Joseph Osho

  Monday of the 4th week of Eastertide Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4 John 10:11-18 In today’s first reading (Acts 11:1-18) Peter is being criticised for associating with uncircumcised people. He tells those who are criticising him that what he did was instructed by God. Clearly, the message of salvation is meant for all people to hear and to believe regardless of their current beliefs. In todays gospel passage, Jesus declares, I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but instead climbs in by another way is a thief and a brigand... I am the gate. Gates serve as both entrances and exits, designed to contain the sheep and prevent unauthorized access. They close to protect and open to allow passage to life. The imagery of the gate resonates deeply with the current state of our society, our nation, and our individual lives. As the gate for the sheep, Jesus signifies that salvation is attainable solely through faith in His name and acknowl...

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)   Acts 2.14, 36-41;   Ps 22;   I Pet 2.20-25;   Jn 10.1-10   THE SHEPHERD’S CALL Our Lord frequently employs the image of a shepherd with his flock in parables, where He refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. In the present Gospel, He describes Himself as the gate of the sheepfold, overseeing and safeguarding His flock. This imagery is particularly relevant for today’s Mass, as it coincides with Vocations Sunday, a day worldwide dedicated to contemplating God's call to the priesthood and religious life. We may draw reassurance from two promises: first, from the words of God the Father, spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” These words affirm that God will never leave His people without spiritual shepherds to gather and guide them: “I will set shepherds over my people, and they shall care for them.” The most complete fulfillment of this promise was realized in God's sending His Son t...

  Saint Mark, Evangelist  - Feast   1 Peter 5:5-14  Psalm 88(89):2-3,6-7,16-17 Mark 16:15-20 Mark was a cousin of Barnabas (also known as Joseph) from Cyprus, and he accompanied the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey around 46-48 AD. Later, he traveled with Paul to Rome during Paul's final imprisonment. Identified with John Mark, he initially departed from the first missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 12:25 and 13:13. St. Paul at one point expressed reservations about Mark's suitability for further missionary work, citing that "he had deserted us" during their initial endeavors, which is documented in Acts 15:37-39. Such concerns highlight the challenges faced in the journey of faith and service, especially amid hardships and differing commitments. Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph and who was a Levite from Cyprus, strongly advocated for Mark, leading to a temporary separation from Paul and the continuation of their wor...

  Friday of the 3rd week of Eastertide  Acts 9:1-20  Psalm 116(117) John 6:52-59 In the first reading for today (Acts 9:1-20), we learn of the conversion of Saul during his journey to Damascus, an event of considerable importance for the early Church. This encounter had such a significant impact on Saul that he became a staunch advocate of Christ and an ardent preacher of the Gospel. The persecutor transformed into a proponent, turning threat into strength, the accusor into an evangelist, and the initially stubborn Pharisee into an apostle to the Gentiles. The gospel reading (John 6:52-59) further elucidates Jesus' teachings on being the bread of life, which grants eternal life to those who accept Him into their hearts. Although less dramatic than Saul’s conversion, our own encounters with Jesus—through His Word and the Eucharist, the Sacraments—are equally profound. These moments of communion transcend physical perception, offering us eternal life. Similar to Saul, our i...

  Thursday of the 3rd week of Eastertide  Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 65(66):8-9,16-17,20 John 6:44-51 Philip was among the first seven deacons selected, alongside Stephen (Acts 6:5). Following Stephen's martyrdom, he extended the Gospel to Samaria, where his efforts yielded fruitful results. Subsequently, he was led to the Jerusalem-Gaza Road, where he baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-38). Later, the Spirit guided him to Azotus and other towns. Philip stands as a significant early Christian missionary, exemplifying a life directed by the Holy Spirit—willing to go where it leads, to explain Scripture, and to guide others towards Jesus. Mission involves both internal and external aspects. We seek the Spirit’s guidance to evangelize, preach, teach, and lead others to Christ. Do we view following Christ as our sole choice, or merely one option among many? Are we prepared to be led by the Spirit in every facet of our lives? In the ongoing Bread of Life discourse, Jesus declares, ‘I...

  WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTERTIDE Acts 8:1-8 Psalm 65(66):1-7 John 6:35-40 Stephen's death marked the start of widespread persecution, a pivotal moment that is both infamous and significant as it initiated the spread of the Christian message to Gentiles. Tertullian reflected on Christian persecution, saying: “Kill us, torture us, condemn us, grind us to dust; your injustice demonstrates our innocence... The more you mow us down, the more numerous we become; the blood of Christians is seed.” This tragic end of one person became the seed that, like a grain falling into the ground, bore "much fruit" (John 12:24). The "seed" of Stephen's body, planted then, led to an unstoppable spread of the Gospel that still impacts us today, after two thousand years. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12).