Archive for February 14, 2026

Docile to His promptings

Posted: February 14, 2026 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Memory Book
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Today as I waited in line for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a parishioner, a brother in Christ, sat beside me. While waiting for the priest to come by, I felt the Lord highlight him to me to pray for. While we have greeted each other many times, just a general greeting, I never caught his name. So today, I asked his name. After that, I asked him if it was all right if I prayed for him. I prayed for the Lord’s presence to fill his heart, among other things. He thanked me, and then we sat quietly, just waiting for the priest to come.

Then I heard the prompting of our Lord wanting me to share with him that he was loved, among other things that I had to share with him that was on Lord’s heart for him. I’m sure he was surprised, but it fully resonated with him. So glory be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Testimony…

Posted: February 14, 2026 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Memory Book, Testimonies
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About three weeks ago, I was standing outside the foyer of the church, where I met a fellow brother in Christ who works for the church. I asked him how he was, and he grimaced in pain, saying his knee was giving him problems. I was just sharing with him that folks our age are prone to wear and tear, and when we least expect it, something out of the ordinary happens.

A very dear brother in Christ, and who is also a professor, Jake, was just sharing with me, when he was in Singapore, that he was just crossing the street when he, if I remember correctly, was trying to avoid a car, and just there and then his knees just gave way. . He was in excruciating pain constantly thereafter. He had to go for physiotherapy and the works.

So, as I was sharing with this brother in the church, I told him that normally I would pray for him there and then, but because our parish priest had already given direction that no layperson should pray over anyone, in the Church premises, so in obedience, I told him that I would lift him up at the Holy Eucharist and pray for his complete healing. He was thankful.

During mass, from the start to the point where the Holy Eucharist was lifted up, I lifted my brother in Christ there and then, and I prayed earnestly for a complete healing. Praying that our Lord is the Lord of the impossible, and nothing is too great for him. I had also lifted both my mother and mother-in-law too, and an encounter ministry classmate were all lifted up at that very Holy Eucharist.

Today, three weeks later, I bumped into that same brother again, and he was sharing with me that the very next day, he had a complete healing. So, praise and glory be to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

At the same time, I also remember that my encounter classmate also had a healing, which was, in itself, a miracle. I wasn’t praying for her alone. There were many people praying for her. But together, we praise and glorify our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has heard our prayers, for he is truly the Lord of the impossible. Amen.

Sunday Reflection with Dr Scott Hahn

Posted: February 14, 2026 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 15:15–20
Psalm 119:1–2, 4–5, 17–18, 33–34
1 Corinthians 2:6–10
Matthew 5:17–37


Affair of the Heart

Jesus tells us in the Gospel this week that He has come not to abolish but to “fulfill” the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets.

His Gospel reveals the deeper meaning and purpose of the Ten Commandments and the moral Law of the Old Testament. But His Gospel also transcends the Law. He demands a morality far greater than that accomplished by the most pious of Jews, the scribes and Pharisees.

Outward observance of the Law is not enough. It is not enough that we do not murder, commit adultery, divorce, or lie.

The law of the New Covenant is a law that God writes on the heart (see Jeremiah 31:31–34). The heart is the seat of our motivations, the place from which our words and actions proceed (see Matthew 6:21; 15:18–20).

Jesus this week calls us to train our hearts, to master our passions and emotions. And Jesus demands the full obedience of our hearts (see Romans 6:17). He calls us to love God with all our hearts and to do His will from the heart (see Matthew 22:37; Ephesians 6:6).

God never demands more than what we are capable of doing. That is the message of this week’s First Reading. It is up to us to choose life over death, to choose the waters of eternal life over the fires of ungodliness and sin.

By His life, death, and Resurrection, Jesus has shown us that it is possible to keep His commandments. In Baptism, He has given us His Spirit, that His Law might be fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4).

The wisdom of the Gospel surpasses all the wisdom of this age that is passing away, St. Paul tells us in the Epistle. The revelation of this wisdom fulfills God’s plan from before all ages. Let us trust in this wisdom and live by His kingdom law.

As we do in this week’s Psalm, let us pray that we grow in being better able to live His Gospel and to seek the Father with all our heart.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: February 14, 2026 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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On this day of the dedication of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, we are reminded that it is Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who has given us our church built upon the rock. And this one universal church has lasted throughout the ages and will continue to do so till the end of our time.

Jesus does not only dwell in our hearts, but he has given us a sanctuary where we can congregate to worship him, worship the Holy Trinity. To not only be in his presence, but receive him body, soul, blood, and divinity. And this should make us proud to be his disciples and to be part of this Catholic Church.

Glory to you, O Lord. Amen.



First reading
2 Chronicles 5:6-10,13-6:2
The ark is brought to the Temple

King Solomon, and all the community of Israel gathering with him in front of the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, countless, innumerable. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the cherubs’ wings. For there where the ark was placed the cherubs spread out their wings and sheltered the ark and its shafts. These were long enough for their ends to be seen from the Holy Place in front of the Debir, but not from outside. There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord had made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt; they are still there today.
    All those who played the trumpet, or who sang, united in giving praise and glory to the Lord. Lifting their voices to the sound of the trumpet and cymbal and instruments of music, they gave praise to the Lord, ‘for he is good, for his love is everlasting.’
    Because of the cloud the priests could no longer perform their duties: the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
    Then Solomon said:

‘The Lord has chosen to dwell in the thick cloud.
Yes, I have built you a dwelling,
a place for you to live in for ever.’




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Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’