Joseph Osho

Mary, Mother of the Church  Genesis 3:9-15,​20 · Psalm 86(87) John 19:25-34 Mary, Mother of the Church and help of Christians On November 21, 1964, during an address to the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI solemnly affirmed the title Mary the Mother of the Church. This designation reflects her role as Mother of God and of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. She participated in the work of redemption, becoming the mother of the redeemed before her Son’s final breath on the Cross. In the words of Jesus on the Cross, "Son, behold your mother," she was extended as the mother of the mystical body of Christ. Filled with grace, she united with the apostles in the upper room after the Ascension of her Son and interceded for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was bestowed on Pentecost. May we always be grateful for motherly role and sacrifices and appreciate her love for humanity.  Mary, Mother of the Church and help of Christians, pray for us. Amen....

  Pentecost Sunday (Year A)   Acts 2.1-11;   Ps 103;   I Cor 12.3-7, 12-13;   John 20.19-23   The Solemnity of Pentecost marks the occasion when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. During this event, people heard a mighty wind and saw tongues of fire, uniting everyone in praise. Since then, church life has been somewhat quieter, yet the Holy Spirit remains active, helping us declare ‘Jesus is Lord' and guiding us in our spiritual journey. The Spirit empowers us to live out the virtues—faith, hope, charity, and the cardinal virtues—and sanctifies us through the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord. These gifts are given to those who are confirmed, and while they are always at work, sin can sometimes block their influence. True openness to the Spirit—crucial for Christian living—means humbly accepting divine guidance and allowing God’s will to shape us i...

  Saturday of the 7th week of Eastertide  Acts 28:16-20,​30-31  Psalm 10(11):4-5,7 John 21:20-25 Today, we read the final few verses of the Acts of the Apostles and St. John's Gospel. In the first reading, Paul has arrived in Rome and begins to teach about Christ while still under house arrest. Luke concludes here to highlight that the church has now grown far beyond Jerusalem and has reached Rome—the heart and hub of the known world. In the Gospel, John tells us that although much has been written about Christ, there is still so much more that could be said. What we have is enough for our faith—if we are willing to embrace it. We, too, have a story to share, and it centers on our faith. May our lives reflect the story of how Jesus loved us and blessed us. May others see this story in us and be inspired to learn more. Amen.

  Friday of the 7th week of Eastertide  Acts 25:13-21  Psalm 102(103):1-2,11-12,19-20 John 21:15-19 In today’s first reading from Acts 25:13-21, we observe that after Paul’s incomplete trial before the Sanhedrin, a group of Jewish opponents conspires against him. Paul is currently in Caesarea, a Roman-controlled city on the coast of Judea. Still, he recognizes that he will not receive a fair hearing in Jerusalem because of his accusers' hostility. Therefore, he requests, as a Roman citizen with certain legal protections, to be tried before Caesar in Rome, aligning with his understanding of his divine calling to preach the Gospel there, as mentioned in yesterday’s reading. Today’s gospel passage (John 21:15-19) is a well-known account where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. This exchange also hints at the manner of Peter’s future martyrdom, as Jesus mentions that Peter will eventually face a death of disapproval for his faith. Having denied Jesus three times ea...

  Thursday of the 7th week of Eastertide  Acts 22:30,​23:6-11  Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11 John 17:20-26 Jesus continues his priestly prayer for his apostles, but this time his prayer extends to all believers and to those who are yet to believe in His name. This prayer unites everyone in faith in Jesus, emphasizing that faith is the foundation of spiritual life and the pathway to divine truth. The message of faith is the message of truth, highlighting that spiritual truth leads to salvation—being delivered from sin and eternal separation from God. Our salvation is from God, who is our refuge and strength, the ultimate protector in times of trouble. As Jesus preserved Paul’s life through divine intervention to carry out his mission of spreading the Gospel, so also God will make use of us, guiding and equipping us along our spiritual journey. God will make a way for us, opening doors where there seem to be none. Yes, the Lord of hosts, the commander of angels and armies, is wit...

  Wednesday of the 7th week of Eastertide  Acts 20:28-38  Psalm 67(68):29-30,33-36 John 17:11-19 We have cried tears of sorrow over Paul’s farewell at Miletus, imagining the heartfelt embrace, the grief, and the sacred sorrow of a community losing its beloved apostle. Yet, perhaps those tears have clouded our eyes to the danger lurking within our own communities. Paul isn’t just saying goodbye—he’s warning us. “Savage wolves will come among you,” he declares, and some will even emerge from within, twisting the truth to gather followers for themselves. These aren’t obvious enemies at the gate or villains in disguise. They are insiders—leaders, voices fluent in God's language. Every bitter comment in online battles, every doctrinal scalp seized on social media, every so-called “defense of orthodoxy” that leaves someone spiritually wounded—these too are wolves dressed in holy vestments. They’ve mastered the art of crying at the right liturgies. In the Gospel, Jesus prays, “C...