Joseph Osho

  MONDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME  Exodus 32:15-24.30-34 Psalm 105(106):19-23 Matthew 13:31-35 What if God had chosen to whisk us straight to heaven the moment we believed? It’s intriguing to think that our journey toward immortality doesn't require us to linger here on earth. Picture this—someone can step into heaven and rejoice in the splendor of the saints in light, all while just having taken their first steps in faith! While our sanctification is indeed a continuous adventure until we finally shed our earthly bodies and enter the divine presence, there’s a fascinating truth: God could have brought us to paradise instantaneously if He so desired! So, why are we still here? Wouldn't God want His beloved children in paradise without delay? Why do the valiant warriors of the living God remain on the battlefield when a single, triumphant charge could seal the victory? Why do His children wander through life's complexities when just a word from Him could lead...

  17th Sunday in Ordinary Time  Genesis 18:20-32 Psalm 137(138):1-3,6-8 Colossians 2:12-14 Luke 11:1-13 In these vibrant weeks of Ordinary Time, often dubbed the 'green Sundays', the Church unveils a treasure trove of teachings about Our Lord through our scripture readings. Imagine Jesus, at times, teaching His closest friends, the Apostles, sharing profound truths that illuminate their hearts. Picture Him captivating the crowds that hung on His every word, boldly confronting those who opposed Him, and performing breathtaking miracles that stirred souls! Yet, amidst this whirlwind of activity, incredibly, He often seeks solitude, carving out precious moments for deep, personal communication with the Father. Why does Jesus crave these moments of quiet reflection? It’s essential! His example teaches us that we, too, need our own quiet time to recharge spiritually and engage in heartfelt conversations with God. It's tempting to think that simply attending Mass every Sunday is ...

  Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary  Exodus 24:3-8 Psalm 49(50):1-2,5-6,14-15 Matthew 13:24-30 Imagine the electrifying moment when Moses, freshly descended from the majestic heights of Mount Sinai, bursts onto the scene with the divine Word of the Lord and the legendary Ten Commandments! The crowd, filled with bold confidence, erupts in a unified declaration: “We will do everything the Lord has commanded us! We will heed and obey all that He has said!” It’s an exhilarating scene—so full of certainty and enthusiasm, yet, deep down, we know the truth: humans are not always as steadfast as they claim! This doesn’t diminish the value of good intentions; they carry immense power! However, let’s face it—temptations, distractions, and limitations can easily lead us off course. What’s truly remarkable? God never throws in the towel on us! He reassures us that perfection isn’t the prerequisite for His love. We are wrapped in forgiveness, reminding us we ...

  Saint James, Apostle  - Feast   2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Psalm 125(126):1-6 Matthew 20:20-28 ATTITUDE TOWARDS GREATNESS In today’s Gospel, we witness a powerful message from Jesus that flips our understanding of leadership on its head! He tells the mother of James and John that true greatness comes not from power, but from serving others. “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20: 25 28). This profound teaching reminds us that regardless of our roles in the Church or society, the highest calling is to lead with humility, putting the needs of others first. In a world where many motivational speakers push us to harness our “killer instincts” for success and influence, Jesus invites us into a revolutionary mindset. He challenges us to rethink our approach to greatness and asks, “You want to be great?” It’s time to change our attitude and turn our focus outward! Today presents the perf...

  Thursday of week 16 in Ordinary Time  Exodus 19:1-2,​9-11,​16-20 Daniel 3:52-56 Matthew 13:10-17 Jesus delights in revealing Himself as a healer, and it's incredible to think that about one-fourth of the Gospels is filled with His amazing acts of healing! But here’s the truly awesome part: Jesus is intimately close to us every single moment of every day! Yet, how often do we find ourselves drifting away from that connection? Without His grace, reaching out to Him feels impossible! Our hearts and minds can't forge a relationship with Him on our own; we need His divine revelation. As Jesus powerfully declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (JN 14:6). He emphasizes this even further, stating, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me drags him” (JN 6:44).  St. Augustine captures this beautiful struggle we face in experiencing Christ’s presence. He writes, “O supreme and unapproachable light! O whole and blesse...

  Wednesday of week 16 in Ordinary Time  Exodus 16:1-5,​9-15 Psalm 77(78):18-19,23-28 Matthew 13:1-9 Today, we dive into a powerful reminder that God is a provider for all who are ready to embrace His incredible goodness. In our first reading we witness an amazing moment when the Israelites, at their lowest point and running out of food, express their frustrations. But guess what? God responds spectacularly! They discover a miraculous white substance on the morning ground—it's manna from heaven!  Instead of letting life’s challenges bring us down, we too can seek out our daily “manna” to uplift our spirits. How? By supercharging our prayer life, dedicating time to dig into the Bible every day, and making it a point to do good for others. Now, let’s turn to today’s gospel (Matt 13:1-9) about the Sower and the seed. The seed is none other than the Word of God—the greatest gift of all! The goodness sown in our hearts affects the seeds we spread in the world. So, what kind of...