Martin Jumbam

Catholic Meditation - Twenty Fifth Sunday – Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, September 24, 2023 as the 25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time in the liturgical year A. In the Entrance Antiphon of this Mass we pray:  “I am the Saviour of all people, says the Lord. Whatever their troubles, I will answer their cry, and I will always be their Lord. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Twenty Fourth Sunday – Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, September 17, 2023, as the twenty fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A.  In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, September 17, 2023, as the twenty fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A.  In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, September 10, 2023, as the twenty third Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A.  In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Lord, you are just, and the judgements you make are right. Show mercy when you judge me, your servant. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, September 03, 2023, as the twenty second Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A.  In the entrance antiphon we pray: “I call to you all day long, have mercy on me, O Lord. You are good and forgiving, full of love for all who call on you.  Amen.

Catholic Meditation - Twenty First Sunday – Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, August 27, 2023, as the twenty first Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Listen, Lord, and answer me. Save your servant who trusts in you. I call to you all day long, and have mercy on me, O Lord.”

Catholic Meditation - Twentieth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, August 20, 2023, as the twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “God, our protector, keep us in mind; always give strength to your people. For if we can be with you even one day, it is better than a thousand without you. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Solemnity of the Assumption

The 15^th day in the month of August is celebrated as the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was assumed into heaven body and soul. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Let us rejoice in the Lord and celebrate this feast in honour of the Virgin Mary, at whose assumption the angels rejoice, giving praise to the Son of God. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, August 13, 2023, as the 19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Lord, be true to your covenant, forget not the lives of your poor ones for ever. Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; do not ignore the shouts of your enemies. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - The Transfiguration – Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, August 06, 2023, as the eighteenth Sunday in ordinary time, Year A; however, it happens to fall on the sixth day of the month of August, which the Church has set aside as the Feast of the Transfiguration. It is therefore this feast that we are celebrating today.  In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “In the shining cloud the Spirit is seen; from it the voice of the Father is heard: This is my Son, my beloved, in whom is all my delight. Listen to him. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Seventeenth Sunday of Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, July 30, 2023 as the 17^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “God is in his holy dwelling; he will give a home to the lonely, he gives power and strength to his people. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, July 23, 2023, as the 16^th Sunday of ordinary time, year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “God himself is my help. The Lord upholds my life. I will offer you a willing sacrifice; I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness. Amen”

Catholic Meditation - Fifteenth Sunday of Lent - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, July 16, 2023 as the 15th Sunday of ordinary time, year A. The Entrance Antiphon of this day’s Holy Mass says: “In my justice I shall see your face, O Lord; when your glory appears, my joy will be full. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, July 09, 2023 as the 14th Sunday of ordinary time, year A. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Within your temple, we ponder your loving kindness, O God. As your name, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with justice. Amen”

Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, July 02, 2023, as the 13^th Sunday of ordinary time, year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “All nations, clap your hands. Shout with a voice of joy to God. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, June 25, 2023 as the twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. The Entrance Antiphon of today’s Mass says: “God is the strength of his people. In him, we his chosen, live in safety. Save us, lord, who share in your life, and give us your blessing; be our shepherd forever. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Eleventh Sunday of Year A

The universal Church celebrates June 18, 2023 as the eleventh Sunday of Year A. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Lord, hear my voice when I call to you. You are my help; do not cast me off, do not desert me, my Saviour God. Amen”.

Catholic Meditation - Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Mother Church invites us to celebrate this second Sunday after Pentecost as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, more commonly known by its Latin title, "Corpus Christi" (the Body of Christ). In the entrance antiphon we pray: "The Lord fed his people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied. Amen."

Catholic Meditation - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Year A

Today, June 04, 2023, the Church returns to Sundays of the Ordinary Time of the liturgical Year A. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “Blessed be God the Father and his only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit: for he has shown that he loves us. Amen”.

Catholic Meditation - Pentecost Sunday - Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, May 28, 2023, as Pentecost Sunday – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world. It holds all things together and knows every word spoken by man, alleluia.” 

Catholic Meditation - Seventh Sunday of Easter - Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, May 21, 2023 as the Seventh Sunday of Easter – Year A.  It is the last Sunday before Pentecost, and it is precisely on this Sunday each year that the Church celebrates the World Communications Day.  

Catholic Meditation - Solemnity of the Ascension

My brothers and sisters, the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord to heaven is one of the great solemnities in the Christian liturgical calendar and commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus  into heaven. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter. The Latin term used for the feast, ascensio, signifies that Christ was raised up by his own powers, and it is from these terms that this holy day gets its name.

Catholic Meditation - Sixth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, May 14, 2023 as the sixth Sunday of Easter – Year A In the entrance antiphon we pray: Speak out with a voice of joy; let it be heard to the ends of the earth: The Lord has set his people free, alleluia! 

Catholic Meditation - Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, May 07, 2023, as the fifth Sunday of Easter – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.”

Catholic Meditation - Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Mother Church celebrates April 30, 2023 as the fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A. It is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. This image is meant to evoke the idea of a shepherd who knows his sheep by name and is willing to lay down his life for them, just as Jesus does for our salvation. In the entrance antiphon we pray:  “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia!”

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Easter - Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, April 23, 2023 as the third Sunday of Easter – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy; praise the glory of this name; proclaim his glorious praise, alleluia.” 

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) – Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, April 16, 2023 as the Second Sunday of Easter. It is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday because it is originally based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy, which Saint Faustina reported as part of her encounter with Jesus. It is therefore associated with special promises from Jesus and indulgences issued by the Church.  In the entrance Antiphon we pray: “Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation. Alleluia.”

Catholic Meditation - Palm Sunday – Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 02, 2023, as Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, because the theme of Jesus’ suffering and death begins with the reading of the passion. Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Fifth Sunday of Lent - Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, March 26, 2023, as the Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Give me justice, O God, and defend my cause against the wicked; rescue me from deceitful and unjust men. You, O God, are my refuge. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, March 19, 2023, as the fourth Sunday of Lent - Year A. The fourth Sunday of Lent comes three weeks before Easter. It is also called the Laetare Sunday, the Sunday of Rejoicing when the austerity of Lent is briefly set aside. The organ is played in church, flowers are allowed on the altar and the purple vestments of Lent, signifying penance, are put aside. 

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Lent - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, March 12, 2023, as the third Sunday of Lent – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.”

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Lent - Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, March 05, 2023 as the Second Sunday of Lent – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “Remember your mercies, Lord, your tenderness from ages past. Do not let our enemies triumph over us; O God, deliver Israel from all her distress.”

Catholic Meditation - First Sunday of Lent - Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, February 26, 2023, as the First Sunday of Lent – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “When he calls to me, I will answer; I will rescue him and give him honour. Long life and contentment will be his. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, February 19, 2017 as the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, February 12, 2023, as the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, February 5, 2023 as the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time -Year A

Mother Church invites us to celebrate Sunday, January 29, 2023 as the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Save us, Lord our God, and gather us together from the nations, that we may proclaim your holy name and glory in your praise. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, January 22, 2023, as the third Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, January 15, 2023, as the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time in the Church’s Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “May all the earth give you worship and praise, and break into song to your name, O God, Most High. Amen.”

Catholic Meditation - Feast of the Epiphany – Year A

The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on Sunday, January 8, 2023, commemorates the call of the nations to salvation. It is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Saviour of the world. It celebrates the first two occasions on which Jesus’ divinity is manifested to the world: the visit of the three kings from the East, the Magi, and Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts, celebrated since the end of the second century, before the Christmas holiday was established.