Aug 7, 2024 | NEWS
I had the opportunity to do My annual Juniorate from 16-31 July this year in Rome. The time was very important, not only because of the high temperatures, but also because of the many new experiences. The unity in diversity that is the international Community allowed me to become even more sensitive to others, to look on how open I am to otherness. I saw that what seems right and proper to me is not always the same for someone else, and this is where the space of respect and acceptance of the other person in me begins. Living every day, for this short time, in this Community has also allowed me to see a very simple thing.
If we are moving in the same direction towards God, no barrier -linguistic, Cultural, Customary – can divide us.
During these two weeks, I was able to see and spiritually experience various ‘encounters’ in many places that are important for us believers. However, all the places to see while in Rome, for me personally the most important was the church of Quo Vadis and the encounter with Christ and Peter on the road leading out of Rome. “Where are you going, Lord?”- I think this question can be asked Myself every day, every hour then, when I turn back on my Commitments, difficulties, suffering, the man who gives me a headache, the decisions that have to be made. And Jesus goes in the opposite direction, to fulfil all that I am running away from God, thanks for this time.
Sr. M. Justyna
Aug 6, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs
Saint Cajetan, Priest
Gospel – Matthew 15:21-28
“She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table”. This courage to retort to the unfavorable circumstances and this perseverance to insist on the action of God based on confidence is exemplary. This courage to retort is not of anger or despise but it a courage to retort to the negativity in our life focusing on the small, good things in our life. She is happy to get even the scraps that fall from their masters’ table. This is the courage to embrace the small graces in life without complaining. This is the courage to resist negativity in life. Then there is also the perseverance which gives the energy to keep going. This perseverance comes from the total trust in the love of God. A trust which says that, “God will answer”. Whatever happens, I need the answer from God. So, I keep calling Him. And you will get an answer. To call God you need faith, but to keep calling him though no answer, you need great faith. “Woman, you have great faith”. Let’s reflect: Do I have just faith or great faith?
Don Giorgio
Aug 5, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Gospel – Mark 9:2-10
“Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them anymore but only Jesus”. We are the celebrating the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This is a moment in which Jesus was transfigured. His clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him”. Then this happened. They looked round and saw no one with them except Jesus. This is the feast of Transfiguration. Everything else disappears and only Jesus remains. And this happens when you listen to the voice of God. When we listen to Jesus, He remains, and everything else disappears. Also, with the presence of Jesus, the law and prophets of the Old Testament are fulfilled. In the new covenant, only Jesus remains. In our personal life also, the transfiguration of Jesus happens when everything else disappears, and only He remains in our life. The voice of God makes disappear everything else and only Jesus remains in our life. Jesus shines in our life. Only Jesus shines in our life. This is our transformation resulting from His transfiguration which we welcome by listening to the voice of God. Let’s reflect: Did I ever imagine a situation in my life in which everything disappears and only Jesus stays?
Don Giorgio
Aug 4, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21
“When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves”. This is touching moment in the life of Jesus. The martyrdom of John the Baptist is a prefiguration for what is expecting in the calvary. And it is profound to meditate how Jesus is handling this moment. St. Matthew says that he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. Three points to note: withdrawing, to a lonely place, to be by themselves. The first is the withdrawing from the noise, from the surroundings, and from the distractions. Then is the lonely place. Withdrawing becomes real when it is a withdrawal to a lonely place where you can listen to the voice of God, the voice of your mission, the voice of your vocation. The third is to be by themselves. This is the moment of unity between Jesus and disciples. The sad news of the beheading of John is a moment of trial. In the moments of trial, we must stand united among ourselves. It should not be a moment of blaming one another but a moment of being by ourselves united. This moment of Jesus gives us light, how to deal sad moments in our life. Let’s reflect: Do I handle sad moments in my life as Jesus handled it when He received the news of John the Baptist’s death?
Don Giorgio
Aug 3, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars
Gospel John 6:24-35
“I tell you most solemnly, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”. Jesus is teaching about Eucharist. In these words, we can understand a lot about Eucharist. Jesus is referring to manna given in the desert. The context of manna is the context of Eucharist. We also are in a journey towards our heavenly Jerusalem. We also need the sustenance in our journey. And often we are in desert where there is no other nothing else other than the manna which comes from heaven. Here comes the context of Eucharist. Jesus says very clearly that it was His Father in heaven who gave the bread from heaven. Manna in the Old Testament was a sign of the love of God the Father. A love that touches the daily life and sustained their life. And in the New Testament, God the Father is also giving the bread, but this bread is not just sustaining the life. This is the bread that gives life. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst”. We must go to Him. We must believe in Him. Going is encountering and believing is entrusting. Every Eucharist is encountering Jesus and entrusting to Him. Jesus is life. Let’s reflect: Do I participate in the Eucharist as an encounter with Jesus and an act of entrusting myself to Him?
Don Giorgio
