Catholics Today

28/08/2026

Stay awake. Stay faithful. Stay ready.

We do not know the day or the hour when the Lord will come. The question is not whether we know when He will arrive, but whether He will find our hearts prepared.

Do not postpone your conversion. Pray today. Return to God today. Live for Christ today.

“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13

Lord, keep our hearts watchful and faithful until the day we meet You.

28/08/2026

Today’s Saint
St. Augustine
Feast day: 27 August

St. Augustine
St. Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions. His complete turnaround has been an inspiration to many who struggle with habits or vices they long to break.

This famous son of St. Monica was born in 354 AD in Thagaste, a Roman-Berber city in the province of Numidia (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria). At that time, Numidia’s capital was Cirta (now Constantine in Algeria), distinct from the neighboring Roman province of Africa, whose capital was Carthage in modern Tunisia. Augustine grew up in a Christian household, but as a young man he drifted into sin and false beliefs. His sins of impurity and pride darkened his mind so much that he could not see the Divine Truth, despite his brilliance.

Through the prayers of his holy mother and the preaching of St. Ambrose, Augustine came to see that Christianity was the one true faith. Still, he hesitated, thinking he could never live a pure life. One day he heard the story of two men suddenly converted after reading the life of St. Antony of the Desert. Deeply ashamed, he cried out to his friend Alipius:

Alipius:

"What are we doing? Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, remain bound in the mud of our sins!"

Full of sorrow, Augustine rushed into a garden and begged God for help. Suddenly he heard the voice of a child singing, "Take up and read!" Believing these words were from God, he opened the Letters of St. Paul and read the first passage he saw—a call to abandon impurity and live in imitation of Christ. That moment changed his life forever.

Augustine was baptized, became a priest, and then Bishop of Hippo Regius (modern Annaba, Algeria). He spent the rest of his life serving the Church as a preacher, defender of the faith, and one of the greatest Catholic writers in history. He founded a religious community, supported the poor, practiced great humility, and fought against powerful heresies.

28/08/2026

Friday August 28, 2026
ST AUGUSTINE, B.D. (MEMORIAL)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery

FIRST READING
“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to men, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:17-25)

Brethren: Christ did not send me to baptise but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm33: 1-2.4-5.10- 11 (R. 5b)
R/. The Lord’s merciful love fills the earth.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing Him songs. R/.

For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all His works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and His merciful love fills the earth. R/.

R/. The Lord’s merciful love fills the earth.

The Lord frustrates the designs of the nations;
He defeats the plans of the peoples.
The designs of the Lord stand forever,
the plans of His heart from age to age. R/.

ALLEIUIA Luke 21:36
Alleluia. Watch at all times, praying that you may be able to stand before the Son of man. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 25: 1-13)

At that time: Jesus told His disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. “As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. ’ “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ “But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
The difference between the wise and the foolish lies in the fact that the wise person is always prepared for crisis situations and eventualities. The wise person thinks beyond the moment and equips himself or herself for unplanned occurrences. The wise Christian also is always ready and does not rely on the virtues or good works of others. He or she deepens his or her sense of virtue as the instrument necessary for life on earth. Immediately after his conversion, St Augustine began a spiritual journey which took him to the heights of sanctity. His love for God was total. It is necessary that we take constant care of our spiritual growth and not wait for the last minute.

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

Today’s Saint
St. Monica
Feast day: 27 August

St. Monica
Saint Monica, also known as Monica of Hippo, is St. Augustine of Hippo's mother. She was born in 331 A.D. in Tagaste, which is present-day Algeria.

When she was very young, she was married off to the Roman pagan Patricius, who shared his mother's violent temper. Patricius' mother lived with the couple and the duo's temper flares proved to be a constant challenge to young Monica.

While Monica's prayers and Christian deeds bothered Patricius, he is said to have respected her beliefs.

Three children were born to Monica and Patricius: Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Unfortunately, Monica was unable to baptize her children and when Augustine fell ill, Monica pleaded with Patricius to allow their son to be baptized.

Patricius allowed it, but when Augustine was healthy again, he withrew his permission.

For years Monica prayed for her husband and mother-in-law, until finally, one year before Patricius' death, she successfully converted them.

As time passed, Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life, but unfortunately Augustine became lazy and uncouth. This greatly worried Monica, so when Patricius died, she sent the 17-year-old Augustine to Carthage for schooling.

Augustine was baptized in the church of St. John the Baptist at Milan. The pair were led to believe they should spread the Word of God to Africa, but it the Roman city of Civitavecchia, Monica passed away.

Augustine recorded the words she imparted upon him when she realized death was near. "Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled."

27/08/2026

Thursday August 27, 2026
SAINT MONICA (MEMORIAL)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Luminous Mystery

FIRST READING
“In every way you were enriched in Him.
The beginning of the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, to the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him with all speech and all knowledge — even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you — so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 145:2-3.4-5.6-7 (R. 1b)
R/. I will bless your name, O Lord, forever.

I will bless you day after day,
and praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is great and highly to be praised;
His greatness cannot be measured. R/.

Age to age shall proclaim your works,
shall declare your mighty deeds.
They will tell of your great glory and splendour,
and recount your wonderful works. R/.

R/. I will bless your name, O Lord, forever.

They will speak of your awesome deeds,
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness,
and sing of your just deeds with joy. R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 24:42a.44
Alleluia. Watch, therefore, and be ready; the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Be ready.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 24:42-51)

At that time: Jesus said to His disciples, “Watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with the drunken; the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
God has made you the caretaker of His household, the dispenser of all His goods. As caretaker, God has enriched you with every grace and knowledge so that you are not lacking in any good work. If you have this sense of mission, try your best to be diligent at it. God will certainly reward your faithfulness. St Monica is one such faithful servant who spent a lifetime of prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of her Son, Augustine. Unless we treasure something, we might not find reason to protect and preserve it.

26/08/2026

God cares about what is happening within us, not just what others see.

It is possible to look faithful on the outside while carrying pride, bitterness, or sin within. Jesus calls us to something deeper: a life of genuine conversion, where our hearts are purified and our actions flow from love for God.

“First clean the inside of the cup.”

Lord, purify our hearts and make our lives a true reflection of Your love.

26/08/2026

Wednesday August 26, 2026
Weekday (21)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Glorious Mystery

FIRST READING
“If any one will not work, let him not eat. ”
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:6- 10. 16- 18)

We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat any one’s bread without paying, but with toil and labour we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 128:1-2.4-5 (R. 1a)
R/. Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
and walk in His ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat.
You will be blessed and prosper. R/.

Indeed thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Sion.
May you see Jerusalem prosper
all the days of your life! R/.

ALLELLUIA 1 John 2:5
Alleluia. Whoever keeps Christ’s word, in him truly love for God is perfected. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“You are sons of those who murdered the prophets.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 23:27-32)

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
Jesus is very critical of people who appear to be very good Christians but who have very little or nothing of the Christian spirit. Such people are often a danger to others who might be deceived into following them. The Psalmist affirms that those who truly fear the Lord walk in His ways. The Christian way of life is transmitted from generation to generation. Every generation of Christians has a record of heroic men and women who are models of the way of life taught by Jesus Christ. Such people encourages us to continue steadfast on the right way without being deceived by false and pretentious guides.

25/08/2026

Tuesday August 25, 2026
Weekday (21)
ST LOUIS OF FRANCE OR ST JOSEPH CALASANZ P. (OPT. MEM.)
Vestment: Green/White
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery

FIRST READING
“Hold to the traditions which you were taught by us.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 2: 1 -3a. 14-17)

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet Him, we beg you, brethren, not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. God has called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 96:10. 11-12a. 12b- 13 (R. 13b)
R/. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Say to the nations, “The Lord is king.”
The world He made firm in its place;
He will judge the peoples in fairness. R/.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad;
let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
Let the land and all it bears rejoice. R/.

R/. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Then will all the trees of the wood shout for
joy at the presence of the Lord, for He comes,
He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice;
He will govern the peoples with his truth. R/.

ALLELUIA Hebrews 4:12
Alleluia. The word of the Lord is living and active discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 23:23-26)

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cu**in, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
There are matters which strike at the heart our relationship with God. These matters are certainly not the external features of religion. Our society has much regard for church goers, those who strictly adhere to religious practices, who contribute their tithes, who spend quality time in adoration, and even those who work miracles. We hold these ‘religious people’ in great esteem because of their diligence and adherence to prescribed religious practices. However, Jesus’ critique of Scribes and Pharisees encourages us to redefine our understanding of what God expects from us. The most essential matter of religion is not sacrifice but justice and mercy, which are possible only when we understand that this is what God expects from us.

25/08/2026

God is not asking us to simply look holy on the outside. He desires a heart that is truly clean before Him.

It is easy to focus on appearance, what others see, what others think, and how we are perceived. But Jesus reminds us that real conversion begins within.
“First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.” — Matthew 23:26

Lord, purify our hearts, remove what keeps us from You, and help our outward lives reflect the transformation You are working within us.