Joseph Osho

  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...

  3rd Sunday of Lent  Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9 Romans 5:1-2,​5-8 John 4:5-42 Only God can quench our thirst  The scripture readings for Mass today are all linked by the theme of water as the means to quench our thirst.    A symbol of life and spiritual fulfillment. Just as physical water is essential for human survival, Christ offers “living water” that satisfies the deepest spiritual thirst. In the Gospel , Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again, because it becomes a spring of eternal life within them. This echoes the Old Testament story in Exodus where water flows from the rock to sustain Israel in the desert. The gospel highlights how Jesus crosses social and religious barriers in speaking with the Samaritan woman, revealing that true worship is not confined to one place but is found wherever God reveals Himself. The woman’s request for this “living water” symbolizes conversion and ...

  Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent  Micah 7:14-15,​18-20 Psalm 102(103):1-4,9-12 Luke 15:1-3,​11-32 Have you ever experienced the heart of God’s mercy? The passages we have as our readings today emphasize God's merciful and forgiving nature. Micah implores God to guide us and recalls His capacity for forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son exemplifies God's love, illustrating His willingness to welcome back those who have repented, such as the younger son. The eldest son symbolizes those who hinder reconciliation by failing to forgive, thereby distancing themselves from divine grace.  We are encouraged to reflect on our lives, seek forgiveness, and return to God, who is always prepared to embrace us. Jesus reminds us that God's forgiveness is available to those who turn to Him. When we do so, God will abundantly bless us. Regardless of our past, God's love remains unconditional. We are invited to accept Him anew, trusting that He will welcome us with open arms. Let...

  Friday of the 2nd week of Lent  Genesis 37:3-4,​12-13,​17-28 Psalm 104(105):16-21 Matthew 21:33-43,​45-46 Can we treat others, not as objects to be used to further our own desires, but as co-heirs to the Kingdom of God we are building up here on Earth? The Parable of the Householder illustrates individuals taking what does not belong to them and the recognition of their downfall by the Pharisees. Jesus affirms that they will not lose their status but will instead attain the Kingdom of God—peace in the presence of God. In Greek, the term for "kingdom" is "ethnos," meaning "all humankind." Jesus clarifies that the kingdom is accessible to all, regardless of race, status, or background, and was revealed through his crucifixion. God is present with everyone, and rejecting God in others results in losing access to the kingdom. May our services to humanity produce enduring fruits, transcending human divisions. Amen.