Jan 5, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
St John Neumann (1811 – 1860)
First Friday: Let us entrust ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Gospel – John 1:43-51
When Nathanael challenged Philip about with origin of Jesus, Philip answered with the words of Jesus, “Come and See”. Jesus said this to the first two disciples when they asked Jesus where He is living, “Come and See”. This “come and see” is the invitation of an open heart to share what God is offering us and an invitation to assimilate what God wants to share with us. Philip experienced this and understood the richness of God’s gift. That is why Philip can overcome the bias of Nathanael with this invitation, “Come and See”. Often, we get discouraged and dispirited with the prejudices and preconceptions of others. We stop being testimonies. But Philip did not give up because he had this experience. Once we have the experience of “going” to Jesus and “seeing” Jesus with our own life, no prejudice or preconception can stop us. With this experience we can see even more. ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’. Let us reflect: We must not stop being testimonies of God’s presence among us by any prejudices of any kind.
Jan 3, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821)
Gospel – John 1:35-42
Listening to John the Baptist, the disciples asked Jesus “Where do you live?” They wanted to see where Jesus is living. They went and saw where he live, and stayed with him the rest of that day. Andrew was one of the disciples. And staying with Jesus, Andrew testified to Simon Peter that “We have found the Messiah”. And then took Simon Peter to Jesus. What happened when the two disciples stayed with Jesus. They felt liberated, they felt saved. And the answer of Jesus, “Come and See” is important. This experience of liberation or salvation is not something that can be taught or be read. This is to be with Jesus and to see with one’s own eyes. The disciples were with Jesus and saw with their own eyes. Let’ reflect: We must stay with Jesus to have the liberation experience which comes from Him.
Jan 3, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Gospel – Luke 2:21-24
The life of Jesus is followed as prescribed by the law of Moses. But with the indications of the angel. So in this passage we can see that Mary and Joseph took the child to be named according their tradition. But the name they chose is the name given by the angel to Mary. We follow traditions but at the same time within the traditions, there is always space for grace. The name, “Jesus is a grace”. It reminds the kindness of God who wants to save us. It reminds of the mercy of God who want decided to save us from our sins. It reminds of the very action of God to save us. The more we love this name, the more we are close to this reality. It’s very important to pronounce this name, “Jesus”, as a source of grace and help. Let’s reflect: The name “Jesus” is a grace given to us in the person of Jesus Christ and we must make it echo in our heart always.
Jan 1, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops, Doctors
Gospel – Matthew 23:8-12
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will exalted.” This has the force of a comandment. Because Jesus is speaking to his disciples and he is asking to them as a “must”. So whenever we think that we are better than others, we must verify that “are we true servant to those among whom we felt we are better?” This is an obligation for following Jesus Christ. Because we are following Jesus Christ who humbled himself to become a creature like us. Incarnation is humbling oneself. If we want to follow Jesus Christ, who humbled himself, we have to humble ourselves in service to others. Let’s reflect: I am called to be a servant to those around me to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Jan 1, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Mary, the Holy Mother of God – Solemnity
Gospel – Luke 2:16-21
As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. Today is the Feast day of Mary, Holy Mother of God. She is the Mother of God who incarnated to save us. She is the Mother of all graces. She is the Mother of all that’s good and beautiful. She is the Mother of all as she is the Mother of God. She became the most blessed Mother as she welcomed the Grace without losing any graces by sin. She welcomed the Grace into her immaculate heart and pondered the Grace in her immaculate heart. We are called to welcome the Grace and ponder in our hearts without losing it by our selfishness. Let’s reflect: Holy Mother of God shows us the way to welcome graces and ponder them in our hearts without losing them with our selfishness.
