Feb 10, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
6th Sunday in Ordinary TimeFeast of Our Lady of LourdesXXXII World Day of the SickGospel – Mark 1:40-45
“A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’”. In this episode we can see how much Jesus wants that we are cured and healed. Or in other words. He wants to take care of us. In the context of the story, leprosy was not only a devastating physical condition but also a source of social exclusion. Lepers were considered unclean and were often isolated from society. By choosing to heal the leper, Jesus not only cured the man’s physical illness but also challenged social norms, showing that his compassion and healing extended to all individuals, regardless of their social status or the nature of their suffering. Jesus’ response, “Of course, I want to! Be cured!” highlights the message that He is deeply concerned with our well-being. It reflects our faith in God who is not distant or indifferent to human suffering but is intimately involved and eager to restore us to wholeness. This episode encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs and sufferings, trusting in His desire and power to heal and transform. The healing of the leper is also symbolic of the broader mission of Jesus apart from singular healing: to bring salvation and redemption for humanity. To reconcile humanity and God. It serves as a powerful illustration of our understanding of God’s love and care for everyone, inviting us to trust in Jesus for healing, support, and restoration in all areas of life. Today is the World Day of the Sick. In every sickness there is the possibility to know Jesus better. Let’s reflect: God loves us and we must trust in His love to approach Him with all our problems
Feb 9, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Saturday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 8:1-10
“they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat”. This reminds of us of being with Jesus three days – from Friday to Sunday, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. So, Jesus wanted to give them something. Jesus saw the need and asking the disciples to give them something. It’s the desire of Jesus but He is asking the Church to feed those who are accompanying Him. Jesus is taking what the disciples have and making the miracle of bread and fish. “he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd”. The same action as in the institution of the sacrament of Eucharist. He gave the loaves to the disciple to distribute. It’s the Church who distributes. “They ate as much as they wanted”. So, Jesus wanted to give those who accompanied him three days, the strength to go forward. He uses what is available at the disciples and does the miracle. Let’s reflect: When I am with Jesus, He looks after my needs.
Feb 9, 2024 | NEWS
On Friday, February 9, Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda, the spouse of the Polish president, visited a community of sisters in Dar es Salaam. The visit was part of the program of President Andrzej Duda’s visit to East Africa. Mrs. President visited our kindergarten and spoke with our sisters. The sisters prepared a shared meal and gifts for the important guest. At the end, Mrs. President inscribed herself in the guest book, while leaving a trace of the visit. We are pleased with Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda’s sincere interest in our ministry in Tanzania.
Feb 8, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 7:31-37
“He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle”. This narration is another sign of which speaks a very particular character of His mission. His healings are not just miracles. They are signs by which we can understand that Jesus does not want just to do miracles. He wanted to enter into a personal relationship with the person in need. So, he took him aside in private, away from the crowd. Jesus wanted to be alone with this man. He creates this personal relationship with this man. He could have done the miracle just with His word. But Jesus does that to have this unique personal relationship with this person. Let’s reflect: Jesus wants to take me away from the crowd so that He can create a personal relationship with me.
