Apr 25, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of the 3rd week of Eastertide
First reading – Acts 8:1-8
“…everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria…. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that tow”. Except the apostles, everyone fled. This is the opportunity to become part of the apostles who does not fled or part of others who fled. I want to be the part of those who does not flee because, I want to be the instrument of healing. When you do not flee from the difficulties, you become part of the healing. Let’s reflect: Do you want to flee from difficulties or to become the part of healing?
Apr 24, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Mark, Evangelist – Feast
First reading – 1 Peter 5:5-14
“All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble.” This is a phrase in the Bible which summarizes many doctrines. This is a phrase which summarizes the concept of community life or family life. This is a phrase which makes our life heavenly on earth. First of all, it’s not about one person, it is about all, “All wrap yourselves”. Then it is not something others do to you, “All wrap yourselves”. It is about a personal decision. It is decision to wrap me myself in humility. To wrap up ourselves in humility. And the goal of this wrapping up is only one thing: to be servants of each other. It is not a humility to show up. It’s not a humility to retreat or to give up. It’s an active humility. It’s the humility to be servants of each other. And the motive to be humble is that God likes the humble. So, it is about knowing the heart of God and desiring to be like that. It’s about being to be what God wants. Let’s reflect: Am I wrapping myself in humility to be a servant of the other?
Apr 23, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of the 3rd week of Eastertide
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest, Martyr
First reading – Acts 6:8-15
“Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people”. When you are filled with grace and power, you can begin to work miracle and great signs. We must be filled with grace and power. Grace of God which comes from the salvation achieved by the blood of Christ. And power which comes from the heart which is open to the Holy Spirit. Both Grace and power are necessary for the mission. Grace from the blood of Christ and power from the presence of the Holy Spirit. The grace and power make us miracles. The grace and power make us signs. Miracles of the grace and power of God. Signs of the grace and power of God. Let’s reflect: How much I am imbibing the grace of the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Apr 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
3rd Sunday of Easter
First reading – Acts 2:14,22-33
Today we read the speech of Peter. This transformation in Peter is the testimony of the arrival of Holy Spirit. This is the proof of Resurrection itself. The personal change in the person of Peter is the proof of the Risen Christ. This personal change in the person of Peter comes from his experience of the experience of Jesus. The relationship of Jesus Christ with His Father is the focal point of resurrection. The love of God the Father will give the Son the power to overcome the power of death. This love of God the Father experienced by the Son, Jesus Christ, is witnessed by Peter and other disciples. And based on this Peter and other disciples are basing their faith in the same God the Father who has promised the Spirit. “God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit”. Our personal transformation is the best witness to the miracle of Resurrection. Our personal transformation is the best testimony of the Holy Spirit. Let’s reflect: How much my life is testifying the resurrection of Christ?
Apr 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of the 2nd week of Eastertide
First reading – Acts 6:1-7
“It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food” This is very important instruction for all of us who has a lot of things to do in our daily life. Lots of important things to do like giving the food to those who are hungry. But doing good things is not an excuse for neglecting our service to the word of God. The Apostles found a solution so that they can devote themselves to prayer and to the service of the Word. We must find solutions for the busy schedule so that we also can time to dedicate ourselves to prayer and to the service of the Word. Our service to the Word of God cannot be substituted for anything else in our “to do list” of the day. So, our long list of things to do in a day is not a reason to abandon our service to the Word. We must find time to be in love with the Word of God. This is the source of our energy, our vision, and our mission. This service gives orientation and life to all our other tasks of the day. Let’s reflect: how much am I tempted to abandon my service to the Word of God to do other things?
