Aug 7, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Dominic, Priest
Thursday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Luke 9:57-62
This is the teaching of Jesus about following Him. In His conversation between the three persons, there are certain things very clear. The first is that there is no comfort in following Jesus. The second is that everything else become secondary when you are following Jesus. The third is that one cannot follow Jesus with doubts. The true discipleship is a personal relationship with Jesus. Only by that we can attain the three qualities which are illustrated in these three encounters. Only a personal relationship with Jesus can liberate you from the thoughts of material security and comforts. Only a personal relationship with Jesus will make everything else secondary. Only a personal relationship with Jesus will eliminate our doubts. This personal relationship with Jesus can be achieved only when you relate your life with the life of Jesus. Whether it’s a pain or it’s a joy in your life, your primary attempt must be to relate that to Jesus Christ. There the journey starts. Let’s reflect: How much I relate my daily experiences to Jesus Christ?
Don Giorgio
Aug 7, 2024 | NEWS
I had the opportunity to do My annual Juniorate from 16-31 July this year in Rome. The time was very important, not only because of the high temperatures, but also because of the many new experiences. The unity in diversity that is the international Community allowed me to become even more sensitive to others, to look on how open I am to otherness. I saw that what seems right and proper to me is not always the same for someone else, and this is where the space of respect and acceptance of the other person in me begins. Living every day, for this short time, in this Community has also allowed me to see a very simple thing.
If we are moving in the same direction towards God, no barrier -linguistic, Cultural, Customary - can divide us.
During these two weeks, I was able to see and spiritually experience various 'encounters' in many places that are important for us believers. However, all the places to see while in Rome, for me personally the most important was the church of Quo Vadis and the encounter with Christ and Peter on the road leading out of Rome. "Where are you going, Lord?"- I think this question can be asked Myself every day, every hour then, when I turn back on my Commitments, difficulties, suffering, the man who gives me a headache, the decisions that have to be made. And Jesus goes in the opposite direction, to fulfil all that I am running away from God, thanks for this time.
Sr. M. Justyna
Aug 6, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs
Saint Cajetan, Priest
Gospel - Matthew 15:21-28
“She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table”. This courage to retort to the unfavorable circumstances and this perseverance to insist on the action of God based on confidence is exemplary. This courage to retort is not of anger or despise but it a courage to retort to the negativity in our life focusing on the small, good things in our life. She is happy to get even the scraps that fall from their masters’ table. This is the courage to embrace the small graces in life without complaining. This is the courage to resist negativity in life. Then there is also the perseverance which gives the energy to keep going. This perseverance comes from the total trust in the love of God. A trust which says that, “God will answer”. Whatever happens, I need the answer from God. So, I keep calling Him. And you will get an answer. To call God you need faith, but to keep calling him though no answer, you need great faith. “Woman, you have great faith”. Let’s reflect: Do I have just faith or great faith?
Don Giorgio
Aug 5, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Gospel – Mark 9:2-10
“Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them anymore but only Jesus”. We are the celebrating the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This is a moment in which Jesus was transfigured. His clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him”. Then this happened. They looked round and saw no one with them except Jesus. This is the feast of Transfiguration. Everything else disappears and only Jesus remains. And this happens when you listen to the voice of God. When we listen to Jesus, He remains, and everything else disappears. Also, with the presence of Jesus, the law and prophets of the Old Testament are fulfilled. In the new covenant, only Jesus remains. In our personal life also, the transfiguration of Jesus happens when everything else disappears, and only He remains in our life. The voice of God makes disappear everything else and only Jesus remains in our life. Jesus shines in our life. Only Jesus shines in our life. This is our transformation resulting from His transfiguration which we welcome by listening to the voice of God. Let’s reflect: Did I ever imagine a situation in my life in which everything disappears and only Jesus stays?
Don Giorgio
Aug 4, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
Gospel – Matthew 14:13-21
“When Jesus received the news of John the Baptist’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves”. This is touching moment in the life of Jesus. The martyrdom of John the Baptist is a prefiguration for what is expecting in the calvary. And it is profound to meditate how Jesus is handling this moment. St. Matthew says that he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. Three points to note: withdrawing, to a lonely place, to be by themselves. The first is the withdrawing from the noise, from the surroundings, and from the distractions. Then is the lonely place. Withdrawing becomes real when it is a withdrawal to a lonely place where you can listen to the voice of God, the voice of your mission, the voice of your vocation. The third is to be by themselves. This is the moment of unity between Jesus and disciples. The sad news of the beheading of John is a moment of trial. In the moments of trial, we must stand united among ourselves. It should not be a moment of blaming one another but a moment of being by ourselves united. This moment of Jesus gives us light, how to deal sad moments in our life. Let’s reflect: Do I handle sad moments in my life as Jesus handled it when He received the news of John the Baptist’s death?
Don Giorgio
