Sunday November 30th 2025

Today is the First Sunday of Advent

First Reading: (Isaiah 2:1-5)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 122)

Response: We shall go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia: (Luke 21:36)

“Be vigilant and pray, that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.”

Gospel: (Matthew 24:37-44)

Reflection 

Today at mass, the priest mentioned that today is the beginning of the season of Advent, Adventus, the “coming.” New calendar church year began. And over the next 25 days, the Church is inviting us to prepare for Christ who comes to us at Christmas, who comes to us daily in grace, and who will come again in glory.

During this time, two great figures guide our preparation: Isaiah and John the Baptist. Their message is simple and urgent:
“The Savior is coming. Prepare the way of the Lord.”

1. The Mountain of the Lord, A Place of Joy and Blessing

Isaiah speaks of God’s house as a mountain that draws people from every nation, because in God’s presence there is:

• joy

• peace

• healing

• fulfillment

• blessing

Advent calls us to ascend that mountain with open hearts. God is inviting us into His presence, into His joy.

2. The Time Is Now

St. Paul reminds us: “It is full time to wake from sleep.”
Advent is not passive waiting, it is an active awakening. Paul calls us to cast off darkness and put on the armor of light.

He warns against:

• drunkenness

• promiscuity

• quarrels

• jealousy

• living for the flesh

• Fix our relationships

Instead, he invites us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” letting His light shape our words, choices, and desires.

3. Watchfulness: The Heart of Advent

The Gospel urges us: “Stay awake.”
Jesus’ coming is certain, but the hour is unknown. Advent is not about predicting His arrival, it is about preparing our hearts so that whenever He comes, He finds us ready.

4. Preparing Our Hearts and Homes

Christ comes not only to visit our physical homes but to dwell in our hearts.
Advent asks us:

• Are our hearts prepared?

• Are our homes places where Christ is welcome?

• Do people experience joy, peace, and welcome when they come to us, as they do in the house of the Lord?

“We shall go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”
Can others come to us and rejoice because they find kindness, patience, gentleness, and peace?

5. Becoming a Living Advent Invitation

Just as the mountain of the Lord draws people into joy, may we also become places of welcome, where others meet Christ through our words, compassion, and example.

Amen 

Happy Sunday 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection on November 29th 2025

First Reading: (Daniel 7:15–27)

Responsorial Psalm (Daniel 3): Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Alleluia: 

(Luke 21:36):
A call to vigilance and prayer, so that we may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Gospel: 

(Luke 21:34–36):
Jesus warns against spiritual drowsiness caused by indulgence or anxiety.

Reflection

These readings speak powerfully about hope, vigilance, and perseverance. Daniel’s vision reminds us that history is full of turmoil and forces that oppose God’s ways, yet the ultimate victory belongs to Him and His people. This is a message of hope: no matter how chaotic the world may seem, God’s kingdom is eternal.

The Gospel challenges us to live with alert and attentive hearts. Spiritual drowsiness can come from two extremes: the distractions of pleasure or the weight of daily worries. Both can dull our awareness of God’s presence and weaken our readiness for His coming. Jesus calls us to prayerful vigilance, not fear, but a steady, watchful faith that keeps us grounded in Him.

The psalm invites us to respond with praise. In times of uncertainty, worship reorients our hearts toward God’s sovereignty and goodness. Gratitude and blessing become acts of resistance against despair.

Self-Reflection

Where do I feel spiritually “drowsy”, caught in distractions or anxieties?
How can I practice vigilance today through prayer, simplicity, and trust?

God’s promise is clear: His kingdom will prevail, and those who remain faithful will share in His everlasting reign.

Prayer:

Lord, keep our hearts awake to Your presence.

Help us to live with hope and courage, trusting that Your kingdom is eternal.
Teach us to pray and praise You in all circumstances. Amen.

God bless, and have a wonderful day.
Pal Ronnie

Mass Reading and Reflection November 28th 2025

 

First Reading: (Daniel 7: 2-14)

Responsorial Psalm:

Psalm 104 (Daniel 3), “Give glory and eternal praise to him!” 

 Alleluia: (Luke 21:28)

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” 

Gospel: (Luke 21:29-33)

Reflection!

The vision in Daniel speaks of successive earthly powers, represented by beasts, that seem overwhelming and destructive. Yet these powers are ultimately judged; dominion is given not to fleeting empires, but to the “one like a son of man,” whose kingdom endures forever. This reminds us: no matter how chaotic or oppressive the world’s forces may seem, God’s plan prevails.

The psalmist invites all creation, from mountains to beasts, to join in praising God. It’s a cosmic vision: all that exists owes its being to the Creator, and all creation is called to worship the Lord.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives a sign: just as the budding of trees signals summer, so events in history, however confusing, can signal that God’s Kingdom is drawing near. His word will outlast heaven and earth.
Taken together, the readings call Christians to vigilance and hope. We live in time, subject to powers that threaten or oppress. But we are also called to trust in God’s unshakeable reign, to live as citizens of His Kingdom now, witnessing to His justice, mercy, and truth.
Personal application: In moments of social or personal turmoil, injustice, uncertainty, fear, we can turn to these readings. They encourage perseverance: trust that God sees, judges, and will bring about renewal. We are invited to worship, to hope, to remain faithful even when despair looms.

God bless you 🙏 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Happy Birthday to Uncle Eugeneno

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Mass Readings and Reflection and

First Reading: (Daniel 6:12–28)

In this powerful passage, Daniel refuses to compromise his faith even when the king’s decree makes prayer to anyone but the king a capital offense. Daniel continues his practice of praying three times a day, facing Jerusalem. His enemies exploit his devotion, and he is thrown into the lions’ den.

Yet God intervenes. He sends His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel is found unharmed, and King Darius, moved by the miracle, proclaims that Daniel’s God is the living God, whose kingdom shall never be destroyed.

This scene reveals several profound truths:

• Faithfulness invites trial, but also divine protection.

• Real power does not lie in earthly decrees, but in God’s sovereignty.

• Those who scheme against the righteous ultimately fall into their own traps.

Daniel stands as a model of integrity, prayer, and unwavering trust. He does not bow to fear or pressure. He remains loyal to God, even at the risk of death.

Responsorial Psalm: 

(Daniel 3:68–74)

Response: “Give glory and eternal praise to him.”

The psalm continues the cosmic litany of praise from the book of Daniel. Dew and rain, frost and chill, nights and days, light and darkness, all creation blesses the Lord.

This psalm reminds us:

• Creation praises God without resistance.

• We join a universal hymn every time we worship.

• The natural world becomes a teacher of reverence and humility.

Even frost, snow, storms, lightning, things that feel disruptive to us, are instruments of God’s glory. This challenges us to see God not only in calm moments, but also in the seasons of cold, difficulty, and transition.

Alleluia: (Luke 21:28)

“Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

Gospel: (Luke 21:20–28)

Jesus describes the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the turmoil that will shake nations. The imagery is unsettling, sieges, suffering, signs in the heavens. Yet the Gospel contains a message of profound hope:

• When the world trembles, God is still in control.

• Redemption draws near precisely in times of upheaval.

• Disciples are called to stand upright, not collapse into fear.

Where others panic, the follower of Christ lifts his head, knowing that salvation, not doom, is approaching.

The Gospel and the story of Daniel mirror one another:

• Both show a world of threats.

• Both show a faithful servant surrounded by hostility.

• Both reveal a God who rescues, vindicates, and proves that His kingdom cannot be shaken.

Reflection

“We love to lower ourselves to evildoers because of what temporary comforts they can offer us.”
This is a piercing truth. Human beings often surrender principles, convictions, and even faith for the sake of acceptance, convenience, or temporary peace. Daniel could have folded. He could have prayed secretly, or not at all, just to avoid trouble. But he refused to trade integrity for safety.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns that the world will offer many false securities, political power, military strength, social status, but all of these collapse.

Faithfulness is costly, but compromise is deadly.

Daniel chose faith over comfort.
Jesus calls His disciples to courage over fear.

Today’s readings speak clearly:

• Do not bow to pressure.

• Do not trade truth for ease.

• Do not let fear silence your prayer.

• Do not forget that God rescues in His own time.

Redemption is not an abstract idea; it is near.
Closer than the threats around us.
Closer than the chaos in the world.
Closer than the lions at our door.

• When faced with hostility, criticism, or misunderstanding, remember Daniel’s calm courage.

• When the world feels unstable, remember Jesus’ command: “Stand erect.”

• When you are tempted to compromise your values, recall that God’s salvation draws near especially in moments of testing.

• Join creation daily in praising God, through your words, your work, and your witness.

Let your life say what the psalm says:
“Give glory and eternal praise to Him.”

May we be Daniels in our generation, faithful, steady, and unafraid, trusting that the God who shut the lions’ mouths is the same God who carries us through every storm and leads us toward redemption.

Have a great day 

Happy Thanksgiving 

God bless 

Pal Ronnie 

Daily Mass Reading and Reflection November 26th 2025

First Reading: (Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28)

Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:62-67

Response: Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Alleluia: (Revelation 2:10)

Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Gospel: (Luke 21:12-19)

Jesus warned His disciples that they would face persecution, betrayal, and even death because of His name. Yet He promised that they should not worry about their defense, for He Himself would give them wisdom that no adversary could resist. Though hated by all, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Reflection

There are still places in our world today, if you mentioned the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, you are finished. It is happening as we speak in places in the Middle East, in Nigeria, and elsewhere. That is why today’s readings remind us of God’s sovereignty and justice. Belshazzar’s arrogance in desecrating the temple vessels shows how pride and idolatry blind us to the true source of life. Daniel’s courage in speaking truth to power highlights the importance of fidelity to God, even when it risks worldly favor.

The Gospel deepens this message: discipleship is not easy. Jesus prepares us for rejection, betrayal, and suffering. Yet He assures us that God’s presence is stronger than any trial. Our defense is not in clever words but in the Spirit’s wisdom. Perseverance, holding firm in faith despite adversity, secures eternal life.

In a world that often glorifies power, wealth, and comfort, these readings challenge us to ask: Where do we place our trust? Do we cling to fleeting idols, or do we remain steadfast in Christ, knowing that His kingdom endures forever?

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Foodshare Volunteers At Work

 

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