Joseph Osho

  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...

  The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus  - Solemnity   Deuteronomy 7:6-11  Psalm 102(103):1-4,6-8,10 1 John 4:7-16 · Matthew 11:25-30 “Behold this Heart which has so loved men…” Recognizing the presence of God in our lives means understanding our own nothingness before Him. It is through such humility that God's mercy reaches us. Jesus also told his disciples in today's gospel that God reveals Himself to those with humble hearts, not to those who believe they already know Him. Those who think they know Him are different from those who truly believe in Him. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque once said, “Our Lord told me that if He could find a more humble soul to carry out His mission of spreading devotion to His Sacred Heart in the world, He would have chosen that soul. I never questioned my loneliness. All I knew was that I loved the Heart of my Lord with all my heart and my soul.” Today, we are like living letters of the gospel. We are committed to persevere, come what ...

  Saint Barnabas, Apostle  Acts 11:21-26,​13:1-3 Psalm 97(98):1-6 Matthew 5:20-26 IN EVERY GOOD THING ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER  Adjectives serve to describe a person's character or personality, and they can be either positive or negative, potentially encouraging or insulting. Conversely, nouns are used to identify a person and may carry a different connotation. While adjectives reflect a person's expressions or qualities, nouns define what the person is. For example, calling someone a "son of encouragement" or “Barnabas” is generally considered a kind acknowledgment, whereas terms like “fool" or "renegade" may be seen as belittling or insulting. This is why, in today's gospel (Matthew 5:20-26), Jesus emphasizes the importance of mindful language when referring to others. Such words not only impact individuals but also serve as reflections of how we view the divine image in each person, since all humans are created in God's likeness. Therefore, let ...

  Wednesday of week 10 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 18:20-39  Psalm 15(16):1-2,4-5,8,11 Matthew 5:17-19 In today’s gospel (Matthew 5:17-19), Jesus explicitly states that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill and perfect it. He also warns that anyone who disregards even the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same will face severe consequences, emphasizing the importance of adherence. To follow the Lord’s commandments wisely and humbly, we need the gift of divine wisdom and understanding to interpret and live by them rightly.  Achievements and accolades gained on earth can never compare to the fulfillment found in living a life of humility, simplicity, and peace. When considering God’s laws, do you see them as restrictions limiting your freedom, or as guiding principles that set you free?  May we be granted wisdom to remember that these laws are designed to liberate us and help us live in accordance with the commandments of the Lord. A...