UCA News Podcast

The world is starving to hear of God's love, to see God's love. The world is swimming around in confusion, waiting to be brought into God's net. That is what counts.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.As Catholics in Pakistan welcomed “Servant of God” status for a man who died a hero, the murders of clergy in Vietnam and Pakistan shocked minority Christians. These stories and more in this week’s podcast. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Either there is something wrong with Jesus, or there is something wrong with our expectations. We either have to abandon him as a savior or accept him on his own terms. There seems to be no other possibility.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Myanmar is facing a humanitarian crisis as it prepares to mark the first anniversary of the military coup that ousted a civilian government. Meanwhile, rights abuses and radicalism threaten peace and stability across the region. These stories and more in this week’s podcast.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The Word of God is, or should be, a reminder of God's presence among us. That is the reason we treat a Bible or Lectionary with special respect.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Election fever is heating up in Timor-Leste as a former Catholic priest stands for president. Justice and human rights remain major concerns for Christians and other vulnerable groups in Asia. These stories and more in this week’s podcast.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Catholics, including those whose vocation is to proclaim the Word of God, have become strangers to the Word, and by doing so have put the mission and the very existence of the Church in jeopardy. The world needs us to be men and women moved by God’s word, and the only way to be moved by it is to know it. Produced by Binu AlexFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Jesus the Lamb presents us with the wine of peace because he overcomes the sin of the world in his death and resurrection.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Catholics in Asian nations offer hope and support to communities in distress amid conflict, oppression and the pandemic. These and much more in this week’s news summary.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The difference between us Christians and the rest of the world is the knowledge that there is an answer for our anticipating hearts, and the answer is the Son of God present among us.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Shock and anger abound over India’s pro-Hindu government targeting of humanitarian groups like Missionaries of Charity. In other Asian nations, people grapple with injustices, oppression and the pandemic. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateFor your feedback use twitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The Catholic Church is preparing for a new kind of synod involving all of us. Its roots lie in an ecumenical council 60 years ago, Vatican 2. Looking back to that event can give us the foundation we need to take part in the synodal process. Father William Grimm, who lives in Japan, shares some thoughts on this.Produced by Binu AlexFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

If we want to see God, we need not spend years doing spiritual calisthenics or wait until we die. God has come among us as one of us. If you wish to see God, look at Jesus, the manifestation of God among us.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Each of us is presented with the same vocation as Mary. God says to you and to me, "Make my Son present in the world. Forgive sins. Bring healing. Live with faith that my love is stronger than your death. By word and deed, assure the world of my love."About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

As the boy Jesus "increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor, " so, too, the Church grows in wisdom, years and favor.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Christmas spirit is slowly gripping Catholics in Asia despite challenges including natural calamities, the coronavirus and oppressive regimes. The New Year looms with new hope against adversities. These and much more in this year's last dispatch. We are taking a year end break and will return in the new year.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Today we remember and celebrate the fact that we can know God's glory and power not as some sort of information, but as a person. So, on Christmas Day we move from the story to the program, from what happened long ago to our vocation today.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Last year, we had a Covid Christmas. We thought, or at least hoped, it would be the only one. But now we face our second. In a real sense, every Christmas, every year, every day is a Covid day, with the word Covid standing in for all the disasters and disappointments that are a part of life. Does the Christmas feast offer us any encouragement in our various Covid Christmases? Father William Grimm, who lives in Japan, shares some thoughts on this.Produced by Binu AlexFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Christmas is, of course, much more than a child's feast. But, it is, indeed, a time for us to reflect upon children and the gifts we give them, the legacy we leave them. About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Catholic-run institutes bear the brunt amid an anti-Christian purge in India. In other Asian nations, people grapple with the impacts of natural and manmade calamities. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

What we really want has already been given us. We do not have to wait until Christmas Day to receive it. We do not have to wait until we start following all the good advice we have received.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

In the early Church, there was quite a contest between the followers of John the Baptist and the followers of Jesus about who was preeminent. But the evangelists used that contest to underline the important things they wanted to emphasize about Jesus in their communities. Whatever John’s Gospel was emphasizing always came back to two things - faith in Jesus and God’s love us and our love of one another.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Politically troubled and divided Hong Kong has welcomed a new Catholic bishop who promises healing and bridge building. In other parts of Asia, people cling to hope for freedom, justice and unity in unfavorable environments.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Jesus birth is attended by various pointers to its significance and meaning for redemption and God’s fidelity to his plan to redeem the human race. One of those concerns Elijah and misrule in pointing to the meaning and significance of the coming of Jesus. But, in the mind of the Evangelists, the Elijah pointing to Jesus is John the Baptist and the people rejected him and Jesus has been rejected, neglected and overlooked.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The Church year begins and ends with disaster stories. They are a style of biblical literature called apocalypse that has now become a genre of popular entertainment. We are fascinated by apocalyptic stories because in many ways, they are our own stories. But there is more to apocalyptic than disaster. It is an important part of the Bible and faith because it tells us something about God’s presence with us. Father William Grimm, who lives in Japan, shares some thoughts on this.Produced by Binu AlexFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

This Gospel today contains more material to again show the focus of one of the early contests in the first Christian communities: how did Jesus fit into the unfolding history of Christianity and what was John the Baptist’s role announcing Jesus? But while the evangelist presents the material, it remains up to the believer drawn to hear that story to accept it and live with and from it.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Today’s Gospel is the most emphatic statement by Jesus about how determined he is to seek out and save whatever might be lost among us. He just won’t, perhaps even can’t give up on us. The implication for us and how we engage with and treat each other is completely obvious. What is completely obvious that God will go to any extent he can tisane, renew and invigorate us as believers.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The crowds are staggered and amazed that Jesus can heal as he does, perform the miracles that he does, achieve the mighty outcomes that he does. But Jesus wants the crows to appreciate he has more he can do than just overwhelm natural problems we face and the set backs that confront us. He can actually turn lives around through the healing and forgiveness he can complete.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Sunday Gospel Reflection by Father Bill GrimmAdvent is the season in which the Church recommits itself to living a great adventure. We are a band of companions walking through a world of marvels and dangers to a promised goal, eternal life with God.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Today’s Gospel announces the mission and message of John the Baptist who comes in anticipation of Jesus to open the way for his mission and message. The evangelist seeks to be precise and exact about when this action took place because God’s entry into our history is very practical, exact and precise. And becomes with a very clear message proclaiming renewal and redemption.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Compensation bought some consolation for two sexually abused altar boys in Indonesia this week as Christians and other groups ramped up their battle against injustice and discrimination. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Healing is the characteristic action of Jesus’ ministry. People in Jesus’ time saw illness and disease as an effect of sin and so the banishment of sickness and the healing of disease is part of the renewal that comes with Jesus’ ministry. Healing is a multidimensional activity. Delivering that transformation is part of new life of the Kingdom which God wants us to enjoy through Jesus’ agency. Let’s give ourselves to the action of his grace.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

St. Francis Xavier whose feast we celebrate today is a saint of wide significance for the Church across the world but especially for those of us in Asia and Australia. In Australia, he is a national Patron Saint and he did his saintly work of evangelization in Asia - in India, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan. But everywhere he went, he came to the poor and needy, healing the sick and binding up hears that are broken. And that is what he comes to us as today.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

One of the main things that discourages people from exploring the message of Jesus and becoming Christians is the life that Christians live that is so obviously at odds with message and example of Jesus. It is the hypocrisy of Christians that scandalizes aspiring Christians. Christians who live at odds with what Jesus lived and taught and are only Christians in name but not in deed doo themselves and others looking to them for light and guidance great harm. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asking us to be authentic.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

This is a parable of Providential abundance - of God providing for his people in their acute and extreme need. We are in Advent and preparing to welcome the abundance of Jesus at Christmas - the fulfillment of God’s promise to provide for his people. What does this ask of us? Alertness and a readiness to be attentive to God’s fulfillment of his promises to be faithful to his people and to save them from their slavery and entrapment. That is the freedom that Christmas brings - the freedom promised to Israel throughout their history.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

This invitation to the two sets of brothers comes very early in Matthew’s Gospel and even before he starts to preach his message. And the four Apostles in these stories have a basic role in grounding and founding the first Christian communities. Today’s feast of St. Andrew celebrates the Apostle seen as the fountainhead of the Church of “the East” which we would now see as he Greek Church. But whatever Church we want to celebrate, they all go back to the founding message of Jesus as given to the earliest communities and still venerated today.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

This Gospel today recounts the evangelist’s way of accommodating in Matthew’s Gospel the reach of Jesus’ message: completely beyond the boundaries of Israel but still taking up its foundation in the way God has been revealed to Israel. It is an event recalled everyday in every Mass we celebrate by stating just how graciously blessed we to be welcoming Jesus as Communion and then to look forward to to the healing union with Jesus that lasts forever.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Can I believe that when troubles come the Lord comes as well? How can I deepen my faith in that coming? The Lord's answer is "Pray constantly."About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Happy New Year. Well this is the Church’s New Year’ Day when all begins again as we enter Advent and build up to Christmas. But we haven’t left the Apocalyptic readings behindhand we open the with one for the First Sunday in Advent. What is the point of this literature and imagery? It serves to underline that history’s unfolding and the passage of our lives are in the hands of God and if we are to avail ourselves of the meaning and richness of this type of discourse, it should take us to a place where ask God to take hold of us and see us through the unevenness and uncertainty of the raid and deep changes.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Catholics in strife-torn Myanmar continue to be targeted by the military junta. In other Asian nations, Catholics and others leap to support communities in distress and join forces to battle for rights and justice.Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

If ever we needed reminders about what real sacrifices our service of Jesus requires we are reminded of them by today’s gospel but also by today’s feast of Vietnamese martyrs. The following of Jesus is a way of life that costs us not less than everything. But, as today’s Gospel reminds us, we cannot pay that price all on our own. It is only with God’s grace - the power and presence of the Spirit and God’s support that coms to us through the generous attention of others - - that we can do and offer all that is asked of us.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The number of people outside and even inside the Catholic Church who trust the institution is shrinking. When the Church’s management engages in coverups, avoids admitting to bad news, and attacks those who present embarrassing facts its proclamation of the Gospel suffers. People will not believe the truth of the Gospel if its messengers are afraid of the truth of its mundane life. The Church needs honest journalism for the sake of honest evangelization. Father William Grimm, who lives in Japan, shares some thoughts on this.Produced by Binu AlexFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

It is difficult to exaggerate the significance of the destruction of the Temple for Jewish identity. The Temple is the point of intersection between God and God’s People Israel to destroy the Temple is to knock out that point of meeting. So, Jesus advice on this point is vitally important for the Jews to appreciate and for the Christian community to absorb and accept as the new People God.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Today’s feast is an instructive moment for the way the Church celebrates features of Church life. It is the feast of Saint Cecilia and there is no reliable evidence that she ever existed. But she is patron of music in Rome and devotion to her has produced some rich musical outcomes for the Church and indeed the city of Rome. But often what happened in the past was the attribution of achievements and outcomes collectively to a single person when in fact the artistic works or “opus” are those of several people. Each puts in their own best efforts which are at times only part 9f all that is claimed by the person celebrated at the feast, if anything can be claimed by that person, if they existed. The same is true of St. Christopher. Earlier generations did things differently.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

When we say Christ is King, we say we belong to him and to no others. We cannot, then, be used or abused, since that is an attack upon his subjects and his sovereignty.About the Speaker: Father William J Grimm is a Maryknoll Missioner of 40 year’s experience in Asia-mostly Japan, Hong Kong and Cambodia.For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

We have reached the moment we’ve been waiting for in all the Gospels - Jesus is before Pilate and is being asked to answer Pilate’s questions about who he is. The most important thing about the questions Pilate’s asks is not what answers he receives from Pilate but the degree to which the answers Jesus offers take Pilate and us as we try to answer them in our lives into the mystery of Jesus and our own search for meaning and identity.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Listen to news from and about the Church in Asia in a capsule around 10 minutes.Timor-Leste paid tribute to independence heroes on the 30th anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre. In other parts of Asia, there were stories of triumphs and struggles against oppression and injustice. Filed by UCA News reporters, compiled by Rock Ronald Rozario, edited by Peter Hill, presented by John Laurenson, background score by Andre Louis and produced by Binu Alex for ucanews.comFor news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateTwitter Handle: twitter.com/ucanews For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

We know in our own lives that trying to be too smart can lead to our demise and it does for the scribes in today’s Gospel. But what is most important then is that this incident becomes an opportunity for Jesus to take the scribes right out other comfort zone and into a place where Jesus can explain just how different life with him is. A life lived close to Jesus takes us to a place where we don’t control its process or its outcomes. That’s what being in God’s hands means. And it’s not something to be afraid of because God is taking us through it and he only wants us to prosper.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

Luke the evangelists uses the event of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD - decades after his crucifixion - to put into Jesus’ mouth what he would have thought about it. And what is he making of it? That the destruction of Jerusalem comes because Jesus own people have failed to grasp the opportunity to respond to God’s compelling invitation to welcome the Kingdom Jesus is inviting them to become part of so God’s Reign may commence. They continue trading and seeking to make of their worship at the Temple something completely inconsistent with the new moment that Jesus is offering them to be part of.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews

The Gospel is written after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans and uses the event to put into Jesus’ mouth what he would have thought about it. And what is he making of it? That the destruction of Jerusalem comes because Jesus own people have failed to grasp the opportunity to respond to God’s compelling invitation to welcome the Kingdom Jesus is inviting them to become part of so God’s Reign may commence.About the Speaker: Father Michael Kelly is a Jesuit priest and English language publisher of the respected Jesuit periodical, La Civilta Cattolica. For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.comTo contribute please visit www.ucanews.com/donateOn Twitter Follow Or Connect through DM at : twitter.com/ucanewsTo view Video features please visit https://www.youtube.com/@ucanews