Sep 3, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor
Wednesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time
First reading Colossians 1:1-8
Saint Paul opens his letter to the Colossians with gratitude, rejoicing in their faith and love, and in the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. His words remind us that another’s faith is not just their blessing but also our reason for joy, because faith always bears fruit beyond the individual, it strengthens the whole Body of Christ. To give thanks for the witness of others is to recognize that God’s grace is alive and working in ways far larger than our own experience. On this feast of Saint Gregory the Great, we see this truth lived out: his pastoral wisdom, humility, and missionary zeal helped the Gospel take root in distant lands and shaped the life of the Church for centuries. The Good News is still spreading, not only geographically but also into hearts, cultures, and communities, and we are called to rejoice whenever Christ is made known. Gratitude for the faith of others transforms jealousy or indifference into celebration, and keeps our hearts open to the great mystery of God’s work in the world. Let’s reflect: Do I give thanks and rejoice in the faith and witness of others, seeing in them the work of God’s grace and the ongoing spread of the Gospel, or do I focus only on my own journey?
Don Giorgio
Sep 1, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time
First reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11
Saint Paul reminds us of our identity as “sons of light and sons of the day.” To belong to the light means living with clarity, truth, and vigilance, not allowing the darkness of sin, fear, or indifference to define us. As children of the day, we are called to stay awake and alert, walking in a way that reflects the presence of Christ who is our light. This identity is not lived in isolation but in communion: “give encouragement to each other and keep strengthening one another.” Faith grows stronger when shared, and hope deepens when nurtured within community. Light is meant to be reflected, and each word of encouragement or act of kindness becomes a spark that helps another persevere. Today’s reading calls us to examine not only how we live in the light personally, but also how we help others walk in it, so that together we remain awake, strengthened, and ready for the Lord’s coming. Let’s reflect: Am I living each day as a true child of the light, encouraging, strengthening, and guiding others in faith, so that together we remain awake and ready for the Lord?
Don Giorgio
Sep 1, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 22 in Ordinary Time
First reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Saint Paul consoles the Thessalonians with a truth that transcends sorrow: “Do not grieve about those who have died in Jesus.” Our faith teaches us that death is not an end but a passage into the fullness of life with Christ, for those who have died in Him now live in Him. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of this hope; just as He rose, so too will all who belong to Him. This transforms the way we approach loss—not with despair, but with a hope that is stronger than death. Grief is natural, but Christian grief is always pierced by light, because the life of Christ continues in those who have gone before us. Each funeral, each prayer for the dead, is an act of trust that God’s promise is true: the dead in Christ will rise, and we shall be with Him forever. This hope does not erase our pain, but it gives it meaning, anchoring it in the love of the One who has conquered death. Let’s reflect: When I face the grief of losing someone I love, do I allow my sorrow to be transformed by the hope of Christ’s resurrection, trusting that their life is now hidden in Him?
Don Giorgio
Aug 31, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31; Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a
The wisdom of Scripture reminds us that God delights in those who are gentle and humble, for through such hearts He can work freely. Pride seeks to control and dominate, but humility opens space for God’s grace to act. This humility reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, who reveals that true greatness is found in lowering oneself for the sake of others. His way is not marked by fear, like Israel trembling at Sinai, but by the joy of coming to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, where mercy and love triumph. To walk in humility is not weakness, but strength under God’s guidance, it is the path by which we resemble Christ most closely. In a world that prizes power and self-promotion, today’s readings call us to rediscover the beauty of a meek heart that allows God’s power, not our own, to shape our lives and the lives of those around us. Let’s reflect: Do I allow humility and gentleness to shape my life so that, like Christ, I become an instrument through whom God’s grace and the joy of His new covenant can shine?
Don Giorgio
Aug 30, 2025 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Saturday of week 21 in Ordinary Time
First reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11
Saint Paul reminds us that the source of our love for one another is God Himself, “You have been taught by God to love each other.” Love is not just a human capacity but a divine gift that flows from the heart of God into our lives, shaping our relationships and communities. Paul also encourages progress, reminding us that love is never static; it must deepen, expand, and mature each day. This invitation to growth is beautifully reflected in Mary, who, filled with God’s love, carried Christ into the world and lived her life in quiet, faithful service. Her example shows us that true love is expressed in simplicity—listening, caring, and working peacefully for the good of others. As we grow in love, we become living reflections of God’s presence, and our daily lives, however ordinary, become instruments of His grace. Let’s reflect: Am I allowing God to teach me how to love more deeply each day, making steady progress in simple acts of care and service like Mary did?
Don Giorgio
