Aug 31, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading – 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
“Brothers, your faith has been a great comfort to us in the middle of our own troubles and sorrows; now we can breathe again, as you are still holding firm in the Lord”. Our faith in Jesus Christ can be a great comfort for others in their own troubles and sorrows. This is very important aspect of our spiritual communion with others. When we have faith, when we grow in faith, the people around us find in us the strength of faith. The strength of faith which will be manifested in our daily life, in our attitude and in our approaches. This strength of faith in God is a great comfort for others around us because with this strength we generate hope, we radiate light, and we love others. This will become a great comfort for them in the middle of their own troubles and sorrows. Let’s reflect: Is the strength of my faith in the Lord, a comfort for others in the middle of their sorrows?
Aug 30, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
“You can remember how we treated every one of you as a father treats his children, teaching you what was right, encouraging you and appealing to you to live a life worthy of God, who is calling you to share the glory of his kingdom”. In these words of we can see the how the faith in Jesus Christ is bringing a new way of interacting. The people in authority are behaving as a father to everyone, to everyone without exceptions. Teaching what is right and encouraging to live accordingly. The words are exemplary, “our treatment of you, since you became believers, has been impeccably right and fair”. How many of us can say like this? Our treatment of others depends often on the circumstances and on our moods. But here we see that the Apostle is saying that it was impeccably right and fair. This shows how much the message of Gospel has penetrated the behavior of the Apostle. Not only from his side, but he also sees the good in the others, “you accepted it for what it really is, God’s message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it”. Let’s reflect: Is my treating of others impeccably right and fair?
Aug 29, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Jeremiah 1:17-19
“Do not be dismayed at their presence, or in their presence I will make you dismayed”. The Lord is the one in action. Are we aware of this fact? The Lord is the one who makes me, “a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze, to confront all this land: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the country people. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, it is the Lord who speaks.’ Let’s reflect: Am I aware of the work of God in me?
Aug 28, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor
Monday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading – 1 John 4:7-16
“let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God”. The most important message we must understand is that “love comes from God”. We use the word “love” without considering this aspect of love. The origin of “love” is in God. Only when we understand this aspect of love, we can come to the real understanding that “God is love”. We want to love others. Bu the point of loving is that in order to love, we must acknowledge the divine origin of love and the divine essence of love. That is why, St. John says that, “God is love
and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him”. It has enormous consequences. We must love everyone. We must live in love. This is an aspiration. Let’s reflect: How much can I love?
Aug 27, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading – Isaiah 22:19-23
Through the words of the prophet, the Lord is saying how He prepares Eliakim for his new position. In these words, we can find how Lord prepares the one who is called for a mission. The Lord gives Eliakim all the grace necessary for his new mission. And at the same time, we read what are the expectations of the Lord for Eliakim. So, it is important that we understand that when we have the grace, we must also understand the expectations of the Lord. For this, we must be close to the grace by which we can understand what the Lord wishes from us. The grace is always given so that we can be take care of others as the Lord wants. In the case of Eliakim, the Lord says, “he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah” and by that he will “become a throne of glory”. This is how the grace is going to work in Eliakim. We must understand our vocation with the grace we receive so that we can become the throne of God’s glory. Let’s reflect: Do I understand my vocation with the grace I receive from the Lord?
