Oct 26, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Luke 13:1-9
“leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.” There is always a possibility to repent. We must not be haste in judging ourselves or anyone else. This patience with ourselves and with others is very decisive. It’s not a passive patience but an active patience like this man who is going to dig round the tree and manure it. The gardener’s plea to give the tree more time—along with extra care—demonstrates an active patience. He does not simply wait; he intervenes with the intention of promoting growth and transformation. This can serve as a metaphor for God’s patience with humanity and for how we might approach ourselves and others when growth or change seems slow. Just as the gardener nurtures the tree with hope for future fruit, we too are called to foster growth, both in ourselves and in others, through intentional actions like self-reflection, forgiveness, and encouragement. This form of patience is not passive resignation, but rather, an active commitment to creating conditions for growth, change, and ultimately, bearing fruit. It emphasizes the importance of mercy, reminding us that with time, care, and effort, people can change and bear the fruit of good deeds, even when it seems unlikely at first. Let’s reflect: How much active patience I have with myself and with others?
Don Giorgio
Oct 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Luke 12:54-59
“You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” Jesus is saying that we don’t know how to interpret these times. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of being aware of the deeper meaning of the times in which we live, not just understanding physical signs like the weather. His message is clear: while we may be adept at interpreting worldly matters, we often miss the essential truths that guide us in living rightly. Then Jesus gives us the key to interpret our times. It’s forgiveness and reconciliation that will help to deal with our times. Jesus points out that conflicts, divisions, and troubles arise when we fail to engage with these virtues. Forgiveness and reconciliation are not just moral ideals; they are practical tools for resolving tensions and healing brokenness in relationships, communities, and even nations. Without them, conflicts spiral out of control, and hearts remain hardened. In today’s context, this message encourages us to cultivate forgiveness in our personal lives and seek reconciliation in the face of disagreements. It’s a call to work towards peace and unity, both in small, personal interactions and larger societal issues, recognizing that true understanding of “the times” comes through the lens of compassion and healing. Let’s reflect: How much am I ready to engage in reconciliation to deal with the situations I face in my daily life?
Don Giorgio
Oct 24, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint Antony Mary Claret, Bishop
Gospel Luke 12:49-53
“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” This is what Jesus brought into the world – a fire. A fire of love. He is speaking about the transformative and sometimes disruptive power of His message. Jesus’ mission was to bring a radical change to the world, calling people to repentance, transformation, and deep love for God and others. This kind of change often disrupts the status quo and challenges existing structures, both within individuals’ hearts and in society. Fire purifies by burning away impurities, and in the same way, Christ’s message purifies our hearts, challenging us to leave behind what is sinful or corrupt. His love is transformative. His love is purifying. But the question is always how much we are accepting His love. In the following verses (50-53), Jesus speaks about division, not because His message is meant to divide, but because people’s responses to Him will differ. Some will accept His message, and others will reject it, even within families. This reflects the profound impact of following Christ — it demands a complete reordering of one’s life and priorities, which can sometimes lead to tension with those who do not share the same faith or commitment. Let’s reflect: How much am I committed to accept the fire of Jesus’ love?
Don Giorgio
Oct 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint John of Capistrano, Priest
Gospel – Luke 12:39-48
In this Gospel we read about the relationship between the Master and the stewards of a household in comparison to the relationship in a discipleship. Jesus uses the parable of the master and the stewards to teach His disciples about the importance of vigilance, responsibility, and faithfulness in their relationship with God. The master represents God, and the stewards symbolize the disciples or followers who are entrusted with caring for His household, which refers to their spiritual duties and responsibilities. Jesus emphasizes that a good steward is one who is watchful and diligent, faithfully carrying out the master’s will, while an unfaithful steward neglects these duties and misuses his authority. The parable also highlights the idea of accountability: those who are given much in terms of knowledge, responsibility, and resources will be held to a higher standard, and failure to act according to God’s will brings greater consequences. This teaching underscores the core values of discipleship – remaining prepared for God’s return, being responsible with what is entrusted to us, and living faithfully in anticipation of judgment. All those people around us, they are entrusted to us. Let’s reflect: How do I treat all those around me?
Don Giorgio
Oct 22, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time
Saint John Paul II, Pope
Gospel Luke 12:35-38
“Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes”. So, we do what the master wills. We are happy that the Master found us awake. We were awake because we wanted to do what the Master wants us to do. Jesus calls His disciples to be vigilant and ready for His return, emphasizing the importance of staying spiritually awake and attentive to God’s will. The imagery of servants waiting for their master’s return highlights the themes of faithfulness, responsibility, and preparedness. The idea that “happy are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” suggests that there is a reward in being alert and doing what is expected of us. This readiness stems not from fear, but from a desire to do His Will, knowing that fulfillment comes from aligning ourselves with His will. We find happiness because we willingly choose to do what God desires for us, remaining spiritually active and faithful. It is a beautiful expression of the relationship between the believer and God, where readiness comes from love and devotion, not just duty. Let’s reflect: My faithfulness to God comes from my sense of duty to God or my love to God?
Don Giorgio
