A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Tag Archive for ‘gifts’

Friday 29 April

ST CATHERINE of SIENA (M) Acts 5:34-42; Psalm 27; John 6:1-15 Jesus uses our gifts On seeing the crowd approaching, Jesus immediately recognises they would be hungry. Phillip, rather practically, sees the cost! How did a small boy come to be carrying five loaves and two fish? Andrew notices him and Jesus subsequently makes the […]

Opening the Book of Your Life

At a lovely dinner with a family a few nights ago, a fresh-faced 15-year-old tells the story of the special Christmas present she had requested from her extended family last year. Being a lover of books, she had asked each family member to choose and gift her with a favourite book. She received quite a […]

Thursday 10 October

Malachi 3:13-20; Psalm 1; Luke 11:5-13 The one who asks always receives The parable of the friend knocking on the door at midnight to ask his friend for bread contrasts the miserly response of the sleepy friend: “Do not bother me”, with the generous response of Jesus: ”Ask and it will be given to you […]

Saturday 31 August

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Psalm 98; Matthew 25:14-30 Have a go Everyone is gifted, and we are not asked to compare ourselves with others but to use our natural and spiritual gifts, generously, even extravagantly, in love. Whether we have visible gifts which the world affirms, gifts of practical support and hospitality, or hidden gifts like […]

Wednesday 31 July

St Ignatius of Loyola Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; Matthew 13:44-46 Lost Treasure There is always great excitement when divers discover a long-lost ship that has been lying on the ocean floor for years. The forgotten treasure is eagerly brought up to the surface and displayed for all to see. Sometimes our own gifts can lie […]

Saturday 27 July

Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 50; Matthew 13:24-30 Take time As with all blessings, the double blessing of seeing and hearing are gifts that we tend to take for granted. So, very enthusiastically, Jesus tells the disciples that they are so blessed, for the time of waiting for a Messiah is over and they are witnesses to […]

Sunday 7 July

FOURTEENTH WEEK ORDINARY TIME Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 Our gifts Wherever and whenever he ministered, Jesus built up the community and was unique in calling forth the gifts of all people in that community. Perhaps that is why he easily moved on to the next town or place he was […]

Wednesday 29 May

Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; Psalm 148; John 16:12-15 Understanding Jesus comforts his listeners, assuring us of the genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit. He will speak God's words and truths. This is similar to a conference when sign language is used. The translator signs the exact message being spoken to listeners. He signs the words of […]

Friday 1 March

Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17; Psalm 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34-35; Mark 10:1-12. Abiding in love Abiding friendships and lasting marriages are some of the greatest gifts we can receive in life. We all value them and see in them a reflection of the life of heaven. Many people, however, do not have relationships such as these for […]

Monday 21 January

ST AGNES Hebrews 5:1-10; Psalm 109 (110):1-4; Mark 2:18-22 The power of God We tend to hide our weakness. We prefer to show our strengths. We would prefer to let the attention be on our gifts and talents and achievements. But Jesus accepted the weakness that being fully human implies. Thus he was able to […]