Feb 11, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Monday of week 6 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 8:11-13
Jesus said “I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation”. Faith is not a search of signs. Because faith is a relationship of trust. Faith in Jesus is not something to be built upon signs. It should be built on our total trust in Him. When you are searching for signs, it signifies there is doubt. There is no relationship. It’s not the signs that brings faith. Faith brings signs. This approach to faith is about a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, marked by trust, love, and commitment, without the necessity of constant external validation through signs. This kind of faith is transformative, capable of bringing about signs and wonders as a by-product, rather than a precondition. It's about believing in God's sovereignty and goodness, regardless of circumstances or the visibility of miracles. In this view, faith is both a gift and a choice, a decision to trust in Jesus and His word, even when external evidence seems absent or contrary to hope. Let’s reflect: Faith is relationship with Jesus and not the result of signs or wonders.
Feb 10, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
6th Sunday in Ordinary TimeFeast of Our Lady of LourdesXXXII World Day of the SickGospel – Mark 1:40-45
“A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’”. In this episode we can see how much Jesus wants that we are cured and healed. Or in other words. He wants to take care of us. In the context of the story, leprosy was not only a devastating physical condition but also a source of social exclusion. Lepers were considered unclean and were often isolated from society. By choosing to heal the leper, Jesus not only cured the man's physical illness but also challenged social norms, showing that his compassion and healing extended to all individuals, regardless of their social status or the nature of their suffering. Jesus’ response, “Of course, I want to! Be cured!” highlights the message that He is deeply concerned with our well-being. It reflects our faith in God who is not distant or indifferent to human suffering but is intimately involved and eager to restore us to wholeness. This episode encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs and sufferings, trusting in His desire and power to heal and transform. The healing of the leper is also symbolic of the broader mission of Jesus apart from singular healing: to bring salvation and redemption for humanity. To reconcile humanity and God. It serves as a powerful illustration of our understanding of God's love and care for everyone, inviting us to trust in Jesus for healing, support, and restoration in all areas of life. Today is the World Day of the Sick. In every sickness there is the possibility to know Jesus better. Let’s reflect: God loves us and we must trust in His love to approach Him with all our problems
Feb 9, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Saturday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 8:1-10
“they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat”. This reminds of us of being with Jesus three days – from Friday to Sunday, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. So, Jesus wanted to give them something. Jesus saw the need and asking the disciples to give them something. It’s the desire of Jesus but He is asking the Church to feed those who are accompanying Him. Jesus is taking what the disciples have and making the miracle of bread and fish. “he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them among the crowd”. The same action as in the institution of the sacrament of Eucharist. He gave the loaves to the disciple to distribute. It’s the Church who distributes. “They ate as much as they wanted”. So, Jesus wanted to give those who accompanied him three days, the strength to go forward. He uses what is available at the disciples and does the miracle. Let’s reflect: When I am with Jesus, He looks after my needs.
Feb 8, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Friday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 7:31-37
“He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle”. This narration is another sign of which speaks a very particular character of His mission. His healings are not just miracles. They are signs by which we can understand that Jesus does not want just to do miracles. He wanted to enter into a personal relationship with the person in need. So, he took him aside in private, away from the crowd. Jesus wanted to be alone with this man. He creates this personal relationship with this man. He could have done the miracle just with His word. But Jesus does that to have this unique personal relationship with this person. Let’s reflect: Jesus wants to take me away from the crowd so that He can create a personal relationship with me.
Feb 8, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Thursday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin
International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking 2024
Gospel Mark 7:24-30
“but the house-dogs under the table can eat the children’s scraps.” This is the statement of faith. A faith that can overcome any difficulties in life. A faith that can overcome any prejudice of others in our life. A faith that can overcome any fears in our life. A faith that sees only the grace that works miracles in our life. A faith that has resilience against any disappointments and frustrations in life. A faith that is enriched with hope in the love of God. A faith that never gives up in asking. Let’s reflect. Let’s make our faith in God stronger than any other feelings in our life.
Feb 6, 2024 | DAILY BREAD
Wednesday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Gospel – Mark 7:14-23
“It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean”. This is so true, and Jesus explains it so well. “For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge - fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean”. This must very clear in our mind to have the clear understanding of what destroys us. It’s not something from outside that destroys us. But it what we keep in our heart. Our heart is the place for God. Our heart is the seat of Holy Spirit. But we can also make our heart the seat of all negativities. Whenever we think negative or bad, we are creating in our heart that which will come out of us and make us unclean. So, it’s imperative to keep our hearts clean and in case we make it dirty, we must make it clean again by the sacrament of confession. It’s not others who destroy us. It is we who destroy ourselves. Let’s reflect: Let’s makes our hearts clean by making it an abode of Holy Spirit.
