Nov 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Luke 21:5-11
“All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.” And what will remain? Only the love of God will remain. But Jesus warns, “Take care not to be deceived”. Because it’s easy to be deceived due to the fears provoked by different conflicts and problems around us. In times of uncertainty, conflict, and fear, it is easy to be swayed by false promises or to lose hope. Jesus’ warning to “take care not to be deceived” is an invitation to remain grounded in faith, discerning truth amidst the noise of the world. Despite challenges, changes, and losses, one constant remains: the love of God. This love is our refuge and strength, a reminder of what truly matters and a guide for how we should live and love in return. The passage also encourages a spirit of trust in God’s plan, even when faced with uncertainty. It calls us to focus on cultivating a life centered on love, compassion, and faithfulness, knowing that these are what endure. Let’s reflect: In times of uncertainty and fear, how do I discern between the truths that anchor me in faith and the distractions that pull me away?
Don Giorgio
Nov 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin, Martyr
Gospel – Luke 21:1-4
“but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on”. In this story, Jesus observes a poor widow who gives two small coins to the temple treasury. Although her offering seems insignificant compared to the wealthy donors, Jesus praises her act because she gave all she had to live on. It is not about giving something but giving everything. If you are not giving everything, you are giving anything. The genuine giving comes not from surplus or convenience but from a place of sacrifice, trust, and total surrender. The widow’s act reveals that the genuine giving comes not from surplus or convenience but from a place of sacrifice, trust, and total surrender. The widow’s act reveals that giving everything is a sign of faith. By offering all she had, the widow demonstrated her complete trust in God’s providence, showing that her life depended more on God than on material resources. Partial giving can become superficial. This challenges us to evaluate our own offerings—not just material, but also time, energy, and love—asking whether they come from a place of true commitment. Let’s reflect: What in your life do you hold back from offering fully—whether it be time, energy, love, or trust—and what might it mean for you to surrender these areas completely to God or to a greater purpose?
Don Giorgio
Nov 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Christ the King – Solemnity
Gospel – John 18:33-37
Jesus is the King. Three reasons. Jesus loves us. Jesus knows us. Jesus saves us. Jesus’ kingship is unlike any worldly rule—it is grounded in self-giving love. A King who loves so profoundly invites us into a relationship where love rules over fear. Unlike worldly rulers who often seek to dominate, Jesus rules with a heart that seeks to serve and sacrifice for others. His love is unconditional and transformative, drawing us into a relationship where love overcomes fear. Jesus is a King who knows His people intimately. He knows our joys, struggles, strengths, and weaknesses. In His dialogue with Pilate, Jesus reveals His purpose: to bear witness to the truth. He knows the truth about our lives and calls us to live authentically, embracing our identity as children of God. Above all, Jesus is our Savior. His kingdom is not of this world because it is a kingdom of salvation. By His life, death, and resurrection, He has conquered sin and death, offering us the gift of eternal life. His saving power restores hope and opens the doors to God’s everlasting kingdom. On the Cross, He showed the ultimate act of love, laying down His life for each of us. Let’s reflect: In what ways do I allow Jesus’ self-giving love to rule over my fears, and how can I deepen my trust in His intimate knowledge of my life and His saving power so that He becomes the King of my life?
Don Giorgio
Nov 23, 2024 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
The kingship of Jesus gives us a totally different concept of power. Power to be powerless to serve. In human terms, power often signifies dominance, control, and the ability to impose one’s will. But Jesus reveals a power that is paradoxical: the power to become powerless in order to serve others. This is not a relinquishment of strength but a deliberate act of love, humility, and self-sacrifice. In Jesus’ model of kingship, power is no longer about authority over others but about the capacity to lift others up. It is the strength to kneel and wash feet, the courage to embrace the marginalized, and the willingness to suffer for the sake of love and justice. This servant kingship invites us into a new understanding of greatness—not as achieving status or accumulating influence but as laying down one’s life for others. Jesus’ example empowers us to reimagine our own relationships with power. It challenges us to view influence not as a privilege to exploit but as an opportunity to serve. This concept transforms leadership into an act of stewardship, where power is directed outward to bless, heal, and uplift. In embracing this model, we find a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment, discovering that true power is love expressed through service. Power is the power to serve.
Don Giorgio
Nov 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Saint Clement I, Pope, Martyr
Saint Columbanus, Abbot and Missionary
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Luke 20:27-40
“Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.” The passage highlights a profound truth about life, death, and eternity. When Jesus addresses the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, He reveals a deeper understanding of God’s nature and His relationship with humanity. He emphasizes that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive. This teaching invites us to see death not as an end but as a transformation—a passage into the fullness of life in God. It assures us that life is eternal because our souls are eternal, rooted in the infinite love of God. While our earthly life begins in time, it culminates in the timelessness of eternity. Moreover, Jesus’ words remind us of the centrality of God’s love. It is this divine love that gives us life, sustains us, and ultimately transforms us. In the face of death, we are called to trust in this love, which promises not an end, but a new beginning. This understanding can inspire hope and a deeper appreciation for the eternal nature of our souls and our connection to God. Let’s reflect: How does my understanding of God’s eternal love shape the way I live my life today, especially in moments when I face fear, loss, or uncertainty?
Don Giorgio
