Nov 26, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Luke 21:12-19
“You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives”. The price of following Christ is persecution. But Jesus assures us that we can win the persecution by two attitudes. The first is by trusting in Him to overcome all the fears. The second is by the endurance or trusting Him until the end. Jesus assures His disciples that despite being hated, arrested, or even persecuted for His name, they should not be afraid. He promises to provide wisdom and guidance, saying, "I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." This calls us to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own, trusting His presence even in the darkest times. Endurance is not just passive suffering but active faithfulness. Jesus' statement, "By your endurance you will gain your lives," underscores the importance of steadfastness in faith. This endurance is rooted in the belief that God is in control and that, ultimately, nothing—not even the trials we face—can separate us from His love. This passage reminds us that while following Christ comes with its costs, His promises far outweigh the struggles. He reassures us that not a single detail of our lives escapes His care: "Not a hair of your head will perish." Trust and endurance become our response, knowing that victory is assured through Him. It is a call to hold fast to faith, to embrace the cross with courage, and to find peace in His unfailing providence. Let’s reflect: In moments of trial or rejection for living out my faith, how do I cultivate trust in Christ and actively endure with faithfulness, knowing that His promises are greater than my struggles?
Don Giorgio
Nov 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Luke 21:5-11
“All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.” And what will remain? Only the love of God will remain. But Jesus warns, “Take care not to be deceived”. Because it’s easy to be deceived due to the fears provoked by different conflicts and problems around us. In times of uncertainty, conflict, and fear, it is easy to be swayed by false promises or to lose hope. Jesus’ warning to “take care not to be deceived” is an invitation to remain grounded in faith, discerning truth amidst the noise of the world. Despite challenges, changes, and losses, one constant remains: the love of God. This love is our refuge and strength, a reminder of what truly matters and a guide for how we should live and love in return. The passage also encourages a spirit of trust in God’s plan, even when faced with uncertainty. It calls us to focus on cultivating a life centered on love, compassion, and faithfulness, knowing that these are what endure. Let’s reflect: In times of uncertainty and fear, how do I discern between the truths that anchor me in faith and the distractions that pull me away?
Don Giorgio
Nov 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 34 in Ordinary Time
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin, Martyr
Gospel – Luke 21:1-4
“but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on”. In this story, Jesus observes a poor widow who gives two small coins to the temple treasury. Although her offering seems insignificant compared to the wealthy donors, Jesus praises her act because she gave all she had to live on. It is not about giving something but giving everything. If you are not giving everything, you are giving anything. The genuine giving comes not from surplus or convenience but from a place of sacrifice, trust, and total surrender. The widow’s act reveals that the genuine giving comes not from surplus or convenience but from a place of sacrifice, trust, and total surrender. The widow’s act reveals that giving everything is a sign of faith. By offering all she had, the widow demonstrated her complete trust in God’s providence, showing that her life depended more on God than on material resources. Partial giving can become superficial. This challenges us to evaluate our own offerings—not just material, but also time, energy, and love—asking whether they come from a place of true commitment. Let’s reflect: What in your life do you hold back from offering fully—whether it be time, energy, love, or trust—and what might it mean for you to surrender these areas completely to God or to a greater purpose?
Don Giorgio
Nov 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Christ the King – Solemnity
Gospel – John 18:33-37
Jesus is the King. Three reasons. Jesus loves us. Jesus knows us. Jesus saves us. Jesus’ kingship is unlike any worldly rule—it is grounded in self-giving love. A King who loves so profoundly invites us into a relationship where love rules over fear. Unlike worldly rulers who often seek to dominate, Jesus rules with a heart that seeks to serve and sacrifice for others. His love is unconditional and transformative, drawing us into a relationship where love overcomes fear. Jesus is a King who knows His people intimately. He knows our joys, struggles, strengths, and weaknesses. In His dialogue with Pilate, Jesus reveals His purpose: to bear witness to the truth. He knows the truth about our lives and calls us to live authentically, embracing our identity as children of God. Above all, Jesus is our Savior. His kingdom is not of this world because it is a kingdom of salvation. By His life, death, and resurrection, He has conquered sin and death, offering us the gift of eternal life. His saving power restores hope and opens the doors to God’s everlasting kingdom. On the Cross, He showed the ultimate act of love, laying down His life for each of us. Let’s reflect: In what ways do I allow Jesus' self-giving love to rule over my fears, and how can I deepen my trust in His intimate knowledge of my life and His saving power so that He becomes the King of my life?
Don Giorgio
Nov 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Saint Clement I, Pope, Martyr
Saint Columbanus, Abbot and Missionary
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Luke 20:27-40
“Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.” The passage highlights a profound truth about life, death, and eternity. When Jesus addresses the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, He reveals a deeper understanding of God’s nature and His relationship with humanity. He emphasizes that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive. This teaching invites us to see death not as an end but as a transformation—a passage into the fullness of life in God. It assures us that life is eternal because our souls are eternal, rooted in the infinite love of God. While our earthly life begins in time, it culminates in the timelessness of eternity. Moreover, Jesus' words remind us of the centrality of God’s love. It is this divine love that gives us life, sustains us, and ultimately transforms us. In the face of death, we are called to trust in this love, which promises not an end, but a new beginning. This understanding can inspire hope and a deeper appreciation for the eternal nature of our souls and our connection to God. Let’s reflect: How does my understanding of God’s eternal love shape the way I live my life today, especially in moments when I face fear, loss, or uncertainty?
Don Giorgio
Nov 22, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr
Friday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Luke 19:45-48
“‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’” We transform the house of prayer into a robbers’ den when we approach even prayer for our selfish interests. Indeed, this passage from Luke highlights the importance of purity in our intentions, especially in the sacred act of prayer and worship. Jesus' indignation at the temple being used for selfish gain reflects a deeper message about the purpose of spiritual spaces and practices: they are meant for communion with God, not for personal profit or ulterior motives. When we reduce prayer to a tool for solely obtaining what we want, we risk losing the essence of true connection with God. Genuine prayer is not about bargaining or solely presenting a list of desires; it is about opening our hearts to God, seeking His will, and aligning ourselves with His purpose. This passage challenges us to reflect on the authenticity of our spiritual practices. By approaching prayer with humility and selflessness, we honor the sacredness of God's "house"—not just the physical church but also the temple of our hearts. In doing so, we transform our spiritual life into what it is meant to be: a true house of prayer, not a robbers' den. Let’s reflect: In what ways have I approached prayer or worship with selfish intentions, and how can I shift my heart toward seeking genuine communion with God and His purpose?
Don Giorgio
