Joseph Osho

  Thursday of week 11 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15 Psalm 96(97):1-7 Matthew 6:7-15 In today’s gospel, Jesus indicates that God is aware of our needs even before we voice them (Matthew 6:8), yet he also encourages his followers to pray, as the Lord’s Prayer immediately follows. This suggests that prayer serves a purpose beyond simply requesting or sharing information. It is fundamentally about cultivating relationship—an ongoing dialogue with God where we express trust, gratitude, fears, hopes, and love. Just as close relationships involve communication even when understanding is present, prayer sustains and nurtures our connection with God. Furthermore, prayer has the potential to influence the person who prays. We believe that prayer helps align an individual’s will, values, and perspectives with those of God. Rather than altering divine knowledge, prayer may transform the pray-er’s character, priorities, and receptiveness to guidance.  Additionally, God invi...

  Wednesday of week 11 in Ordinary Time  2 Kings 2:1,​6-14  Psalm 30(31):20,21,24 Matthew 6:1-6,​16-18 One of the reasons our faith is so challenging is because it calls us to live in ways that often oppose the values and norms of the worldly culture around us. Even so, every time we pray, we are elevating our minds and hearts to God—a form of communication that stands in contrast to worldly distractions and superficial concerns. In fact, the Christian life requires a higher and more profound form of practicing faith through consistent fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which deepen our personal relationship with the Lord and prepare us for His mission. All we are left with now is an invitation: to love sincerely, to pray earnestly, to fast faithfully, and to give alms generously—not just in theory but through genuine practice. Resolve today to dedicate quality time to prayer, seeking a sincere connection with God and a stronger commitment to living out our faith meaningful...

  Tuesday of week 11 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 21:17-29 Psalm 50(51):3-6,11,16 Matthew 5:43-48 Many pursue happiness through the pursuit of worldly pleasures and luxury; however, the true path lies in the pursuit of holiness (Jesus Christ being the way). This entails embodying love through selfless sacrifice—sacrificing oneself for others. As Jesus states at the conclusion of today’s gospel, "Be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). Humankind was made perfect through the greatest act of love—Christ laid down His life for humanity, so that we too may be willing to sacrifice for others. His resurrection signifies that we can elevate others from despair to hope. In essence, a perfect individual demonstrates goodness through love (Clement of Alexandria). How can individuals maintain the path of perfection amid poverty and adversity? Achieving such a state requires significant inner freedom, love, joy, and peace to reach a profound level of understanding ...

  Monday of week 11 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 21:1-16  Psalm 5:2-3,5-7 Matthew 5:38-42 Indeed, the path to Heaven is narrow. To reach heaven, we must travel a challenging road. Refraining from retaliation or revenge against any harm, offense, or evil done to us is a truly difficult feat—an inner virtue that penetrates the mind and heart, fostering forgiveness and peace. In times of trouble and persecution—when we face wicked people like Jezebel, when we are falsely accused, detained, flogged, mobbed, or imprisoned—our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We show our spirit of holiness through love, truth, and God’s power, free from pretenses. No matter what forces stand against us, we must be clear on where we stand. As Christians, we stand for God and His glory. We stand as disciples of Christ—soldiers not by worldly strength but through the Spirit of the living God. We are to leave vengeance to God, forgive those who wrong us...

  Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Ex 19.2-6;   Ps 99;   Rom 5.6-11;   Mt 9.36-10.8 The church of Christ and its apostolic foundation During the recitation of the creed at Mass, we reaffirm our belief in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. To understand what it means to be an apostolic Church, we can refer, in part, to today’s Gospel reading. It begins by describing how Jesus summoned His twelve disciples. The original term ‘church’ comes from the Greek ‘ekklesia,’ meaning a ‘called together’ assembly. As such, the term ‘church’ can be viewed as a ‘convocation’ or an ‘assembly’ of those whom the Lord has summoned to Himself. Additionally, the Gospel suggests that after calling His disciples, Jesus sent them out to preach and heal, thereby proclaiming the Gospel. This aligns with the meaning of ‘apostolic,’ which emphasizes being sent forth. In Latin, this concept is closely related to the term ‘missionary,’ highlighting the Church’s core purpos...

  FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY /ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA Isaiah 61:1-3  Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27 Luke 10:1-9 Sweet heart of Jesus, be my love; sweet Mary’s heart, be my salvation. Yesterday, we commemorated the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and today, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These two hearts are united not only by their origin but also by their shared desire to follow God's will. Both hearts are filled with compassion, love, mercy, and grace. If you love the heart of Jesus, you should also cherish the heart of Mary, as it is the heart closest to His. Mary's heart burns passionately for Jesus and for all of us. In her apparition, Our Lady made this promise to Sister Lucia: "Make known on my behalf that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the grace necessary for salvation everyone who, during five consecutive months on the first Saturday, confesses their sins, receives Holy Communion, recites five decades of the Ro...