Nov 25, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Christ the King – Solemnity
First reading – Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17
“As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view”. Today we are celebrating the Feast of Christ the King. Christ the King who is a shepherd. The reading is very descriptive. Christ the King is not a king who reigns, but Christ the King is a shepherd who takes care of the sheep. Each sheep is important for this shepherd. He wants each sheep to be in His sight. He saves them from mist and darkness. He pastures himself the sheep. He is not outsourcing the work. He is taking care of the sheep personally. When one sheep is lost, He looks for it, and brings it back. Our King is a true shepherd. For us it’s important to recognize Jesus Christ as our Shepherd. Let’s reflect: How much do I surrender to Jesus, my King-Shepherd?
Nov 24, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin, Martyr
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading – 1 Maccabees 6:1-13
“But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem”. Antiochus expresses remorse and recognizes that his misfortunes might be a result of his mistreatment of the Jews. This is the moment of repentance. Also, in this passage we can see the limit of power. Despite being a powerful king, Antiochus is depicted as helpless in the face of his illness and impending death. This serves as a reminder of the limitations of earthly power and the inevitability of human mortality. At the same time, we can see the suffering of the King can be an occasion to understand more the pains of the other. The suffering has its potential to lead to self-awareness and transformation, albeit in a tragic context in a particular story. So, here we see that we always have the possibility to repent for what we have done. And the powers we have now is not eternal. Finally, that, our sufferings can be an opportunity to understand more the difficulties of others. Let’s reflect: Do I see my sufferings as possibilities for understanding the pains of others?
Nov 23, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saints Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his Companions, Martyrs
Friday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
First reading – 1 Maccabees 4:36-37,52-59
“There was no end to the rejoicing among the people, and the reproach of the pagans was lifted from them”. The passage explains the consecration of the Temple after regaining it from the Seleucids. This verse explains how much people of God were attached to the Temple. The Temple was the center of their life. It gave meaning to their life. In the New Testament this Temple is replaced by the living presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrament. Every time when we have the possibility to make a visit to the Holy Eucharist and when we can receive the Holy Sacrament, we have the possibility to be more joyful than the people in the Old Testament. But the question is that many times we are not aware of this fact. Let’s reflect: Am I sufficiently happy at the possibility of having in my life the living presence of God in the Holy Eucharist?
Nov 22, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Saint Clement I, Pope, Martyr
Saint Columbanus, Abbot and Missionary
First reading – 1 Maccabees 2:15-29
“Let everyone who has a fervor for the Law and takes his stand on the covenant come out and follow me.’ Then he fled with his sons into the hills, leaving all their possessions behind in the town”. This is the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt, campaign against the Seleucid Empire. Mattathias, the Jewish priest, leads the revolt. It highlights the zeal of the people for their faith, willing to die rather than compromise their beliefs. They are not falling into temptations offered by the commissioners of the King Antiochus. Mattathias and his family left everything behind and fled to the hills. In these lines we see the zeal of Mattathias and his family in following the instructions of the covenant of God at any cost. Their method of fighting is not the model of the New Testament but the zeal for the faith is the same. Instead of fighting by violence, we fight with our faith to give up ourselves to follow Jesus. We must give up everything to follow Jesus in the Cross, overcoming temptations and giving up everything. Let’s reflect: How much zealous am I in following my faith in Jesus Christ?
Nov 21, 2023 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr
Wednesday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Hosea 2:16,17,21-22
In this reading we can find how is the relationship of the Lord with the person who wants to totally entrust oneself to the Lord. The Lord leads that person out from all the disturbances into the silence of the wilderness so that He can speak to the heart. He wants to make a relationship with that person for ever. A relationship with integrity and justice, with tenderness and love. This relationship of the Lord with us is total. There is nothing withheld from us. He gives completely to us. And the justice of the Lord is the justice with mercy and with compassion. He sees our defects and weaknesses but still He love us. In this love there comes together integrity and justice. Moreover, He loves us with tenderness and love. Tenderness to heal our wounds and love to enhance the grace in us. Let’s reflect: How much I want a deep personal relationship with the Lord?
