Mar 5, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Ash Wednesday
First reading Joel 2:12-18
The season of Lent is often associated with external practices—fasting, abstinence, and acts of charity. While these disciplines are important, today’s reading from the prophet Joel reminds us that the true essence of Lent is not merely about outward observances but about an interior transformation—a genuine change of heart. Through the prophet, God calls His people: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments.” These words emphasize that God desires more than rituals; He seeks a sincere return of the heart. In biblical times, tearing one’s garments was a sign of repentance, but God tells us that external expressions are meaningless if they are not accompanied by an inward renewal. True repentance is not about appearances but about allowing God to transform us from within. Joel also reassures us of God’s mercy: “For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” This Lenten journey is not about fear but about rediscovering the love of a God who patiently waits for us, who longs to restore and renew us. As we walk through Lent, let us not settle for superficial changes. Let us open our hearts to God, allowing His grace to lead us into true renewal, so that our fasting, prayers, and good works may flow from a heart that is truly turned toward Him. Lets’s reflect: Are our prayers, fasts, and acts of charity bringing us closer to Him, or are they mere habits without deeper conversion?
Don Giorgio
Mar 3, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
Saint Casimir
First reading Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15
The passage reminds us that true sacrifice is not merely about external offerings but about the sincerity of our hearts. Keeping God’s law, showing gratitude, and giving alms are the highest forms of worship because they reflect an inner disposition of love and justice. Yet, our generosity should not be begrudging or mechanical; it should be accompanied by joy. A smiling face, a willing heart, and an attitude of kindness add immeasurable value to our gifts. God loves a cheerful giver, not only in material generosity but in the way we treat others—with warmth, sincerity, and honesty. True charity is not just in the act of giving but in how we give, ensuring that our generosity is not tainted by self-interest or obligation but rooted in a genuine desire to uplift others. Let’s reflect: Do I give to others—whether through my time, resources, or kindness—with a joyful and sincere heart, or do I sometimes give out of duty or expectation rather than genuine love?
Don Giorgio
Mar 2, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 8 in Ordinary Time
First reading Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28
The passage reminds us of the boundless mercy of God, who never ceases to invite His children back to Him. No matter how far one has strayed, how many mistakes have been made, or how deeply one has fallen, there is always the possibility of repentance—a way home. God’s forgiveness is not limited by human weakness or failure; rather, He continually calls, waiting with open arms for those who turn back with sincerity of heart. This passage encourages hope, not despair; it speaks of a God who does not condemn, but who desires restoration and renewal. True repentance is not just about regret but about trust in divine mercy, a willingness to change, and the courage to begin again. In a world that often seems unforgiving, this reading offers a profound reassurance: with God, it is never too late to return. Let’s reflect: Am I truly open to God’s mercy, allowing it to transform my heart, or do I let guilt, fear, or pride keep me from returning to Him?
Don Giorgio
Mar 1, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8
The first reading highlights the crucial role of attentiveness in speech, emphasizing that how we talk reveals the depth of our character. The imagery of a sieve that separates husks from grain, or a kiln that tests the strength of pottery, serves as a metaphor for how speech acts as a refining process, exposing what truly lies within a person’s heart. Words are not mere sounds but reflections of inner truth, and just as a tree’s fruit reveals the care it has received, so too do our words disclose the quality of our thoughts and values. The passage warns against careless or reckless speech, urging us to be mindful of what we say, as words carry the power to build up or destroy. In a world where speech is often used thoughtlessly—whether in personal conversations, public discourse, or the digital realm—this reading calls for discernment, reminding us that the integrity of our words is a measure of our inner moral compass. True wisdom lies not only in knowing when to speak, but also in ensuring that our words are guided by faith, hope, and charity. Thus, the Word of God challenges us to cultivate a habit of reflective speech, where sincerity and virtue shine through in everything we say. Let’s reflect: Do my words consistently reflect my faith, hope and charity that I strive to cultivate within myself, or do they sometimes reveal weaknesses that I need to refine?
Don Giorgio
