Aug 16, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday of week 19 in Ordinary Time
Saint Stephen of Hungary
First reading Joshua 24:14-29
In today’s reading, Joshua speaks with urgency, reminding the people that the God who brought them out of slavery is a jealous God—not in the sense of petty rivalry, but in His total and exclusive claim on their love and fidelity. As they stand on the threshold of the promised land, they face a new reality: freedom. Yet with freedom comes the temptation to forget, to turn to other gods, to let comfort and abundance dull their devotion. Joshua’s warning is as relevant to us as it was to Israel: when life becomes easier, we can subtly drift from the One who delivered us, giving our hearts to lesser loves. True freedom is not doing whatever we please, but living wholly for the God who has redeemed us. To choose Him daily is to safeguard our freedom, ensuring it remains rooted in truth, gratitude, and love. Let’s reflect: In times of comfort and freedom, do I remain steadfast in giving my whole heart to God, or do I allow other priorities to take His place?
Don Giorgio
Aug 15, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Readings: Apocalypse 11:19,12:1-6,10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26
In the mystery of the Assumption, we behold Mary as the perfect fruit of Christ’s victory over sin and death, proof that in her, humanity has triumphed through God’s grace. She is the woman clothed with the sun, the crown of twelve stars upon her head, standing as a sign of hope for the pilgrim Church. In her, we see not only the destiny God prepared for her unique vocation, but also the destiny He desires for all His faithful children: life in His presence, body and soul, forever. Mary’s Assumption is not an escape from the trials of life but the fulfillment of a journey lived in total obedience, humility, and love. She shares fully in her Son’s resurrection, showing us that God’s plan for humanity is not defeat or decay, but glory. In Mary, humanity has “won,” not by its own strength, but by complete surrender to the will of God, reminding us that our own path to victory lies in following her example of faith, trust, and unwavering discipleship. Let’s reflect: Do I follow Mary’s example of humble obedience and trust, so that God’s victory in Christ may also be fulfilled in my life?
Don Giorgio
Aug 13, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest, Martyr
Thursday of week 19 in Ordinary Time
First reading Joshua 3:7-11,13-17
Today’s reading from Joshua, where the ark of the covenant goes before the people and the Jordan parts for them to cross, offers a powerful symbol for our spiritual journey. For us, the Church is the living ark of the covenant, carrying Christ’s presence among His people and leading us safely through the deep waters of life’s trials. Saint Maximilian Kolbe embodied this truth to the fullest, offering his life in selfless love so that another might live, a modern martyrdom rooted in the unshakable conviction that “a living God is with us.” Such faith removes fear, for when we know without doubt that God walks ahead of us, even the strongest currents cannot sweep us away. Spiritually, this calls us to trust the Church as the vessel of God’s presence and to step forward in obedience, even into waters that seem impassable. Personally, it challenges us to make daily sacrifices, small or great, that witness to Christ’s love, confident that with Him at the center, we will always reach the far shore. Let’s reflect: Do I live with the unshakable conviction that God is truly with me, allowing that faith to inspire selfless acts and give me courage to face life’s deepest challenges?
Don Giorgio
Aug 12, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 19 in Ordinary Time
Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs
First reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Today’s reading brings us to a poignant moment in Moses’ life, where God allows him to see the promised land but not enter it. From a human perspective, this could seem like an unfulfilled mission, yet from the eyes of faith, it reveals a deeper truth: God’s plan is always greater than our own expectations. Moses’ ultimate reward was not the land itself, but the incomparable privilege of knowing the Lord face to face. This reminds us that the true measure of a life well-lived is not whether we achieve all we envisioned, but whether we have walked closely with God along the way. Sometimes, God’s purposes unfold beyond our lifetime, and our role is to trust that our part in His plan is complete when we have followed Him faithfully. The peace and joy of being in His presence far surpass any earthly achievement we may have desired. Let’s reflect: Am I willing to let go of my own plans and find contentment in simply walking closely with God, trusting that His plan is better than mine?
Don Giorgio
Aug 11, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 19 in Ordinary Time
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious
First reading Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Today’s reading reminds us that in every sphere of life, whether in the Church, our families, or society, our primary task is to let the Lord take the lead. Moses, nearing the end of his mission, entrusts the people to God’s guidance, affirming that it is the Lord who goes before them, who remains with them, and who will never abandon them. This is a profound truth: the life and mission of the Church do not depend solely on the abilities or longevity of any one leader, but on the enduring presence and action of God in His people. Our personal roles, no matter how significant or insignificant, are always part of something greater, the unfolding work of God in history. To live this reality is to approach our responsibilities with humility, knowing that leadership in the Christian sense is an act of service, rooted in trust that God Himself directs His Church. In family, parish, and society, our witness is most authentic when we step forward with faith, not to control the path, but to walk faithfully in the way He prepares. Let’s reflect: In the roles I hold within my family, community, and the Church, do I truly allow the Lord to lead, or do I try to direct things according to my own plans?
Don Giorgio
