Mar 24, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of Holy Week
Gospel – John 12:1-11
“Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me”. This is an important teaching of Jesus. Pastoral theology cannot substitute Christology. Our social action or our care for the needy cannot substitute our personal relationship with Jesus. Our charitable activities cannot take place of our personal time with Jesus Christ. Our altruistic undertakings cannot replace our sacramental life. It’s always a challenge to see the big picture as we see only small picture suggested by the needs of the situation. Mary anointed Jesus and wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. Then the house was full of the scent of ointment. Our personal relationship with Jesus brings beautiful odor to whole our house. Our relationship with Jesus brings peace and joy to everyone in the house. The Holy Week is a week to strengthen our personal relationship with Jesus, understanding and acknowledging what Jesus did for us. Let’s reflect: Nothing must substitute our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mar 24, 2024 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
Stop pretending! We pretend to know, we pretend to be unhurt, we pretend that everything is fine…like this list goes on. But pretention is not good. It puts you in a situation where you will not be part of it. At the same time, you will be responsible for the situation. Often it comes as a coping mechanism a way to protect ourselves from immediate stress or to navigate social situations more smoothly. The fear of vulnerability and the potential for rejection or judgment often compels us to hide behind a mask. . It’s a complex balance, as society often expects a certain level of pretense in professional and social contexts, yet yearns for authenticity at a deeper, more human level. Navigating this requires self-awareness and courage. It involves recognizing when we’re pretending and asking ourselves why. Is it for self-preservation, to conform to societal expectations, or something else? Understanding the reasons behind our actions can be the first step towards choosing authenticity when it truly matters. It might not be easy or comfortable, but living authentically can lead to a more fulfilling and connected life.
Don Giorgio
Mar 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Palm Sunday
Gospel Mark 11:1-10
The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is very symbolic. “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it”. Going to the village opposite and find the colt on which no one has ever sat. On this colt Jesus enters Jerusalem. The people threw their garments on the colt and spread leafy branches on the road. The people are sharing what they have, to welcome Jesus. They are making the road beautiful by spreading leafy branches. Then they are calling Hosanna. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!’” All this gives us the real picture that the people are welcoming Jesus into their place with joy and hope. The joy of God’s presence and hope of God’s intervention in their life. The Feast of Palm Sunday assures God’s presence in our life and guarantees God’s definitive intervention in our lives. Let’s reflect: Am I participating in the Liturgy of Palm Sunday with the joy of God’s presence in my being and with the hope of God’s intervention in my life?
Mar 22, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of the 5th week of Lent
Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo, Bishop
Gospel – John 11:45-56
“it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed”. This is true regarding the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for all of us. He died for each one of us. And not only for each of us but also to gather together in unity the scattered children of God. The unity of the scattered children is through the cross of Christ because the children of God are scattered due to sin and selfishness. The unity is brought by the atonement and the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus in the cross unites the children of God, in love and selflessness. This is what the Pharisees are worried. The people getting united in love and not around the laws they dictate. They don’t even acknowledge their faults. They blame the Romans about it. But people are looking for Jesus in the temple because, they want to be united around him. Let’s reflect: Lent is to be united as children of God around the sacrifice of Christ.
Mar 21, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of the 5th week of Lent
Gospel – John 10:31-42
“you are only a man and you claim to be God”. This is the lack of understanding of Pharisees and scribes. At the end of this gospel, we read that, “He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptising. Many people who came to him there said, ‘John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true’; and many of them believed in him”. So, the question is that how is this possible. The studied and elite group did not understand Jesus. But the simple people who came to the far side of the Jordan believed in Jesus. Read again what they are saying, “John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true”. So, they believed in the preaching of John the Baptist about conversion, and they repented. That is why their hearts are open to know Jesus Christ as God. When we are not ready to be converted, we close ourselves in our idea of God. When we are converted, we open ourselves to what God wants to show to us. We can see the Father’s work in the actions of the Son, Jesus Christ. So, let’s repent to understand the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s reflect: Lent is the time to repent and convert ourselves, so that we are open to the revelations of God.
