Feb 5, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saints Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs
Thursday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
First reading Hebrews 12:18-19,21-24
This reading highlights the transformative power of our relationship with Jesus Christ, who brings us into the very presence of God. As the mediator of the new covenant, Jesus offers us both purification from sin and the gift of divine sonship. In Him our sins are forgiven and we become sons and daughter of God. This covenant is not marked by fear and trembling, as was the experience at Mount Sinai, but by grace, inviting us into the heavenly Jerusalem. Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we are no longer separated from God but embraced as His beloved children. In this new covenant, we are called to live in the fullness of God’s love and mercy, rejoicing in the freedom and intimacy that come from being united with Him. Let’s reflect: How does my relationship with Jesus Christ shape the way I understand and embrace my identity as a beloved child of God?
Don Giorgio
Feb 4, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr
Wednesday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
First reading Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15
This passage reminds us that the battle against sin is ongoing and requires perseverance. We are called to resist sin with determination, knowing that struggles and suffering are inevitable in this journey. Yet, these difficulties are not meaningless; rather, they serve as a form of divine discipline, shaping us into stronger, more faithful individuals. Just as a loving father disciplines his children for their own good, God allows challenges in our lives to refine and strengthen us. Though the trials we face may seem painful in the moment, they ultimately produce righteousness and peace for those who endure them. Most importantly, we are never left alone in this fight—God’s grace is always present, sustaining us and giving us the strength to press on. We are urged to remain steadfast, to support one another, and to root out bitterness so that we may all grow in holiness. In this way, our struggle against sin becomes not just a personal battle but a communal effort, drawing us closer to God and to one another. Let’s reflect: In what ways have I experienced God’s grace sustaining me through my struggles, and how can I embrace challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than obstacles?
Don Giorgio
Feb 3, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
First reading Hebrews 12:1-4
The passage calls us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. In the midst of life’s trials and challenges, we are encouraged to persevere, drawing strength from His example. Just as a runner in a race sheds unnecessary burdens to move forward, we too must rid ourselves of anything that hinders our spiritual journey. Jesus Himself endured the cross, disregarding its shame, for the joy of fulfilling the Father’s will and bringing salvation to humanity. By contemplating His steadfast love and sacrifice, we find the courage to endure our struggles without growing weary or losing heart. Our faith is not a solitary endeavor; rather, it is a journey guided and perfected by Christ, who runs ahead of us, inspiring us to remain steadfast and faithful until the end. What burdens or distractions in my life might be keeping me from fully fixing my gaze on Jesus and persevering in faith?
Don Giorgio
Feb 3, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 4 in Ordinary Time
Saint Blaise, Bishop, Martyr
Saint Ansgar (Oscar), Bishop
First reading Hebrews 11:32-40
Hebrews 11:32-40 highlights the faith of the judges, kings, and prophets of the Old Testament, portraying them as heroes who, through unwavering trust in God, accomplished great deeds. By faith, they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and experienced miraculous victories, even in moments of personal weakness. Their strength did not come from themselves but from their steadfast reliance on God’s promises. Yet, despite their remarkable faith and the mighty works they performed, they did not receive the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise, for they lived before the coming of Jesus Christ. Their faith was commendable, but it remained incomplete without the fulfillment found in Christ. It is only in Jesus that faith reaches its full realization, for He is the fulfillment of God’s promises, bringing salvation and perfection to all who believe in Him. Thus, even the greatest figures of faith in the Old Testament were ultimately waiting for Christ, through whom all believers—past, present, and future—are made perfect. Let’s reflect: How does understanding that even the greatest heroes of faith in the Old Testament were incomplete without Christ shape my own faith and reliance on Him today?
Don Giorgio
Feb 1, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
The Presentation of the Lord – Feast
First reading Malachi 3:1-4
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in which we celebrate also the day of Consecrated life. The first reading from the prophet Malachi offers deep insight into the essence of consecration. It reveals that to be consecrated to the Lord means to entrust ourselves fully into His hands, recognizing Him as the divine refiner and purifier. Just as gold and silver must undergo fire to be purified and strengthened, so too must we allow God to cleanse us of all impurities—our attachments, selfish desires, and anything that hinders true holiness. But it also means that there is gold and silver in ourselves. But it needs to be purified. This process requires total surrender, without pretensions or conditions, allowing the Lord to shape us according to His will. Only then, when we have undergone this spiritual refinement, can we truly offer ourselves to Him in the way that is most pleasing. The passage reminds us that consecration is not merely about external commitment but about an interior transformation, where the Lord purifies our hearts so that our lives become an authentic and worthy offering to Him. Let’s reflect: Am I truly allowing God to refine and purify me, surrendering myself fully to His will, or am I still holding onto certain attachments and conditions in my relationship with Him?
Don Giorgio
