27th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, 09-10-2026

Galatians 3:7-14 / Luke 11:15-26   

When it comes to making a choice between two options, the question to ask is what are the two options.

If one option is blessings and the other is suffering, then the choice would be obvious.

It would be crazy to choose suffering over blessings.

The first reading says that Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being cursed for our sake.

To be crucified on the Cross is seen as a curse, but Jesus willingly took on the curse of our sins and saved us.

So in the choice of Jesus between blessings and suffering, He took on suffering.

And yet in that suffering, in that curse of being crucified on the Cross, He turned it into a blessing of salvation for us.

In life, we are often faced with choices, and we have to decide on only one choice.

Let that choice be always for Jesus, because He says this, “He who is not with Me is against Me; he who does not gather with me scatters.”

When our choice is for Jesus, it also means we choose the Cross.

It is the Cross of suffering, but with Jesus, it will be the Cross of salvation and blessing for us.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Thursday, 08-10-2026

Galatians 3:1-5 / Luke 11:5-13  

In life, we are always inclined to take the path of least resistance and find the easy way out.

We will want to avoid difficulty, we see it as a problem and we get frustrated by it.

After all, we like life to be easy and comfortable, and nothing much can be gained from facing and enduring difficulty.

In the first reading, St. Paul called the Christians of Galatia mad, and he wondered if someone had cast a spell on them.

They had been taught about the crucifixion of Christ, and how they were saved by the Cross of Christ.

But they had deviated from that teaching because the way of the Cross was too difficult and demanding.

They would rather just follow rules and regulations that they were used to and familiar with.

The Cross was too difficult to understand and too difficult to carry.

In the gospel, Jesus teaches us about persistence in the face of challenges and difficulties.

And when we feel that life is getting too rough and tough, then we must remember what Jesus taught us.

He taught us to turn to God and to ask, to search and to knock.

And if we give good things to our children, then how much more will God our Father give us the Holy Spirit.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is our Helper and our Guide.

With the Holy Spirit, we will be able to carry our cross and overcome adversity.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Wednesday, 07-10-2026

Acts 1:12-14 / Luke 1:26-38 

The feast of the Holy Rosary was established by Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto, October 7, 1571. The victory was attributed to the intercession of the holy Mother of God whose aid was invoked through praying the Rosary.

The celebration of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so deeply associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.

It is believed that God has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to this devotion in times of grave danger.

So besides the naval victory at Lepanto in 1571, there were many other occasions like plagues, disasters, disunity and schisms, where the Church has recourse to the prayer of the Rosary.

The original title was "Our Lady of Victory" but it was changed to the present title to give the devotion and the prayers a wider scope and appeal.

Still we are assured that when we stand by God we need have no fear because God will always be victorious.

And if God is for us, then who and what can be against us. For nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.

Excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI – Angelus Message 10/2/05 …“The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, the unique contemplative prayer through which, guided by the Lord’s Heavenly Mother, we fix our gaze on the face of the Redeemer in order to be conformed to his joyful, light-filled, sorrowful and glorious mysteries."

So despite its repetitive form, the Rosary invites us to join our Blessed Mother to look at Jesus and to pour out our love for Him.

We can also be assured that like Mary, we too will be filled with grace and that God will work marvels for us and through us.

Let us always remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Tuesday, 06-10-2026

Galatians 1:13-24 / Luke 10:38-42

It is said that practice makes perfect.

But that sentence may need some clarification.

As much as practice makes perfect, it also depends on what is being practised.

If what is practised is the wrong thing, then what is wrong only get done over and over again.

In the first reading, St. Paul recalls his days as a practising Jew, how mercilessly he was persecuting the Church of God, how much damage he did, how enthusiastic he was doing it, that he stood like a perfect example of his generation.

And then God came into his life and revealed Jesus Christ to him, and then his life turned around such that he began to preach the Good News to the pagans.

St. Paul began practising the right thing, which is also the good thing, and in doing so he gave glory to God.

In the gospel, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home.

She began to get busy with the serving, and then she got distracted with her sister who sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to Him.

So, Jesus had to correct her by telling her that she worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed.

Let us reflect on what we are doing and bring them before the Lord Jesus.

May Jesus enlighten us so that we will do what is right and good and for the glory of God.

27th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 05-10-2026

Galatians 1:6-12 / Luke 10:25-37   

To differentiate between the truth and falsehood may seem to be simple and easy.

But in reality it is not that simple and easy.

Because the truth can be rather difficult to accept.

And falsehood can be attractive and convenient when looking at quick gains and shortcuts.

In the first reading, St. Paul was astonished at how quickly the Galatians had turned away from the original Good News that was preached to them.

Some troublemakers had changed the teaching of the Good News to suit their own motives and interests.

They seek to get others to follow them by offering an attractive but hollow message.

But the truth is the truth even if no one wants to believe it.

And a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it.

In the gospel, Jesus told a parable that made the lawyer rethink about his understanding of who his neighbour is.

But the truth is that compassion is a basic expression of humanness.

Whoever has love, compassion and kindness is a true neighbour.

May we live out that fundamental truth in our lives.

27th Ordinary Sunday, Year A, 04.10.2026

Isaiah 5:1-7 / Philippians 4:6-9 / Matthew 21:33-43                

It has often been said that money cannot buy happiness. 

That is true, because happiness is not a commodity or a thing that can be bought at a price. 

Nonetheless, money can also give us a sense of security so that the basic needs of life like food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare are met. 

But one thing that we need to think about with regards to money is this:

When it comes to money, is it the more the better? Is it the more the merrier? Is it the more the happier? 

Although we know that money cannot buy happiness, but somehow, we think that money is always not enough. 

Even though our financial assets tell us that we have enough, yet we desire for more. 

It stems from that sinful desire called greed, that makes us think that we don't have enough, and that we need more. 

So, in short, the desire and greed for money is our human weakness and failing. 

The lesson that keeps coming to us is that there is enough for everyone's need, but never enough for everyone's greed. And we are still learning that lesson. 

In the Gospel, Jesus told a parable that pointed out the human weakness and failing. 

It is a parable about a landowner who leased out his vineyard to some tenants. 

That landowner provided for everything. He fenced it round, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. 

So, the tenants had everything done for them, and they just have to give the landowner what is rightfully his at vintage time. 

But those tenants became greedy. What they rented, they now wanted. 

When the landowner sent his servants to collect his produce, the tenants turned violent and wicked. 

They seized the servants, trashed them, stoned them, and even kill them. 

And when the landowner sent his son, the servants also killed him, thinking that they can now take over the inheritance. 

Even though it is a parable, it is a reality and a tragedy, that human greed knows no limits and can even resort to violence. 

So initially, the tenants were happy, then they got greedy, and what followed was a tragedy. 

But the parable is not just about human greed and its tragic consequences. 

It is also about God's blessings that is bestowed on His people. 

God's blessings on us is that He will always provide for our needs. 

As the second reading tells us, “there is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and thoughts”. 

With God's blessing and with God's peace in our hearts, we are to live virtuous and noble lives, doing what is good and pure, and doing it with love and honour. 

That is the fruit that we are to produce in our lives. 

God has called us and chosen us to bear those fruits for His glory. 

It is in bearing those fruits of holiness that others will see God present in our lives, and that they will want to know God through us. 

And that is actually our mission, isn't it? 

There is a story of a conversation between Jesus and the archangel Gabriel, and though it is just a story, it illustrates a good point. 

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the archangel Gabriel approached Him and said, "Master, You must have suffered terribly for men down there." 

"I did," Jesus said. "And," continued Gabriel, "do they know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?" 

"Oh, no," said Jesus, "not yet. Right now only a small group of people in Jerusalem know about it." 

Gabriel was astonished. "Then what have You done, to let everyone know about Your love for them?" 

Jesus said, "I've asked Peter, James, John, and a few more friends to tell other people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell other people about Me, and My story will be spread to the furthest ends of the world. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about My life and what I have done." 

Gabriel frowned and looked rather puzzled. He knew how weak and flawed men are. "But what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the twenty-first century, people just don't tell others about You? Haven't You made any other plans?" 

And Jesus answered, "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them" 

Twenty centuries later, Jesus still has no other plan! 

So, there is no "plan B". Jesus counted on His early disciples, and they delivered.

Jesus is also counting on you and me.

Those early disciples prayed and Jesus helped them.

Let us also pray and trust that Jesus will provide for us, and we will bear the fruits for His glory and lead others to Him.

26th Week, Ordinary Time, Saturday, 03-10-2026

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 / Luke 10:17-24  

We like things to have a happy ending. If it is a story book or a movie, a happy ending will earn our approval.

Even in life, whatever we undertake, be it projects or assignments or whatever tasks, we would like it to have a happy ending, so that we would earn the approval of others.

In the 1st reading, we have finally come to the last chapter of the book of Job. The book of Job has often been the assigned reading for those who have questions about innocent suffering.

Well, the book of Job closes with a happy ending with the fortunes of Job restored and he lived to a ripe old age and full of days.

Yet Job did not find the answers as to why he had been afflicted with sufferings and tragedies. His consolation, besides his restoration, was his realization of who God is as he says "but now I have seen You with my own eyes"

He realized that everything happens under the watchful eyes of God, and God's plan for us is always for our good and not otherwise.

In the gospel the 72 disciples came back to Jesus rejoicing that even devils submit to them when they use the authoritative name of Jesus.

But the time will come when the whole strength of the enemy will come at them, and they will be persecuted and they will even have to face death.

It may not be that kind of happy ending that people wish for, yet for whatever ending it will be, the disciples will accept it willingly.

Because the true happy ending will be that their names are written in heaven. 

May we willingly accept our difficulties and sufferings in life and realize who God is, so that our names will also be written in heaven.