Today, September 21, is the feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle.Son of Alphaeus, he lived at Capernaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a tax collector, someone who was corrupt, greedy, and dishonest.Worse for Matthew’s image, he was a Galilean son of the tribe of Levi, in those times he was probably seen as sympathetic to …
As Jesus passed by,he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.He said to him, “Follow me.”And he got up and followed him.While he was at table in his house,many tax collectors and sinners cameand sat with Jesus and his disciples.The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,“Why does your teacher eat …
The Escalante Community of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines celebrated the life of the 20 martyrs of the Escalante Massacre with a mass at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish presided over by Fr. Harry Bloem, O.Carm. together with other priests. The 20 who died in the massacre are William Alegre, Michael …
Jesus told his disciples this parable:“The kingdom of heaven is like a landownerwho went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,he sent them into his vineyard.Going out about nine o’clock,the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,and he said to them, ‘You too go …
Today, September 19, is the memorial of Our Lady of La Salette.Our Lady of La Salette (French: Notre-Dame de La Salette) is a Marian apparition reported by two children, Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat to have occurred at La Salette-Fallavaux, France, in 1846.In this apparition, Our Lady began her message with “If my people will …
When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after anotherjourneying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.“A sower went out to sow his seed.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled,and the birds of the sky ate it up.Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew,it …
Today, September 18, is the memorial of Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Patron saint of examination-takers, students, pilots, and astronauts. Joseph was born to a poor family. Even at age eight, he was already having ecstatic visions that left him gaping and staring into space. He had a hot temper, and was known for having a …
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.Accompanying him were the Twelveand some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,Susanna, and many otherswho provided for them …
Today, September 17, is the feast of Saint Albert of Jerusalem. Law-giver of the Order of Carmelites. Albert was born in Castel Gualtieri, Italy. He was educated in theology and law. He entered the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected prior in 1180. Albert was a canon lawyer who became …
A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.Now there was a sinful woman in the citywho learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,she stood behind him at his feet weepingand began to bathe his feet …