In many ways, feelings and emotions mold our personalities. They mark our actions and reactions. They influence much of what we live, for better or for worse. Today’s gospel is filled with emotions (Luke 15:1-3,11-32): The eagerness of sinners to hear Jesus. The frustration of the Pharisees seeing them at […]
International Day of Happiness – 20 March 2022
The International Day of Happiness is observed every year all over the world on March 20 to highlight the importance of happiness in the lives of people. The day recognizes happiness as the one of the most important need of human being and also highlights why it is essential to […]
3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2020
The 1st reading on this 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year A – Exodus 17:3-7) presents us with a scene known to many of us. The people of Israel complain that they have no water and accuse Moses of bringing them to a desert place. He, in turn, complains to the […]
13th Sunday of Year C – 2019
There are things we are so used to that, somehow, we take them for granted. This is the case, I think, for the Apostles of Jesus – we know very well that there were 12 of them. And it is as if this number were, in a way, ‘sacred’ – […]
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C – 2019
The texts from the Bible are often presented in a language quite different from our own way of speaking. Different types of literature are used to transmit to us the message of God. And, not only is the language different but, often too, the scenes represent actions and reactions that […]
World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking – 8 February
Time to end slavery Pope Francis has declared the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, which is celebrated each year on 8th February to be the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking. St Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of slavery and of Sudan. Australians […]
International Day for Tolerance – 16 November
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Tolerance is annually observed on November 16 to educate people about the need for tolerance in society and to help them understand the negative effects of intolerance. Background In 1996 the UN General Assembly invited member states to observe the International Day for […]
Nelson Mandela International Day – 18 July
Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is held on July 18 each year. The day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation. Background Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918. He is one of the […]
6th Sunday of Easter, Year B
Whether we like it or not, Facebook is one of the most popular social media. It has taken on the ‘mission’ of ‘connecting’ us, of linking together the inhabitants of Planet Earth. To achieve this task, it makes use of all kinds of clever ways – one of which is […]
World Press Freedom Day – 3 May
Declaration by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the EU on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2018. On this day we celebrate the World Press Freedom Day in a difficult context for journalism. Freedom of expression and Freedom of the press are threatened […]