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  Christ the Saviour El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 5:38-48  ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India)     Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’   But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.   And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, [ a ]  let him have your cloak as well.   And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.   Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’   But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,   so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

  Lala , with Jordan I first wrote this post in October 2008 and used it again in 2011 under the title  Lala and Queen Elizabeth II . I have re-posted it a number of times, with variations, because Lala's story is one that should be told over and over again.  This year I am re-posting what I posted three years ago, with a couple of updates on ages.  Today Lala is celebrating another birthday. No doubt, the occasion is being marked at  Punla, Ang Arko, where Lala lives, the only  L'Arche community  in the Philippines, in Cainta, Rizal, part of the metropolitan sprawl of Manila.  The Pope's Universal Prayer Intention for September 2014 was:   That the mentally disabled may receive the love and help they need for a dignified life . The truth is that persons with mental or learning disabilities can teach the rest of us about the dignity of life, as the photo above of Lala helping Jordan with his meal shows. Let us show our service to the poor, then, with renewed ardour in our h

  Altar of Our Lady Jörg Zurn [ Web Gallery of Art ] Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord This is a Holyday of Obligation in the Philippines, the USA and some other countries. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Luke 2:16-21 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.   And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.   And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.   But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.   And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Adoration of the Shepherds Murillo, painted 1650-55 [ Web Gallery of Art ] 54th World Day of Peace 1 January 2021 He

The Virgin with the Child Jesus and the Child St John the Baptist  Francisco de Zurbarán [ Web Gallery of Art ] You can learn more about the painting   here . In Ireland the Solemnity of the Epiphany is a Holy Day of Obligation and is celebrated this year on Monday 6 January. In many countries the Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 5 January. The readings below are those for the Second Sunday After the Nativity, observed in Ireland. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   John 1:1-18. Shorter form: John 1:1-5, 9-14  [omitted]  ( Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition )     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   He was in the beginning with God;  all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the d