Jul 26, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Ecclesiasticus 44:1,10-15
The Feast of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joachim and Saint Anne reminds us of the part of each one of us in the story of salvation. In the book of Ecclesiasticus, we read the three qualities in these people. They were generous, they stood by the covenants, and they did good works. With these they became part of the plan of God. We are called for the same. With being generous and by doing good works and by standing by the covenants. Our challenge is to be part of it. Being generous, doing good works and standing by the covenants. Let’s reflect: How much can I be the part of the plan of God by being generous and standing by the covenants by doing good works?
Jul 24, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint James, Apostle – Feast
First reading – 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
“We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure”. These words of St. Paul contain the precious wisdom of what we are and what we are entrusted with. We are entrusted with the greatest treasure we can have. It’s the love of God for us. But we are so fragile. We are earthenware jars. But the believe in the love of God takes strengthen the earthenware jars. That is why St. Paul can say, “We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed;”. There is no answer to our problems but never despair. What is that? It’s absolute abandonment into the plan of God. There are no questions or doubts. Just complete surrender into His hands recognizing one’s own fragility. Let’s reflect: Am I searching for answers or am I deepening in my faith?
Jul 23, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Priest
First reading – Exodus 14:5-18
“Moses answered the people, ‘Have no fear! Stand firm, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today”. In the sight of the approaching Egyptians the sons were terrified. The many miracles which the Lord has done for the liberation of Israelites from the Egyptians are not coming to their mind. The Word of God which assured their safety. The Word of God which came through Moses. They see only the danger of the advancing Egyptian army. They see only the strength of the chariots. This is where the faith fails. We see only the strength of the chariots and not the strength of God and His promise. Without faith we see the danger and risks, not the love of God. Without faith we feel in between the red sea and the Egyptian army. With faith we see ourselves guided by God. Let’s reflect: In moments of difficulties, do I see more the complications or the guidance of God?
Jul 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Bridget of Sweden
First reading – Wisdom 12:13,16-19
“By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men, and you have given your sons the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance”. God in His power has taught us how we must be kind to our fellow man. What is the lesson? God has such strength, but He is mild in judgement. He is not showing His power in being arrogant. Just the opposite. He is not governing us with strictness, but he is governing us with great lenience. This is the God we worship, we adore. From this lesson, we learn. We must be kind to our fellow man. We must be kind in our words and actions to our fellow man remembering this lesson which God teaches us. Whenever we fail to be kind, we fail the Teacher who taught us this lesson. But even if we fail in this, God still is so kind. He forgives. God is forgiving, and this is the reason for the good hope. The scripture is speaking of good hope because it’s not an empty hope. It’s the hope which God gives. Teaches and forgives when we don’t follow the lessons. Let’s reflect: Am I kind to others remembering the lesson which God teaches us?
Jul 21, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Mary Magdalen – Feast
First reading – Song of Songs 3:1-4
“On my bed, at night, I sought him whom my heart loves”. The relationship with God is a relationship of that of a lover. This relationship is a continuous seeking. Because God’s love is not always visible as God gives more importance to our freedom. So we must seek to find the love of God. The author of the Song of Songs says, in the middle of the night I will rise and go through the city, in the streets and in the squares. In the middle of night, in the middle of our problems, in the middle of our troubles, we must rise to go through the city in search of the plan of God. And when we seek the plan of God, we may not find it. There comes so many questions. There comes so many doubts. We are tired of questions and doubts. Then, “Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my heart loves”. Hardly we passed our doubts and questions, we find the true love of God. It’s a beautiful passage. From the search in the city, streets, and squares which we know, to the questions and doubts we try to clarify, to finding the true love of God. This can be seen in the life of Saint Mary Magdalen. Let’s reflect: Am I making the passage from my doubts and questions about the love of God to the real finding of the love of God?
