May 28, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
Saint Paul VI, Pope
Gospel – Mark 10:32-45
“anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. Jesus came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. So, if we want to follow Jesus, we also must become servants. Only in becoming a servant, you become first in giving the love of God manifested in Jesus. True greatness comes not from being served, but from serving others. Jesus’ words challenge conventional notions of power and greatness. He overturns the idea that being first or great means having authority or being served by others. Instead, He presents a radical vision where the greatest among us are those who serve others. This servant discipleship is important where disciples prioritize the needs of others, showing humility, compassion, and selflessness. By adopting a servant’s heart, we align ourselves more closely with the teachings and life of Jesus, experiencing a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. This path of service allows us to share God’s love in tangible ways, making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Let’s reflect: What am I doing to grow myself in a servant’s heart?
May 27, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 10:28-31
“Many who are first will be last, and the last first”. This is a disturbing declaration of Jesus because it goes against the common logic. The logic of success. But in the vision of Jesus, it’s different. The success is not measured with position in the line but with the relationship with Him. In the context of Jesus' vision, success is redefined. It’s not about one’s rank, wealth, or power, but rather about one's relationship with Him and with others. Those who seem insignificant in worldly terms may hold the greatest value in the eyes of God because of their relationship with Jesus and with the those who are dear to Jesus. Conversely, those who are considered important or successful by societal standards may find themselves lacking in what truly matters in the kingdom of God. This teaching encourages a shift in focus from external achievements to inner virtues and from self-centred ambitions to selfless service. It invites us to look beyond the surface and to cultivate a deep, meaningful connection with God and with those in need around us. Evangelization is not a race to win but a mission to love. This perspective can be both challenging and liberating, as it calls for a re-evaluation of what it means to live a successful and fulfilling apostolic life. Let’s reflect: How much importance I give to success according to societal standards, ignoring the importance of relationship to Jesus?
May 26, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
Gospel – Mark 10:17-27
“Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, ‘There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me”. Jesus looked at him and love him. This is what God does in each and every situation. God loves us in every situation. God loves us in each situation. But at the same time, He also sees how we can grow up in each situation and every situation. That is what He points out. The one thing we lack He always points out. We know that. We must acknowledge what is lacking in us. We are not perfect. We must acknowledge in what we must improve. But all over, it’s about faith. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that’s more important than anything else. For this rich person, it was money. So, Jesus asked him to sell everything he owns, give the money to the poor and to follow Him. This act of selling everything and giving to the poor, is an act of faith in the Lord. It’s easy to have faith when we have things we need, but it’s difficult to have faith when we don’t have even the basic needs. Let’s reflect: Do my faith attached to the things I have or do my faith is above all the things I have?
May 26, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
The Most Holy Trinity – Solemnity
Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20
“Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you”. The disciples are made with the baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit to observe all the commands that Jesus gave. Becoming disciple, getting baptised, and observing the command to love are centred around the Holy Trinty. It’s the unity of the Trinity that keeps everything around. Between becoming disciples and observing the commandments is the Baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. This gives us a nutshell of the Christian faith. Our journey is from our call to become a disciple to become observer of the commandment to love. This passage is through the faith in the Trinity. A Father who loves, A Son who shares, and the Holy Spirit who animates. But united in one love. The more we are united to the Father who loves us, to the Son who shares His life, to the Holy Spirit who animates, the call to become the disciple and the commandment to love, become easier and true. Let’s reflect: Do I feel united to the Holy Trinity when I love and observe the commandments of Jesus Christ?
May 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Saint Gregory VII, Pope
Saint Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi, Virgin
Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest, Doctor
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Mark 10:13-1
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs”. We must approach Jesus like children. Isn’t it clear? Jesus himself by saying that underscores the importance of approaching faith with childlike qualities such as innocence, trust, humility, openness, and joy. Children embody a pure and unguarded trust in those they depend on, a readiness to learn, and an innate sense of wonder and joy. By encouraging us to approach Him like children, Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of God is accessible to those who come with a sincere, humble, and trusting heart, free from skepticism and full of curiosity and openness to His teachings. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that true faith involves a pure, dependent, and joyful relationship with Jesus. Let’s reflect: How do I approach Jesus with my faith?
May 24, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 10:1-12
“So then, what God has united, man must not divide.” Jesus spoke about this in the context of the relation between the husband and wife. But from this context we can understand how God sees human relationships. The humanity is called to be together. And not to be divided. This unity is what God wanted. We are called to be united between ourselves. Each relation is called to create unity. And we are not called to divide. Every division we make is against the wish of God. God wishes harmony and unity. Because God the Holy Trinity is unity created this world in this unity. In every aspect of nature there is unity and harmony which we are called to find out and to follow. Each person is called to be part of this unity. This unity and harmony are what we are called to maintain as unity is plan of God. Let’s reflect: Am I maintaining the unity which God wants in my life?
