Joseph Osho

  Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Wis 12.13, 16-19;   Ps 85;  Rom 8.26-27;   Mt 13.24-43 Why do God allow evil to exist? In today's first reading, from the Book of Wisdom. God is shown as a righteous judge. He is all-powerful, but he always judges with mercy and forbearance. The writer says,  'Through such works, you have taught your people that the righteous man must be kind, and you have filled your sons with good hope because you give repentance for sins, ... so that we may meditate upon your goodness when we judge, and when we are judged we may expect mercy.'  This is the same teaching as that of Jesus and here, as in everything He taught, there was no contradiction between what He taught and what He did - He tolerated the presence of Judas among the apostles until His divine purpose was achieved and in today's gospel passage, Jesus shares three parables about the kingdom of God, drawing on familiar farming and cooking scenarios that h...

  Saturday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Micah 2:1-5  Psalm 9B(10):1-4,7-8,14 Matthew 12:14-21 In today's gospel passage, the Pharisees conspired to consider how they might undermine Jesus. Aware of their intentions, Jesus withdrew from the vicinity. Many followers gathered around Him, and He healed them all, instructing them not to disclose His identity. This teaches us that the Pharisees' steadfast pride and self-reliance led them to view Jesus as a threat, prompting efforts to diminish His influence. Likewise, we are called to uphold our faith and stand firm against temptation and misdirection. Furthermore, the prophecies of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah come into focus, illustrating how Jesus the Messiah fulfilled His mission—not through force, but through love and self-sacrifice (Isaiah 42:1-4). Instead of a throne, Jesus chose the cross, wearing a crown of thorns as our Lord and King (John 19:19; Philippians 2:11). His sacrificial death stands as the ultimate tes...

  Friday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 38:1-6,​21-22,​7-8 Isaiah 38:10-12,16 Matthew 12:1-8 Asserting His divine authority over the day of rest. God originally established the Sabbath as a sacred day dedicated to rest and worship, emphasizing its significance in spiritual obedience and the sovereignty of God over all creatures. Jesus came into the world to demonstrate how to truly obey God, emphasizing compassion and mercy over ritual sacrifice. When the Pharisees accused His disciples of working—specifically by plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath to satisfy their hunger—Jesus responded, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' highlighting that obedience to God's commandments encompasses acts of mercy and compassion. Genuine obedience to God and acts of mercy are essential for spiritual fulfillment. Unfortunately, today, these acts of mercy are increasingly rare and undervalued.   The world currently faces widespread wickedness and sinfulness. Some individuals are perceiv...

  Thursday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 26:7-9,​12,​16-19 · Psalm 101(102):13-21 Matthew 11:28-30 There are occasions when individuals doubt their self-worth due to negative remarks from others or personal setbacks. However, the Lord Jesus invites all who labor and are burdened to come to Him. Could self-doubt be an additional burden to bear? What are the heavy or laborious aspects within one's life? Are we aware that the Lord also bears our burdens? Without God's intervention, life could be significantly more challenging. When the Lord looks upon the earth, He responds to His people and does not scorn the prayers of the helpless. Human beings are created as individuals of intrinsic value, and each person is watched over by Him. Since God cares for all creation and loves each of us, it is imperative to transform our worries into prayers. Life is too brief to be consumed by burdens because God's love surpasses any hardship. He is greater than any burden we face....

  Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor  Isaiah 10:5-7,​13-16 · Psalm 93(94):5-10,14-15 Matthew 11:25-27 Great mysteries revealed to the little ones As a young Franciscan, Bonaventure studied philosophy and theology at the University of Paris. He was an exceptional teacher and played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the 13th century alongside his friend St. Thomas Aquinas. Though he valued philosophy and human reason, Bonaventure emphasized that reason must be enlightened by faith and guided by divine illumination. He taught that true knowledge of the ultimate truth depends on God’s light shining into the human mind. Bonaventure left a lasting impact on both the intellectual world and the Church. He firmly believed that even the simplest and least educated people could have a clear understanding of God's knowledge. This Christ-centered aspect of his theology is reflected in today's gospel, where Jesus himself says, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heav...

  Tuesday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 7:1-9  Psalm 47(48):2-8 Matthew 11:20-24 In today’s first reading from Isaiah 7, the Lord instructs Isaiah to go with his son, identified as  Shear-jashub, (a remnant shall return) , to meet King Ahaz. Isaiah is commanded to tell the king not to be afraid or lose heart, because if Ahaz stands firm in his faith and trust in God, divine support will be provided. The son symbolizes posterity and prosperity, representing the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. God's assurance guarantees that His divine plan will be fulfilled; His Word does not return to Him void but accomplishes His divine will. In the Gospel (Matthew 11:20-24), Jesus warns the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum that their refusal to repent and accept the message of salvation will lead to consequences when judgment comes. We all have a future that depends on our choices and response to God's call.  No one can predict the future; it rem...