Aug 21, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Pius X, Pope
Thursday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Judges 11:29-39
The tragic story of Jephthah’s vow reminds us of the danger of rash promises and the gravity of offering to God what He has not asked for. In his zeal, Jephthah vowed something extreme, and his lack of discernment led to sorrow and loss. God desires from us not reckless sacrifices but humble obedience, mercy, and love. Saint Pius X, whose feast we celebrate today, understood this truth deeply: his great reform of the Church’s liturgy and promotion of frequent Communion was rooted not in harsh burdens, but in opening the faithful to God’s grace and love in simple, trusting devotion. The contrast between Jephthah and Saint Pius X is striking, one imposed a vow born of fear and pride, the other led with a heart transformed by Christ. The lesson for us is clear: our relationship with God must be guided not by impulsive self-demands but by attentive listening, trust, and alignment with His will. Let’s reflect: Do I approach God with promises and demands shaped by my own impulses, or do I humbly seek His will with a heart ready to obey in love, as Saint Pius X did?
Don Giorgio
Aug 20, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor
Wednesday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
First reading Judges 9:6-15
In today’s reading from Judges 9:6-15, we are reminded that true greatness does not lie only in fulfilling what is expected of us, but in going beyond — offering more than duty demands. The trees in the parable sought a king, yet the fruitful ones declined, knowing their role was already to nourish others through what they bore. This shows us that each person has gifts entrusted by God, and offering them faithfully is good; but holiness shines most brightly when we give beyond measure, when love pushes us past mere obligation into generosity. The glory of the Christian life is not in doing the minimum, but in imitating Christ who gave Himself fully, even to the Cross. Such self-giving transforms ordinary duty into extraordinary grace, and reveals that the heart shaped by God’s Spirit always seeks to love “to the end” (Jn 13:1). Let’s reflect: Am I content with giving only what is required of me, or am I willing to go beyond duty and offer myself generously in love, as Christ did?
Don Giorgio
Aug 18, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
Saint John Eudes, Priest
First reading Judges 6:11-24
In today’s reading, Gideon’s honest question—“Why has all this happened to us?”—echoes the cry of every heart when faced with suffering, injustice, or confusion. Yet the angel of the Lord answers not with explanations but with a mission: “Go and save Israel; am I not sending you?” God often responds to our cries by calling us to be part of His answer. Rather than remaining paralyzed by despair or complaint, we are invited to take responsibility, to act with courage, and to bring hope where there is darkness. This reminds us that God’s presence is not absent in trials but becomes visible through our willingness to cooperate with His plan. Even when we feel weak, He assures us that His strength will work through us. Every difficult situation, then, is not only a burden but also an opportunity to be transformed into an instrument of God’s peace and renewal. Let’s reflect: When faced with difficulties, do I stop at asking “Why me, Lord?” or do I open my heart to hear His call to be part of the solution, trusting that He will work through my weakness?
Don Giorgio
Aug 17, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
First reading Judges 2:11-19
The reading from Judges reminds us of a weakness in human behavior: the tendency to turn to God only in times of trouble, and then to forget Him once peace or prosperity returns. Such a relationship is shallow and self-centered, reducing God to a problem-solver rather than the center of our life. True faith, however, is not seasonal or circumstantial; it is a covenant of love that endures in joy and in sorrow, in abundance and in need. God desires a faithful heart that walks with Him daily, not just when difficulties press upon us. The story challenges us to examine whether our devotion flows from genuine love or only from necessity. To live faithfully is to recognize God’s presence as constant, and to cultivate gratitude and trust even when all seems well, so that our hearts remain anchored in Him at all times. Let’s reflect: Do I seek God only in moments of need, or do I remain faithful to Him each day, even when life seems comfortable and secure?
Don Giorgio
Aug 16, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4
Jeremiah’s experience reminds us that following God’s Word is not without cost. He was thrown into the cistern because he proclaimed the truth, and Christ Himself endured the Cross for our salvation. Likewise, the Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to persevere in the struggle against sin, even when it involves sacrifice or suffering. To be faithful to the Word is to accept that truth will not always be welcomed, and that the path of discipleship requires courage, endurance, and trust in God’s strength rather than our own. Yet, suffering for the sake of fidelity becomes redemptive: it unites us more closely with Christ, who endured hostility for our sake, and it bears witness that sin does not have the final word. True discipleship, then, is not measured by comfort but by steadfastness in trial, allowing our struggles to be conformed to Christ’s saving passion. Let’s reflect: How willing am I to endure suffering, rejection, or discomfort in order to remain faithful to God’s Word, trusting that even in trials His truth and love will prevail?
Don Giorgio
