May 31, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – Zephaniah 3:14-18
Today we are celebrating the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Zechariah and Elizabeth. This feast is about the presence of Virgin Mary who conceived the Word in the midst of us. In Mary, the God is present. That is what the Prophet Zephaniah is saying, “The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;
you have no more evil to fear”. Not only that he continues, that the Lord our God is in our midst, a victorious warrior. The Lord exult with joy over you and will renew you by his love. How beautiful is that! The Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary is the feast that reminds us that God is in our midst and we have no more evil to fear. It’s feast that reminds us about the presence of God in our midst. His love will renew us. His love will be our joy. Let’s reflect: How much I can related the feast of Mother Mary to the presence of God in our midst?
May 29, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
Saint Zdzisława of Lemberk OP
First reading – Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15
“A man multiplies offerings by keeping the Law”. In the words of Ecclesiasticus, something very important is being discussed. The relationship between piety and life. Being pious is very good but the life must be accordingly. Your piety is not a means to be whatever you want to be. The Word of God clearly says, “Offer him no bribe, he will not accept it, do not put your faith in an unvirtuous sacrifice”. Our religious activities are not a way to please God so that we can do what we want to do. The way we behave makes the whole difference. The concrete example which the Word of God is suggesting is “Add a smiling face to all your gifts and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes”. So, the way we behave, even if we are doing something religious, is very important. Let’s reflect: Are my religious activities a pretension to do what I want than being virtuous?
May 29, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Mary, Mother of the Church
First reading – Acts 1:12-14
In this reading we can see the Mary, Mother of the Church. Jesus was taken up into heaven and the apostles are praying for the Holy Spirit. They are gathered around Mother Mary who is in a unique relationship with the Holy Trinity. She conceived by the Holy Spirit in being completely docile to the Will of the Father and gave birth to Jesus Christ. This is the model of the Church. In Mary, Church learns by the Holy Spirit to be the Mother who shows God the Father through the Son. This calls each of us to be in a profound relationship with Mother Mary. The maternity of Mother Mary is a protection for us because in Jesus Christ we all become sons and daughters of Mother Mary. At the same time, Mother Mary is a living and active model in whom we can transform ourselves to be completely docile to the will of God the Father. The devotion to Mother Mary is not only for intercession but to be the process of self-transformation into a true Christian. Let’s reflect: is my devotion to Mother Mary just only for intercession or is it directed towards self-transformation?
May 27, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Pentecost
First reading – Acts 2:1-11
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech”. This is the moment of Pentecost. The feast of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The feast of being taken over by the Holy Spirit. The feast of being emptied out of everything except the Holy Spirit. The feast of receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The feast of Holy Spirit taking control of our life, our words, and our actions. The feast of we becoming instruments to preach the marvels of God. The feast of we becoming capable to speak a language that the other can understand. We becoming the language of God. This is also seen in the appearances of the Pentecost event. “When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them”. United in one room. The unity is seen. The noise filling the entire house. Tongues of fire rest on the head of each of them. As they are becoming the tongues to praise the marvels of God, the God News. Let’s reflect: Am I becoming the language of the marvels of God with the Holy Spirit I received?
May 26, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of the 7th week of Eastertide
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
First reading – Acts 28:16-20,30-31
Paul was in chain for two years in Rome. He did not lament. He did not criticize. He was not disappointed. So, what was he doing? “He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone”. In his chains, he welcomed all who came to visit him. Even in pains, he welcomed everyone. No exceptions. Not only that he welcomed everyone, but also, he proclaimed the kingdom of God and even taught the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. Because is it the hope of Israel. Because it’s the hope of the whole world. He did it as we read, with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone. He had his inner freedom, and nobody hindered him too. So, in chains, in pains, in disappointments, in discouragements, there is an option. The option of Paul: to welcome everyone and to teach the truth of Jesus Christ in complete freedom. Let’s reflect: In my pains and disappointments, am I opting to welcome everyone and to preach the truth of Gospel as Paul did?
