Nov 18, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – Wisdom 18:14-16,19:6-9
The passage gives us the picture to meditate about incarnation of the Word of God. In the peaceful silence down from the heavens, from the royal throne, “leapt your all-powerful Word”. The Word of God incarnated in the silence of Nazareth. Not with pomp or as a spectacle. The Word of God carried the divine Will like a sharp sword and the revelation of God is not ambiguous anymore. It is so clear. He touched the sky yet trod the earth. He was both God and man. He fashioned the whole creation in a new way. The Red Sea became an unimpeded way. The way to Salvation became a clear unimpeded way by incarnation. The entire creation praises the Lord, the deliverer. Let’s reflect: Do I praise the Almighty for the incarnation of the Word of God?
Nov 16, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
Friday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Wisdom 13:1-9
Everything around us must lead us to the real Artificer. This is very important. Otherwise, we will remain half the way with all what we have. Whatever impresses us, whatever charms us, must lead to the Author of that beauty who is the Creator. The grandeur and beauty of the creatures contemplate the Author. So, whenever we are before anything grand and beautiful, our eyes must towards the Creator who created these. When we stuck with the grandeur or beauty without moving towards the Creator, we are blocked and reduced to this level, instead of moving to the realm of the Creator. The choice is ours always. Whether you want to be with the Creator or with the creatures. If we chose the former, our life will be tied around this limited space. If we chose the latter, our life will be freed to be in eternity. Let’s reflect: Am I able to be free from the things I like towards the Author of these things?
Nov 15, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
Saint Margaret of Scotland
Saint Gertrude, Virgin
First reading – Wisdom 7:22-8:1
“She is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God’s active power, image of his goodness”. The passage is a deep meditation in the action of God in the world and in our lives. After the revelation of the Holy Trinity we understand more this in the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and in our lives. One of the beautiful images by which the action of the Holy Spirit is explained in this passage is comparing it to a mirror. A mirror which reflects the eternal light of God. A mirror which perfectly reflects the power of God. When we let God act in our life, we become like a mirror which reflects the power of God which is love. The more we are untarnished the more will be correspond our love to the love of God. Let’s reflect: How much untarnished is my capacity to reflect the love of God which I receive?
Nov 14, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
Saint Albert the Great, Bishop, Doctor
First reading – Wisdom 6:1-11
The book of Wisdom is asking us to meditate on a theme which is very important in our life. How are we managing the power we have in our life? We all have some kind of powers over situations, decisions, or people in our life. The way we are exercising our power is very important in the eyes of God. Any power, the Word of God is saying, is a gift of God for us. So, we must behave as God wants us to behave. The power we have is not to make ourselves great but to provide for all alike. The power we have is to be exercised with the wisdom God has given us. The way we exercise our power should be in the way that we exercise them standing in front of the greatness of the Lord. Let’s reflect: Do I exercise my powers over others as a gift from God to serve them according to His wish?
Nov 13, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Wisdom 2:23-3:9
“God made man imperishable, he made him in the image of his own nature;”. How great is the love of God! The God created man as imperishable, He made us in the image of his own nature. As the word of God says, the devil brought death into the world. But our souls are safe in the hands of God and no torment shall ever touch us. We must entrust ourselves to the love of God who created as imperishable. “They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love”. The death can be seen as a disaster and as an annihilation for those who do not understand the way we are created. Let’s reflect: Am I aware about the truth of my creation in the image of the nature of God?
