May 25, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saturday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Saint Gregory VII, Pope
Saint Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi, Virgin
Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest, Doctor
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Mark 10:13-1
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs”. We must approach Jesus like children. Isn’t it clear? Jesus himself by saying that underscores the importance of approaching faith with childlike qualities such as innocence, trust, humility, openness, and joy. Children embody a pure and unguarded trust in those they depend on, a readiness to learn, and an innate sense of wonder and joy. By encouraging us to approach Him like children, Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of God is accessible to those who come with a sincere, humble, and trusting heart, free from skepticism and full of curiosity and openness to His teachings. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that true faith involves a pure, dependent, and joyful relationship with Jesus. Let’s reflect: How do I approach Jesus with my faith?
May 24, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 10:1-12
“So then, what God has united, man must not divide.” Jesus spoke about this in the context of the relation between the husband and wife. But from this context we can understand how God sees human relationships. The humanity is called to be together. And not to be divided. This unity is what God wanted. We are called to be united between ourselves. Each relation is called to create unity. And we are not called to divide. Every division we make is against the wish of God. God wishes harmony and unity. Because God the Holy Trinity is unity created this world in this unity. In every aspect of nature there is unity and harmony which we are called to find out and to follow. Each person is called to be part of this unity. This unity and harmony are what we are called to maintain as unity is plan of God. Let’s reflect: Am I maintaining the unity which God wants in my life?
May 23, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 9:41-50
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward”. These words of Jesus speak to us about two important aspects of Christian life. The first is how important is to recognize those who belong to Christ and the second is how important is to recognize the needs of those who belong to Christ. Those who belong to Christ are the poor and the needy. All those categories of people who Jesus was identifying with in the discourse of the last judgement. They belong to Jesus. And we must recognize their needs. Even if it’s a glass of water, we can offer, do not hesitate. We must do that. It makes a difference. And whatever stands in the way to give that glass of water to the needy, we must cut it off, even if it’s our hand. So, we must see the needy and we must see their need. Even the simplest gesture of love is valuable, and we must not hesitate to do that. Let’s reflect: Do I hesitate to do what is possible to the needy?
May 22, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Saint Rita of Cascia
Gospel – Mark 9:38-40
“You must not stop him:” This is a temptation in our life to stop others because they are not conforming to us. Our way of doing is not the model that everyone must follow. Others can follow Jesus Christ in the way they want. The plan of God is bigger than our way of doing things. We cannot confine the plan of God to us. Each one of us, has a plan of God. We must respect that and love that plan of God. And we must not be adamant that God must work according to my plan. God can work out His plan in hundred different ways. For us, what is important is to be close to Jesus. If we are close to Jesus, we will be able to give space for each person around us. Let’s reflect: Do I give more importance to follow Jesus Christ or how others follow Jesus Christ?
May 21, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Gospel Mark 9:30-37
“He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’” Jesus showed this gesture when the disciples were arguing which of them was the greatest. Often, we are confronted with this question from ourselves. “Am I better than others?” Or we feel a certain superiority than others. This is the moment when we must remember the gesture of Jesus. We must be like the children, and we must welcome the “littleness or simplicity” of the situation in the name of Jesus. Often the vulnerability or the humble situation gives us difficulty to accept that situation. We think we deserve better because we are better or greater. But in these circumstances we must welcome the difficulties in the name of Jesus Christ who embraced the fragility of human nature. Let’s reflect: Do I welcome the humiliating circumstances in the name of Jesus Christ?
May 20, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Mary, Mother of the Church
Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – John 19:25-34
“Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home”. Jesus Christ in His moments of pain wanted to alleviate the pain of His mother. So, He wanted that she becomes the mother of His disciples which she accepted very well as the gospel says. From that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. This is the gift of Jesus dying in the cross. He gave us along with great gift of redemption, also the Mother of the Redeemer. The Mother of the Redeemer becomes the Mother of the Church. Only that we must create a space for her in our home, in our heart, in our plans, in our designs. That space is sacred not only because it’s the space of the Mother of the Redeemer but it assures the effect of Redemption which Jesus Christ brought to us in the Cross. The presence of Mary the Mother of Redeemer in our plans is the visible sign of the Redeemer in our plans. Let’s reflect: Do I create a place for the Mother of the Redeemer in my plans?
