Oct 11, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 27 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Malachi 3:13-20
“Then once again you will see the difference between an upright man and a wicked one, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him”. The Word of God is instructing us today with a very important aspect of our life. There is a difference between those who are close to God and those who are away from God. This difference is something created by God. But created by us with our freedom. What happens is that when we choose to be close to God with our freedom, we grow in the light of God’s love. “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays”. But for those who choose with their freedom to be away from God, they will lack this light. It is like closing the eyes and say that it’s darkness. One who keeps the eyes open see the light of the sun and walk correctly. But one who keeps the eyes closed will not see the sun and will be in danger. Choice is ours with our freedom. Let’s reflect: Am I keeping my eyes open always to see the light of God’s love?
Oct 11, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time
Saint John XXIII, Pope
First reading – Jonah 4:1-11
In this episode of the book of Jonah there is a big lesson to learn. A lesson which we must learn and to be part of our daily life. May be God has given me to learn this opportunity. When we enter into a real relationship with God, we change, we adapt, and we transform. This is what is more important. The change that is brought in our daily life. The most visible change happens in our relationship with others. We accept with joy every good thing that happens to others. The joy of others becomes our joy. This transformation happens in our relationship with God. Jonah was sad when God changed His decision to destroy Nineveh which is a good thing. But God makes a conversation with Jonah to make him understand the divine reality. This is the beauty of relationship with God. In a real relationship with God there is always this dialogue to understand the reality. Let’s reflect: Do I become part of dialogue with God in my relationship with God?
Oct 10, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Jonah 3:1-10
“The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes”. This image of the king of Nineveh is very impressive. How the king reacts to the word of the Prophet. In his behavior, we see a real change. The Word of God had a sweeping effect in the life of the king. He rose from his throne, that means, he rose from his power, from his authority, from his supremacy because he embraced the power of the word of God, he embraced the power of the authority of the Word of God. Then took off his robe, that means, he left all his comforts, he ripped himself off his all his privileges because he wants to be comforted by the Word of God. Then he put on sackcloth. He recognized the need for the grace and mercy of God. He recognizes his vulnerabilities and his weaknesses. At the end, he sat down in ashes. Finally he recognized the destiny of all worldly pomp and glory which finishes in ashes. He recognized the eternity of the Word of God. The attitude and actions of the king of Nineveh is a model. Let’s reflect: Does my attitude and actions change with the Word of God?
Oct 8, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 27 in Ordinary Time
Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs
First reading – Jonah 1:1-2:1,11
There is a plan of God for each one of us. God explained His plan to Jonah. But Jonah was not ready to accept that plan. By not wanting to accept the plan of God for the people of Nineveh, Jonah is not accepting both the plan of God for the people of Nineveh and for himself. When we want to see the world through our own eyes and not through the eyes of the Lord, we not only see the world in the right way but also, we don’t see ourselves in the right way. By accepting the plan of God for others, we are accepting the plan of God for ourselves. This is what we can see in the story of the Jonah. Our plans end up in the darkness of the belly of the fish but the plan of God opens up the possibility of the third day on the shore to start again. Let’s reflect: Am I open to the plans of God and to see the world through the eyes of God’s plan?
Oct 7, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading – Isaiah 5:1-7
“Let me sing to my friend the song of his love for his vineyard”. The whole story of salvation is the song of God’s love for us. The vineyard is taken care in a personal way. “He dug the soil, cleared it of stones and planted choice vines in it”. God takes care of us in a personal way. He calls us, He purifies us, and He fills us with graces, so that we can be instruments of His love. But often, we are not transmitting the love of God but our selfishness. This is expressed in the words of the Prophet. “He expected it to yield grapes, but sour grapes were all that it gave”. The sour grape of our selfishness is what we are producing after receiving all the graces. But still God is merciful, and He does not abandon us. Let’s reflect: Am I transmitting God’s love or my selfishness?
