May 25, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
on Friday of the 7th week of Eastertide
Saint Philip Neri, Priest
First reading – Acts 25:13-21
In this episode we find King Agrippa is little bit confused about the case of Paul. But Paul is very clear about his demands. This is the difference between persons led by mere civils laws and procedures and persons led by diving inspiration. Anything which does not fall in the framework we have learnt, put us in confusion. We don’t understand because we don’t find references about in the books we have read. There is no mentioning about it in the information we received. So, we feel confusion which results in lots of questions. But for a person who is led by faith, everything fit in to his or her logic. There is space for all eventualities in our life. Faith gives meaning and answers to the unexpected events in our life. They don’t pose questions but gives answers of faith. Let’s reflect: Do I feel confused about the events in my life, or I see them in the light of faith?
May 25, 2023 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
Conflict is not bad. It is not inherently bad or negative. We must discover the positive potentials of conflicts rather going to the negative results. Conflicts can be an important catalyst for growth, change and even innovation. Conflict discovers its positive potentials when it fosters open communication, where diverse opinions can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. Often when conflict is identified with one’s ego, it leads to damaging relationship and negative consequences. See the conflict as an opportunity for growth and embrace it with respect and willingness to find the best solution and not my solution.
Don Giorgio
May 25, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of the 7th week of Eastertide
or Saint Gregory VII, Pope
or Saint Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi, Virgin
or Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest, Doctor
First reading – Acts 22:30,23:6-11
“Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome”. In night the Lord appears and says, ‘courage’. When night comes in our lives, Lord appears. The night comes with challenges, with problems, and with complicated situations. And in the face of challenges, with problems and complicated situations, the Lord appears and says, “courage”. It’s about witnessing. The challenges are occasions for witnessing for Jesus. We have the word of the Lord, “courage”. Lord Jesus encourages us. His encouragement is our strength to witness His love, His message, His Person. Let’s reflect: Is the encouragement of Jesus is my strength in witnessing Him?
May 23, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of the 7th week of Eastertide
First reading – Acts 20:28-38
“There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.” Paul says this as words of the Lord Jesus. This is the essence of our faith. This passage shows how we should take care of one another. Paul is setting us the example. “…how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you”. Day and night keeping them in the right path and by shedding tears over each one of you. Such a personal care. Shedding tears over each one. Everyone is important. Paul was protecting them from the danger which comes with a travesty of the truth. We also must protect each other from the lies which pretends as truth. He then entrusts them to the word of the grace of God that has power to make us holy. So, this is also our task. To protect each other from the mockery of truth and to entrust each other to the grace of God. This we can do by giving more than receiving. Let’s reflect: Am I happier in giving than in receiving?
May 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of the 7th week of Eastertide
First reading – Acts 20:17-27
“I have not hesitated to do anything that would be helpful to you”. This is the attitude of a true Christian. Not hesitating in doing good. Again, not hesitating in doing anything. This is also very important. This is not about thing which I like but being ready to do anything without hesitation. Also, another element which is important is that, not hesitating in doing anything that would be helpful to the other. Not in doing, which is useful for me, which suits my purpose. But which is helpful for the other. Paul explains this, “I have served the Lord in all humility, with all the sorrows and trials that came to me”. Not hesitating to do anything that would be helpful to you is serving the Lord in all humility, accepting the sorrows and trials that come to you because of this service. It means to carry out the mission the Lord Jesus gives us: “to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace”. In humility we serve the Lord by doing anything that would help the other so that we can bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace. Let’s reflect: Do I hesitate in doing good that would help the other?
