Jun 12, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Antony of Padua, Priest, Doctor
Thursday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
“The kingdom of God is very near to you.” This is what Jesus told his disciples to say to the world. This is what Jesus wants that the world hears. We say this to a person and when he looks who is near to him or her, he or she will find us. That’s means we testify the kingdom of God. The others must recognize the kingdom of God in our actions. They must see the kingdom of God in our gestures. They must listen the voice of the kingdom of God in our words. They must see that the values of the kingdom of God in our life. This is the will of Jesus Christ about each disciple when he asked each disciple to preach to the world, “The kingdom of God is very near to you”. St. Antony of Padua manifested the kingdom of God in his life. Let’s reflect: How much I am a manifestation of the kingdom of God?
Jun 11, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Matthew 5:17-19
Often the teachings of Jesus are mistakenly considered as opposed to the Law given to the People of God in the Old Testament. It’s not. Jesus tells it very clearly. “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved”. The Law in the Old Testament was given as the result of the covenant of God with the People of God. The Covenant of God will not change and so is the Law. When we try to put the teaching of Jesus Christ in opposition to the Law, we are missing the continuation of the covenant of God with the People of God. God became man so that man can be saved as he or she cannot fulfil the Law. God became man to forgive his infidelity and not to change the Law. Law is the relationship between God and man. And his weakness in this relationship is remedied by the saving action of Jesus Christ. Let’s reflect: How much I am aware that the Law is to maintain our relationship with God and that the grace helps us to follow that?
Jun 11, 2024 | NEWS
In the center for women and children (victims of violence and human trafficking), run by our PoMOC Association, the sisters accompany women every day in their everyday worries and crises. They are there when residents face challenges, support them in moments of uncertainty and help them overcome difficulties. In the midst of various problems, there are also days of great joy. Such a unique and extremely joyful event was the baptism of Gloria and Andrej, which brought a lot of happiness and emotions.
Baptism is one of the most important sacraments in Christian life, constituting the foundation of faith and introduction to the Church community. For the center’s residents, this celebration was a moment full of spiritual meaning and joy. The little ones were surrounded by the love of their mothers, volunteer godparents and the entire community who prayed for them.
We are grateful that we can witness these beautiful moments and accompany our patients in such an important stage of life. We pray that each baptized child will grow in health, love and faith, always having God’s blessing and the support of our community.
Jun 10, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Tuesday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Matthew 10:7-13
“You received without charge, give without charge”. Today we are celebrating the feast of St. Barnabas, who is known as Apostle from Cyprus. In the Acts of Apostles, we read about his missionary journeys along with St. Paul. Jesus made this teaching on the context of sending the Apostles to preach that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Each Christian in Baptism receives this mandate to preach the Gospel. We are called to preach the Gospel through our words and actions. Many times, we don’t think about this duty in our daily life. We have received this grace to preach the Gospel freely and often we don’t do it freely because we are not free. Among our responsibilities and tasks of each day, the grace to preach the Kingdom of God is often neglected. So, it’s important to transform our daily responsibilities and tasks into a platform for preaching the Kingdom of God. The best way to do this is to perform these responsibilities and task as a gift to those around you. Transforming the grace to preach the Gospel by being the Good News to others. Let’s reflect: How much I succeed in transforming the gratuitous grace to preach the Gospel by being the Good News to others?
Jun 9, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 10 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Matthew 5:1-12
The sermon on the Mount is the way of life for a disciple. This is the way in which each disciple must face the realities in the life of his or her discipleship. Both action and reaction of the disciple are to be based on these principles. His thoughts and plans are to be based upon these beatitudes. And what is common in all these beatitudes is – all these points to be “Happy” or “Blessed”. And this is the most important factor for a disciple. To be happy because the disciple is following Jesus Christ. And because the disciple is following Jesus Christ, he is blessed or happy. And these principles of action and reaction help us to be the disciples of Jesus Christ who are happy and blessed. Many times, we follow Jesus Christ, but we are not happy because we are following Him according to our own principles or methods. But when we renounce our ways and follow Jesus Christ according to the way of the Beatitudes, we will be happy and blessed. Let’s reflect: How much I compare my ways of action and reaction to the ways detailed in the Beatitudes?
