Fr. Ken's Pastoral Care

Readings Deuteronomy 4:1-2.6-8; Psalm 15; James 1:17-18.21-27 and Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23.  THE LAW OF GOD AND THE HEART OF MAN   It is obvious covid-19 has taught us many life lessons, one of which is the importance of proper hygiene. Although we seem to be relaxed at the moment, the practice of constantly washing and sanitizing our hands have come to stay in our society due to its enforcement in the wake of this global health threat. With this practice, we recall the Jewish laws on purity and impurity as they reflect in today’s liturgy, which offer us orientations on the observance of the Law.   In the first reading, Moses admonishes the Israelites on the ten commandments of God, not to interfere with it, nor modify it. He enjoined them to obey and keep the Law. He had reminded Israel of their many rebellions against God in the wilderness. Now, as they were ready to enter into the Promised Land, he wanted them to think about the need to adhere to the commandments...

Readings: Joshua 24:1-2.15-18b; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:21-32 and John 6:60-69.  THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE     There are moments in life we must make crucial decisions and choices which may shape the rest of our lives. Moments of this nature become our crossroads. It may be decisions on career or vocation; it may be about choice of life partner in marriage or other values of life with future consequences. Sometimes, these decisions may appear easy and at other times, very hard. What has been the most difficult decision you have made in life? Are your decisions in conformity with the teachings of Joshua to the Israelites and of Christ to his disciples as we have in the readings of today? Do you take responsibility for decisions in life?   The first reading presents to us Joshua’s profession of faith before the leaders of the people of Israel at Shechem. Joshua presents to them two projects: first was the project of domination and oppression . These people were slav...

Readings: Revelation 11:19.12:1-6.10; Psalm 45; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 and Luke 139-56.  DID THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY EXPERIENCE DEATH?    Today we celebrate one of the most controversial doctrines among Christians – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Did her body experience decay or was she “assumed” into heaven body and soul? Does the Bible mention her assumption into heaven? If not, why does Catholicism promote the doctrine that she was taken body and soul to heaven to live with her Son forever? What does the doctrine uphold and what is the basis for this doctrine?   Over the years, there have been questions surrounding the death of Mary, if she died a normal and peaceful death; if she died a martyr; or she did not die. The Catechism of the Church teaches us that Mary was taken to heaven when the course of her earthly life was finished. The Church does not declare whether Mary died and then was assumed into heaven or whether she w...

Readings: 1Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34; Ephesians 4:30-5:2 and John 6:41-51.  DO YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?     There are moments in life we experience sadness and nothing around pleases us. Moments we experience hopelessness and unnecessarily stay with anger which persists over a long period of time. It is a moment of depression when things seem not to be working out well as planned. It’s a moment we see no reason for living and the thought of suicide comes up. Today’s liturgy helps us reflect on such moments in our lives, as in the case of Elijah and the liturgy proffers solution to us, which is inherent in Jesus Christ, the bread of life. All we need is believe in Him.   In the first reading, we have the event that took place on the journey of Elijah from Beersheba to Mount Horeb, also known as...