January 3-8: After Epiphany

 3 Monday (The Most Holy Name of Jesus): 

The context: Today’s Gospel describes the beginning of Jesus’ mission of preaching and healing in Galilee, an ideal spot because it was the most fertile land in Palestine and well-populated with 204 villages around the Sea of Galilee housing Jews and Gentiles. The Jews there largely belonged to the tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Zebulon. The people were open to new ideas because they had been exposed to various religious beliefs and the culture of traders from all over the known world.

January 6; Thursday after Epiphany

January 6; Thursday after Epiphany

1 John 4:19 - 5:4 / Luke 4:14-22     

How can we be sure we love God? Whoever loves God must also love others.

January 4: Tuesday after Epiphany

January 4: Tuesday after Epiphany

1 John 4:7-10 / Mark 6:34-44

God is love; Whoever loves knows God.

Jan 1: Mary, Mother of God - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting

A. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Option 1) 
God sent his Son, born of a woman,
to enable us to become God's children.
Through the Spirit of the Son we can cry out to God:
"Father, my Father!"
May Jesus, this Son, be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Octave of Christmas, 29th December, St. Thomas Becket

 Octave of Christmas, 29th December, St. Thomas Becket

1 John 2:3-11 / Luke 2:22-35

The light is shining; If we don't love, we are in darkness

Holy Family - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting

We are already the children of God;
we need not be afraid in his presence.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Feast of the Holy Family

A little boy greets his father as he returns from work with a question: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” The father is surprised and says:

Advent, 24th December, Friday

 Advent, 24th December, Friday

2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 / Luke 1:67-79     

Nathan prophesies about David; "Your kingdom will last forever.”

Advent, 23rd December, Thursday

 Advent, 23^rd December, Thursday

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66    

I will send my messenger; "He will prepare the way for me.”

Christmas: Stories

 Christmas Stories from Father Tony Kadavil

1) Origin of the Christmas celebration: Many scholars believe that Christmas came to be placed on December 25^th in order to counteract a pagan celebration called the Birth of the Unconquered Sun. The Romans called their winter holiday