Understanding and Managing High Blood Pressure Readings

• Many individuals live with uncontrolled high blood pressure without realizing it, increasing the risk of serious health complications later.

• Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on emotional state and activity level, including rest, exercise, and stress.

1. Limitations of Blood Pressure Medication

• Medications often function as temporary solutions for problems rooted in lifestyle.

• Approximately 50% of patients do not achieve adequate control with a single medication.

• Nearly 75% of individuals fail to reach optimal blood pressure targets even while on treatment.

• Common side effects of medications such as calcium channel blockers may include:

  • Slowed heart rate

  • Impaired muscle contraction, which may contribute to swelling or constipation

  • Fatigue

  • Headaches

  • Irregular heartbeats

2. Natural Approaches: Nutrition and Lifestyle

Foods Associated with Blood Pressure Reduction

Flax seeds

• Often referred to as “brown gold.”

• May reduce diastolic pressure.

• Associated with reduced risks of stroke and heart disease.

• Additional benefits may include improvements in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, inflammation, and digestive health.

Hibiscus tea

• Rich in antioxidants.

• Can contribute to modest reductions in blood pressure.

• Even small decreases in blood pressure are linked to meaningful reductions in cardiovascular risk.

Leafy greens, such as arugula

• High in dietary nitrates that support nitric oxide production.

• Nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels naturally.

• This mechanism supports vascular function without many medication related side effects.

Beets and beet greens

• Rich in compounds that promote nitric oxide formation.

• Regular consumption has been associated with blood pressure improvements.

Herbs such as basil and cilantro

• Provide antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds.

• Easily incorporated into a variety of dietary patterns.

Swiss chard

• Contains high levels of dietary nitrates.

• Supports vascular health and endothelial function.

Additional Dietary Considerations

• Limiting sugary beverages may help prevent blood pressure spikes and reduce long term health risks.

• Whole grains are associated with lower risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain.

• Refined grains are linked to increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

• Traditional dietary patterns often supported longevity without modern pharmacological interventions, underscoring the importance of nutrition.

3. Exercise and Monitoring

• Physical activity plays a central role in blood pressure regulation.

• Even short periods of movement can produce measurable reductions.

• Blood pressure varies with posture, activity, and emotional stress, making regular home monitoring valuable.

• Clinically validated home blood pressure monitors improve measurement accuracy.

• Measurements taken during different conditions, including rest and activity, provide a more complete picture of blood pressure behavior.

4. Understanding the Impact of Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure can be compared to accumulating debt within the cardiovascular system.

• It is often ignored until a major event occurs.

• Chronic elevation contributes to thickening of the heart muscle, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

• Long term control is essential for preserving overall health.

• Lifestyle modification, including diet and exercise, remains foundational. Medication serves as an adjunct rather than a replacement.

5. Historical Perspective

• Before the development of modern antihypertensive drugs, management focused on rest and lifestyle adjustments.

• Historical examples illustrate the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension.

• While modern medicine offers effective therapies, nutrition and physical activity remain indispensable.

Summary

• High blood pressure is a serious and often underestimated condition.

• Medications are helpful but have limitations and potential side effects.

• Nutritional strategies, including flax seeds, hibiscus tea, leafy greens, beets, herbs, and whole grains, may support blood pressure control.

• Regular physical activity and consistent monitoring are essential.

• A comprehensive, lifestyle centered approach provides the strongest protection against long term complications.

Spiritual warfare is real-and it’s constant

Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole armor of God, not just the pieces we find convenient. This battle isn’t fought in our own strength but in the power of God’s might.

Every day we stand against the enemy’s schemes by:

• Anchoring ourselves in God’s Word
• Walking in truth and righteousness
• Staying alert and sober-minded
• Leaning on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and endurance

Stand firm. Stay ready. The fight is real, but so is the victory in Christ.
#SpiritualWarfare #ArmorOfGod #Faith

Digestive System Overview A Quick Summary

Digestive System Overview a Quick Notes

1. Organs of the Digestive System & Their Functions

A. Oral Cavity

• Teeth – Mechanical digestion (mastication); breaks food into smaller pieces.
• Salivary glands (paired):
  • Submandibular (75–80% of saliva)
  • Parotid (15–20%)
  • Sublingual (2–3%)
• Saliva functions
  • Moistens & forms bolus
  • Begins chemical digestion of carbohydrates via salivary amylase
  • Produces ~1.5 L/day

B. Esophagus

• Transports bolus to stomach, no digestion
• Muscle composition:
  • Upper ⅓ – skeletal (voluntary)
  • Middle – mixed
  • Lower ⅓ – smooth (involuntary)
• Peristalsis starts here

C. Layers of the GI Tract

From inner → outer:

1. Mucosa
   • Epithelium (simple columnar, except stratified in esophagus)
   • Lamina propria (capillaries, lymphatics)
   • Muscularis mucosa
2. Submucosa
   • Vessels, nerves
   • Contains Meissner's plexus (submucosal plexus)
3. Muscularis externa
   • Inner circular + outer longitudinal layers
   • Contains Auerbach’s plexus (myenteric plexus)
   • Responsible for segmentation & peristalsis
4. Serosa / visceral peritoneum

D. Stomach

Functions:

• Churns food → chyme
• Begins protein digestion

Cell types:

• Goblet cells – mucus
• Parietal cells – HCl + intrinsic factor (Vit B12 absorption)
• Chief cells – pepsinogen → pepsin (protein digestion)

Regions: Cardia, fundus, body, pylorus, pyloric sphincter

Rugae allow expansion up to ~1.5 L

E. Small Intestine (7 m long)

Primary site of chemical digestion & nutrient absorption

1. Duodenum

• Four parts (1st intraperitoneal; others retroperitoneal)
• Features:
  • Brunner’s glands (alkaline mucus)
  • Major duodenal papilla (bile + pancreatic enzymes enter)
• Location of:
  • Bile emulsification
  • Pancreatic enzyme activity

2. Jejunum

• Many circular folds (plicae)
• Upper left quadrant
• Major nutrient absorption

3. Ileum

• Fewer circular folds
• Peyer’s patches
• Ends at ileocecal valve

F. Large Intestine

Functions:

• Absorbs water, electrolytes, vitamins from flora
• Forms & stores feces

Features:

• Teniae coli – longitudinal muscle bands
• Haustra – sacculations
• Epiploic appendages – fat tags

Regions: Cecum → ascending → transverse → descending → sigmoid → rectum → anus

Appendix attached to cecum (McBurney’s point surface landmark)

Rectum = retroperitoneal
Anus:

• Internal sphincter: smooth (involuntary)
• External sphincter: skeletal (voluntary)

2. Accessory Digestive Organs

Liver

• Upper right quadrant
• Functions:
  • Produces bile
  • Detoxification
  • Produces albumin & clotting factors
  • Metabolism (carbs, lipids, proteins)
• Lobes: right, left, quadrate, caudate
• Portal triad: Proper hepatic artery, portal vein, common bile duct

Gallbladder

• Stores & concentrates bile
• Releases bile when CCK signals contraction
• Cystic duct + hepatic duct = common bile duct

Pancreas

• Retroperitoneal (tail touches spleen)
• Exocrine
  • Pancreatic duct → duodenum
  • Enzymes:
    • Amylase (carb digestion)
    • Proteases
    • Lipase (fat digestion)
• Endocrine
  • Islets of Langerhans
  • Insulin & glucagon

Spleen

(Not digestive but shares blood supply)

• Filters blood
• Recycles old RBCs
• Produces immune cells

3. Vascular Supply

Digestive organs are grouped by embryologic foregut, midgut, hindgut.

A. Foregut

Organs:

• Stomach
• Liver, gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• 1st & 2nd part of duodenum

Arterial supply:
✔ Celiac trunk

Venous drainage:
✔ Gastric, splenic veins → portal vein

B. Midgut

Organs:

• Distal duodenum
• Jejunum, ileum
• Cecum, appendix
• Ascending colon
• Proximal 2/3 transverse colon

Arterial supply:
✔ Superior mesenteric artery (SMA)

Venous drainage:
✔ Superior mesenteric vein → portal vein

C. Hindgut

Organs:

• Distal 1/3 transverse colon
• Descending colon
• Sigmoid
• Rectum

Arterial supply:
✔ Inferior mesenteric artery (IMA)

Venous drainage:
✔ Inferior mesenteric vein → splenic vein → portal vein

Key Anastomoses

• Foregut ↔ Midgut: Pancreaticoduodenal arteries
• Midgut ↔ Hindgut: Marginal artery of Drummond

4. Innervation of the GI Tract

Sympathetic (inhibits digestion)

• Foregut: Greater splanchnic (T5–T9) → celiac ganglion
• Midgut: Lesser splanchnic (T10–T11) → SMA ganglion
• Hindgut: Lumbar splanchnic (L1–L2) → IMA ganglion

Effects:

• Decreased peristalsis
• Decreased secretion
• Increased sphincter tone

Parasympathetic (stimulates digestion)

• Foregut & midgut: Vagus nerve
• Hindgut: Pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2–S4)

Effects:

• Increased peristalsis
• Increased secretions
• Decreased sphincter tone

Digestive System in One Sentence

Food is mechanically and chemically processed in the mouth → broken down in the stomach → digested and absorbed in the small intestine → water reclaimed in the large intestine → waste removed through rectum and anus, all supported by liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Are you amazed or what about the mystery of this human GI system? That is the notes from class the other day.

Pal Ronnie

Interested in OMAD? Try Understanding Protein Absorption, Fasting, and Muscle Preservation

Top 7 Points for Understanding OMAD

1. Science Evolves-And So Should We

Health experts now recognize that older assumptions about protein absorption were too restrictive. As nutritional science advances, we gain a more accurate understanding of how the body processes protein-especially in fasting contexts like OMAD.

2. The Body Can Absorb More Protein Than Previously Believed

Past guidelines suggested the body could only use 30–40 grams of protein per meal.
However, tracer‑based studies show that muscle protein synthesis continues to rise with protein intakes up to ~100 grams in a single sitting.
This demonstrates that larger protein meals are not wasted-they’re simply utilized over a longer period.

3. Larger Protein Meals Take Longer to Digest-But Are Still Fully Utilized

For individuals practicing OMAD or reduced‑meal eating patterns, larger protein feedings extend the digestion and absorption window.
The body steadily breaks down and uses this protein across several hours, meaning fewer meals can still meet daily protein requirements as long as total intake is sufficient.

4. Resistance Training Is Essential for Maximizing Protein Use

Dietary protein alone cannot drive muscle growth.
Muscle protein synthesis depends on anabolic signaling from resistance training.
Without strength‑based exercise, the body is less efficient at converting dietary protein into muscle tissue, making training a critical partner to protein intake.

5. Protein Supports Metabolism During Calorie Deficits

Calorie restriction naturally leads to reduced metabolic rate.
Higher protein intake helps preserve lean body mass, which is metabolically active tissue.
This is especially important for those practicing OMAD or extended fasting, as maintaining muscle helps minimize metabolic slowdown.

6. OMAD Is Most Effective When Cycled

Using OMAD intermittently-rather than continuously-reduces the risk of long‑term metabolic adaptation and nutrient deficiencies.
Cycling the approach helps maintain the benefits of fasting while protecting metabolic flexibility and overall long‑term health.

7. Base Protein Intake on Lean Body Mass

Protein goals should be calculated using lean or ideal body mass, not total weight-especially for individuals who are overweight.
This approach ensures accurate protein dosing for muscle preservation without excessive or unnecessary intake.

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, February 14, 2026

Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius

First Reading: (1 Kings 12:26 to 32; 13:33 to 34)

 

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 106)

Response: Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

Alleluia: (Matthew 4:4)

Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live on bread alone,
But on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 8:1 to 10)

Reflection

Today’s readings reveal a striking contrast between false worship and true compassion.

Jeroboam allows fear to shape his decisions. His insecurity leads him to create idols, reshaping religion for personal preservation rather than faithful obedience. This becomes a warning for every believer.

Fear can distort faith.
Convenience can replace obedience.
Idols are not always statues. They can be habits, ambitions, attachments, or anything that quietly displaces God from the center of our lives.

The psalm echoes this tragedy. The people forget the God who saved them. Spiritual forgetfulness becomes the root of their downfall.

In the Gospel, we witness the opposite spirit.

Where Jeroboam acts from fear, Jesus acts from compassion.

Jesus sees the hunger of the crowd and responds with love. He does not begin with scarcity but with trust. Seven loaves and a few fish become more than enough in the hands of grace.

The message is deeply personal.

Where fear builds idols, love builds communion.
Where insecurity divides, compassion nourishes.
Where control restricts, trust multiplies.

The Lord gently asks us:

What idols have taken root in our hearts?
Where is fear shaping our choices?
What small offering is Jesus inviting us to place in his hands?

Prayer

Lord, free us from the idols we create,
Those subtle attachments that steal our devotion.

Give us the heart of Jesus,
A heart that sees, trusts, and responds with generosity.

Multiply our small offerings
So they may become blessings for many.

I Jesus Christ Holy Mighty Name 

Amen.

God bless and have a bountiful day 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Friday February 13th 2026

First Reading (1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19)

Responsorial Psalm:(Psalm 81)

Response: I am the Lord your God; listen to my voice.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
that we may listen to the words of your Son.
Alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 7:31–37)

Homily

Happy Friday, 

Today’s Gospel reading presents a deeply moving and personal encounter between Jesus and a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. Unlike other moments where Jesus heals with a word spoken from afar, here He draws close. He touches the man’s ears. He touches his tongue. Then He looks up to heaven, sighs, and says:

“Ephphatha” “Be opened.”

This is not merely a story of physical healing. It is a revelation of how God heals the human heart.

The man lived in silence- isolated, unable to hear, unable to speak clearly. Yet if we look honestly at ourselves, we may recognize something familiar. We live in an age of constant noise, endless information, perpetual distraction. And still, many hearts remain closed.

How often are we deaf-not by inability, but by choice?

Deaf to the needs of those closest to us.
Deaf to the cry of the poor.
Deaf to God’s quiet voice.

We hear sounds, but do we truly listen?

I recall seeing a young family at a restaurant: two parents absorbed in their phones, while their small child sat alone, clutching a toy, waiting for attention. No harsh words were spoken. Yet a kind of silence filled the table-the silence of disconnection.

Like the man in the Gospel, many today struggle not with vocal cords, but with the language of the heart.

Saint Mark tells us something striking: before healing the man, Jesus sighed-He groaned.

Why?

Because divine compassion is never distant. Christ does not observe suffering from afar. He enters into it. He feels it. That sigh is the sound of God’s empathy for a wounded world.

Healing, then and now, is rarely mechanical. It is personal.

And finally comes the command:

“Be opened.”

Not forced open. Not broken open. But invited open.

There are many ways we close ourselves:

Closed by pride
Closed by fear
Closed by past wounds
Closed by unforgiveness

I once met a man who had carried resentment toward his brother for twenty years. He believed he was protecting himself. In truth, he was living in a prison of bitterness. One day, moved by Scripture, he made a simple yet courageous choice- he made the call.

That phone call became his “Ephphatha.”

My friends, where are we closed today?

Deaf to reconciliation?
Mute in the face of injustice?
Closed to the possibility that God can transform us?

Jesus took the man aside from the crowd. He wishes to do the same for each of us-to move beyond the public version of our lives and touch those hidden places that are wounded, silent, and afraid.

As Christ comes to us again in this Leturgy, may we dare to pray:

Lord, open our ears
that we may hear Your voice.

Open our tongues
that we may speak words of mercy.

Open our hearts
that we may live in love.

Amen 🙏 

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

On Insulin Resistance and Insulin Spikes

The other day at work, I cared for a patient who had many questions about her diabetes. I always appreciate when patients want to discuss their medical conditions, as it gives me the opportunity to provide meaningful and practical education.

I wrote a brief note for her and thought I would share it with you, the readers. It focused on managing insulin spikes. Even if you do not have diabetes, there is still a great deal you can learn from it.

Below are 15 tips. Read them, and feel free to leave your comments.

1. Build Muscle (Resistance Training)

• Muscle = largest glucose storage site

• Improves insulin sensitivity

• Aim: 2–3 sessions/week

• Methods: weights, bands, bodyweight

2. Control Glucose Spikes (Not Eliminate Carbs)

• Carbs are not the enemy

• Problem = rapid, large spikes

• Focus on:

  • Portion size

  • Slow-digesting carbs

  • Balanced meals

3. Eliminate Liquid Calories

Avoid:

• Juice

• Smoothies

• Sugary coffee drinks

• Energy drinks

Why:

• No fiber → rapid absorption → sharp spikes

4. Pair Carbs with Protein & Fat

Benefits:

• Slower digestion

• Smaller glucose rise

• Longer satiety

Examples:

• Toast + eggs / nut butter/omelets 

• Fruit + nuts / yogurt

• Rice + fish / chicken / olive oil

5. Stop Constant Snacking

Problem:

• Frequent eating → constantly elevated insulin

Goal:

• Create clear gaps between meals

• Allow insulin to return to baseline

6. Manage Chronic Stress

I am a victim of this one myself I told this lady.

Stress hormones:

• Cortisol & adrenaline ↑ glucose

Strategies:

• Meditation / breathwork

• Nature exposure

• Boundaries & recovery time

7. Eat Food in the Right Order

Sequence:

• Fiber
• Protein & fat
• Carbs

Effect:

• Can reduce post-meal glucose spikes significantly

8. Prioritize Sleep

Poor sleep:

• Worsens insulin resistance rapidly

• Increases cravings

Aim:

• 7–9 hours/night

• Consistent schedule

9. Avoid “Naked Sugars”

Never eat sweets alone.

Better:

• Eat at end of a mixed meal

Why:

• Protein/fat/fiber buffer absorption

10. Measure Fasting Insulin

Glucose = late marker
Insulin = early warning sign

General targets:

• Lower = better metabolic health

Purpose:

• Detect insulin resistance early

11. Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods

Characteristics:

• Industrial ingredients

• Easy to overeat

• Rapid digestion

Rule of thumb:

• Few ingredients

• Recognizable foods

12. Move After Meals

Simple & powerful:

• 10–15 min walk

Effect:

• Muscles pull glucose without much insulin

13. Align Eating with Circadian Rhythm

Better glucose control:

• Earlier in the day

Recommendations:

• Larger breakfast/lunch

• Lighter/earlier dinner

• Finish eating 2–3 hrs before bed

14. Look Beyond Blood Sugar Alone

Helpful markers:

• HbA1c

• Fasting insulin

• Lipid profile

• Triglyceride / HDL ratio

Reason:

• Risk develops gradually

15. Create Insulin-Free Periods

Concept:

• Time-restricted eating

Simple start:

• Stop eating after dinner

• Resume at breakfast

Benefit:

• Insulin falls → metabolic reset

The Core Message

✔ Insulin resistance develops slowly and silently
✔ Small daily habits compound powerfully
✔ Focus on consistency, not perfection

Brough to you by Pal Ronnie

Emotion Is the Enemy of Reason: On the American Super Bowl Culture

This week has felt surreal in the context of the diverse culture of this great republic. Every February, we have the Super Bowl. Like many people in this country, I don’t care much for American football. I emphasize this because “football,” to most Africans, means soccer; in America, to avoid confusion, the emphasis on American football is necessary. But since it’s one large annual event, a great deal happens on that day and during that game.

Nearly half the nation tunes in to watch. It resembles a winter festival more than a sporting event: people eat chicken wings, drink beer, and talk about the ads and the halftime show, which has become a major concert-like spectacle. It features a big-name artist, and the creativity and performance are dissected for days afterward. Last year it was Kendrick Lamar; this year it was Bad Bunny- and that is the main reason for this reflection. I haven’t written anything in a long time, but this one deserved its own space.

One of the defining features of the Super Bowl is the aftermath of the halftime show. People analyze the performance, the symbolism, and its cultural significance for a week or more. This year, almost anyone you speak to about the game- unless they are of Latino/a descent- offers negative feedback. The reactions are openly emotional; some even said they will never watch the Super Bowl again.

Why? When asked, they respond: “This is an English-speaking country, and the artist sang entirely in Spanish. He’s Puerto Rican,” and the list of grievances continues. Fair enough-there is a point there, to an extent. I try to hear people out. But if people are angry simply because of the choice of artist, then the decision-makers at the NFL and beyond achieved exactly what they intended. They did not prioritize the audience’s cultural comfort when selecting him. This was no mistake. If money were the concern, they would have calculated potential losses-yet they still moved forward with the message or agenda they wished to amplify. And, notably, they did not lose money.

Some blamed billionaire Jay-Z as part of the reason this artist was chosen. They knew Bad Bunny primarily speaks Spanish, with limited English, and that his performance would be entirely in that language. And that, to me, is precisely the point. The power structures in this republic benefit from division and outrage among the people. Divide and conquer is as old as humanity; if it did not work, it would not be used. That is why many of us believe even entertainment can function as distraction.

And speaking of distraction- the system thrives on manufactured distraction. We experience sudden spikes of collective outrage: cancel culture one week, a symbolic conflict the next. It is not that these issues lack human significance; they do. But they are amplified and distorted in ways that keep us fighting horizontally instead of looking vertically at concentrations of wealth, power, and control. Try doing almost anything online and frustration quickly follows. Much of this feels engineered.

Keep the bottom 99% fighting over cultural validation, and they will never look upward. Empathy, tribalism, national identity, insecurity-all weaponized as smoke screens. Flood the space with misinformation until people give up trying to see clearly. Give it a week, and many will forget the name of the performer, yet the resentment will linger. That, arguably, is the objective.

We are told “the other side” is the enemy, while those selling the weapons quietly foreclose on our future. Everything is monetized- and among the most profitable commodities are hatred and division.

What we are discouraged from examining is how we are managed. Do not look at their wealth. They operate within their own system-a kind of “wealth defense industry,” sustained by armies of lawyers and accountants constructing elaborate legal labyrinths. In that world, the laws of economics barely seem to apply, while every dollar earned through ordinary labor is meticulously extracted.

This halftime show and the surrounding discourse arrived at a moment when the nation is already agitated about wrongdoing and abuse of power, amplified by renewed attention to the Epstein files. Such spectacles can dull public focus, at least temporarily, while narratives shift and attention fragments. Already, public voices minimize or trivialize matters that would permanently define the lives of ordinary individuals. Accountability appears uneven.

Our ignorance becomes fuel. Our outrage becomes lubricant. Each time we take the bait of a manufactured conflict, we surrender another measure of clarity.

No billionaire visionary or polished politician is coming to dismantle entrenched systems from within. The first step is a radical form of intellectual self-defense: developing a filter fine enough to detect propaganda. I do not claim omniscience, but one principle holds true for me- never accept unquestioningly everything that propagandized media presents.

When you encounter a viral headline, ask:
Who does this want me to hate, and how does that hatred prevent me from questioning power?

You do not fix a parasite. You stop being a host.

I refuse to hate on command. That is my clinical assessment and diagnosis.

I remain,

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings for Thursday February 12, 2026

First Reading: (1 Kings 11:4-13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40)

R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Alleluia: (James 1:21bc)

Alleluia, alleluia.
“Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.”
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel-(Mark 7:24-30)

Reflection

Today’s readings present a striking contrast between a heart that drifts away from God and a heart that clings to Him in humble faith.

In the First Reading, King Solomon, despite his wisdom and gifts from God, allows his heart to be led astray by influences that softens his devotion. His downfall wasn’t sudden, but gradual-subtle compromises that led him to follow foreign gods instead of remaining wholly faithful to God. This reminds us that even blessings and gifts can become stumbling blocks when our hearts are divided. 

The Responsorial Psalm echoes how easily God’s people can drift into idolatry and sin, yet it also calls on the Lord’s mercy-“Remember us, O Lord…” -reminding us that God’s compassion is always near to those willing to return.

In the Gospel, we meet the Syrophoenician woman, an outsider whose persistence and humility in prayer become a powerful model of faith. She refuses to accept a “no” and instead trusts that even a crumb of God’s grace can bring saving healing. Her faith becomes the instrument of her daughter’s liberation.

Living the Word Today

• Examine our heart. Where might you be slowly drifting from God through small compromises?

• Hold fast to faith. Like the Syrophoenician woman, approach God with humility and persistence, believing in His mercy even when answers seem delayed.

• Welcome God’s Word. Let Scripture shape your choices and align your heart with God’s will.

I hope you received something. 

Happy Thursday. 

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Wednesday February 11th 2026 Mass Readings and Reflection for the Feast of Lady of Lourdes

First Reading: (1 Kings 10:1–10)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 37:5–6, 30–31, 39–40)

Response: “The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.”

Alleluia: (John 17:17)

“Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.”

Gospel: (Mark 7:14–23)

Reflection

Today’s mass readings highlights a timeless spiritual tension:
the difference between outward appearance and inward reality.

1. Wisdom That Reveals God

The Queen of Sheba is captivated not merely by Solomon’s wealth, but by the wisdom permeating his entire kingdom. His governance, order, worship, and justice reflect a heart shaped by God.

Her response is deeply instructive:
She praises the Lord, not Solomon.

Authentic wisdom never glorifies the self, 
it reveals God.

When a life is anchored in divine truth, others perceive something greater at work. Not spectacle, but grace.

2. The Heart: Source of Purity or Corruption

In the Gospel, Jesus dismantles superficial understandings of holiness. Defilement is not contracted externally but generated internally.

The true battleground is the heart.

From within arise:

• envy

• greed

• deceit

• arrogance

• malice

• pride

Sin is not first behavioral, 
it is relational and interior.

Holiness, therefore, is not cosmetic improvement but inner conversion.

3. The Bridge Between the Readings

Solomon’s greatness flowed from a heart aligned with God.

Jesus calls us to guard that same interior sanctuary.

One reading shows the beauty of a heart ordered toward God.
The other warns of the chaos when it is not.

The essential question emerges:

What is taking root within me today?

Is it:

• wisdom

• peace

• humility

• generosity

Or:

• resentment

• comparison

• fear

• pride?

4. Our Lady of Lourdes (Optional Memorial)

Mary’s presence at Lourdes reminds us that God meets humanity precisely in its fragility. Her message was gentle yet urgent:

• Prayer

• Repentance

• Healing

• Trust

Mary embodies the perfectly receptive heart, 
one that listens, consents, and reflects God’s light.

Prayer

Lord, purify our hearts.

Cleanse our thoughts, intentions, and desires.
Plant within us wisdom that seeks You,
humility that trusts You,
and love that reflects You.

May our lives bear witness not to ourselves, but to Your truth and mercy.

Amen.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie