SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

November 4, 2026November 4, 2026

5 NOVEMBER 2026

Hope for the Lost – Upside-Down Savior

THURSDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Phil 3: 3-8; Ps 105: 2-7; Lk 15: 1-10

COUNTING ALL AS LOSS

“I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” This is the cry of someone who has discovered a treasure so valuable that everything else has lost its meaning. And, consider what Paul lists as ‘loss’: not just sinful things, but his very credentials as a faithful Jew – his achievements, his identity, his sources of pride and security.

This is the doctrine of radical detachment that St John of the Cross teaches throughout his writings. In the Ascent of Mount Carmel, he insists that we must let go not only of sinful attachments but even of good things, including spiritual gifts, religious accomplishments, and consolations in prayer. The summit of the ‘mountain of God’ is reached not by adding more possessions (even spiritual ones) but by emptying ourselves of everything that is not God. St Teresa of Avila shares that for years she tried to build a spiritual life on her own efforts, her religious practices, her good reputation. But she discovered that all of this had to be surrendered before she could enter into genuine prayer. In the Interior Castle, she describes how the journey within consists of passing through ‘mansions’ where we let go of everything – attachments to comfort, to the approval of others, to spiritual consolations, even to our own ideas about who God is – until finally we stand empty-handed before the Beloved, Christ, who has already let go of everything to gain us; who even counted heaven itself as loss for us.

Today, Paul challenges us to examine what we are still clinging to. What credentials do we parade before God? What achievements do we think make us worthy? What spiritual accomplishments do we keep desiring for and hold on to? We are invited today to empty our hands of everything – not because these things are evil, but because they keep us from receiving the one treasure that truly satisfies: the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

Response: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

November 3, 2026November 3, 2026

4 NOVEMBER 2026

September 7, 2025 Gospel: Luke 14: 25-33 Reflection: The Cost of Discipleship

WEDNESDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo

Phil 2: 12-18; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Lk 14: 25-33

COST OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP

Every disciple or every apprentice should be dedicated and committed in the new direction one has taken or new life one has chosen if one wants to be successful or reach one’s goal. Otherwise, that person will be a failure. This implies having total focus on the direction or choice one has made. In today’s reading we have the same thought running through. St Paul in the first reading firmly warns the Philippians that they need to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This does not mean physical fear and trembling but spiritual fear of being separated from God. He means to say that they need total dedication and maximum commitment and never be negligent.

In the Gospel passage we hear Jesus’ demand to his followers that they must be ready to detach themselves from all affections of this world and only be attached to His love. Besides one must be ready to accept daily crosses in order to express our dedication and commitment to Jesus. There is no more turning back. The two examples which Jesus gives explains what exactly He means. Before building a tower and before going to fight with the enemy, one is required to know one’s ability and capabilities. Otherwise, the whole enterprise will be a failure. So, Jesus wants every one of us be His genuine disciple who is ready to renounce everything in order to possess Him. Saints did the same and they invite us to follow them. St Teresa of Avila says: “God alone suffices”. It is not that Jesus tells us not to love anyone in this world, but that love should not be a hindrance to possess the love of God. Both love cannot go hand in hand or equally. So, we are able to recognize that it costs to be a dedicated disciple of Jesus or to possess God, and God alone, and this means that we give up or renounce all that is not God. Are we ready for this level of commitment? There cannot be a compromise in loving God with an undivided heart!

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

November 2, 2026November 2, 2026

3 NOVEMBER 2026

Today's Reflection: Luke 14:15–24 In this passage, Jesus tells the story of a man who prepared a great feast and invited many guests. When the time came, those invited began to make

TUESDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Phil 2: 5-11; Ps 22: 26-32; Lk 14: 15-24

THE INVITATION WE MUST NOT MISS

St. Paul presents before us today, the astonishing humility of Christ: though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself and took the form of a servant. The Gospel reveals to us a banquet to which many are invited, yet some find reasons to remain away. At first, these two readings may seem unrelated, but together they ask us a deeply personal question: Am I willing to empty myself enough to accept God’s invitation? The banquet in the Gospel is ready. Everything has been prepared. The invitation is generous and freely given. Yet the invited guests begin to make excuses. One has bought a field, another has purchased oxen, and another has married. None of these things is necessarily wrong. What becomes tragic is that good things become excuses for refusing something greater. Perhaps this is also our struggle. We can become so occupied with our plans, responsibilities, possessions and relationships that we leave little room for God. We may not consciously reject Him; we simply become too busy to respond. The danger is not always saying “no” to God. Sometimes it is continually saying, “Not now.”

Christ shows us another way. He did not cling to his privileges but emptied himself in love. The Christian life is therefore not merely about receiving an invitation but about becoming humble enough to accept it. To enter God’s banquet, we must sometimes let go of our own agenda, our need for recognition, our attachments and our excuses. The surprising part of the Gospel is that when some refuse the invitation, the master sends his servants to the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. God’s table has room for those whom the world overlooks. His invitation is wider than our calculations and more generous than our expectations. Today, let us ask ourselves: What is keeping me from the banquet? The banquet is ready. The invitation has been given. The question is whether our hearts are ready to say, “Yes, Lord, I will come.” May we learn from Christ to empty ourselves, so that God may fill us with his grace.

Response: I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

November 1, 2026November 1, 2026

2 NOVEMBER 2026

All Souls Day - Newsletter #14 - 15 October

MONDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

(ALL SOULS)

Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11; Jn 6:37-40

HOPE BEYOND DEATH

All Souls’ Day, invites us to contemplate the Christian mystery that death is not the end of communion with God, but a passage into the fullness of life. Today, the Church remembers those who have died in the hope of the resurrection and entrusts them to God’s merciful love. While the world may see death as defeat and separation, Christian faith looks beyond death with hope. Pope Benedict XVI, in Spe Salvi, reminds us that Christian hope is not mere optimism but confidence that God’s love is stronger than death. St Paul reveals the foundation of this hope in his letter to Romans. Our hope rests not on human goodness but on Christ’s merciful initiative. Through His Cross and Resurrection, Jesus has confronted and overcome death. As Gaudium et Spes teaches, Christ illuminates the mystery of suffering and death by entering into it and transforming it. The Gospel gives us Jesus’ consoling promise: “I should lose nothing of all that he has given me but raise it up on the last day” implying that the deceased are not forgotten by God; they remain within Christ’s redeeming love.

The Church prays for the dead because the bond of charity is stronger than physical separation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that from earliest times the Church has honoured the dead and offered prayers, especially the Eucharistic sacrifice, for them. We belong to one Body of Christ in life and death. This hope has a deep Carmelite dimension. St John of the Cross teaches that the soul’s ultimate end is perfect union with God. St Teresa of Avila understood life as a journey toward eternal communion: “It is time to walk, Lord, for my time is come.” All Souls’ Day therefore invites us to examine our own lives: Am I living in friendship with Christ? Am I forgiving, detached, and allowing God to purify my heart? Today let us entrust our departed to the Divine Mercy. May Mary, Mother of Mercy and Queen of Carmel, accompany us until we behold God face to face.

Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

October 31, 2026November 1, 2026

1 NOVEMBER 2026

We can all be saints! | CBCPNews

SUNDAY, THIRTY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Rv 7: 2-4, 9-14; Ps 24: 1-6; 1 Jn 3: 1-3; Mt 5: 1-12

ALL ARE CALLED TO BE SAINTS

Today the Church celebrates one of her most beautiful feasts: All Saints’ Day, a day not only to honour the saints we know by name, but also the countless men and women whose holiness remains hidden in the folds of daily life. This solemnity reminds us of a profound truth of our faith: holiness is not the privilege of a few; it is the vocation of all. Every person, in every state of life, is called to be a saint.

The Vision of Heaven: A Multitude of Hope

The Book of Revelation gives us a majestic vision: a great multitude from every nation, standing before the throne of God, clothed in white and singing praise. It is a scene of fulfillment — humanity gathered in unity, joy, and love before its Creator. These are not only the canonized saints but also the humble and unknown — parents, workers, missionaries, religious, children — all who lived their faith in love and perseverance. Their garments are white not because their lives were without sin, but because they were washed in the Blood of the Lamb. They allowed grace to purify their weakness. This is the hope of every Christian: not perfection achieved by effort, but sanctity received through surrender to divine mercy.

The Identity of the Children of God

St. John, in his first letter, reminds us: “See what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” The call to holiness begins here; not with what we do, but with who we are. Holiness is the flowering of baptismal grace; it is God’s life growing within us. John continues, “What we shall be has not yet been revealed.” Holiness is a journey, not a static state. It is the gradual transformation of our hearts into the likeness of Christ. Every act of faith, every small act of love, every moment of surrender draws us closer to that glory already prepared for us.

The Path to Holiness: The Beatitudes

In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the charter of sainthood: the Beatitudes. They turn worldly logic upside down. The saints are not the powerful, the admired, or the successful; they are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those who hunger for righteousness, and even those who suffer for truth. Each Beatitude describes a heart that has been shaped by love. The poor in spirit are those who rely on God alone. The merciful mirror the compassion of the Father. The pure of heart see God because they have nothing to hide from Him. These are not impossible ideals; they are portraits of Christ Himself and therefore, portraits of what we are called to become. Holiness is not escape from the world but transformation within it. It means living the Gospel in the ordinary, forgiving when it’s hard, choosing humility over pride, patience over irritation, generosity over self-interest. Every act of love, no matter how small, builds the Kingdom.

The Saints Among Us – Today we remember not only the great names like Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and Thérèse of Lisieux, but also the hidden saints: the grandmother who prayed for her family, the nurse who comforted the dying, the teacher who inspired hope, the youth who kept faith amid temptation. They show us that holiness is possible, that sanctity is woven into the texture of ordinary life. Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exsultate reminds us: “To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love.” Holiness is the fruit of daily fidelity, doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. The saints are those who have let God love them fully, who have allowed His grace to shape their lives. They are mirrors of divine beauty, showing what happens when a soul says “yes” completely. The journey continues as All Saints’ Day is not simply about heaven; it is about our present call. The feast challenges us to live differently: to see holiness not as an unreachable perfection but as daily faithfulness to love. Holiness is joy – the joy of belonging entirely to God. It is the only destiny worthy of our hearts.

Response: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

October 30, 2026October 30, 2026

31st OCTOBER 2026

Luke 14,1.7-11 - Digital Catholic Missionaries (DCM)

SATURDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Phil 1: 18-26; Ps 42: 2-3, 5; Lk 14: 1, 7-11

JESUS’ TABLE TALK

The setting of the day’s gospel is a Sabbath meal hosted by one of the leading Pharisees, to which Jesus graciously accepts an invitation. Jesus observes how the invited guests are eager to secure places of honor at the table. In response, He shares a parable directed not only to those present but also to all of us who are invited to partake in God’s banquet. Jesus draws a very clear distinction between the Values of the world and the Values of the kingdom. In the world, status, recognition, and prestige are often pursued; in the Kingdom, humility is the defining virtue. The climax of this Gospel passage is found in Jesus’ teaching: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

In the Greco-Roman world, humility was generally viewed negatively, often associated with weakness, insignificance, or low social status. Jesus radically transforms this understanding by presenting humility as a virtue and a pathway to true greatness. His parable is an invitation to stop competing for places of honor and instead to rest in God’s unconditional love. Once we are secure in the knowledge that we are loved by God, we no longer need to seek the “best seat at the table.” Humility reflects trust in God rather than dependence on social standing or human approval. Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through surrender and self-emptying. The Gospel, the Good News, calls us toward service, simplicity, and self-giving love. This pattern reaches its fullest expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That same Risen Christ is accessible to us today. If Christ could transform Saul the persecutor into Paul the Apostle, can He not also transform us? The question we must honestly ask ourselves is this: Is our ego-self greater than God’s humble self? Until we surrender our pride and allow Christ to reign within us, we will continue to struggle for places of honor. But when we embrace humility, we discover the freedom, joy, and dignity of being seated where God desires us to be—in His presence and in His love.

Response: My soul is thirsting for the living God.

October 29, 2026October 29, 2026

30 OCTOBER 2026

Love, Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, Colossians 3:12•14, Typography Art Print, Weddings, Baptisms - Etsy

FRIDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Phil 1: 1-11; Ps 111: 1-6; Lk 14: 1-6

BOUND IN LOVE, CALLED TO COMPASSION

Most people in prison grow resentful, angry, and bitter with each passing day, but Paul’s letter to Philippians written from prison overflows with joy and encouragement. The Philippians and Paul had developed a deep relationship through riots, imprisonment, and hardship. The warmth of this relationship is evident throughout the letter. Paul had a genuine affection for them. Their joys were his joys; their struggles, his struggles. Even in prison, he remained bound to them in love.

The Philippians were not only friends with Paul, but partners in the Gospel. They actively shared in proclaiming, defending, and confirming the faith. They believed the Gospel and trusted in Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Paul was thankful for their continued partnership and fellowship in the Gospel. He prayed that their love would abound more and more, bringing discernment, purity, and spiritual fruitfulness.

In the Gospel Jesus challenges the Pharisees: if it is right to help an animal on the Sabbath, how can it be wrong to help a suffering person? Jesus never refused an invitation to hospitality, even when a Pharisee invited Him with the intention of testing Him. The man with dropsy seems to have been deliberately brought to the meal as a test, to see whether Jesus would heal him on the Sabbath. He may not have been welcomed because he was valued, but because he was being used as bait to trap Jesus. The Pharisees saw the man as an opportunity; Jesus saw him as a person. They were concerned about rules; Jesus was concerned about life. He showed him dignity by responding to his suffering and leading him towards wholeness.

Paul’s love for the Philippians and Jesus’ compassion for the suffering man reveal the same truth: the Gospel is not merely something we believe; it is a love we embody. True discipleship means carrying one another in our hearts, standing with those who suffer, and choosing mercy over indifference. Like Paul, we are called to remain bound to others in love; like Jesus, we are called to see the person behind the problem and respond with compassion.

Response: How great are the works of the Lord!

October 28, 2026October 28, 2026

29 OCTOBER 2026

Luke 13:31-35 – The Reflectionary

THURSDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 6: 10-20; Ps 144: 1-2, 9-10; Lk 13: 31-35

STEPS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Today’s Gospel presents a challenging message about the dangers to our spiritual life. When some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill Him, Jesus is not overcome by fear. He calls Herod a “fox” and continues faithfully on His mission, showing that He is guided not by fear but by the will of His Father. The Gospel invites us to examine our own lives. We often worry about our health, money, reputation and what others think of us, while forgetting the greatest danger: losing our relationship with God. Spiritual decline rarely happens suddenly; it begins quietly through laziness, pride, fear, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, or the desire to please others.

Therefore, the first step is to recognize our enemies: the attitudes, habits and temptations that slowly draw us away from God. Satan seeks to weaken our faith and separate us from Christ, so Jesus tells us to watch and pray. Second, remain in God’s love. Knowing that we are loved by God frees us from fear. Difficulties and temptations may come, but Christ gives us the strength to persevere. Third, be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us wisdom to recognize our faults, humility to accept correction, courage to change, and strength to choose what is right. Fourth, live an active Christian life. Faith must become action. We are called to serve, forgive, encourage and help others—remaining committed without becoming anxious. Fifth, repair broken relationships quickly. Hurt and misunderstanding are inevitable, but resentment destroys our peace. Forgiveness does not excuse the wrong; it frees our hearts from hatred. Finally, remain constant in prayer. Jesus Himself remained united with the Father through prayer. Prayer gives us the strength to face temptation, suffering and opposition with faith and peace.

Let us ask ourselves: Do I pray for those who hurt me? Do I forgive those who oppose me? Do I remain faithful when I am afraid? May we remain close to Jesus, constant in prayer, quick to forgive, and courageous in doing good. When Christ is at the centre of our lives, we remain secure in God’s love.

Response: Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

October 27, 2026October 27, 2026

28 OCTOBER 2026

The Feast of Saints Simon and Jude – Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica

WEDNESDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of Saints SIMON AND JUDE, Apostles

Eph 2: 19-22; Ps 19: 2-5; Lk 6: 12-16

WE BELONG TO GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

There are times when we feel like strangers; strangers in a place, strangers among people, or even strangers in our own lives and families. We may quietly carry the feeling that we do not belong. Today’s first reading gives us a beautiful message: in Christ, we are no longer strangers. We are members of God’s household. This is a simple truth, but it can change the way we live. God does not look at us as outsiders. He welcomes us as His own. He knows our story, our wounds, our failures, and our hopes, yet He still calls us His children. Nothing in our past is too broken for His love.

The reading also reminds us that we are being built together into a dwelling place for God. A house is made of many stones, and every stone has its place. In the same way, every person has a place in God’s family. No one is useless. No one is forgotten. Sometimes we may think that our small acts of love do not matter, but God uses them to build something beautiful. The saints Simon and Jude remind us that God can use ordinary people to become strong witnesses of His love. They were not called because they were perfect, but because they were willing to follow Jesus. Their lives became part of God’s living house. Perhaps today someone near us feels like an outsider. A kind word, a patient heart, a visit, or simply listening may help that person feel that they belong. We may never know how deeply a small act of love can touch another heart.

Let us also remember that we belong to God. When life becomes difficult and we feel alone, let us return to this truth: we have a home in Him. His love does not abandon us. Lord, thank You for making us part of Your family. Help us to welcome others as You have welcomed us. Make our hearts a place where others can experience Your kindness, peace, and love.

Response: Their message goes out through all the earth.

October 26, 2026October 26, 2026

27 OCTOBER 2026

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast - Luke 13 18-21 Sermon

TUESDAY, THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Eph 5: 21-33; Ps 128: 1-5; Lk 13: 18-21

SMALL BEGINNINGS, GREAT GROWTH IN GOD’S KINGDOM

In today’s Gospel, the Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed and to yeast. Both are very small. They seem almost unimportant. Yet they bring about amazing growth. The tiny seed becomes a large tree. A little yeast makes the whole dough rise. Jesus teaches us that God often works through small and hidden beginnings. Many people dream of doing great things for God. They wait for the perfect opportunity. But Jesus invites us to begin with the little things: a kind word, a smile, a sincere prayer, a helping hand. These simple acts may look small, but God can use them to touch many lives.

The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that love grows through mutual respect and self-giving. St. Paul speaks about relationships built on love, sacrifice, and care. Such love is not created in one day. It grows through daily acts of patience, understanding, and forgiveness. Like the mustard seed, faithful love becomes strong over time. We often become discouraged because we do not see immediate results. We pray, but nothing seems to change. We try to do good, but our efforts appear unnoticed. Today’s Gospel encourages us not to lose heart. God is at work even when we cannot see it.

Many saints began with simple acts of faith. St. Therese of Lisieux believed that small acts of love, done with great love, please God. She did ordinary things with an extraordinary heart. Her hidden life became a light for the whole Church. Today, Jesus asks us to trust the power of small beginnings. We may not change the whole world in one day. But we can make a difference in one person’s life. Every act of love, every prayer, and every sacrifice offered to God becomes a seed that He will make grow.

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be faithful in the little things. May we never underestimate small acts of love. With trust and patience, may we allow God to work through us so that His Kingdom may continue to grow in our hearts, our families, and our world.

Response: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.