Jun 28, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Doctor, Martyr
Wednesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time
First reading – 2 Timothy 2:22-26
“Fasten your attention on holiness, faith, love and peace, in union with all those who call on the Lord with pure minds”. St. Paul is stressing what is important and on what we should fasten our attention. Our attention should be on holiness, faith, love and peace. This attention must be in unity with all those who call on the Lord with pure minds. So, we must try to make unity with all who call on the Lord with pure minds. Moreover, we must also avoid quarrels along with futile and silly speculations. Futile and silly speculations give rise to quarrels because it makes us to think of only ourselves. Then the unity is gone, so also is love and peace. Let’s reflect: Is our attention fastened on faith and unity or on silly and futile speculations?
Jun 26, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time
Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Doctor
First reading – Genesis 13:2,5-18
In this passage we can see something very special of Abram. He was the chosen one. He was the elder. Lot is just his nephew. But when dispute arouse between the servants of Abram and Lot, Abram is giving Lot the possibility to choose. He is not imposing. There was the possibility of Lot taking the irrigated land. And he took it. But Abram is unaffected because he is trusting in the Lord. The whole journey of Abram is a journey with God. He is not trusting the irrigated land but the Lord who accompanies him. The freedom from our possessions comes from our total trust in the Lord. Many times, we are not free to let others choose, because we are afraid that we will lose something important for us. What is important for us is the Lord. Let’s reflect: Am I free from my possessions because of my trust in the Lord?
Jun 26, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Genesis 12:1-9
The journey of Abram is a journey of faith. He listens to God. He acts according to what God tells him. And he maintains a relationship with God. After listening to God, he acts according to the will of God. He leaves his land and moves to the land where God indicated. Moreover, he maintains his relationship with God by building altar for the Lord constantly and invoking His name. These three elements are very important. Listening to God, acting accordingly, and maintaining a constant relationship with God. He lives in relationship with God. This is why, He is a model for us to follow. Listen to God, does God wants and lives in relationship with God. Let’s reflect: Am I following the example of Abram by listening, acting and living with God?
Jun 24, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading – Jeremiah 20:10-13
In the midst of terror from every side, the prophet feels this, “the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero”. This is the confidence of one who believe in the Lord. You may hear lots of rumors. You may face lots of challenges. You may have to endure difficulties, but you arrive at the same conclusion, “the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero”. The difficulties will vanish. The rumors will disappear. The challenges will be overcome. All this because the one who believes in the Lord trusts in the Lord and not in anything else. The Lord will defend the one who have committed his or her cause to Him. The point is to confide in the Lord in all these moments. We must just praise the Lord and thank Him. No need of panic. Let’s reflect: Before challenges, am I panicking or arriving at the conclusion that the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero”?
Jun 24, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
First reading – Isaiah 49:1-6
“The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name”. This is very true of St. John the Baptist whose nativity we are celebrating today. But it’s also true for each one of us. The Lord has a plan for each one of us and He makes each one of us different and unique. This uniqueness of each person is that the nativity of St. John the Baptist is proclaiming. We are called for a mission of God. Small or big they are all equal. This belonging to the call of God for a specific mission with our life, puts us in harmony with the rest of the world. As Isaiah says, “…while I was thinking, ‘I have toiled in vain,” my reward was with my God. There could be very disappointing and discouraging moments, but we should not leave our hope in the Lord. Because “my God is my strength”. Despite these frustrating moments, we belong to the Plan of God. Let’s reflect: Am I able to overcome my disappointments by trusting in the plan of God for me?
