Joseph Osho

  Saint Alphonsus Mary de' Liguori, Bishop, Doctor  Jeremiah 26:11-16,​24 Ps. 68(69):15-16,30-31,33-34 Matthew 14:1-12 Today, the Church commemorates St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Neapolitan lawyer who became a priest, bishop, and Doctor of the Church. His writings on moral theology earned him a title still used today: the Gentle Doctor. Alphonsus envisioned the confessor as a healer of souls—someone whose role was not to interrogate or overlook, but to heal. He spoke out against confessors who used the sacrament to shame rather than to restore, emphasizing that the law exists to help a person grow closer to God, not to crush them beneath it. Most of us will never sit in a confessional and hear another person’s sins. Yet, we are constantly called to be listeners and guides for others—a spouse, a friend, a coworker, or a struggling adult child. Alphonsus’s approach applies just as much to us as it did to his priests. Do we tell the people we care about what they need to hear in a ...

  Saint Ignatius Loyola, Priest  Jeremiah 26:1-9  Psalm 68(69):5,8-10,14 Matthew 13:54-58 Recognizing God's Presence In today’s gospel passage, the people of Nazareth may recall the young Jesus, the one who grew up among them, who was lost for three days and found by his parents in the Temple and who worked in a carpenter’s shop. Their difficulty in recognizing that the preacher and healer is the same Jesus may stem from biased memories, making them less receptive to perceiving God's presence in Jesus. From today's readings, we learn that remembering the good that results from God's work in our lives through others can foster appreciation and gratitude. Conversely, focusing only on ordinary moments and overlooking God's hand in daily life may hinder our ability to recognize and accept divine blessings when they arrive. Reflecting on our lives, we often see instances where God has touched us in ways that draw us closer to Him. Such remembrance involves a sense of the...

  Thursday of week 17 in Ordinary Time  Jeremiah 18:1-6 Psalm 145(146):2-6 Matthew 13:47-53 Keep God’s word alive and active in you The word of God as Sacred Scriptures was given to us so that we may revere and treasure both the Old and New Testaments, which God has prepared as spiritual guides and promises for all who desire to enter His kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to be diligent stewards and faithful disciples of His word.  Taking time, therefore, to listen for God’s response and engage in a personal covenantal dialogue can serve as a meaningful opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and grow in the love and grace that He has for us. May we at the end of our lives come to share in the harvest of eternal life. 

  Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus  Jeremiah 15:10,​16-21  Psalm 58(59):2-5,10-11,17-18 John 11:19-27 Friendship with Christ deepens and flourishes On January 26th, 2021, Pope Francis announced and highlighted that not only Martha but also Mary and Lazarus—friends of Jesus—should be collectively honored on July 29. The gospels reveal that they often welcomed Jesus into their home, and in turn, Jesus made His residence not only in their house but fundamentally in their hearts. Their hearts became the residence of God. They placed their faith in Him and in the power of His resurrection. They were truly His friends. We are encouraged to walk alongside our sisters and brothers from diverse walks of life, listening attentively to their stories and responding in faith to how God is guiding us to serve and support those in need. By genuinely listening to one another, we can foster remarkable growth in our communities. It is natural at times to judge or dismiss those who hold diff...

  Tuesday of week 17 in Ordinary Time  Jeremiah 14:17-22 Psalm 78(79):8-9,11,13 Matthew 13:36-43 If it is within God's will, He could easily express His displeasure with humanity’s wrongful actions, and with a single command, the entire universe might cease to exist. One might wonder whether it was necessary for God to sustain humans thus far—beings who often act with wickedness and sin. Given the prevalence of darkness and evil covering the earth, it is remarkable that the world persists as it does, and if God’s nature were different, the duration might be much shorter. This raises the question: why does God demonstrate such patience toward a world filled with so much evil? The psalmist offers an insightful answer—God is characterized by compassion and love. His goodness, kindness, and merciful love are evident. He is the loving Father who cares deeply for His children. If it were solely up to humans, the world might have already reached its end. God's patience reflects His i...

  Monday of week 17 in Ordinary Time  Jeremiah 13:1-11 Deuteronomy 32:18-21 Matthew 13:31-35 The Messiah, Christ Jesus, has guided us to place faith and trust in Him, promising that He will fulfill our heartfelt desires. It is important to remember that just as a mustard seed can grow into countless mustard trees, so too do each of us possess significant potential. We, as seeds, have much to contribute—skills, talents, and the capacity to activate our inner potential. Development from seed to fruitful tree requires ongoing transformation. If it had pleased God, each of us might have entered heaven immediately upon our conversion. Our preparation for eternal life does not necessarily require a prolonged stay here; it is conceivable that a person who has merely believed in Jesus could be called to the inheritance of the saints in light. While sanctification is a continuous process until we transition from this earthly life, it remains within God's sovereign will to bring us to h...