Joseph Osho

Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent  Hosea 5:15-6:6 Psalm 50(51):3-4,18-21 Luke 18:9-14 How can one determine if their prayer is acceptable to God? The prophet Hosea stated, "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). Prayers and sacrifices are meaningless if they are not motivated by love for God and others. The Gospel illustrates this point through the example of a Pharisee and a tax collector praying, illustrating the perils of pride. Pride fosters self-deception; humility, on the other hand, reveals our true nature and prompts us to seek God's mercy. God resides with the humble and those who acknowledge their sinfulness, recognizing His mercy (Isaiah 57:15). It is impossible to boast or look down on others and expect to be heard by God. Do you humbly seek God's mercy and extend mercy to others, particularly those difficult to love and forgive?

  Friday of the 3rd week of Lent Hosea 14:2-10 Psalm 80(81):6,8-11,14,17 Mark 12:28-34 The tone of today’s Gospel is unusual; the scribe doesn’t question Jesus in an adversarial way. Instead, he recognizes the truth of Jesus’ answer, affirming the Shema’s essence with heartfelt agreement. Jesus adds the commandment from Leviticus: love your neighbor as yourself. Reflect on self-love—it's a commandment, not a choice—and how it shapes our actions. During Lent, we face tough questions about love and self-care, and distinguish self-love from selfishness. Our first reading, recited on the Jewish day of mourning for the Temple’s destruction, calls Israel to return to the Lord and be healed. As we continue Lent, we are invited to remember the greatest commandment and remove obstacles to God. Despite imperfections, we move forward with faith, hope and love. 

Thursday of the 3rd week of Lent Jeremiah 7:23-28 Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9 Luke 11:14-23 Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on our relationship with God amid a world marked by division, faithlessness, and evil. The Gospel recounts Jesus healing a mute man, prompting some to accuse Him of demonic power, revealing hardened hearts. Despite Jesus' ministry and miracles, the world remains torn by conflict—within families, communities, nations, and globally—driven by Satan and demons causing chaos and faithlessness.  Jesus's message is clear: His miracles signal the coming of God's Kingdom. Yet, peace and harmony seem distant in our fallen world. We may wonder: are we part of God's Kingdom or an evil generation? Through God's grace, we can choose love, kindness, and mercy and live these values daily. This is not a mere plan but a way of life rooted in our everyday actions.

  Wednesday of the 3rd week of Lent Deuteronomy 4:1,​5-9 Psalm 147:12-13,15-16,19-20 Matthew 5:17-19 The Law of God remains the same and it has been fulfilled by Jesus and this rest within us thanks to the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. The commandments of the Lord further indicate God's love for the chosen people. In the first reading, Moses provides the people with their laws and urges them to observe them diligently, as they originate from God. This also underscores the significance of God's commandments in our everyday lives. In the Gospel (Matthew 5:17-19), Christ states that He has come to fulfill the laws given through Moses and emphasizes their importance in our obedience. Jesus elevates these commandments and precepts to a new level, desiring us to understand the extent of God's love for us and to reciprocate that love through our actions. He encourages us to embody the spirit of the law rather than merely its letter, which, although more challenging, is ul...

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Lent  Daniel 3:25,​34-43 Psalm 24(25):4-6,7a-9 Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness is today's theme. We often forget simple things like appointments or names, but we rarely forget those who've hurt us or owe us money. Forgiving doesn't always mean forgetting the pain; residual hurt can remain. Yet, recalling God's grace during our healing helps us forgive. As Psalm 25:6-9 urges, we must remember God's mercy and strive to extend that mercy to others. May we be inspired to forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen. Have a blessed Tuesday!

  Monday of the 3rd week of Lent  2 Kings 5:1-15 Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4 Luke 4:24-30 In the first reading , Naaman, a commander of Aram, is healed of leprosy by Prophet Elisha. He proclaims that only Israel acknowledges the true God. In the gospel, Jesus references Naaman and the passage from Kings, emphasizing that His mission extends to all peoples, not solely to the Jewish community. Naaman’s story is also connected to the Easter baptism; his purification in the Jordan River parallels Christ’s baptism. This underscores the importance of sharing the Gospel universally, rather than restricting it to oneself. Initially, Jesus delivered His message to His own people, who failed to recognize God’s presence in His simplicity, instead seeking spectacle. If one pursues the extraordinary, disappointment is likely; Christ’s message is profound yet straightforward. Consider how one perceives God in daily life. What obstacles prevent recognition of God's work? How can one serve as a w...