Oct 23, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint Antony Mary Claret, Bishop
First reading – Romans 5:12,15,17-21
“Again, as one man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified”. This is the story of human freedom. With the freedom the man disobeyed, and the sin entered the whole human race. And then every law became a cause to fall because man always disobeyed. Then Jesus Christ entered into our history and brought grace. The incarnation of Jesus Christ brought life to everyone and shared that life with everyone. Jesus brought grace and life. And the grace reigns to bring eternal life thanks to the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. The grace of Jesus Christ is always greater than the sins and it’s available to all. Let’s reflect: Am I letting grace of Jesus Christ reign in my life?
Oct 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint John of Capistrano, Priest
First reading – Romans 4:20-25
“…drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, convinced that God had power to do what he had promised”. We often doubt what is the kind of faith our father Abraham had. St. Paul explains in his letter to Romans exactly what kind of faith our father Abraham had. It had three characteristics. The first that the faith gave strength to our father Abraham to continue in the path God indicated. It encouraged him to follow. Then the second characteristic is that he was able to give glory to God due to this faith. He not only followed the path but also gave glory to God while he is following this path. In other words, he followed the path giving glory to God. He was happy following the path. Then the third characteristic is that he was convinced that God had power to do what he had promised. It is not that everything will be okay, but it is the faith that God will do exactly what he had promised. He was convinced of the exact outcome of the promise. Many times, we believe in God, and we are happy with whatever good it brings. But the faith of Abraham is that he is convinced that God had power to do what he had promised. This faith is important. Let’s reflect: Do I draw strength from my faith and give glory to God as He gives me exactly what He promised?
Oct 21, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading – Isaiah 45:1,4-6
97th WORLD MISSIONARY DAY 2023
The reading of the World Missionary Day is very inspiring as our duty is to profess the one God. Because when we are not to profess the one God which is revealed to be in the person of Jesus Christ, what I want to do is to find space for a God which suits my purposes. Often, when we don’t want to profess the one God, we want to profess the god which suits my purposes. A god which justifies doing what I want. A god which does not question my interpretation of things and incidents. It’s a god at my disposition and not myself at the disposition of God. When the Lord God says, “I have called you by your name”, it means that there is only one God to whom I should be obedient and submissive. Whenever I have the temptation to do the opposite, I should remember the history. Being a missionary is nothing other than overcoming to fear to go to anyone to spread the message of Gospel. Let’s reflect: Am I ready to accept the one God, to whom everyone has placed his submission?
Oct 20, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 28 in Ordinary Time
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – Romans 4:13,16-18
“That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us”. This is a very important message of the Word of God. The promise of God depends on faith. It depends on faith because it can be a gratuitous gift to all. A gift given to all without considering the worthiness of the anyone receiving that gift. In faith the promise is fulfilled, and it’s fulfilled without any demands or conditions. Just by faith. And this promise is accessible to all. Not only to those who belong to Abraham by Law but to all those who follow the faith of Abraham. All those who have faith like Abraham. All those who surrender themselves to the Lord like Abraham. The promise of the Lord is gratuitous and it is available to all of us, just by faith like Abraham. Let’s reflect: Am I aware of the gratuitous and universal availability of the promises of the Lord?
Oct 19, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 28 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Romans 4:1-8
“Abraham put his faith in God, and this faith was considered as justifying him”. The faith of Abraham in God is a complete surrender. When the faith in God is above all what we have and we are, faith is taken to a different sphere. It is not anymore, a faith as a sentiment, it is a faith as a relation. A faith in the Lord who called him. A faith in God who want to enter into a relationship with him. A faith in the Lord who justifies him. This faith is what we needed. It is not about what we do or what our deeds are. But it is about our relationship with God. It is about the faith in the Lord who forgives our sins and makes us sinless. This faith is the justifying faith. Let’s reflect: Do I believe in the faith which justifies me?
