Jul 21, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
Saint Laurence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor
First reading – Exodus 11:10-12:14
“The blood shall serve to mark the houses that you live in”. In today’s reading we read about the institution of the Passover. This Passover in the Old Testament prefigures the real Passover when the blood of Christ is saving the whole humanity. The blood in the Old Passover is taken and put on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses where the Passover is eaten. In the New Testament the blood of Christ serves as the door to all the sacraments in the Church. We need the liberation from our slavery. The slavery of sins. We can be liberated from our sins only if we let God pass over our life. For this Passover we need to be prepared. We need to welcome the Lord over us. This preparation is done in Jesus Christ and in the blood of Jesus Christ we are liberated from the slavery of sin. Let’s reflect: Am I devoted to the precious blood of Jesus Christ which saved me from the slavery of sin?
Jul 20, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
Saint Apollinaris, Bishop, Martyr
First reading – Exodus 3:13-20
God reveals His name to Moses. This is something very important for humanity. Humanity always wanted to define God according to its perceptions and calculations. Humanity wanted to create a God which suits its purpose. It’s in this context the name of the Lord is revealed. “And God said to Moses, ‘I Am who I Am.” God is God beyond all imaginations and calculations. God is one who liberates us. This is the Lord we must adore. Not the Lord of our imagination or our creation. Let’s reflect: Am I worshipping the true Lord or the lord of our creation?
Jul 18, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Exodus 3:1-6,9-12
“‘Come no nearer,’ he said. ‘Take off your shoes, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your fathers,’ he said, ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’” God is coming into our space because the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Him. He said to Moses to take off the shoes because it’s a sacred space. A sacred space where the cry of the people is taken care of God who listens to it. The ground is holy because the Lord is taking care of the cry of the people. It is the love of God that makes the ground holy. The love of God is so amazing. The burning bush is a symbol of that love. It is very ardent, but it will not burn. The love of God is very powerful, but it will not burn. It will let us be ourselves. It will let us be what we are. Just encompasses us with the flames and embraces us. The place where the love of God meets the cry of the poor and oppressed is a sacred place. It can be us. Then we will be ardent with passion for evangelisation, passion for mission work, passion for social transformation through gospel. Let’s reflect: Am I a burning bush where the love of God meets the cry of the poor?
Jul 17, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 15 in Ordinary Time
First reading- Exodus 2:1-15
“Yes, go,’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her; and the girl went off to find the baby’s own mother”. This is the way God works. The boy is saved by the daughter of Pharaoh. The boy is taken care of by his own mother despite the order of Pharaoh. The child is taken care of. There are difficult challenges, but we are on the tack. We must believe in the promise of God. We are accompanied by the presence of God in our life. In all our challenges, God is there. Let’ reflect: Do I feel the presence of God in my life?
Jul 17, 2023 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
It is important to cultivate a mindset that appreciates and embraces ideas from others. This involves actively listening, considering alternative viewpoints, and being open to constructive criticism. By doing so, we can foster an environment that encourages collaboration and intellectual growth, leading to the development of stronger and more innovative ideas. Dismissing an idea solely based on the fact that it didn’t originate from oneself is an example of intellectual bias and a lack of openness to new perspectives. Ultimately, the worth of an idea should be determined by its content, feasibility, and potential impact, rather than whether it aligns with our personal preferences or ego.
Don Giorgio
