Aug 29, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
First reading: Jeremiah 1:17-19
God promises Jeremiah strength beyond human limits: “I will make you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, and a wall of bronze.” These images speak of the transformation that happens when God is with us—fear gives way to courage, weakness becomes resilience, and frailty is clothed in divine power. This strength is not for self-protection but for faithful witness, even in the face of opposition and rejection. On this day we remember the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, a man who embodied this promise with his life. His voice did not falter before kings, nor did his integrity bend to public pressure; he stood firm as a witness to truth, even unto death. The prophet Jeremiah and John the Baptist remind us of that discipleship often demands courage to confront what is unjust and to remain faithful when the cost is high. God’s assurance is that we are never alone, He Himself makes us unshakable when we stand in His truth. Let’s reflect: Am I willing to let God make me strong and unshakable in faith, like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, so that I can stand for truth and remain faithful even when it is costly?
Don Giorgio
Aug 28, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor
Thursday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Saint Paul speaks of the joy and consolation he receives from the steadfast faith of the Thessalonians, even in the midst of his own troubles. Their faith becomes his comfort, their perseverance his encouragement. This reminds us that faith is never an isolated possession but a gift that strengthens others when it is lived with authenticity. Our perseverance in Christ has ripple effects, often unseen, that can give courage and hope to those struggling around us. On this feast of Saint Augustine, we see the same truth embodied: his mother Monica’s persistent faith became the source of his conversion, and his own transformation in turn became a pillar of strength for the Church through his writings and witness. Augustine’s life shows us that the faith we live not only saves us but becomes a beacon for others. When our trust in God remains strong, even in hardship, we become instruments of joy and encouragement, revealing how God is alive and faithful in His people. Let’s reflect: Does my faith in Christ radiate in such a way that it brings encouragement, joy, and consolation to others, even when I face my own struggles?
Don Giorgio
Aug 27, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Monica
Wednesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians of how he and his companions lived among them: working hard not to be a burden, treating them with fatherly concern, and encouraging each one to live a life worthy of God. His example teaches us how to behave in community, with responsibility, integrity, and mutual care. “Not to burden anyone, treating everyone as a father treats his children and constantly thanking God for others”. A Christian community is not built on words alone but on actions of love, sacrifice, and encouragement that reflect the Gospel. On the feast of Saint Monica, we see this truth embodied in her tireless perseverance and prayer for her son Augustine, whose conversion became one of the greatest gifts to the Church. Monica’s witness shows that living well in community is not just about external behavior but about faithfulness, patience, and the willingness to carry others in prayer and love until God’s grace transforms them. To belong to the Body of Christ means letting our daily conduct, words, and attitudes become a visible expression of the God who calls us to His Kingdom. Let’s reflect: Am I living in my community with integrity, love, and perseverance, like Saint Paul in his example and Saint Monica in her prayer, so that my life encourages others to walk more faithfully with God?
Don Giorgio
Aug 26, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the Word of God often comes to us through those whom Christ entrusts to preach and teach. It is not simply their personal word, but God’s Word carried through their voices and lives. This means that every time we listen to a homily, receive counsel from a spiritual guide, or hear the testimony of another believer, we are invited to welcome God Himself speaking through them. It requires humility to recognize that the Lord uses human instruments—sometimes ordinary, sometimes imperfect—to reveal His will and to nurture our faith. At the same time, Paul shows the heart of a true preacher: gentle, selfless, and willing to share not only the Gospel but his very life. To receive the Word in this way is to trust that God’s Spirit is at work in the messengers He sends, and to let that Word take root in us, shaping how we live and bear witness in turn. Let’s reflect: Do I welcome the Word of God with openness when it comes through the voices of others, trusting that He can speak to me even through ordinary and imperfect messengers?
Don Giorgio
Aug 24, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
Saint Louis, King
Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Priest
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,8-10
Saint Paul praises the Thessalonians for showing their faith in action, laboring in love, and persevering in hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. These three virtues, faith, hope, and love, are not abstract ideas but lived realities that mark the life of every true disciple. Faith is proven by concrete choices and deeds, not just words; love requires work, sacrifice, and often hidden service; and hope calls us to persevere with trust even when trials persist. On this day, the Church remembers Saint Louis, who as a king sought justice and charity in his governance, and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, who poured out his life in educating the poor. Both lived these virtues in very different states of life, showing us that holiness is not limited to one path but is measured by how we let faith, love, and hope shape our actions daily. Their example challenges us to examine how visible these virtues are in our own lives: not as occasional gestures, but as the steady rhythm of discipleship in Christ. Let’s reflect: Do my daily choices clearly show a living faith, a love that works in sacrifice, and a hope that perseveres, as seen in the lives of the Thessalonians and the saints we celebrate today?
Don Giorgio
