Homily: January 20, 2026. Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (Anointed-Spirit )

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 “And from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.”

Today’s first reading narrates a very moving and exciting scene in the Book of Samuel: the anointing of future King David. He was still a youth, inexperienced and not tested, but he knew God and God knew him. God chose him, anointed him and his life changed forever.

A few months ago, I watched the show ‘David’ at the Sight & Sound Theatre. This scene was so well done that it stayed vivid in my memory. When Samuel anointed David, something real happened, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him. David felt it. Thus throughout his life, he lived with a deep awareness of God’s presence and holy obedience to God.

God’s presence was so strong in David’s consciousness then even though he later sinned, he did not hide from or justify himself with God. Instead, he offered up one of the most beautiful penitential psalms in deep contrition.

“Do not cast me from Your presence, nor take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

David understood that sin weakened his communion with God. More than losing a kingdom or reputation, he feared losing the Holy Spirit in his soul.

Like David, we too have been anointed. At our baptism and confirmation, sacred chrism was poured upon us, and the same Holy Spirit rushed into our lives. I am always struck by this reality when I baptize babies, so I pour the chrism oil generously, because God’s Spirit is never given in small measures.

David was already gifted and courageous, but with the Spirit of the Lord upon him, he became powerful, not by strength alone, but by grace.

So today we ask ourselves: Do I live with an awareness of the Holy Spirit within me? Do I remember to activate the Holy Spirit in my daily life?

If you are unsure, do not despair, but to now make the decision to want to rekindle the gift we have received from God, to stir into flames the Spirit dwelling within us. So let us sincerely invite the Holy Spirit to remain in us, to strengthen us, and to help us in our daily battle against evil. Amen.


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Homily: Janaury 19, 2026 Monday of the Second week in Ordinary Time (Renewal)

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"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin." When someone is diagnosed with a major illness, they often turn to others who have gone through a similar experience. They seek advice about doctors, treatments, and coping strategies. Why? Because those who have been through the same struggles can empathize and possibly share insights about the situation, better than someone who has not been through it. They know the pain, the challenges, and the fears, the journey. Of course, not everyone’s experience will be the same, but the reference can be useful. I remember when my mummy was diagnosed with cancer, we asked many people who had cancer before which helped us understand some things about the condition.  In today’s first reading, we hear about Jesus, our High Priest, who sympathizes with our weaknesses and knows what we go through in life, because He has gone through it all...
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Homily: August 26, 2025, Tuesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (Nursing Mother)

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 “Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.”  How does a nursing mother care for her child? If you have ever nursed your own child, you might have experienced strong intimacy with your child, the bond is deep and loving for both mother and child. The nursing period is when the child is not yet independent and still requires providence of milk, affection and protection from the mother. Here in today’s first reading, St. Paul described his love for the Thessalonian community like the affection and tenderness of a nursing mother for her child. These words were from one of his earliest letters, written to the Thessalonians when they were facing intense persecution.  Regardless, the community remained steadfast and persevering in faith. Paul’s words of encouragement and endearment ...
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Homily: January 11, 2026, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Beloved)

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Holy Family School Mass Homily.   “At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.” In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus healing many people with different diseases. The passage begins with the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was very sick in bed with a very high fever. She was not merely resting, in fact her fever was so bad that she was unable to get out of bed. I am guessing it could be 103 or 104 degrees! Normally, if we get such a high fever, it would take us days to recover with strong medication. But when Jesus visited Peter’s mother-in-law, He simply stood over her, rebuked the fever, that means He scolded the fever, and it left her!  Instantly, she was well again and was able to get up and serve Jesus and His disciples. Wow! Jesus is the King of the Universe, He has power over everything in the world, if you would only believe in Him and trust Him. Even today, Jesus continues ...
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Homily: October 21, 2025, Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time (Sin-Grace)

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 “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” Really? Yes, absolutely true. There is no doubt that sin is increasing in the world, at least in terms of modern technology. I make this observation based on what priests hear in the confessional. One hundred years ago, people did not confess sins related to television. Thirty years ago, there were no sins involving the internet. Twenty years ago, we didn’t have sins connected to smartphones. Ten years ago, we didn’t have sins committed due to social media. And just a few years ago, no one mentioned sins related to artificial intelligence. From time to time, I have encountered and had to ask the penitents to explain certain words they used in confession and which did not even exist a decade ago! They were new to me, but I am sure Jesus was not stumped like me. Sins come in new forms, but the reality of sin remains the same. Yet, St. Paul reminds us that as sin increases, grace overflows even more. Along with these new challenge...
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