Mass Readings and Reflection for January 31st 2026

First Reading: (2 Samuel 11:1–17)

Response Psalm: (Psalm 51)

“Be merciful, Lord, for we have sinned.”

Alleluia

God reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom not to the self-sufficient, but to the humble. The childlike heart sees what pride obscures. This humility is the doorway through which grace enters.

Gospel (Mark 4:26–34)

Reflection

Today’s readings place two truths side by side: the fragility of the human heart and the unstoppable mercy of God.

David’s fall warns us that spiritual complacency is dangerous. He remained behind while others went to battle, and in that idleness, temptation took root. Sin often begins not with rebellion, but with neglect. Prayer fades. Awareness dulls. Ego creeps in. Like David, we can become blind to how far we have drifted.

Yet the Gospel reminds us that God never abandons the soil, even when it is wounded. The seed of God’s love is already planted within us. It grows quietly, persistently, if we allow it. Prayer is what keeps us awake. It sobers us. It realigns us when fear, pride, or self-doubt threaten to stunt our growth.

Spiritual life is not about instant perfection; it is about faithful nurturing. When we return to God with humility, even our failures become fertile ground for grace. God specializes in growth we cannot explain and mercy we do not deserve.

Today, we are invited to trust the slow work of God within us. To repent honestly. To pray faithfully. And to believe that no storm, no sin, no weakness is stronger than the love in which we are anchored.

Be merciful, Lord, for we have sinned-and make us grow again.

Amen.

God bless 🙌 

Have a wonderful weekend 

Mass Readings and Reflection Friday January 30th 2026

First Reading (2 Samuel 11:1–17)

Psalm (Psalm 51)

“Be merciful, Lord, for we have sinned.”

Alleluia

God reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom not to the self-sufficient, but to the humble. The childlike heart sees what pride obscures. This humility is the doorway through which grace enters.

Gospel (Mark 4:26–34)

Reflection

Today’s readings place two truths side by side: the fragility of the human heart and the unstoppable mercy of God.

David’s fall warns us that spiritual complacency is dangerous. He remained behind while others went to battle, and in that idleness, temptation took root. Sin often begins not with rebellion, but with neglect. Prayer fades. Awareness dulls. Ego creeps in. Like David, we can become blind to how far we have drifted.

Yet the Gospel reminds us that God never abandons the soil, even when it is wounded. The seed of God’s love is already planted within us. It grows quietly, persistently, if we allow it. Prayer is what keeps us awake. It sobers us. It realigns us when fear, pride, or self-doubt threaten to stunt our growth.

Spiritual life is not about instant perfection; it is about faithful nurturing. When we return to God with humility, even our failures become fertile ground for grace. God specializes in growth we cannot explain and mercy we do not deserve.

Today, we are invited to trust the slow work of God within us. To repent honestly. To pray faithfully. And to believe that no storm, no sin, no weakness is stronger than the love in which we are anchored.

Be merciful, Lord, for we have sinned, and make us grow again.

God bless you

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 29th 2026

First Reading: (2 Samuel 7:18–19, 24–29)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 132)

R. The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.

Gospel: (Mark 4:21–25)

Reflection

Today mass readings reflect on Yesterday's, where Jesus taught us about the sower, the seed, and the soil, showing how fruitfulness depends on receptivity and faithful labor. Today, He continues His teaching using another powerful image: light.

The purpose of light is simple, to dispels darkness.
Therefore, it defeats the purpose of a lamp to place it under a bed or hide it beneath a basket.

Streetlights are raised high on poles; they are not buried underground.
Bulbs are placed above the ceiling, not hidden inside the roof.
A light that does not shine is useless.

Jesus uses this image to teach us a profound truth:
Christians are the light of the world.

How Christians Shine as Light

The light of the Christian shines through good deeds:

• Where there is hatred, Christians shine by bringing love.

• Where there is unforgiveness, Christians shine through forgiveness.

• Where there is disunity, Christians shine by promoting unity and togetherness.

• Where there is war and violence, Christians shine by being instruments of peace.

• Where there is falsehood, Christians shine by speaking and living the truth.

This is how Christians become light in a dark world.
This is how our light shines.

Beloved, when you possess these qualities, whether you like it or not, you will stand out. People will notice. They will say:

• “This person is truthful.”

• “This person is honest.”

• “This person loves peace.”

• “This person lives forgiveness.”

In the same way, when these qualities are absent, people will also know that a person is living in darkness.

Where Is the Light?

If our Christian light is not seen,
if it is dim, or barely visible, or completely extinguished, 
then something is wrong.

With billions of Christians in the world, one must ask:

• Why does evil still ravage our societies?

• Why does corruption still thrive?

• Why does hatred still spread so easily?

Beloved, let us be honest:
Much of the darkness in the world is perpetrated by Christians themselves, or sustained by Christians who see evil and remain silent.

Cheating in markets, stealing, falsehood, bribery, embezzlement,
these are not done by pagans alone.
Christians are often involved, or they look away and become silent partners.

Jesus tells us:

“Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest.”

If our light truly shines, evil will be exposed.
Those who do evil will feel uncomfortable around us because light reveals darkness.

But when Christians compromise, when they blend into the darkness, evil flourishes unchecked.

Let Your Light Shine Everywhere

Beloved, let your light shine:

• In your office

• In the marketplace

• On the roadside

• On the bus or train

• Even on the football field

Wherever you find yourself, let people say:
“This is a Christian.”

The Measure You Give

Jesus continues:

“The measure you give will be the measure you get.”

This is an invitation to generosity of heart.

When you give:

• Give freely

• Give wholeheartedly

• Give without calculation

Thin sowing produces thin reaping.
Generous sowing produces abundant harvest.

There is a multiplier effect in generosity:

• When you give your talents, they grow.

• When you use your gifts, they multiply.

• When you share your time and love, they return to you a hundredfold.

But when we are stingy,
when we refuse to use our talents, 
even what we think we have begins to die.

That is why Jesus says:

“To him who has, more will be given;
and from him who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.”

We are the light of the world.

Our world is in darkness.
We cry when we see evil, corruption, and violence.

But the deeper question remains:
Where are the Christians?
What has happened to the light?

Let our light shine brightly,
so that it may dispel the darkness of evil,
expose injustice,
and bring glory to God.

Amen.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Inspired by Fr. Blessed 🙌 

Mass Readings and Reflection om Wednesday, the 28th of January, 2028.

First Reading: (2 Samuel 7:4–17)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 89)

R. I will keep my faithful love for him always.

Gospel: (Mark 4:1–20)

Reflection

The parable of the sower is very familiar to us. It presents three main actors:

1. The sower

2. The seed

3. The soil

Very often, when we reflect on this parable, we focus on the soil and its productivity. Today, however, let us deliberately focus on the sower.

For a great harvest to occur, all three must play their role.

• A good and hardworking sower with good seeds cannot produce a harvest if the soil is poor.

• A good sower and rich soil cannot produce a harvest if the seeds are rotten.

• Even with good soil and good seed, a lazy sower will still fail, because the seed cannot sow itself.

However, a hardworking sower can till unproductive land, water it, manure it, and cultivate it until something good comes out of it.

Before blaming the soil for unproductivity, the sower must ask:
“Have I been effective and faithful in my work?”

Examining Ourselves as Sowers

It is easy:

• For a teacher to blame students for failing exams, but did the teacher teach well and complete the syllabus?

• For parents to blame wayward children, but did they reflect honestly on their parenting?

• For priests to blame Christians for lack of repentance, but did they preach homilies that pierce hearts and call for true conversion?

Sometimes our homilies are dry.
People come to church hungry for God, longing to be edified, but they leave spiritually empty.

We preach about:

• money,

• miracles,

• breakthroughs,

but not enough about:

• repentance,

• conversion,

• carrying the cross,

• holiness of life.

We publish homily books with beautiful titles, Scattering the Seeds, My Daily Bread, The Mustard Seed, Breaking the Word, but we must ask ourselves:

Do we truly scatter the seed?
And what kind of seed are we scattering?

It is possible to scatter seeds, and still scatter the wrong seeds.

We Are All Sowers

Dear friends, being a sower is not the duty of priests or pastors alone.

• Parents are sowers in the home.

• Teachers are sowers in the classroom.

• Leaders are sowers in society.

• Every Christian is a sower by word and example.

Wherever you find yourself, you are sowing something.

So ask yourself:

• What kind of seed do I sow?

• Seeds of love or hatred?

• Seeds of peace or division?

• Seeds of unity or discord?

Remember:
A person reaps what they sow.

Do Not Give Up on the Soil

What effort do we make to manure the soil, even when it seems unproductive?

Christ never gave up.
That is why He is the Good Sower.

Some of us have already given up, on our children, on our communities, on our parishes, on people we consider “hard soil.”

But Christ kept sowing.
He kept watering.
He kept manuring.

Let us therefore focus on our responsibility as sowers.

Let the unproductivity of the soil never be blamed on our poor sowing skills.

Do your part faithfully:

• Teach well.

• Parent well.

• Preach with conviction.

• Live the Gospel authentically.

So that tomorrow, when fruit appears, or even when it does not, we can say before God:
“Lord, I did my part.”

Saint of the Day: St. Thomas Aquinas

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest, philosopher, and one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Church.

Born in 1225 and dying at the young age of 49 in 1274, he devoted his life to:

• prayer,

• study,

• deepening the Christian faith.

He authored monumental works in theology and philosophy and is known as the Angelic Doctor. He is the patron saint of Catholic schools.

St. Thomas pray for us. 

God bless you 🙏 

Pal Ronnie 

Heavily inspired by Fr. Blessed 🙌 

Mass readings and a reflection for Tuesday, January 27, 2026

First Reading: (2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10)
“Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord!”

Gospel: (Mark 3:31-35)

Reflection

Today, in our first reading today, King David’s unrestrained joy at bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem shows a heart fully alive to God’s presence. With every step, David rejoices with dancing, music, and sacrifice,  not out of formality, but out of deep relationship. His joy isn’t contained; it overflows and blesses the whole community.

The Psalm echoes this celebration: “Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord!”, a refrain that invites us to surrender the “gates” of our hearts, allowing God to enter and transform within us.

In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family. When told that His biological mother and brothers are calling for Him, Jesus looks at those gathered around and declares that true kinship is rooted in doing the will of God. This is a radical invitation: family isn’t only who we are related to by blood, it’s who we join in faithful obedience to God. 

Now, Jesus teaches that spiritual kinship comes from living God’s will. Our identity as brothers and sisters in Christ flows not from association alone, but from obedience and love that reflect God’s heart.

Amen and God bless you

Pal Ronnie 

Division In The Church

 The Church is Divine 

Big Snow Day❄️

 Big snow all over 

Mass Readings — Friday, January 23, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 24:3–21)

David spares Saul’s life in the cave, choosing mercy over vengeance.

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 57:2, 3–4, 6, 11)

R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Alleluia: (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

Gospel: (Mark 3:13–19)

Jesus goes up the mountain and chooses the Twelve, calling them by name and sending them out.

Reflection

1. “Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.” (Psalm 57)

This psalm is David’s prayer while hiding from Saul. It is the cry of someone who knows danger, betrayal, and fear, yet refuses to let bitterness take root.

David’s prayer becomes our own:
“Lord, protect me, but also protect my heart from becoming like the one who hurts me.”

Mercy is not weakness.
Mercy is strength under control.

2. David Spares Saul: Mercy Over Vengeance (1 Samuel 24)

This reading presents one of Scripture’s most dramatic moments. David has every reason to strike Saul down:

• Saul is unjust.

• Saul is violent.

• Saul is hunting him.

• Saul has betrayed him.

Yet David chooses mercy, not revenge.

This moment foreshadows Christ Himself, the One who forgives His enemies and refuses to return evil for evil.

David teaches us this enduring truth:
Character is revealed not when we are powerless, but when we have power and choose restraint.

3. “He Called to Himself Those He Wanted.” (Mark 3:13)

Jesus ascends the mountain—a place of encounter with God—and chooses the Twelve.

He does not choose the perfect;
He chooses the willing.

He does not choose the powerful;
He chooses the available.

He does not choose the already holy;
He chooses those who will walk with Him and be transformed.

This Gospel reminds us that our calling is not accidental. Christ calls each of us by name—not because we are flawless, but because He desires to work through us.

4. “Entrusting to Us the Message of Reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

The Alleluia verse unites today’s readings beautifully.

David reconciles with Saul.
Jesus forms a community of apostles.
God reconciles the world through Christ.

And now, we are entrusted with that same mission:

• healing wounds,

• restoring relationships,

• choosing mercy,

• speaking peace,

• living forgiveness.

This work is not easy, but it is holy.

The Reflection: “Called to Mercy, Called by Name”

Today’s readings form a clear and compelling arc:

• David chooses mercy when vengeance is within reach.

• The Psalm cries out for God’s protection and compassion.

• Jesus calls ordinary people to an extraordinary mission.

• Paul reminds us that reconciliation is our vocation.

The message is unmistakable:

God calls you to be a person of mercy-a bridge-builder, a reconciler.

Not because it is easy,
but because it is the way of Christ.

Today's Mass Readings for Thursday, January 22, 2026

First Reading:

(1 Samuel 18:6–9; 19:1–7)

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 56:2–3, 9–10a, 10b–12, 13–14)
“In God I trust; I shall not fear.”

Alleluia Verse

(2 Timothy 1:10)
“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” 

Gospel: (Mark 3:7–12)

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

MASS READINGS-January 21, 2026

Memorial of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

FIRST READING: (1 Samuel 17:32–33, 37, 40–51)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  (Psalm 144:1–2, 9–10)

Response: Blessed be the Lord, my rock.

ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord is faithful in all His words and holy in all His works.

GOSPEL: (Mark 3:1–6)

Jesus enters the synagogue where a man with a withered hand is present. The Pharisees watch to see if He will heal on the Sabbath. Jesus challenges them, saying:
“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil?”
He heals the man. The Pharisees immediately begin plotting with the Herodians to destroy Him.

REFLECTION

Today’s readings highlight courage, faith, and the cost of doing good.

1. David’s Courage Comes From Trust, Not Strength

David faces Goliath with no armor, no sword, and no physical advantage. His confidence is rooted entirely in God.
This reading reminds us that:

• God equips us for the battles He calls us to.

• Our strength is not measured by what we carry, but by who carries us.

• Even overwhelming obstacles fall when faced with faith.

2. Jesus Heals Even When It Costs Him

Jesus heals the man with the withered hand knowing it will provoke His enemies.
He chooses compassion over compliance, mercy over fear.
This challenges us to ask:

• Do I avoid doing good because of how others might react?

• Do I let criticism or judgment silence my compassion?

• Am I willing to stand with the vulnerable even when it is unpopular?

3. St. Agnes: Purity, Courage, and Witness

On her memorial, we remember a young girl who chose Christ over comfort, safety, and even life itself.
Her courage mirrors David’s, small in stature, mighty in faith.

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 20, 2026

First Reading (1 Samuel 16:1–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 89:20, 21–22, 27–28)

Response: I have found David, my servant.

Alleluia

The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Gospel: (Mark 2:23–28)

Reflection: 

Today’s readings revolve around God’s vision, God’s priorities, and God’s mercy, all of which differ sharply from human expectations.

1. God Sees the Heart, Not the Surface

Samuel is ready to anoint the tallest, strongest, most impressive son of Jesse. But God interrupts that instinct:

“The LORD looks into the heart.”

This reminds us that God’s choices often surprise us. He chooses the overlooked, the underestimated, the quiet one in the field.

In your own life, this reading invites you to:

• Stop judging your worth by external measures.

• Trust that God sees what others miss.

• Believe that God can call you even when you feel “too small” or “not ready.”

2. Jesus Reorders the Law Around Love

In the Gospel, Jesus confronts a rigid interpretation of the Sabbath. The Pharisees see rule-breaking; Jesus sees hunger, need, and mercy.

His message is clear:

God’s law is meant to serve human flourishing, not burden it.

This challenges us to examine our own hearts:

• Do we cling to rules while forgetting compassion?

• Do we judge others without understanding their hunger or struggle?

• Do we forget that mercy is the heartbeat of God’s law?

3. David and Jesus: Two Kings, One Spirit

David is anointed king; Jesus reveals Himself as Lord of the Sabbath.
Both are chosen by God, both misunderstood, both guided by the Spirit.

Today’s readings invite us to let the Spirit guide our decisions, our judgments, and our compassion.

Amen.

Mass Readings for January 19, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 15:16-23)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23)

Alleluia: (Hebrews 4:12)

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”

Gospel: (Mark 2:18-22)

Reflection

Obedience is better than sacrifice of the Heart.  Our sacrifice can't make up for our disobedience. (First Reading & Psalm)

Today’s readings start with a dramatic scene: Samuel rebukes King Saul, not for what he did, but for how he listened-or rather, how he didn’t listen wholeheartedly to God. Saul tried to justify his selective obedience by wrapping it in religious language, “sacrifices for the LORD”, yet Samuel cuts to the heart of the matter: God desires obedience more than ritual.

The Responsorial Psalm echoes this: God does not demand offerings the way humans might imagine. Instead, what honors Him is a life aligned with His ways, a heart that truly hears and responds to His words, not just recites them.

Key insight: External piety-even good deeds- rings hollow if it is not rooted in genuine obedience and love for God.

“New Wine” and the New Covenant (Gospel)

In the Gospel, people question Jesus about fasting. Rather than defending a rule, Jesus teaches about relationship. The disciples do not fast while the “Bridegroom”, Jesus Himself , is present. In calling Himself the Bridegroom, Jesus reveals that faith is not primarily about following empty rules, but about sharing life with Him.

His metaphors, new cloth on old garments, new wine in old wineskins, point to the radical newness of the Kingdom He inaugurates. The new cannot be simply added onto the old without transformation. This newness demands hearts that are flexible, open, and responsive to God’s Spirit, not mere adherence to past forms.

Becoming New Wineskins

Today’s readings invite us to ask:

• Where in my life am I offering God my “sacrifices” while holding back obedience?

• Am I trying to squeeze Christ’s new life into old habits that resist transformation?

• How can I welcome Jesus as Bridegroom-joyfully, vulnerably, and obediently-so that the new wine of His grace can transform me from within?

God does not want our performance, He wants our hearts. When we surrender to His will, we become vessels ready to receive the life He longs to pour into us.

Amen.

God bless you

Pal Ronnie

Mass Readings and Reflection for Sunday January 18th 2026

Today is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

I made it to Mass at the St. Raphael Chapel at Work. It was a beautiful Mass. 

First Reading: (Isaiah 49:3, 5–6)

“You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory…
I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10)

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Second Reading: (1 Corinthians 1:1–3)

“To you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy…
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Alleluia: (John 1:14a, 12a)

“The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.”

Gospel: (John 1:29–34)

John the Baptist sees Jesus and proclaims:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

He testifies that he saw the Spirit descend like a dove and remain upon Jesus, revealing Him as the Son of God.

Reflection:

“Behold the Lamb: Recognizing God When He Passes By”

Today’s readings revolve around one powerful spiritual movement:
recognition.

Isaiah speaks of a servant chosen from the womb, destined to be a light to the nations.
John the Baptist points to Jesus and cries out, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us, that we are called to be holy.

Each reading is an invitation to see God clearly and to respond with a willing heart.

1. God reveals Himself, but we must notice Him

John the Baptist had one mission:
to help others recognize Jesus.

He didn’t say, “Look at me.”
He said, “Look at Him.”

In a world full of noise, distraction, and self-promotion, John’s humility is a spiritual wake-up call.
He teaches us that holiness begins with attention, the ability to notice God’s presence in ordinary moments.

God is always speaking.
The question is whether we are listening.

2. “Here am I, Lord”, the posture of a servant

The Psalm gives us the only fitting response to God’s revelation:

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”

Not:

• “Here am I, Lord, if it’s easy.”

• “Here am I, Lord, after I finish my plans.”

This is the posture of availability, 
the posture of Mary at the Annunciation,
the posture of Jesus in Gethsemane.

Holiness is not perfection.
Holiness is availability.

3. You are called to be a light

Isaiah’s prophecy is not only about Israel, it is also about you.

God says:
“It is too little for you to be my servant…
I will make you a light to the nations.”

God’s plans for you are always bigger than your plans for yourself.
He calls you beyond comfort, beyond fear, beyond smallness.

You were not created to hide.
You were created to shine.

4. The Lamb of God takes away sin, personally

When John says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” he is announcing:

• Freedom from shame

• Healing from wounds

• Release from burdens

• Restoration of identity

Jesus does not only take away the sin of the world,
He takes away your sin,
your heaviness,
your past.

This is not abstract theology.
This is personal salvation.

Spiritual Takeaway for Today

• Pay attention. God is passing by in your day, in people, in silence, in Scripture.

• Be available. Say “Here am I, Lord,” even if your voice trembles.

• Shine. You are called to be a light in your home, your work, and your community.

• Behold the Lamb. Let Jesus take what you’ve been carrying too long.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, January 17, 2026 Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot

First Reading: (1 Samuel 9:1–4, 17–19; 10:1)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 21:2–3, 4–5, 6–7)

Response:
“Lord, in your strength the king is glad.”

Alleluia: Jesus said: "Those who are sick need a physician; I have come to call sinners".

Alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 2:13–17)

Jesus walks by the sea and sees Levi sitting at the tax booth. He says only:

“Follow me.”
Levi rises and follows.

Later, Jesus eats in Levi’s house with many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees question His behavior. Jesus answers:

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick.
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Theme:
Jesus does not wait for people to become clean before calling them. He calls first, and heals along the way. In other words, He doesn't call the perfected, He calls first and perfect the people He call later. 

Reflection

Saul is chasing donkeys.
Levi is collecting taxes.
Neither is praying in the temple. Neither is on retreat. Yet God steps directly into their ordinary work and changes everything.

This is how God usually moves, quietly, unexpectedly, inside normal life.

We may feel like our days are full of “lost donkey” errands: work, errands, fatigue, paperwork, family logistics, unfinished plans. But Scripture says: God is not waiting for a more spiritual version of our life to call us. He calls us where we are.

Saul is anointed with oil, not for status, but for service. The psalm reminds us that true strength is not personal greatness but dependence on God’s love. Identity rooted in performance will always shake; identity rooted in God will not be moved.

Then comes Levi. Jesus does not lecture him. He does not test him. He simply says, “Follow me.” And Levi gets up. That is grace: not perfection first, but movement.

When Jesus eats with sinners, He reveals God’s heart. The Church is not a museum of the holy, it is the waiting room of the Divine Physician. If we feel inconsistent, weak, distracted, or compromised, we are not disqualified. You are exactly who the Physician came for.

What is today asking us:

• Let God speak in our work, not just in prayer time.

• Build our worth on His love, not our performance.

• Bring our sickness to the Physician instead of hiding it.

• When He says, “Follow me,” rise, even if we don’t feel ready.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You called Saul in the middle of an errand
and Levi in the middle of his work.
Call me again today in the middle of my ordinary life.
Remind me that I am anointed for your service,
not by my strength but by your love.
Heal what is sick in me,
and give me courage to rise and follow you.

Saint Anthony, Abbot, pray for us. 

Amen.

God bless you

Have a great weekend 

Pal Ronnie 

AI Will Note Save Us

 

Credit: Business Insider 

President Trump Received Nobel Prize from Venezuela and Not Oslo I can Explain in Person

 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 16, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 8:4–7, 10–22a)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 89:16–17, 18–19)

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Alleluia: (Luke 7:16)

A great prophet has arisen in our midst; God has visited his people.

Gospel: (Mark 2:1–12)

Reflection: “Choosing the Wrong King”

Israel’s request for a king reveals a deep spiritual truth:
When we feel insecure, we often choose human solutions over divine trust.

God isn’t angry because they want leadership—
He is grieved because they want to replace Him with something visible, predictable, and controllable.

Just like Israel:

• We sometimes choose comfort over calling.

• We choose human approval over God’s direction.

• We choose what “everyone else is doing” instead of what God is inviting us to do.

The Gospel completes the message beautifully.
The people in Capernaum also come to Jesus with a need—but instead of rejecting Him, they break open a roof to get closer.

Two crowds.
Two responses.
Two outcomes.

Israel says:

“We want another king.”

The friends of the paralytic say:

“We want Jesus, no matter what it takes.”

Spiritual Takeaway for Today

• Autonomy without God becomes slavery.
  Israel wanted independence, but Samuel warned it would lead to oppression.

• Faith breaks roofs.
  When we bring our deepest needs to Jesus, He gives more than we ask—not just healing, but forgiveness and restoration.

• Let God be King again.
  Not just in crisis, but in decisions, relationships, finances, and identity.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings for Thursday, January 15, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 4:1–11)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 44:10–11, 14–15, 24–25)

R. (27b) Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy.

Alleluia

Matthew 4:23
“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” 

Gospel: (Mark 1:40–45)

Reflection

Today’s readings juxtapose misplaced faith with compassionate encounter.

In the First Reading, Israel treats the Ark of the Covenant as a kind of talisman, presuming that God’s presence, symbolized by the ark, will automatically guarantee victory. Without true obedience, humility, or seeking God’s will, this faith becomes hollow and leads to catastrophic loss, including the capture of the ark itself.

The Psalm echoes this lament, pleading for mercy and for God not to hide His face, a profound acknowledgement that human efforts alone, no matter how religiously framed, are insufficient. 

In sharp contrast, the Gospel shows the true heart of God’s presence in Jesus. The leper approaches not a symbol, but the living Lord, with trust and humility. Jesus does not recoil; instead, moved by compassion, He touches what was considered unclean and restores what was broken. Jesus’ healing is relational and transformative, not magical or automatic.

Today’s call for us is to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on outward signs or rituals as guarantees of God’s favor? Or do we come to Jesus personally, handing over our need for mercy and healing?

Like the leper, let us approach Him with humility and trust, confident that His touch restores and sends us forth to testify, not to keep silent, about the wonder of His mercy.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 14, 2026: The Call of Samuel

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: (1 Samuel 3:1–10, 19–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10)

R. "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will".

Alleluia: (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 1:29–39)

Reflection

Today’s readings revolve around hearing God and responding to Him with availability. We pray and talk to God daily and He talks to us daily too but not the the ways our human minds can comprehend. 

In 1. Samuel: Learning to Recognize God’s Voice

Samuel doesn’t recognize the Lord at first.
He mistakes the divine call for something ordinary-Eli’s voice.

That’s us so often.
God speaks quietly, repeatedly, patiently.
But we need stillness, humility, and guidance to recognize Him.

Samuel’s prayer becomes the model for every disciple:

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

It’s not a prayer of demand.
It’s a prayer of surrender.

2. Jesus: Healing, Serving, and Retreating to Pray

The Gospel shows Jesus in constant motion:

• He heals

• He restores

• He teaches

• He casts out darkness

• He withdraws to pray

• He moves forward to the next mission

This rhythm is the Christian life:

Receive → Serve → Pray → Go forth

Simon’s mother-in-law is healed-and immediately begins to serve.
Healing leads to mission.

3. The Connection Between the Readings

Samuel listens.
Jesus acts.
Both reveal the heart of discipleship:

Availability.

God doesn’t ask for perfection.
He asks for openness.

“Here I am, Lord.”
“Speak, Lord.”
“I come to do your will.”

These are the three movements of a heart aligned with God.

Personal Takeaway for Today

I asked God for the grace to hear Him in the quiet moments,
and the courage to respond when He calls. Our world has grown perpetually noisy and we need the grace of God to hear Him when He calls.

Even if the call is small.
Even if the mission is simple.
Even if the next step is unclear.

Because every prophet begins the same way:

“Here I am.”

I hope you got something. Today's was definitely unique.

God bless you

Pal Ronnie

I Bet The Younger Generation Doesn't Know What This Is

 

Mass Readings January 13, 2026

Bible Verses for quick reference

1 Samuel 1:9–20
1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8abcd
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Mark 1:21–28

First Reading: (1 Samuel 1:9–20)

Responsorial Psalm: (1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8)

Response: "My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior".

Alleluia: (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (Mark 1:21–28)

REFLECTION

“God hears the hidden prayer.”

Today’s readings revolve around God’s response to the sincere heart.

Hannah’s silent prayer
Hannah’s lips move, but no sound comes out. Her prayer is raw, wordless, and born from deep pain. Yet God hears what no one else can hear.
Her story reminds us that:

• God is not moved by eloquence, but by honesty.
• Even when others misunderstand us, God understands perfectly.
• Prayer changes us before it changes our circumstances—Hannah leaves with peace before she conceives.

Jesus’ authority in the Gospel
In Capernaum, Jesus speaks and acts with a divine authority that:

• Confronts evil directly.
• Restores dignity.
• Reveals who He truly is: the Holy One of God.

The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus before the crowd does. Sometimes darkness sees the light more clearly than those who stand near it.

The connection
Hannah’s prayer and Jesus’ authority meet in one truth:
God intervenes powerfully in the lives of those who turn to Him.
Hannah’s womb is opened.
A tormented man is freed.
A community witnesses the power of God breaking into ordinary life.

For your day

• Bring God the prayer you can’t put into words.
• Trust that He hears what others overlook.
• Let Jesus speak with authority into the places of your life that feel chaotic or oppressed.
• Expect God to act, not always instantly, but always faithfully.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass readings for today, Monday, January 12, 2026

First Reading: (1 Samuel 1:1-8)

Responsorial Psalm:

(Psalm 116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19)
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia.
The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. (cf. Mark 1:15) 

Gospel: (Mark 1:14-20)

Reflection

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s call and our response.

In the first reading, Hannah’s hardship and longing remind us that God sees the silent struggles of the heart. Even in pain and waiting, her story begins a deeper journey toward trust in God’s providence.

The Gospel shows Jesus calling ordinary men, fishermen, to follow Him. Their immediate response illustrates openness and readiness to leave behind what is familiar to embrace a new mission in Christ.

Spiritual insights:

• Like Hannah, we can bring our deep longings and sufferings to God with trust.

• Like the first disciples, we are challenged to respond promptly and wholeheartedly to Christ’s call in our lives.

• Today’s Alleluia reminds us that the Kingdom of God is near when we repent and believe in Jesus’ good news.

On further proclamation of 

“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

This announcement is not simply a warning or a distant promise; it is an invitation. Jesus proclaims that God’s reign is breaking into the world now, not only in some future age. Wherever mercy triumphs over judgment, wherever forgiveness replaces resentment, wherever the poor are lifted and the broken are healed, the Kingdom is already unfolding.

It calls for a response.

Not fear, but readiness.

Not passivity, but conversion, turning of the heart toward God’s way of seeing, loving, and acting.

To say the Kingdom is at hand is to recognize that God is closer than we imagine, working in the ordinary, stirring in our conscience, and inviting us to participate in His renewal of the world. It is both comfort and challenge: comfort because God is near, and challenge because His nearness asks us to live differently.

God bless you 

Pal Ronnie 

Mass Readings and Reflection for January 11, 2026 Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Readings:

First Reading: (Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 29:1–2, 3–4, 9–10)
“Give to the LORD the glory due his name; the voice of the LORD is over the waters… the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Second Reading: (Acts 10:34–38)

Gospel: (Matthew 3:13–17)

Theological Reflection

1. The Servant and the Mission (Isaiah)

Isaiah’s prophecy heralds the Servant of the Lord: meek, healing, steadfast in bringing justice without force. This Servant models divine mercy and patience, illuminating Christ’s compassion and mission to uplift humanity gently, yet in a resolute way.

2. Divine Glory and Peace (Psalm)

The psalm emphasizes God’s majesty through imagery of thunder, waters, and commanding presence. Its refrain, “The Lord will bless his people with peace,” invites us to trust in God’s power and seek spiritual rest amidst life’s storms through His transformative voice.

3. Jesus’ Anointing and Inclusive Mission (Acts)

Peter proclaims God’s impartial love: Jesus was anointed by the Spirit to preach peace and act justly. His healing ministry affirmed that Christ’s redemption transcends barriers of nationality, race, or condition, embodying universal love and justice.

4. Baptism as Revelation and Commission (Gospel)

Christ’s baptism is a pivotal moment of divine self-revelation. Though sinless, Jesus submits to baptism, fulfilling righteous obedience and accepting His redemptive role. The descent of the Spirit echoes the Spirit poured out at Sinai, affirming Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. God’s voice declares belovedness, setting the stage for the mission.

Deep Theological Themes

Christ the Quiet Servant

Jesus embodies Isaiah’s Servant: compassionate, unassuming, persistent in justice. His ministry lifts wounds gently, enabling humanity’s renewal and illustrating leadership rooted in humility and care.

Trinitarian Revelation

At the Jordan, the Trinity is revealed: the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends, the Father affirms. This unity invites believers into the divine life and calls us to discipleship in love and mission.

Universal Mission

Acts surfaces the early Church’s shift from Jewish confines to global mission. Baptism becomes the gateway into Christ’s body, commissioning believers “to bring about freedom and light, justice and healing” for all.

Our Baptismal Call

We are called to embody the silent strength of the Servant, to speak God’s voice of peace amidst chaos, and to live out inclusion and justice. Our baptism is not just an event, but an ongoing challenge to align our lives with Christ’s mission: mercy, compassion, healing, and peace.

God bless,
Pal Ronnie

Mass Readings and Reflection for Saturday, January 10, 2026

First Reading: (1 John 5:14–21)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 149:1–2, 3–4, 5–6a, 9b)

R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia: (Matthew 4:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: (John 3:22–30)

Reflection

Today’s readings draw us into the heart of Christian confidence and mission, confidence in God’s listening presence and clarity about our place in God’s story.

In the First Reading, St. John teaches us that when we pray according to God’s will, we can know our prayers are heard. We’re reminded that not all wrongs are equal in their spiritual consequences, and we are called to intercede for one another, especially when sin is not the ultimate separation from God. At the core of this passage is the assurance that those born of God are protected from the ultimate power of evil. As believers, we belong to God because the Son of God has revealed the truth to us, and we are called to remain in that truth. 

The Gospel offers a beautiful lesson in humility and identity from John the Baptist. John’s disciples are concerned about Jesus drawing more attention and followers. But John’s response reveals the heart of authentic discipleship: Jesus must increase; I must decrease. He recognizes his role, not as the light, but as the voice preparing the way for the Light. This profound humility doesn’t diminish John; instead, it brings him joy because he sees God working beyond himself.

How does this speak to us today?

• Are our prayers shaped by God’s will or our own desires?

• Do we pray confidently, trusting that God hears and answers according to what is best for us and others?

• Are we willing to let Christ increase in our lives even if it means releasing our own agendas and ego?

Christ invites us into deeper trust and greater surrender, that in making room for Him, we find our true life and joy.

God bless you 🙏 

Pal Ronnie 

Caption It

 

January 9, 2026: Friday After Epiphany

Bible Verses for Reference

First Reading: (1 John 5:5–13)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 147:12–13, 14–15, 19–20)

R. O Jerusalem, glorify the Lord!

Gospel: (Luke 5:12–16)

Alleluia

“Jesus was proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction among the people.”

Reflection:

“I Will; Be Clean.”

Today’s readings revolve around testimony, healing, and the inner life of faith.

1. Faith That Overcomes the World

John reminds us that the believer is not powerless.
To believe in Christ is not merely intellectual, it is participation in his victory.

The Spirit, the water, and the blood testify that Jesus is the Son of God, and whoever holds this testimony already carries eternal life within.

This is not future tense.
It is present reality.

2. The Leper’s Prayer Is the Perfect Prayer

The man with leprosy approaches Jesus with:

• Humility: he falls on his face

• Honesty: he acknowledges his condition

• Faith: “You can make me clean”

• Surrender: “If you will…”

This is the posture of a heart ready for healing.

3. Jesus’ Touch Changes Everything

Leprosy made a person untouchable.
Jesus does not heal from a distance—he touches the man.

He steps into the place of shame, isolation, and fear.

Where we expect rejection, Jesus offers contact.
Where we expect judgment, he offers mercy.
Where we expect delay, he offers immediacy:

“I will; be clean.”

4. Healing Requires Cooperation

The Gospel notes that Jesus sends the man to the priest.
Grace heals, but obedience completes the healing.
God’s work and our cooperation always meet.

5. Even in Ministry, Jesus Withdraws to Pray

Crowds press in.
Needs multiply.
But Jesus steps away to pray.

If the Son of God needed solitude with the Father, how much more do we?

Takeaway for Today

• Believe boldly: faith is already victory.

• Pray like the leper: humble, honest, trusting, surrendered.

• Let Jesus touch the places you hide: he is not afraid of your wounds.

• Cooperate with grace: healing is both gift and response.

• Protect your prayer life: even Jesus withdrew to pray.

Daily Mass Reading For January 7, 2026

First Reading: (1 John 4:)

Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13)

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Alleluia: (1 Timothy 3:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles… believed in throughout the world.

Gospel: (Mark 6:45-52)

Reflection

Today’s readings invite us into a deeper encounter with love, the foundational reality of our faith.

In 1 John, Saint John doesn’t offer a philosophical definition of love, he gives us God Himself: “God is love.” He reveals that love isn’t simply a feeling or an abstract ideal, but an abiding presence of God in us. Because God first loved us, shown supremely in sending His Son as Savior, we are empowered to love one another. When we choose love, we participate in divine life.

But this love isn’t sentimental, it is transformational. It goes beyond what is easy or safe. Perfect love drives out fear. Fear, according to the reading, is connected with judgment and punishment. But Christ’s love frees us, not through avoidance of consequences, but by placing us in God’s merciful embrace. When we live in love, we live in God and God lives in us.

A Boat in the Storm, and Christ Walking on Water

In the Gospel from Mark, the disciples are exhausted, caught in the boat, buffeted by wind and darkness. They strain, working with all their strength, yet the waves still toss them. Then Jesus comes, not by boat, but walking on the sea.

Their fear is familiar: the unknown, the threat, the sense of being overwhelmed. But before they even fully recognize who is with them, Jesus speaks: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” His presence calms the storm.

This scene becomes a powerful image for our own lives:

• The boat, our efforts and plans.

• The storm, life’s fears: illness, broken relationships, uncertainty.

• Jesus on the water, His presence beyond all natural expectations.

• His words, an invitation to trust rather than fear.

From Fear to Faith

Like the disciples, we can find ourselves so focused on the storm that we fail to recognize Christ’s presence. Love has come to us not as a distant idea but as a person, Emmanuel, God with us. When we allow His love to dwell in our hearts, fear loses its power. We begin to see Christ not just in the calm but within the chaos, guiding and steadying us.

God bless you 🙏 

Amen.

Pal Ronnie