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
Aug 10, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Clare, Virgin
Monday of week 19 in Ordinary Time
First reading Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Today’s passage distills the heart of covenant theology into a simple yet all-encompassing call: to fear the Lord, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with our whole being, and keep His commandments. This is not a burdensome demand but a path toward our ultimate good, for to give ourselves entirely to God is to enter into the fullness of life He created us for. This text reveals that obedience and love are inseparable, God’s law is not a set of arbitrary rules but an expression of His nature, drawing us into deeper communion with Him. Saint Clare embodied this truth through her radical poverty, making room in her heart for God alone. By stripping away attachments and distractions, she allowed divine love to fill every corner of her soul, living out the total self-gift Deuteronomy describes. To follow her example is to see that when God holds the primary place in our hearts, all else falls into proper order, and our lives become a living reflection of His goodness. Let’s reflect: Have I made enough space in my heart for God alone, allowing love and obedience to Him to shape every aspect of my life?
Don Giorgio
Aug 10, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19
Today’s readings invite us to consider faith not only as a religious virtue but as a way of perceiving reality itself, a lens that changes how we see, interpret, and respond to the world. The Letter to the Hebrews describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” pointing to a dimension of life where the visible is not the ultimate measure of truth. This altered perspective reorders our priorities, because when we trust in God’s promises, we no longer live merely for what is immediate or tangible; we live in light of what is eternal. Abraham’s journey, guided by faith into the unknown, shows that such trust demands courage, detachment, and a willingness to let the unseen shape our present actions. Faith, then, is not blind, it is deeply aware, rooted in a reality beyond the reach of our senses, yet more real than what they can grasp. It allows us to choose differently, love more deeply, and persevere when circumstances seem uncertain, because our horizon is no longer bound by this world alone. Let’s reflect: Does my faith truly shape how I see the world and determine my choices, or do I still allow the visible and immediate to dictate my priorities?
Don Giorgio
