THE MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
THE GOSPEL:
"Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb." (Mark 6: 17 - 29).
Friday 29th August 2025 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist.
Who is St John the Baptist?
John is the son of Zachary and Elizabeth.
When Mary visited Elizabeth, John leapt in her mother's womb in recognition of Jesus.
When he came of age, he retired to the desert to prepare for his exacting ministry.
In the fullness of time, John came to the River Jordan and began preaching and baptizing people for repentance in preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
“HE MUST INCREASE BUT I MUST DECREASE." (ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.]
It was here that at the River Jordan that John condemned the adulterous life of King Herod.
Herodias, the concubine of Herod took revenge on the Baptist and demanded his death when a good opportunity presented itself.
John's martyrdom is a cause of joy and hope for Christians.
John died about the age of 32. Was his life in vain? Of course not.
You think of the hundreds of martyrs that the Church honors every year.
We honor them to remind everyone that Heaven is real for the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Hell is also real for those who reject Jesus completely.
If someone asks you:
How do you know that Heaven is real? Your answer could be among others: Look at the martyrs. Intelligent and beautiful men and women! Could they have thrown away the only life they had for nothing?
Think of all the Apostles and Saints: Cecilia, Agatha, Thomas More, Lawrence, Edmond Campion, Paul Miki, Miguel Pro, Maximilian Kolbe, Charles Lwanga and companions and others.
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28)
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
THE MEMORIAL OF ST AUGUSTINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.
Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
But if that wicked servant says to himself,
‘My master is long delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards,
the servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” (Matthew 24: 42 - 51).
Thursday 28th August 2025 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.(354 - 430). African.
St Augustine was the son of St Monica and Patricius.
Augustine was a prodigal of some kind in his youth.
He kept a mistress for many years. He belonged to the heretical sect, the Manichaens for years.
Monica shed bitter tears for his conversion and waited on God for many years before it happened.
St Augustine was baptized by St Ambrose of Milan, the great Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
St Augustine is a prolific writer and without doubt one of the greatest doctors of the Church.
His greatest works are: THE CONFESSIONS and THE CITY OF GOD.
His influence on Church doctrine has not diminished with time. He is vastly quoted in the Documents of Second Vatican Council.
The Gospel of
Thursday August 28th 2025 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is very rich.
What is the central message in today's Gospel?
Jesus teaches the absolute necessity of being Always Ready! Always Prepared! For what? For either the Time of Fulfillment to answer your prayers or for the Hour to meet
your God.
God decided in His sovereign, merciful and mysterious Providence not to reveal the precise time He visits us.
Why? So that we will form the habit of always be ready for Eternity. This life, this world is just a preparation for Eternal life.
You will not get a text message from God saying: 'Be ready on Thursday, August 31st at 9.30am at the Starbucks on Divine Ave.'
No.
The moment may come like a thief in the night. Very suddenly!
How do we prepare?
#1. Form a habit of daily prayer.
#2. Form a habit of daily feeding on the word of God.
#3. Frequent Eucharist.
#4. Frequent Reconciliation.
#5. Pray for the grace of perseverance every day.
Be always prepared!
The Holy Catholic Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in August.
KNOW WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD NEVER FAILS THOSE WHO HONOR HER ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLY ROSARY.
Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
THE MEMORIAL OF ST MONICA, MOTHER OF ST AUGUSTINE.
THE GOOD NEWS:
"Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, and you say,
‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!”
(Matthew 23: 27 - 32).
Wednesday August 27th 2025, in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Monica, Mother of St Augustine.
"The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised.
Her children have called her most blessed,
her husband has sung her praises." ( Cf. Prv 31:30, 28). Entrance Antiphon.
Wednesday August 27th in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Monica, the Mother of St Augustine, whose feast day is tomorrow August 28th.
The Entrance Antiphon from the Book of Proverbs can be aptly applied to St Monica:
"The woman who fears the Lord will herself be praised. Her children have called her most blessed, her husband has sung her praises." ( Cf. Prv 31:30, 28). Entrance Antiphon.
St Monica was born in 331 in Tagaste in modern Algeria in North Africa and died in 387 near Rome at the age of 56. Monica is the mother of St Augustine, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church.
The Church cannot praise our saint of the day enough. Look at the Entrance Antiphon from the special Mass for St Monica. Look also at the Collect prayer to the Father.
Almighty Father accepted the motherly tears of St Monica for the conversion of the once prodigal Augustine and made Augustine a great Shepherd of souls.
St Monica also handled a difficult husband, the once alcoholic and hot tempered Patricius, a pagan and city councilor. He died a baptized Christian!
At a time when wife- beating was not considered a crime, Monica counseled her female married friends how to handle their husbands. According to Monica, despite the fact that her husband was both a pagan and alcoholic, Patricius never threatened nor abused her in any way.
The Church made Monica the patron saint of married women and a model for Christian mothers.
Who will doubt that we need many Monicas today.
We need women who are strong in Christian virtue and able to mother a Christian household.
How can the young preserve purity and chastity today? Maternal advice can go like this:
#1 Daily Prayer: Vital Necessity.
#2 Daily word of God.
#3 Frequent Holy Communion.
#4 Frequent Confession.
#5 Spiritual Reading.
O woman, if you do this, "God will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Cf 1 Corinthians 1: 9).
Jesus accused the Scribes and the Pharisees of being hypocrites in the Gospel of today.
They were like actors in a theater clamoring for the cheers and approval of the public.
Does the Church have a problem of hypocrisy today?
The World has a huge problem with truth. One may even say with the Truth, who is a person.
This had been recognized decades ago by modern prophets like Pope Benedict XVI and many sociologists.
Hypocrisy is fundamentally a masking of truth. What are some of its characteristics today?
No shame in telling lies.
No shame or apology in lying or being caught lying.
No hesitation in lying before children.
Sins of lies, perjury, defamation are minimized and may no longer be adequately covered in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Church is the seed of the kingdom of God in the world.
Alas, the the Church is no longer immune from the sin of hypocrisy, lies, falsehood, perjury and defamation.
"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4: 3 - 5).
We live in a time that seems to be marred by open rebellion against truth.
How can you "be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry"?
St Philip Neri teaches that frequent Confession will lead us to truth and humility.
The Church teaches that frequent Holy Communion will transform us into the image of the Person we receive in the Eucharist. Jesus Christ is the Truth, the Way and the Life.
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says:
"In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
TWO SIMPLE WAYS TO BEAT HYPOCRISY AND UNTRUTH.
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.” (Matthew 23 - 26).
Tuesday August 26th in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time.
What are the themes of today's catechesis? Hypocrisy and Blind Guides.
Hypocrisy is pure and simple untruthfullness. Being a blind guide is an inordinate desire to lead and to teach before you are qualified. Like a doctor practicing before certification.
Both hypocrisy and being a blind guide are not incurable spiritual conditions.
As a matter of fact, most Christians are affected by the two spiritual malaise. The cure for both is Humility.
I like the prescription of St Philip Neri on how to acquire Humility. St Philip Neri who is a very gifted spiritual director and confessor recommends frequent Confession as antidote to pride.
Although most Marian authors in my experience never associate directly devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and acquiring the gift of Humility, it is difficult for me not to imagine such a benefit. Mary’s greatest gift is Humility. An accepted axiom says: We become like our friends. So one of the most direct means of beating hypocrisy and untruth is to say the Holy Rosary every day.
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
FEAST OF STS LOUIS OF FRANCE & JOSEPH CALASANZ
THE GOSPEL:
"Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves.
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.’
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.’
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.” (Matthew 23: 12 - 22).
Monday 25th August 2025 in the 21st Week in Ordinary Time is the feast feast of Saints Louis of France and Joseph Calasanz.
St Louis of France (1214 - 1270). He lived a simple life characterized by prayer and penance.
God was pleased with Louis and raised him from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of heavenly kingdom.
We celebrate also today:
St Joseph Calasanz (1557 - 1648). Spanish Priest who dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children.
What is the common factor between King Louis and Father Joseph?
They were separated by nearly 300 years.
"Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property."
St Louis the king of France had eleven children. As king of a great European power in the 13th century, Louis lived a life of penance and prayer and treated the French people as his children.
St Joseph Calasanz dedicated his life in charity and patience to the education of poor children.
He founded a religious order to cater for the poor and the abandoned children of Rome.
It is reported of him that he founded the first free primary education for poor children.
St Joseph Calasanz died in Rome in August 25th 1648 and was canonized in 1767 by Pope Clement XIII.
Here is what Jesus said to the crowds and His disciples in today's Gospel:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves."
The sharp words of Jesus lead us to reflect on the Power of Example.
Bad example corrupts.
Good example edifies.
The great heroes of our Faith like Saints Monica, Augustine, Rose of Lima, Catherine of Siena, Francis of Assisi evangelized and catechized through the powerful examples they demonstrate daily. Unknown to these saints, people observe them and were able to draw conclusions from their manner of living. These saints were filled with peace, joy and serenity. All these are fruits of the Holy Spirit.
If you teach the Faith in the Church whether as Bishop, priest, catechist or theologian, you must shudder when you read the words of Jesus in today's Gospel:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves."
Commit yourself to doing the work of ministry with the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Until now, the precious grace of Eucharistic adoration has remained unknown to far too many of My priests. This accounts for the weaknesses, the scandals, the shame, and the falling away of so many. The world has grown cold, and it will become even more cold as the darkness of the Enemy enfolds it and turns to ice the hearts that I consecrated to be for Me hearts of love." (IN SINU JESU page 216).
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
