Sirach 15.16-20・Psalm 119.1+2a+3b,17+18・ 1 Corinthians 2.6-10・Matthew 5.17-37 Given that freedom is truly a big deal in the whole world, each nation and every one seeks for freedom. And when one finds it, it is like a treasure that we are ready to fight for, and really promise never again to many and different forms of oppression. World history, including the recent past of many nations and recent experiences of many individuals too, can speak so widely of both freedom and su

Isaiah 58.7-10・Psalm 112.4, 6・1 Corinthians 2.1-5・Matthew 5.13-16 Today`s readings help us understand better what it means to be Jesus` followers. With a gospel reading that immediately follows from the gospel reading last week (the Sermon in the Mount re.Beatitudes), we ought to realize that “the Beatitudes well lived” means “seen and felt blessedness” by others. We are therefore reminded that the blessedness of Jesus` authentic follower is not just for one self. Jesus, in

Zephaniah 2.3, 3.12-13・ Psalm 146.1+2+10a,6c+7,8ac+9bc・1 Corinthians 1.26-31・ Matthew 5.1-12a Indeed, each one`s outlook in life , or the way one sees, understand and judges things differs and definitely depends on how we go through life in this world . It (one`s outlook in life) may either be so well influenced by what this world offers , by whatever we have around , by whatever we want to have (motive・purpose) and to be . In today`s readings however, each and every one o

Isaiah 8.23b – 9.3・Psalm 27.1,4,13+14・1 Cor. 1.10-13,17・Matthew 4.12-23 From several years ago we have been observing the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time as The Word of God Sunday. This yearly observance of The Word of God Sunday aims at encouraging each one of us to read the Bible, helping each one to focus more on listening to the readings of the sacred scriptures during mass. The liturgy of the Word has been an important part of Mass. Today we ought to emphasize about “God

Isaiah 49.3,5-6・Psalm 40.2+4ab,6,10・ 1 Corinthians 1.1-3・John 1.29-34 On this 2 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are being led to reflect on our individual vocation. It will be another beautiful thing if we will also be able to include pondering upon the vocation of every small and big families, and church/parish communities. We are at the same time being reminded that our individual and communal vocation must of course be well-founded in God`s salvific mission. We have to

Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7・Psalm29.1+2, 3+4, 9c+10+11 ・Acts 10.34-38・ Matthew 3.13-17 It is a week long period right after the feast of the Epiphany in our Year A Church Calendar that we commemorate the Baptism of our Lord. Jesus gets baptized by John in the river of Jordan. As Jesus comes out of the water, the Holy Spirit comes down like a dove while God the Father speaks from heaven and calls Jesus His beloved Son (Matthew 3.16). Our reflection today centers therefore on who Jes

Isaiah 60. 1-6・Psalm 72..2+4, 7+8, 10+11, 12+13・Ephesians 3. 2、3b、5-6・ Matthew 2. 1-12 We celebrate today Jesus being made known to the world so we consider today's celebration as a feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. We remember today the visit of the Magi (the three wise men) who travelled from far away to find the new born Jesus. There was a mention of a star that they followed to find where Jesus was. The visit of the Magi symbolizes some things we can reflect upon. The

Sirach 3.2-6,12-14・Psalm 128.2+3ab3cd+5+6a ・ Colossians 3.12-21・ Matthew 2.13-15,19-23 After Christmas Day, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. Taking the Holy Family (Jesus Mary & Joseph) as a model family, we are all resolved that family life is a beautiful thing and is a vocation. Each family is called to Holiness in many and different ways. The parents take the responsibility to take care of and protect the children. Our readings today talk about honoring/respect

Isaiah 7.10-14・Psalm 24.3+4,5+6,8+10・ Romans 1.1-7 ・Matthew 1.18-24 Today is 4 th Sunday of Advent and we are truly waiting so joyfully to celebrate Christ`s birth again. It is just that many of us have been either advancing Christmas celebrations among neighbors, friends, relatives and families, or may be delaying because of work-related schedule and somehow planning to have a two-in-one celebration of Christmas and New Year. Following our Church calendar year, we only have

Isaiah 35.1-6・Psalm 146.1+2+10a,6c+7,8ac+9bc・ James 5.7-10・ Matthew 11.2-11 Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A, is a time of joyful anticipation. The readings focus on hope, patience, and recognizing God’s presence among us. Gaudete Sunday reminds us that our waiting is filled with joy and hope. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we trust in God’s promises and His perfect timing. Today`s liturgy emphasizes a time of joyful anticipation as we prepare for Christ

Isaiah 11.1-10・Ps.72 2+4,7+8,12+13・ Romans 15.4-9・Matthew 3.1-12 The 2nd Sunday of Advent Year A is about getting ready in the right way. It is not just about waiting. It is about turning back to God with open hearts and open hands. While our first Sunday readings and the point for reflection given to us last Sunday focused on the Christians` and all peoples` future, today we are being reminded that the theme about “waiting” goes together with an advice to turn back to God an

Isaiah 2.1-5・ Psalm 122.1+2,,3+4ab,8+9・Romans 13.11-14a・Matthew 24.37-44 During the first week of Advent, and especially as we start the season of Advent today (first Sunday of Advent), we are being made aware of the three comings of God in our lives. The first coming is attributed to the Nativity of Jesus. Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem. The second so-called coming is most attributed to the future of Christians and all people. Today`s readings focus on this future

2 Samuel 5.1-3・ Psalm 122.1+2,3+4ab,4cd+5・ Colossians 1.12-20・ Luke 23.35-43 Today is the last Sunday of our calendar year. We celebrate the Solemnity of Our Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. We are generally called and guided to wholeheartedly recognize and accept Jesus in our life as Our Savior and King. We, as individuals and as a community, have again participated somehow knowingly and unknowingly in some sorts of good and not-so-good activities for the past church cale

Malachi 3.19-20a・Psalm 98.4+5,6+7b+8b・2 Thessalonians 3.7-12・Luke 21.5-19 We have a common understanding in this world about what is good and what is bad. Good people are those who are doing a commonly understood good things. Bad people are those who are committing a commonly understood bad things. Doing good brings good things, peace, and true happiness for all. Doing bad brings bad things, unrest and pain and stress to people. With the common understanding we do have abo

Ezekiel 47.1-2, 8-9,12・Ps 84.2+3,4,6+7・1 Cor 3.9c-11,16-17・John 2.13-22 We are celebrating today the annual feast commemorating the dedication of the historic Lateran Basilica. Today is Sunday of course and we highlight the importance of the Lateran Basilica symbolizing our spiritual devotion and the enduring faith of our Catholic Community. Though it may sound “a thing of this world,” but we consider its rich historical background and architectural and artistic significanc

Wisdom 3.1-9 ・Psalms 23.2+3,4,6・ Romans 8.31b-35, 37-39 ・John 6.37-40 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed" is also known as "All Soul's Day". We remember and pray for our deceased brothers and sisters. The Catholic Church most especially pray for All the Souls we believe are in purgatory in their preparation and way to heaven. Today is Sunday, November 2, All Souls’ Day. Let us start our reflection from today’s special liturgy of the Word. Our first reading decla

Sirach 35.12-14,16-19・Psalm・ 2 Timothy 4.6-8,16-18・Luke 18.9-14 Today we will try to understand the meaning of true humilit y in the context of our readings today. True humility becomes (is) a passage towards understanding how God who is just and impartial (not biased) ensures that our prayers are answered and so justice is well served. Jesus in our gospel reading today, teaches us genuine humility against self-righteousness At the onset of our reflection, may we be ab

Exodus 17.8-13・Psalm 121.3+4,5+6, 7+8・ 2 Timothy 3.14 - 4. 2・ Luke 18.1-8 Today`s readings not just simply tell us to pray, but to pray persistently and constantly. We may understand here that constant prayer can mean our daily and specific expression that we are truly connected with God. Prayer indeed comes in many different forms. We acknowledge God`s goodness in our daily life and His constant aid so we come to Him first and foremost in praise and thanksgiving. We pray ind

2 Kings 5.14-17・Psalm 98.1,2+3a,4+5・ 2 Timothy 2.8-13・Luke 17.11-19 Today, we are going to reflect on the extent (vast) of God`s...

Habakkuk 1.2-3, 2.2-4・Psalm 95.1+2, 5+6, 7+8・2 Timothy 1.6-8,13-14 Luke 17.5-10 Our reflection today centers on re-visiting (reviewing)...