12 Dec - Memorial for Our Lady of Guadalupe Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town which grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady. It is taken as representing [...]
11 Dec Our Joy In Christ We celebrate our joy in Christ’s redeeming work among us, realising that he who is to come is indeed already with us, “unknown to us”. – The Sunday Missal _____________________ Isaiah 61:1-2. 10-11 The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. [...]
10 Dec _____________________ Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4.9-12 The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you [...]
09 Dec – Memorial for St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin John (1474-1548) was born an impoverished free man in a strongly class-conscious society. He was a farm worker, a field labourer, and a mat maker. He became a married layman with no children. Even as a pagan, he was a mystical and religious man and became [...]
07 Dec – Memorial for St Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Ambrose (c.340–397) was born to the Roman nobility. He was the brother of St. Marcellina and St. Satyrus. He was educated in the classics, Greek, and philosophy at Rome, Italy. He was a poet and a noted orator. He was a convert [...]
06 Dec – Memorial for St Nicholas, Bishop Nicholas (d. 346) was a priest and abbot, and the bishop of Myra, Lycia (modern Turkey). He was generous to the poor, and a special protector of the innocent and wrong. Many stories grew up around him prior to his becoming Santa Claus. One story is that [...]
05 Dec _____________________ Isaiah 35:1-10 Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, [...]
04 Dec – Second Sunday of Advent The Good News Today we celebrate the Good News of God’s incredible love for all his people. Every messenger of this Good News says the same thing: he is coming to save you; he will make all things new; prepare a way for him; take him to your [...]
03 Dec – Feast of St. Francis Xavier, presbyter, religious, missionary (Principal Patron of Foreign Missions) Dear readers, Here is an additional reflection based on the readings for the Saturday in the 1st Week of Advent. It comes to you as a nice cap for this calender year. – Aloysius for The OXYGEN Team Francis [...]
02 Dec _____________________ Isaiah 29:17-24 The Lord says this: In a short time, a very short time, shall not Lebanon become fertile land and fertile land turn into forest? The deaf, that day, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see. But the lowly [...]
