Jul 8, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 14 in Ordinary Time
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs
Gospel Matthew 9:32-37
“And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd”. presents a vivid image of Jesus’ compassion for the multitudes. In this passage, Jesus sees the crowds and is deeply moved by their plight. They are described as “harassed and dejected”, evoking a sense of profound suffering and aimlessness. This imagery, “like sheep without a shepherd”, highlights their vulnerability and need for guidance. Here we can see Jesus’ true compassion which goes beyond superficial to the real engagement. Jesus’ compassion translates into a call for laborers to tend to the harvest, indicating the need for leaders who can provide the necessary guidance and support. This can be interpreted as a call to each of us to step into roles where we can help others find their way, whether through mentorship, community service, or simply being a source of support and kindness. Let’s reflect: Am I stepping up to the situation where others are left like sheep without shepherd?
Jul 7, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 14 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Matthew 9:18-26
“While Jesus was speaking, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ The death of his daughter did not take out the hope from his life. He came to Jesus and bowed low and asked Jesus to lay His hand on her. This is the deep of faith. This is the profoundness of faith. The deeper the reason to despair, the deeper is the faith to overcome the despair. The true faith shines brightest in our darkest moments. It suggests that when circumstances seem most dire, a profound faith can provide hope and the strength to seek solutions, even when they seem impossible. When faced with significant hardships, such as the death of a loved one, it can be easy to succumb to despair. But even these very hardships serve as a catalyst for developing a stronger faith. This faith provides the anchor in these moments of despair, offering a sense of hope and purpose that transcends the immediate circumstances. This hope is not just wishful thinking but a deeply rooted belief that Jesus can make a difference in our life which is passing through difficult times. Let’s reflect: Do I succumb easily to despair, or do I have faith in Jesus all times?
Jul 6, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 6:1-6
“…he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them”. God could work no miracle there. Even God! What is that situation? This is a situation in which you don’t give space for God. That is a situation in which you with your knowledge wants to find the complete answers to the situation. That is a situation in which you reduce the providence to coincidence. That is a situation in which you substitute faith with reason whereas both must walk hand in hand. That is situation where you see only one side of things that are happening around you. That is a situation where you are completely blind about what is happening before you. That’s a situation where the world must be around you and you be the center of world. Let’s reflect: Am I giving enough space for God in my life?
Jul 5, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 13 in Ordinary Time
Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin, Martyr
First Saturday: Let us entrust ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Gospel – Matthew 9:14-17
“they put new wine into fresh skins and both are preserved”. This is the novelty that the incarnation brought to the world. The world is continuously renewed by the action of the Holy Spirit. Anything old is going to be renewed. Jesus’ coming into the world represents a new era in God’s relationship with humanity. His teachings and presence bring a new covenant that cannot be confined within the old frameworks of the law and traditions. Just as new wine needs new wineskins, spiritual growth and transformation require a willingness to let go of old patterns and embrace new ways of thinking and being. This openness allows the Holy Spirit to work effectively in our lives. When new wine is placed in new wineskins, both are preserved. This signifies that embracing new spiritual insights and practices can lead to a harmonious and sustained growth in our faith journey. We must remain open to the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, welcoming continuous renewal in their lives. Let’s reflect: Am I open to continuous renewal asked by the Gospel or am I lazy to live in my old comforts?
Jul 4, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 13 in Ordinary Time
Saint Antony Mary Zaccaria, Priest
Gospel Matthew 9:9-13
“It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners”. In these words of Jesus Christ, we can see the relationship of God with man. We need the grace of God. And God is ready to take care of us. In the passage we see that He goes where Matthew was sitting and calls him. And Matthew followed Him. And from our part, Jesus is asking us to be merciful in our life towards others as He is merciful. He understands us and accepts us with all our sins and weakness. Jesus in the house of Matthew in the midst of all tax collectors and sinners is a beautiful image to meditate. It shows how much God wants to be in the midst of our life. Our life with all ours sins and weakness. He as a doctor wants to heal us. He heals us. And we must recognize this, and we must be merciful to each other. It’s not our sacrifices that let God to be present in our life but our mercy and understanding of others that let God be present in our life. Let’s reflect: Am I letting Jesus present in our life with my merciful understanding of others?
