Oct 2, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
First Friday: Let's entrust ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
First reading Baruch 1:15-22
Sin is not only disobedience but also a distancing of ourselves from the tender voice of the Lord who calls us to life. The people of Israel, as Baruch recalls, turned away from listening and thus lost the closeness of God’s presence. The same happens to us whenever we choose selfishness, pride, or indifference over His Word—we feel the weight of separation, of being far from the One who loves us most. Yet today, on this First Friday, we are invited to entrust ourselves anew to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the heart that never stops speaking mercy and longing to draw us back. If sin sends us away, His Heart draws us near, reminding us that no failure is final when His love is welcomed again. True healing begins when we let His voice reach us and respond with humility and trust. Let’s reflect: Do I allow the Sacred Heart of Jesus to draw me back when I distance myself from His voice, or do I remain far in my sin instead of returning to His love?
Don Giorgio
Oct 2, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
The Holy Guardian Angels
Thursday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
First reading Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
The passage in Nehemiah shows us how the Word of God touches the hearts of His people, calling them not to sadness but to joy, for rejoicing in the Lord must be their strength. This joy is not experienced alone, God has entrusted us to the care of His holy angels, who are guardians of our journey and messengers of His Word. Just as the people gathered to listen and receive instruction with reverence, our Guardian Angels assist us in listening with openness, protecting us from distractions, and leading us back when we stray. They quietly guide our thoughts toward the Lord, encourage us in moments of weakness, and shield us from despair so that we may remain rooted in the joy of God’s presence. Their silent action reminds us that heaven is near and that we are never abandoned: the Word of God is proclaimed to us, and His angels ensure that it can take root in our hearts, bearing fruit in strength and thanksgiving. Let’s reflect: Do I allow the Word of God, with the help of my Guardian Angel, to move my heart from sadness to joy, guiding me to live in strength, gratitude, and trust in the Lord’s presence?
Don Giorgio
Oct 1, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor
Wednesday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
First reading: Nehemiah 2:1-8
In today’s reading, Nehemiah’s request to rebuild the city walls is granted, not by his persuasive words alone, but because the favoring hand of God was upon him. This moment reveals the essence of faith: an unflinching trust that God’s providence is greater than human obstacles. Nehemiah teaches us that even in the presence of earthly powers, it is the Lord who ultimately opens the way. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, with her “little way,” lived this same truth, trusting not in her strength but in God’s unfailing love. She teaches us that in our daily struggles and challenges, faith is not about controlling outcomes but about surrendering them with confidence into God’s hands. When we dare to trust as she did, we discover that God not only guides our steps but also turns difficulties into opportunities for grace. Let’s reflect: Do I trust, like Nehemiah and Saint Thérèse, that God’s hand is guiding my life even when circumstances seem beyond my control, or do I rely only on my own strength and plans?
Don Giorgio
Sep 29, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Jerome, Priest, Doctor
Tuesday of week 26 in Ordinary Time
First reading Zechariah - 8:20-23
The prophet Zechariah envisions a time when many nations will come together, saying, “I too will go to seek the Lord. Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” This is the essence of Christian witness: a life so permeated by God’s presence that others are drawn to seek Him because of what they see in us. Saint Jerome, whose feast we celebrate today, gave such a witness through his lifelong labor with Scripture. His love for the Word of God made him a servant of truth and a guide for the Church, reminding us that when we live faithfully in God’s presence, our lives can point others to Him without many words. True witness is not about persuasion or argument alone, it is about authenticity, letting the reality of God within us shine in such a way that others say: “I want to know the God who lives in you.” The invitation is simple yet profound: to live close to the Lord so that our presence becomes an open door to Him for others. Let’s reflect: Does my life bear such an authentic witness to God’s presence that others are moved to seek Him, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you”?
Don Giorgio
Sep 28, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
First reading Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
The prophet Daniel describes a vision of the Ancient One enthroned in majesty, with power and glory that will never pass away: “His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty.” This eternal kingship is the unshakable foundation of our faith. The Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, are bound to this sovereignty. Michael defends God’s reign against the powers of darkness, Gabriel announces the coming of God’s kingdom in Christ, and Raphael brings God’s healing presence to His people. Their missions reflect different dimensions of the one truth: all creation serves the Lord whose rule is eternal. On this feast, we are invited to remember that God’s sovereignty is not abstract but active, working through His angels and through us when we live faithfully in His service. The Archangels remind us that heaven is not distant—it is engaged, present, and always working to guide us toward Christ, the Son of Man, whose dominion is everlasting. To honor the Archangels is to entrust ourselves more fully to God’s eternal sovereignty, confident that nothing can overcome His reign. Let’s reflect: Do I live each day under the sovereignty of God’s eternal kingdom, allowing the example and mission of the Archangels to inspire me to defend truth, announce the Gospel, and bring healing where it is needed?
Don Giorgio
