Joseph Osho

  Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent  Isaiah 40:25-31 Psalm 102(103):1-4,8,10 Matthew 11:28-30 Christ is the eternal wisdom, the center of divine revelation, and holds hidden treasures of knowledge. His wisdom is everlasting, guiding us to make the journey to heaven easier. By following him and looking at his sacrifice on the cross, we can bear our crosses and find strength. "Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light... You will find rest for your soul." (Matthew 11:29). We should not treat the Lord as a stranger or as unwilling to hear us, for he loves us deeply. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” We are privileged to seek and follow Jesus, living in this truth. 

  Tuesday of the 2nd week of Advent  Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 95(96):1-3,10-13 Matthew 18:12-14 Console my people, comfort them, says the Lord. Isaiah 40:1. Jerusalem's consolation offers comfort for all. Blessings from one help others, like wells for those after. A pilgrim may dig wells, benefiting others. Psalms reflect this: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” …hope in God, I will praise Him, my savior and my God. Psalm 43:5. Pilgrims dig wells, but they fill from above, not by effort. We dig, but heaven provides rain. Means connect to ends, but divine help is essential. Rain fills wells; effort isn’t enough—divine grace is key.  Jesus is our consolation, the Good Shepherd willing to sacrifice and seek the lost.Grace is like rain—pure, refreshing, from above, given or withheld by divine will. Seek consolation from Him, the Good Shepherd. May blessings flow, and wells dug by saints be filled with water!Jesus baptized to purify waters, so they could carry the power of bapti...

  The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary  - Solemnity   Genesis 3:9-15,​20 Psalm 97(98):1-4 Ephesians 1:3-6,​11-12 Luke 1:26-38 Today’s solemnity of the immaculate conception of the blessed Virgin Mary honors the tradition that Mary was conceived without sin, proclaimed dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854. She was full of grace from her conception, prefiguring Jesus Christ’s Incarnation, which inspires our thanksgiving, devotion and praise. The feast celebrates the joyful beginning of her divine favor—a mystery and grace that marks her predestination and the start of God’s work through Jesus, born of Mary. God prepared her as his temple, purifying her from sin.  Her purity, essential for holiness, was preserved by divine grace, making her free from original and actual sin. Her Immaculate Conception is a glorious mystery, benefitting all by our redemption and divine life. Mary, from the tribe of Judah, exemplifies the perfect, undefiled sanctuary of God, ...

  2nd Sunday of Advent  Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,12-13,17 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 PREPARING THE WAY  In modern times, people dress for effect, from pop stars to royalty, to make impressions—nothing new, as Queen Elizabeth I and ancient Caesars also did this. Did Saint John the Baptist dress to shock? We can't be sure, but his appearance certainly drew crowds, wearing camel-hair garments and eating locusts and honey. His message was bold—calling out religious leaders as vipers, urging quick repentance, and announcing that the coming Messiah will end corruption and nonsense. This clashes with Isaiah's peaceful vision of animals living in harmony, signaling a kingdom overturning natural laws. Yet, Isaiah also predicts a revolution; God's justice will judge everyone with integrity, rewarding the poor and exposing dishonesty.  The day of Christ’s coming is terrifying, as depicted in medieval art, but Paul urges us to hope. C. S. Lewis described heaven as a...

  Saturday of the 1st week of Advent  Isaiah 30:19-21,​23-26 Psalm 146(147):1-6 Matthew 9:35-10:1,​5,​6-8   Plentiful harvest but few laborers  Today’s Gospel shows Jesus among towns and villages, teaching, healing, and giving life and love. Matthew notes Jesus’ compassion for the troubled, abandoned, and lonely, showing His personal involvement. Jesus spoke to His disciples about the harvest and called them to share His authority, proclaiming the Kingdom of heaven and helping those in need. His final words, “without cost you have received; without cost you are to give,” remind us that faith is a gift to be freely shared, just as Jesus shared it with us. Giving faith does not deplete us; it grows us and others. Sharing faith through words, actions, and interest makes Jesus’ love real and vibrant.  Advent, a season of hope and anticipation, celebrates Jesus’ life and love as we approach Christmas.    Let us accept Jesus’ call — the Kingdom is at hand — ...

  Friday of the 1st week of Advent  Isaiah 29:17-24 Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14 Matthew 9:27-31 Today’s gospel highlights Jesus' role in announcing God's reign, especially for those in need. We see the blind finding Jesus, being nourished, and healed. Do you believe He can do more for you? His healing works beyond external struggles—blindness, failure to love, or incompleteness. Small efforts can be transformed by Jesus into effective ones. This urges us to trust Him, as His mission grows through our giving. We're reminded to seek mercy, like the blind men. The Sacraments offer grace, compassion, and call us to serve. Trust in Jesus removes spiritual blindness, washes away sins, and brings satisfaction and serenity in His presence.