giant in the Mountains

 

Mass Reading and Reflection on November 25, 2025

Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions, Martyrs:

First Reading: (Daniel 1:1–6, 8–20):

Responsorial Psalm: (Daniel 3:52–56): A hymn of praise: “Glory and praise forever!” 

Alleluia: (Matthew 24:42a, 44):

“Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.”

Gospel: (Luke 21:1–4):

Reflection

The readings today highlight faithfulness, sacrifice, and vigilance:

Daniel’s courage shows us that holiness often begins with small, hidden choices. He chose vegetables and water over royal delicacies, not out of stubbornness but fidelity to God’s law. His quiet resistance became a witness that God blesses integrity.

The widow’s offering reveals the heart of true generosity. While others gave from surplus, she gave from her poverty. Jesus sees not the amount but the love and trust behind the gift. Her two coins echo Daniel’s vegetables, small acts that carry eternal weight.

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and companions embody this same spirit. They gave their lives rather than compromise their faith. Their martyrdom is the ultimate “two coins,” a total offering of life to God.

Together, these readings challenge us:

Are we faithful in the small, daily choices that honor God?Do we give not just from our abundance, but from our very selves?

Are we awake and vigilant, ready to meet Christ at any moment?

Lord, grant us the courage of Daniel, the generosity of the widow, and the steadfastness of the martyrs. May our small daily sacrifices become offerings of love that glorify You forever. Amen.

God bless you 

Have a wonderful day 

Pal Ronnie

US DOE Professional Degrees Controversy

This announcement was made last week and it's s causing alot of uproar in many professions including mine, the medical field. 

So the U.S. Department of Education came out with some major changes many believed was motivated by money. I happened to think so too. They declassified degrees to reflect how much people can borrow through the federal government subsidies. Degrees that are professional by categories will get more funding o er those that aren't. 

Degrees the Department of Education Still Considers Professional:

• Medicine (MD)

• Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

• Dentistry (DDS, DMD)

• Pharmacy

• Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

• Optometry (OD)

• Podiatry (DPM, DPO, DPD)

• Chiropractic (DC, DCM)

• Law (JD)

• Theology (MDiv, MHL)

• Clinical Psychology (e.g., PsyD, appears in some drafts)

Degrees Excluded From Professional Status

Health & Clinical Fields

• Nursing (including doctorate-level)

• Physician Assistant (PA)

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Physical Therapy (PT)

• Audiology

• Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

• Public Health (MPH, DrPH)

• Most Allied Health Professions

Behavioral & Social Sciences

• Social Work (MSW, DSW)

• Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• Marriage & Family Therapy

STEM, Professional, and Applied Programs Excluded

• Engineering Master’s programs

• Business Master’s (including MBA)

• Architecture

• Education Master’s and Teaching Degrees

• Urban Planning

• Public Policy

• Leadership & Administration

• Public Affairs

• Library Science

• Data Science

• Informatics

Key Regulatory Criteria for "Professional Degree" 

A degree must:

• Be generally doctorate-level

• Require 6 total years of postsecondary study

• Require at least 2 years beyond the bachelor’s

• Lead directly to a state-mandated professional license

• Share a 4-digit CIP code grouping with medicine, law, dentistry, or theology

Consequences of the Reclassification

Borrowing Caps

• Professional students: $50,000/year or $200,000 lifetime

• Graduate students: $20,500/year or $100,000 lifetime

Impact

• Students in excluded fields cannot borrow what their programs actually cost.

• Many affected fields are dominated by:

  • Women

  • Black and brown students

  • First-generation professionals

Likely Outcomes:

• More students forced into expensive private loans

• Restricted access to entire professions

• Shrinking pipeline in community-serving fields (nursing, social work, therapy, public health)

Sectors Most Negatively Impacted

• Healthcare pipeline

• Mental health services

• Public health infrastructure

• Education workforce

• Social service agencies

• Community-based practitioners

Groups Already Raising Alarms

• Nursing organizations

• Public health associations

• Social work associations

• Higher education advocacy groups

Core Message:

• The rule shrinks the definition of a professional degree.

• It prioritizes medicine, law, dentistry, theology, and excludes fields that keep communities functioning.

• It disproportionately affects women and minorities because they are more in these fields. 

• It forces students into private loans with “astronomical” interest rates. Debt slavery trap.

• It reshapes access to advanced education and who gets priced out. If you can't afford it, don't pursue it mentality. 

There you have it.

At least, Mr. Biden from Scranton wanted to cancel some borrowers debt. But was fought hard. He did for some lucky borrowers who met certain criteria. 

I hope this is challenged by the gatekeepers of these fields. But don't hold your breathe. 

I remain Pal Ronnie 

Christ is King Sunday November 23rd 2025

First Reading (2 Samuel 5:1–3)

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 122)
Response: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

Second Reading (Colossians 1:12–20)

Gospel (Luke 23:35–43)

Reflection:
When I lived in Sunyani, Ghana, the parish I used to go to was the Christ the King Cathedral, which, as you know, was the Bishop’s parish. So I always remember this feast day very well, since it was often celebrated with great solemnity.

Today’s solemnity reminds us that Christ’s kingship is unlike any earthly power. David was anointed king to shepherd Israel, but Jesus reigns as King of the Universe not through domination, but through sacrificial love. His throne is the cross, His crown is woven from thorns, and His victory is the peace won through redemption.

In Colossians, Paul proclaims Christ as the center of all creation: “In Him all things hold together.” This means our lives, our struggles, and our hopes find their meaning only when rooted in Him. His kingdom is not built on fear or division, but on reconciliation and mercy.

The Gospel challenges our understanding of power. While rulers and soldiers mocked Jesus, He extended grace to a dying criminal. True kingship is service, humility, and forgiveness. Christ invites us to live as citizens of His kingdom, where love triumphs over hate and mercy triumphs over judgment.

As we conclude the liturgical year, this feast calls us to examine our hearts: Who truly reigns within them? Do we cling to worldly status, or do we surrender to Christ’s gentle authority? Like the repentant thief, may we say, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Amen 🙏 
Christ Is King.

Pal Ronnie

Trump and Mamdani: A Lesson in Political Theater in the Oval

Yesterday in Washington, I witnessed a scene that perfectly captures the contradictions of modern politics: former President Donald Trump smiling warmly as he greeted Zohan Mamdani, the mayor-elect. Just weeks ago, Trump and his proxies were attacking Mamdani relentlessly, branding him a “communist” because of his progressive campaign rhetoric. The hostility was palpable, the language divisive. And now? Smiles, handshakes, and photo ops.

This sudden shift isn’t surprising; it’s politics. But it should make us pause and reflect on what this says about the system and the people who lead it. Campaign season thrives on conflict. Politicians weaponize ideology, amplify fear, and create caricatures of their opponents to energize their base. They tell voters that the stakes are existential, that the other side is dangerous, even un-American. And then, when the race is over, those same politicians pivot to civility and cooperation, often with the very people they demonized.

Trump’s behavior is a textbook example. His attacks on Mamdani were not about principle; they were about power. By painting Mamdani as a radical, Trump sought to rally his supporters and frame the election as a battle for America’s soul. That narrative served its purpose, until it didn’t. Now, with Mamdani victorious, Trump’s tone has softened. The handshake in D.C. wasn’t just a gesture of goodwill; it was a calculated move to maintain relevance and influence in a changing political landscape.

This isn’t unique to Trump. It’s a bipartisan phenomenon. Politicians on both sides of the aisle manufacture outrage during campaigns, only to abandon it when circumstances demand pragmatism. The result? Voters are left disillusioned, wondering whether any of it was real. Were the attacks sincere, or just theater? Was the rhetoric about values, or about winning?

The lesson here is clear: pay attention. Don’t take campaign narratives at face value. Understand that much of what we see is performance, a strategy designed to manipulate emotions and secure votes. When the cameras are off and the deals are made, the reality often looks very different.

For voters, this means asking harder questions. Who benefits from the division? Who profits from the fear? And most importantly, who is consistent when the spotlight fades? Integrity isn’t measured by what politicians say during the heat of a campaign; it’s measured by what they do when compromise is inconvenient and principles come at a cost.

Yesterday’s meeting between Trump and Mamdani was more than a photo op. It was a reminder that politics is a game, and we’re the audience. If we want better leaders, we need to stop rewarding theatrics and start demanding authenticity. Because until we do, the cycle of outrage and reconciliation will continue, and the people paying the price will be us.

Pal Ronnie

MTG Leave Washington

A Shocking Turn in Georgia’s 14th District: The Sudden Resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene

By Pal Ronnie

Yesterday, the political world was stunned when Marjorie Taylor Greene, the fiery congresswoman from Georgia’s 14th District, announced that she will resign effective January 5th of next year. The news rippled through Washington with force, not only because of her national profile, but because it came on the heels of a dramatic break from party leadership. She was very loyal to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement for the record. 

And just a week ago, Greene, along with a handful of Republicans, defied the party line and supported a bill demanding the release of the infamous Epstein files. The move was strongly opposed by President Donald J. Trump, who has remained the central force of the Republican Party. Yet Greene and the others pushed forward, claiming it as a victory for transparency and accountability. For a moment, it looked as though they had won a small but symbolic battle.

Then came the whiplash. Greene’s resignation announcement blindsided allies and critics alike. Reports say the President was furious, referring to her on national television as “Marjorie Traitor Greene.” It was a harsh and very public rebuke, capturing the brutal and unpredictable nature of politics today.

And that’s the lesson: politics has no permanent friends, only permanent interests. One moment, people stand united; the next, they are ready to turn on each other. “Et tu, Brute?”, the famous words Julius Caesar uttered as he was betrayed, feel fitting here. The struggle over the Epstein files became a microcosm of a larger war within the GOP: a battle between youthful idealism and the entrenched structures of power.

When you enter Congress young, loud, and idealistic, as Greene once did, you may believe you can take on any fight. But sooner or later, reality asserts itself. The House is the House. Its rules are old, sharp, and unforgiving. They were built long before any single politician arrived, and they will remain long after any one politician leaves.

Trump knew this when he spoke of “draining the swamp.” But the swamp, as it turns out, is deeper and older than most can imagine. You can fight it, but you cannot uproot it alone. That truth has cost Trump dearly, many of his supporters feel he failed to deliver on that promise, and yet he now presides over the very machinery he vowed to dismantle.

The saga of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s rise, rebellion, and resignation is another chapter in the endless story of Washington power. Victories are fleeting. Battles are fought in the open, but wars are fought in the shadows. And every now and then, a moment like this pulls back the curtain just enough for us to see what lies beneath.

Good Luck, MTG

---

Mass Readings and Reflection November 22nd 2025

The Memorial of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

First Reading: (1 Maccabees 6:1–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 9)

Response: I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.

Gospel: (Luke 20:27–40)

Reflection

At that time, some Sadducees, those who deny the resurrection, approached Jesus with a question meant to trap Him. They presented the hypothetical case of a woman who had married seven brothers, each dying without children. “At the resurrection,” they asked, “whose wife will she be?”

Jesus responds by revealing a truth that often challenges our earthly imagination: in the resurrection, those found worthy “neither marry nor are given in marriage.” They cannot die anymore; they are “like angels,” sons and daughters of God, children of the resurrection.

This raises questions many of us have quietly pondered:
Will we recognize our loved ones in heaven?
Will we reunite with them?
Will we feel toward them what we felt on earth?
If I see my mother, father, spouse, or child, will that affection remain the same?

Beloved, Scripture gives us the answers.

Yes, we will recognize one another.
Lazarus and the rich man were recognized after death (Luke 16:19–31).
Moses and Elijah were recognized at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3–4).
Samuel was recognized when he appeared to Saul (1 Samuel 28:8–17).
After His resurrection, Jesus was recognized in His glorified body (John 20; 21).

There is a resurrection. Jesus Himself defeated death. We will rise with glorified bodies, no longer limited by earthly needs, desires, or passions.

But there will be a difference:
Our relationships will be transformed.
Earthly roles such as spouse, parent, or sibling will fall away.
In heaven, all are brothers and sisters, children of the one Father.

Earthly marriage ends at death, “till death do us part.”
There is no marriage in heaven, because heavenly life is no longer ordered toward sexual or romantic love, but toward perfect communion with God.
Our love becomes pure, divine, without the limitations of the flesh.

This is what the Sadducees could not understand. They imagined heaven as an extension of earthly categories. But Jesus makes it clear: heavenly existence is different. Glorious. Eternal. Angelic.

Let us therefore pray that we may be counted among those found worthy of the resurrection, those who will enter that blessed life where we shall see God as He truly is, understand mysteries hidden from us now, and dwell in peace as one family under the Father of all.

Today we celebrate St. Cecilia, one of the great martyrs of the early Church. She had a strong dedication to Christ and her courage in suffering. Her witness continues to inspire generations of Christians today. She is honored as the patron saint of musicians.

Wishing a happy feast day to all those who bear her name especially my dear friend Cecilia. 

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie and homily inspired by Fr. Blessed 

Politics Is Theater: A Lesson From NYC Mayor-Elect Mandani’s Today’s Visit to Washington

 

Today, the newly elected mayor of New York traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with President DJT at the White House. It is remarkable, considering that not long ago every effort appeared to be made to prevent his mayoral victory because of his alleged communist leanings. At one point, Mr. Trump even threatened to cut federal aid to New York City, a city of more than nine million people, if this young politician won. Of course he won after all.

And as we speak, that same mayor is in D.C., breaking bread with the President and engaging in political discussions with the President’s team. It is a reminder that politics is, at its core, theater. Very loud theater. Alliances shift, enemies become dinner guests, and the public rarely sees the full script.

And this is why you should never throw your life away for any political figure or party. In the end, they all belong to a very small, exclusive club. one that neither you nor I will ever be invited into.

So stay focused. Stay sober. Seek God and His wisdom. That is where your grounding and your strength will come from, not from the ever-shifting drama of political power.

~Uncle Ronnie

Daily Mass Reading and Reflection on November 21st 2025

First Reading: (1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59)

Responsorial Psalm
1 Chronicles 29

Response: We praise your glorious name, O Lord.

Alleluia
Gospel: (Luke 19:45–48)

Reflection

“My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:46)

Today the Church commemorates the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration of her total dedication to God from her earliest years. As we honor her, we pray that through her intercession, we too may receive the fullness of God’s grace.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus enters the temple, God’s holy dwelling place, and finds it overtaken by merchants and money changers who have turned a sacred space into a place of dishonesty and profit. His reaction is decisive: He drives them out. The temple, meant to be a place where people encounter God, had become a marketplace and a scam center. In righteous anger, also where we get the term righteous indignation, Jesus restores its dignity.

Just as shocking as the scene itself is the response of the religious elite. Instead of rejoicing at the cleansing of God’s house, they seek to destroy Jesus. Why? Because He disrupted their comfort, their benefits, and the corruption they quietly enjoyed. He interfered with the “business” they had made of religion.

“Let Us Whip Out All Attitudes of Robbers From God’s Temple.”

The message is not just about ancient Jerusalem.
It is about us.
It is about today’s Church.
It is about our hearts, which are also God’s temples.

Yes, many attitudes today still turn God’s house into a robber’s den:

• Stealing from God’s house, taking from the poor, misusing church property, treating communal offerings as personal possessions.

• Exploitation and unaccountability,  siphoning or mismanaging finances meant for God’s work.

• Monetizing spiritual duties, charging for blessings, sacraments, favors, or miracles.

• Using the Church as camouflage,  appearing pious in church while living deceitfully outside.

• Favoritism toward the rich, honoring wealth while ignoring the poor.

• Dirty politics within the Church,  fighting for positions, forming factions, manipulating elections.

• Feeding on the sheep instead of feeding the sheep, prioritizing personal gain over pastoral care.

Jesus’ whip in the Gospel is not meant to destroy us but to awaken us. He wants to drive out every dishonesty, every hypocrisy, every attachment that makes His temple unworthy.

Why did they seek to kill Him?

Because He exposed their comfort zones.
He confronted their corruption.
He disrupted what they benefitted from.

And the same is true today:

When we confront wrongdoing, some will hate us.
When we shine light on darkness, those who love the dark grow uncomfortable.

But what should offend us is not the preacher, it is our own weaknesses.

Prayer

Lord, cleanse us.
Drive out from our hearts every attitude that desecrates Your temple, 
every dishonesty, every selfishness, every impurity,
every form of spiritual robbery.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
may we keep Your house holy,
and may our lives be true houses of prayer.

Amen.

God bless you.
With Fr. Blessed 🙌

Daily Mass Readings and Reflection November 20th 2025

First Reading: (1 Maccabees 2:15–29)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 50)

Response: "To the upright I will show the saving power of God"

Alleluia: (Psalm 95:8)

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts"

Gospel: (Luke 19:41–44)

Reflection

Today’s readings confront us with the question of obedience-not blind obedience to human power, but faithful obedience to God.

In (1 Maccabees 2), Mattathias shows that authentic religion cannot be forced or manipulated by rulers. True faith flows from a conscience shaped by God, not by fear or political reward. His courage becomes a spark that rekindles fidelity among the faithful.

In the Gospel of (Luke 19:41-44), Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because the people cannot perceive “the things that make for peace.” Their hearts were clouded by pride, habit, and resistance to God’s visitation in Christ. Throughout scriptures, there are only two instance that Jesus wept. When His friend Lazarus died and over Jerusalem. 

Where Mattathias acted with courageous clarity, Jerusalem suffered from spiritual blindness.

The message for us is simple but demanding:
True religion forms the heart. It awakens love, shapes conscience, and creates peace from within, not by force, but by truth.

May we allow the Word and the Eucharist to shape our character so that, even when unseen by others, we remain faithful before God who sees the heart.

God bless you and have a blessed day 🙏. 

Pal Ronnie 

Daily Mass Readings and Reflection for November 19th 2025

First Reading: (2 Maccabees 7:1, 20–31)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 17)

Response: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Alleluia

“Whoever keeps the word of Christ, the love of God is truly perfected in him.”

Gospel: (Luke 19:11–28)

“To everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Reflection

Today’s Mass readings revolves around courage, trust, and faithful use of the gifts God has given us.

 A mother in the first reading inspired her sons to remain faithful even in the face of death. Her strength does not come from herself but from her deep conviction that God is the giver of life and the one who restores it. She reminds her youngest son, and all of us, that nothing we surrender for the sake of God is ever truly lost.

The Gospel parable expands this theme. Jesus corrects the expectation that the Kingdom of God would arrive immediately. Instead, He calls His disciples, and us, to focus not on the future but on how we live right now.
Each servant in the parable is entrusted with something valuable, just as each of us is entrusted with gifts, time, talents, faith, and opportunities.

The faithful servants invested what they received. They took risks. They acted with courage.
But one servant hid his coin out of fear, fear of losing, fear of failing, fear of displeasing the master.
Jesus uses this servant to warn us: fear is not an excuse for inaction.
Faith demands engagement, generosity, and participation.

God doesn’t ask us to be perfect;
He asks us to be faithful,
to trust Him enough to use the gifts He has given us, even if we sometimes fall short.

Like the mother in Maccabees, we are called to live with courageous hope.
Like the faithful servants in the Gospel, we are called to put our gifts to work for the good of others, for the building of God’s kingdom here and now.

As this year draws to a close, Mother Church invites us to reflect on what we have done with the life and graces God has entrusted to us.

May we not hide our gifts in fear, but use them boldly, generously, and faithfully.

May God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Zacchaeus Come Down

 

Daily Mass Reading and Reflection for November 17th 2025

First Reading: (1 John 3:14–18)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 34)

Response: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

Alleluia: “I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.”

Gospel: (Luke 6:27–38)

Reflection

The readings today center on one theme: love that costs us something.

St. John challenges us to see love not as sentiment or speech but as action. “Our love is not to be just words… but something real and active.” True Christian love always moves, it notices, responds, sacrifices, and restores.

The Gospel pushes this even deeper. Jesus calls us to the hardest form of love:

• Loving enemies

• Blessing those who curse us

• Giving without expecting anything in return

• Offering mercy instead of judgment

This is not natural love but supernatural love, love powered by the Holy Spirit.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, whose deast day we celebrate today,  lived this reading with radical clarity. A queen who walked among the poor, she recognized Christ in the hungry, the sick, and the forgotten. Her holiness came not from privilege but from compassion that emptied itself. You and I don't have to be in Hungary to help the poor and needy, we can do this wherever we are. 

So today’s message is simple but demanding:
Love generously. Love mercifully. Love when it is not returned.
For the measure we pour out is the measure God will pour into us, “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”

May we listen to the Holy Spirit, recognize Christ in one another, and live a love that is real, active, and courageous.

Have a wonderful week 

Pal Ronnie 

Christmas in the Air

 

This was after Church today:

Santa was even in town with candies. The joy can be contagious but it's only November 16th. It didnt sit very well with me. But I was happy this brought joy to many. 

God bless

Pal Ronnie 

The Quiet Wisdom of Healthcare: Why “Just Be Human” Matters More Than Ever

This week, a student asked me for a piece of wisdom about working in healthcare. I didn’t give him a lecture about pharmacology, protocols, or physiology. I told him something much simpler, just be human. It is the best thing to be in this age of artificial fakery. 

In this field, we often forget that the people we care for are not just diagnoses, vitals, and medication lists. They are human beings looking to us not only for treatment, but for connection. Compassion is not a chartable item, but patients feel it instantly, and they remember it.

That same day, a patient shook my hand after my interaction with him and said something that stayed with me: “I can tell you are real. A lot of actors come in here as though they care, but they don’t.” His honesty was painful, and he wasn’t wrong. Even among ourselves, as clinicians, we know who truly cares and who merely performs the part and go home. Too many of us have allowed this work to become just a job, a series of tasks we get through until the next shift.

But this job is more than that. It is a responsibility, a privilege, and at times a calling to care for people at the very worst. Every patient we meet is someone’s sibling, parent, child, partner, or friend. They are often scared, vulnerable, or in pain, and in those moments, what they need most is a real human being standing beside them.

That’s why I told the student what I did. Skills can be taught. Procedures can be learned. Techniques et all can be learned as well. But authenticity, being present, being genuine, being human, that’s where healing truly starts.

Long after these students went back to school, I reflected on this and was surprised where that came from. But I am glad I told him that. 

The best thing we can do for each other and our civilization is to be human to one another. We were not and are not born machines (smart) ones.

God bless and stay human. 

Pal Ronnie 

Saturday November 15th

First Reading: (Wisdom 18:14–15)

Psalm: (Psalm 105)

“Remember the marvels the Lord has done.” (Ps 105:5)

Alleluia

“The word of God is living and effective…” (Heb 4:12)

Gospel: (Luke 18:1–5)

Reflection

Today’s reading is a reminder that God moves powerfully in silence and answers those who call on Him with perseverance.

In the Book of Wisdom, God’s saving action comes in a moment of absolute stillness. His Word descends not with noise, but with purpose. This teaches us that God works even when we cannot see or feel movement.

In the Gospel, Jesus urges us to “pray always and not lose heart.” The widow refuses to give up. She keeps showing up, keeps asking, keeps believing that justice will be given. Her persistence transforms what seemed impossible.

Jesus’ question at the end is the heart of today:
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8)

Faith is not proven in comfort but in endurance, praying when tired, trusting when confused, staying faithful when life feels silent. God is not slow. God is forming us. And He promises justice, mercy, and deliverance in His perfect time.

Today, ask yourself:
Where is God inviting me to persevere?
Where must I pray again, trust again, rise again?

May we be found faithful, like the widow who refused let go.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend. 

Pal Ronnie

Friday November 14th 2025

Friday, November 14th, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 7:22–8:1)

 Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 19)

Response: The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia.
“Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Alleluia.-Gospel: (Luke 17:26–37)

 Reflection

As we enter the final weeks of the liturgical year, the Church invites us to turn our attention to the final coming of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the examples of Noah and Lot. The people of their time were living ordinary lives,  eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building, until sudden destruction came upon them without warning.

Noah and Lot were saved, but many others were not prepared.

Jesus teaches that the days of the Son of Man will be similar. At an unexpected moment, Christ will return, and final judgment will begin. His message is unmistakably clear:

Be ready at all times.

Although we have heard this message many times, many people fail to live by it. It is easy to think:
“I have tomorrow to change.”
So we give in to temptation today, believing we will repent later. But when tomorrow arrives, the same temptation appears, and the cycle repeats.

This is dangerous for two reasons:

First, Christ could return today.

Or our own life could end suddenly and unexpectedly. If that happened today, would we be fully prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?

Most would not.

Second, Christ comes to us every moment.

Jesus does not only come at the end of time, He comes now, in every moment, inviting us to choose grace over sin, heaven over earthly indulgence, obedience over self-preservation.

He says:
“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it.”

This applies to the final judgment, but it also applies to today.
Every time we choose sacrifice, mercy, forgiveness, humility, and love over sin, pride, and selfishness, we “lose our life” for Christ and gain His saving grace in return.

Reflection for Today

Ask yourself:

• Do I seek daily to “lose my life” for the sake of Christ?

• Do I choose grace over sin in the small, quiet decisions of each day?

• If Christ came today, am I ready?

Live for God now, in this moment.
Those who choose Him daily will not fear the day of judgment, they will welcome it.

Mass Reading and Reflection on Thursday November 13th, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 7:22–8:1)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119:89)
Response: Your word is forever, O Lord.

Alleluia: (John 15:5)
“I am the vine and you are the branches,” says the Lord.
“Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.”

Gospel: (Luke 17:20–25)

Reflection 

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God was to come. They had heard Him preaching about it, the same kingdom that forms the Third Luminous Mystery, the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus often described this kingdom using parables. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king…” (Matthew 18:23), “The kingdom of heaven is like a wedding feast…” (Matthew 22:1–14), “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Matthew 13)

He invited people to strive to enter this kingdom (Luke 13:24), and in the Our Father taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10)

But what is this kingdom?

Jesus’ answer today reveals that the Kingdom of God is not a place beyond the skies, but a state of being, a condition of peace, love, joy, and righteousness. It is a spiritual reality within us.

As St. Paul teaches, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

When we live in peace, love, forgiveness, and solidarity, there, the Kingdom of God is among us. Jesus Himself was the embodiment of this kingdom, the living presence of God’s peace, mercy, and love.

Therefore, heaven begins now, in every act of charity, in every moment of unity, in every heart that forgives and welcomes others. The kingdom is here whenever we live in the Spirit of God.

Let us pray for the grace to live this way, that as we say, “Thy kingdom come,” we may also live in such a manner that the Kingdom of God is truly in our midst.

Have a great day.

Pal Ronnie

Daily Mass – Wednesday, November 13, 2025

First Reading: (Wisdom 6:1–11)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 82)

Response: Arise, O God, judge the earth.

Alleluia

In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia.

Gospel: (Luke 17:11–19)

Reflection

The Gospel story of the ten lepers is one we know well, but today let us focus not on the one who returned, but on the courage of all ten who dared to come to Jesus in the first place.

Lepers were outcasts.
They lived away from society, forbidden from entering public places.
If one dared to come near others, he risked being stoned to death.
Yet these ten risked everything, because their hope in Jesus was greater than their fear of rejection or punishment.

They came because they believed only God could heal them.
They came because they hoped, and hope does not disappoint.
Their risk was rewarded: they received healing.

We are called to take that same risk of faith.
To come to Jesus with our pain, our sin, our confusion, even when we are afraid or feel unworthy.
The lepers cried out with persistence:
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
That is the cry of prayer born from hope.

Too often, we give up too quickly.
We stop praying when things get hard.
But the lepers remind us, faith takes courage.
Prayer is an act of hope.

At the end, Jesus said to the grateful leper:
“Go, your faith has saved you.”
This is what He desires for each of us: faith that keeps coming to Him, faith that prays, trusts, and hopes against all odds.

Throughout Scripture, those who prayed in hope were never disappointed.
Hannah prayed for a child, and received Samuel.
Abraham and Sarah hoped in old age, and received Isaac.
When we pray with hope, God never fails us.

Let us, therefore, learn from the ten lepers to dare, to risk, and to come to Jesus with all our problems.
He is our only hope, and hope in Him never disappoints.

Amen 🙏 

Mass Reading and Reflection for Tuesday November 11th 2025

First Reading: Wisdom (2:23–3:9)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 34)

Response: I will bless the Lord at all times.

Gospel Reading: Luke (17:7–10)

Reflection

Today's first reading, the book of Wisdom teaches us how to understand death. Humans as God created us were never meant to die. When God created us, He made us in His image and likeness, and since God is immortal, He created us to share in that immortality. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in God’s constant presence, seeing Him face to face, that was the gift of immortality.

But through sin, humanity lost that divine gift of immortality. The devil, out of envy, tempted Adam and Eve, causing them to lose the beauty of eternal life in God’s presence. Thus, death entered the world, not as a creation of God, but as a consequence of sin.

Now, death has become the door through which we return to God. It is the passage to eternity. Yet, only the virtuous shall regain the fullness of immortality.

Those who live righteously, even though they die, will rise again to live forever in peace. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment shall ever touch them. But those who die in sin will rise only to die again, eternally, in separation from God.

To the foolish, death seems to be the end, a tragedy or destruction. But the Book of Wisdom tells us that for the virtuous, death is not an end, but a beginning, a passage into eternal life.

So, the question is: Am I, and are we living a virtuous life so as to gain immortality?
Are we living a virtuous life so that we too may live forever?

When others weep because we have died, we who lived righteously will rejoice, because our souls are at peace with God.

How then can we live virtuous lives, By doing what God asks of us, Shunning evil and doing good, Loving God and our neighbor, Forgiving those who hurt us, Feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, and welcoming the stranger. If live this way, we shall be virtuous. And when we die, we will rise to live forever in the joy of immortality.

Even when we fall through human weakness, the Sacrament of Confession is always available to help us begin again. Let us therefore live in this constant awareness:

May God grants us the grace to live righteously, love sincerely, and serve faithfully, that we may share in the eternal life God prepared for the virtuous after this life.
Amen.

God bless you and have a wonderful day. 

Why Pragmatism, Not Betrayal, Ended the Longest U.S. Government Shutdown In History

Yesterday, Sunday, major headway was made to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Across social media today, the outrage was instant. Some claimed that the New York State Senator, Chuck Schumer’s time in Congress was over because he supposedly “caved” to the ruling party in order to reopen the government. 

When I see such reactions, I sit back and watch. I analyze the tone, the anger, the impulse to condemn before understanding.

Yes, people are shocked and angry about what happened last night, and perhaps they should be. But what happened in the capital of the United States was not a betrayal, as some political commentators would like to claim. Politicians are supposed to be serving the people.

Let's be honest, politics is messy. It always has been. And if you are a person with a conscience and a soul, there’s often very little about it you would want to touch. Real politics requires negotiation, compromise, and sometimes taking a step back so the country doesn’t collapse further. Look at the outcry these past few weeks over SNAP benefits being cut. Yes, there are abuses but they are also people whose livelihood depends solely on this. 

While social media can afford the comfort of moral purity, governing demands responsibility if you ask me. 
During the shutdown for instance, hundreds of thousands of federal workers were struggling to pay rent, buy food, and keep their families afloat. Small businesses were suffocating. Communities were in limbo. Ending the shutdown wasn’t about party pride, it was about human lives.

That’s why I find it ironic when people accuse leaders of “selling out” for choosing to end the suffering. The loudest critics are often the least affected.

Much has been made about the “eight Democrats” who voted to reopen the government. They’ve been called traitors, sellouts, even corporate puppets. But the truth is more complicated than hashtags and soundbites. Yes, the rich will always get their way, they have more money to buy a whole politician/s while most people only rely on their vote for change. It just doesn't help the ordinary every day people. 

In reality, these lawmakers faced an impossible choice: continue a shutdown that was hurting millions or compromise to reopen the government and live to fight another day. Honestly, I will say those democrats didn't cave to their demands, but cave to their donors. Politicians are front runners and kids, take note. 

To call that “betrayal” is to misunderstand what leadership is. Sometimes leadership means taking the hit so that ordinary people can breathe again.

It’s easy to say “follow the money” we all know that, and yes, money in politics is a real problem as as stated earlier. But not every vote or decision comes from corruption. Sometimes it comes from context, strategy, and timing.

The truth is that politics is a chess game, not a street brawl. If you burn all your pieces to prove your passion, you will have nothing left when it’s time to win.

Progress in a democracy doesn’t happen through boycotts alone, it happens through persistent engagement, negotiation, and more importantly, compromise.

There’s another narrative being pushed, that “the oligarchs” control everything, that every politician is bought, and that the people have no power except to boycott. That kind of thinking feels righteous, but it’s also defeatist.

Yes, corporations influence politics, no argument there, folks. But let’s not pretend the solution is as simple as “buy Black” or “buy local.” Economic resistance has its place, but disengaging entirely is not how power shifts.

Real change comes from building coalitions, voting strategically, holding officials accountable, and showing up, not checking out. Politics is corrupt, but that is what we have got, let's use our strategies wisely. 

When we paint all public servants as villains, we destroy the possibility of good governance altogether.

There’s also fear about healthcare, and much of it is justified. Some conservative plans do aim to roll back the Affordable Care Act. But let’s be clear: not every negotiation over the budget is an attack on social safety nets.

The Affordable Care Act still stands because of political compromise. Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare survived decades of opposition because both parties, at different points, chose preservation over purity.

If Democrats refused to reopen the government until every program was guaranteed, the shutdown could have stretched into months. And millions of Americans, including those who depend on those very safety nets, would have suffered first.

People love to romanticize rebellion. “Shut your wallet,” “burn the system,” “buy nothing.” It sounds powerful, but what does it achieve in practice?

Revolutions that succeed are guided by organization and patience, not fury.

Progressives should remember that the New Deal itself, the very thing many claim to defend, was born out of compromise and coalition-building, not social media outrage.

So yes, be angry. Be vocal. But also, be strategic.
Because if every act of negotiation is labeled betrayal, then no one will ever be brave enough to lead again.

It’s easy to call out politicians from the comfort of a timeline. It’s harder to understand the weight of keeping a nation from crumbling.

The decision to end the shutdown wasn’t cowardice, it was compassion.
It wasn’t about surrendering to power, it was about restoring stability to millions who had nothing to do with Washington’s gridlock.

You can call that politics. I call it responsibility.

I just read that the Bill t reopen the government is now of to the House of Reps. America is not broke, we just have to get rid all the waste but in a smart way so the vulnerable among us doesn't starve to death. That will be a curse on America.

Pal Ronnie

Daily Mass Reading and Reflection for November 10th 2025

 

First Reading: (Wisdom 1:1–7)

Responsorial Psalm – (Psalm 139)

Gospel:  (Luke 17:1–6)

Reflection

On forgiveness, it’s not uncommon for people with high ideals to be intolerant, easily scandalized, or offended. Don't we see that daily? 
While some may say they should be more wise, 
Jesus instead teaches us not to give anyone reason to be scandalized,
no matter how hardened they may be to life’s challenges.

We might know more people with high ideals who often struggle to forgive the weaknesses of others especially offense. 
Some often try but their efforts may fail when it comes to grasping the power of temptation and overlook the hidden goodness within those around them.

Yet Jesus reminds us that sin and failure are inevitable in the Gospel.
He does not ask us to condemn those who fall short, but to have faith in God’s ongoing work within them, just as we trust Him to work within us.

We should all therefore strive hard to be merciful, understanding, and patient, so that in forgiving others, we ourselves may draw closer to the heart of Christ, who forgives us endlessly.

God bless you,

Pal Ronnie