Dec 3, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent
Saint John Damascene, Priest, Doctor
Gospel – Matthew 15:29-37
“they praised the God of Israel”. Advent is the seeing the working of God in us, around us and praising the Lord”. By incarnation God is our midst and He is taking care of the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others. And the people were astonished and praising the God of Israel. Again, Jesus sees the needs of the people. “I feel sorry for all these people. They have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat”. He finds a solution from what they had. From seven loaves he fed the whole crowd. God is living in our midst. The miracles, like the feeding of the crowd, are not only acts of compassion but signs of God's presence and provision. They call us to trust and commit ourselves fully to Him. Here we need more than astonishment and praising. Here we need a real and deeper relationship with God who is in our midst. This relationship is believing in Jesus as Savior. This is going beyond the circumstantial relationship to a discipleship. This is making Jesus the center of our life. Advent challenges us to center our lives on Jesus, allowing Him to shape our actions, decisions, and priorities. Let’s reflect: How can you move from simply being astonished by God's works to building a deeper, transformative relationship with Jesus, making Him the center of your life in this Advent season?
Don Giorgio
Dec 3, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent
Gospel Luke 10:21-24
“Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him”. Advent is knowing the Son so that we can know the Father. This knowing is not merely intellectual but relational and experiential. To know Jesus is to encounter the heart of God, who is love, mercy, and truth. Through His words, actions, and very presence, Jesus reveals the Father's infinite compassion and desire for a relationship with humanity. In Jesus, the Father is no longer distant or abstract but becomes intimately near, accessible, and personal. The season of Advent is marked by hope and anticipation. It invites us to focus on the incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. By contemplating the life and mission of Jesus, we are drawn deeper into the mystery of who God is. This Advent, we are called to open our hearts to this revelation of the Father through the Son. Each step in knowing the Son brings us closer to the Father, transforming our hearts and drawing us into the divine embrace. This is the promise and hope of Advent: in knowing the Son, we truly come to know the Father and His unfailing love. Let’s reflect: How is my relationship with Jesus shaping my understanding of God as a loving Father, and how might I open my heart more fully to this divine embrace during Advent?
Don Giorgio
Dec 1, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of the 1st week of Advent
Gospel Matthew 8:5-11
“Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured”. Advent is recognizing one’s own unworthiness and opening up to the mercy of God.The words of the centurion express an attitude that lies at the heart of Advent: recognizing one’s own unworthiness while trusting fully in God’s power and mercy. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, not just for the celebration of Christ’s birth but for His coming into our lives here and now. It is a time to pause and reflect on the ways we fall short—our imperfections, sins, and frailties. Like the centurion, we acknowledge that we are not deserving of God’s presence through our own merits. Yet Advent is not a season of despair or self-condemnation; rather, it is one of hope and openness to transformation. The centurion models an essential posture for Advent. This is a lesson for all who journey through Advent: our unworthiness is not a barrier to God but an invitation to encounter His grace more profoundly. Just trusting in the Lord and in His Word which will work miracle in our life. Let’s reflect: How can I embrace the centurion's humility and faith during Advent, recognizing my own unworthiness while fully trusting in God's mercy and the transformative power of His Word in my life?
Don Giorgio
Dec 1, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
1st Sunday of Advent
Gospel - Luke 21:25-28,34-36
“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man”. Jesus is giving clear instructions how to wait for the Lord. This is equally applicable to the advent we are entering to and also to the final coming of our Lord. So, it is: staying awake – being vigilant; praying at all times – to keep alive the relationship with God; to stand with confidence – to have absolute trust in the Lord. These are the ways by which we prepare ourselves for Christmas. Staying awake, calls for vigilance and attentiveness. Advent is a time to be aware of God's presence in our lives and the world around us. Being spiritually awake means recognizing the signs of God’s love and responding to His call in our daily actions. Secondly prayer keeps our relationship with God alive and thriving. During Advent, we are invited to deepen our connection with Him through moments of quiet reflection, community prayers, and acts of gratitude. This is followed by the absolute trust in the Lord empowers us to face challenges with hope. By grounding ourselves in faith, we can approach the coming celebrations and the trials of life with assurance in God's promises. These instructions from Jesus provide a roadmap for Advent, a season of spiritual renewal, expectation, and joy. By embracing vigilance, prayer, and trust, we prepare our hearts to welcome the birth of Christ and remain steadfast in hope for His ultimate return. Let’s reflect: As I journey through this Advent season, how can I cultivate vigilance, deepen my prayer life, and strengthen my trust in God to prepare my heart for the birth of Christ and His ultimate return?
Don Giorgio
Nov 30, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Andrew, Apostle – Feast
Gospel – Matthew 4:18-22
“And they left their nets at once and followed him”. Today is the feast of St. Andrew, who is one of the first disciples. He is the brother of St. Peter. Following Jesus is very easy if you can leave everything else. These fishermen had only their nets and boats. The left them and followed Jesus. This immediate and wholehearted response reflects a deep trust and willingness to embark on an unknown journey of faith. Have the courage and strength to leave everything, then you can follow Jesus. The challenge of leaving behind what we hold dear—whether possessions, routines, or even personal aspirations—can be daunting. However, the story of St. Andrew inspires us to find the courage and strength to prioritize our spiritual calling above all else. It is not merely about physical abandonment but also about letting go of distractions or attachments that hinder our ability to follow Jesus fully. Today, let us pray for the grace to embrace such trust and openness in our own lives. May St. Andrew’s example inspire us to respond to Jesus’ call with courage, allowing us to walk the path of discipleship with faith and purpose. Let’s reflect: What “nets” or attachments in my life might I need to let go of in order to follow Jesus more fully and respond to His call with trust and openness?
Don Giorgio
