Jul 26, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiasticus 44:1,10-15
On this feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the reading from Ecclesiasticus invites us to honour those “famous men” whose virtues shaped generations, not through worldly power, but through faithfulness and quiet strength. Though their names may not be inscribed in monuments, their memory lives on because of the goodness they passed down—“their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives for ever.” In Joachim and Anne, we see this legacy embodied: their hidden, faithful lives formed the heart of Mary, and through her, the humanity of Christ. Their holiness reminds us that the most lasting influence often comes not from public deeds, but from humble, loving fidelity in the family, in daily work, and in prayer. Today, we are called to reflect on the heritage we are receiving and the legacy we are leaving. God works through generations, and our silent acts of faith may be shaping saints yet to be born. Let’s reflect: Am I living in a way that leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and quiet holiness that can shape and bless future generations?
Don Giorgio
Jul 25, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint James, Apostle – Feast
First reading 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
On this feast of Saint James the Apostle, we are reminded that the life of a true disciple is not marked by comfort or ease, but by a deep and enduring participation in the mystery of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. Saint Paul’s words powerfully capture the apostolic spirit: “We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered… always carrying in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in us.” This is not a life of defeat, but of resilient grace, a life that allows every trial, every hardship, and every moment of weakness to become a place where Christ’s redeeming love shines forth. The apostles, and especially Saint James who gave his life for the Gospel, show us that the Christian journey is one of radical availability to God, where even suffering is not wasted but becomes a channel of grace for others. To live like this is to make visible, in our own bodies and choices, the saving power of Jesus, so that He may be truly alive in us, and through us, bring life to the world. Let’s reflect: Am I allowing the struggles and sacrifices in my life to become a reflection of Christ’s death and resurrection, so that His life may be seen and shared through me?
Don Giorgio
Jul 24, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Priest
First reading Exodus 19:1-2,9-11,16-20
Today’s reading presents a profound image of divine desire and human responsibility: God, wrapped in a dense cloud, prepares to descend upon Mount Sinai, not to remain hidden, but to draw near to His people in a way they can perceive and trust. His words to Moses, “Tell the people to prepare themselves”, highlight that this encounter is not casual, but sacred. The Lord desires communion with His people, but He also invites a response: a preparation of heart, mind, and life. It is a powerful reminder that while God is always ready to meet us, we must make room for Him through reverence, stillness, and interior readiness. On this feast of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a priest known for his deep silence and union with God, we are reminded that true encounters with the Lord often come in moments we have carefully prepared through prayer, humility, and detachment from noise. Today, let us reflect on how we are preparing to meet the God who longs to dwell with us, and whether our inner lives are truly ready for His presence. Let’s reflect: Am I intentionally preparing my heart and life to receive God’s presence, or am I expecting His closeness without making space for Him to enter?
Don Giorgio
Jul 23, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 16 in Ordinary Time
Saint Bridget of Sweden, Religious
First reading: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
Today’s reading reveals the tenderness and fidelity of God, who responds to the hunger of His people not with rebuke but with a gift: “Now I will rain down bread for you from the heavens.” Even in the desert, even in their complaints and doubts, God chooses to nourish His people, not just to sustain their bodies, but to show that His love is constant, generous, and attentive to their needs. This divine provision points beyond itself to the Eucharist, where Christ, the true bread from heaven, offers Himself daily for our spiritual nourishment. On the feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden, a woman deeply devoted to the suffering Christ and the Church, we are reminded that God’s love often appears most clearly in the barren places of our lives. The desert is never the end; it becomes the sacred ground where grace descends like manna. Today, let us open our hearts to receive the love God continues to rain down upon us, even in dry seasons, and trust that He is always faithful to provide what we truly need. Let’s reflect: Do I trust in God’s faithful love enough to recognize and receive His provision, even when I find myself in a desert season of life?
Don Giorgio
Jul 21, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Mary Magdalen
First reading Song of Songs 3:1-4
On the feast of Saint Mary Magdalen, we are invited to reflect on the passionate, personal journey of seeking and finding God, the one whom our heart truly loves. In the words of the Song of Songs, “I will seek him whom my heart loves… I found him whom my heart loves,” we hear the echo of Mary’s own longing as she searched for the Risen Lord at the tomb, her heart restless until she heard Him call her by name. This journey of love is not abstract or distant; it is intimate and deeply human. To seek God means to carry a yearning that moves us beyond complacency, to search through silence, tears, and even apparent absence, until we encounter the One who has never ceased to seek us first. To find God is not the end of the journey but the beginning of communion, a love that transforms grief into joy and longing into mission. Like Mary Magdalen, may we never tire of seeking, and may we live each day with hearts ready to recognize the Lord when He draws near. Let’s reflect: Do I seek God with the same longing and love as Mary Magdalen, and am I attentive enough to recognize Him when He calls me by name?
Don Giorgio
