Joseph Osho

  Saturday of week 30 in Ordinary Time  Philippians 1:18-26 Psalm 41(42):2-3,5 Luke 14:1,​7-11 Who Wants to Be the Last? Dearly beloved in Christ, we live in a world where money, power, and respect can seem to take priority, and we may forget that we are dust and to dust we shall return. So, how can we be saved? We are called to believe in Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself and gave His life on the cross so that we may be saved. What, then, is humility? The word comes from humus—earth. Humility invites us to recognize God as the Creator of all things and to understand that we are equal in God’s sight. Every act of humility involves letting go of pride. Every act of courage involves overcoming fear. Every act of love involves setting aside selfishness. By letting go of the false self, we discover the true self, made in God's image. Humility is the queen of all virtues. It acknowledges our dependence on God’s grace. Pride can lead to a fall, while humility and sacrifice are at th...

  Friday of week 30 in Ordinary Time  Philippians 1:1-11 Psalm 110(111):1-6 Luke 14:1-6 … By his pure and peaceful light, all darkness and deceit are dispelled. The Lord knows our secrets, emotions, and thoughts. In today’s Gospel, the lawyers and Pharisees watched Jesus, wondering whether he would heal the man with dropsy on the Sabbath. They remained silent, perhaps recognizing that Jesus could offer this man what they could not. In the end, he revealed the inconsistency in their response. There is nothing we can hide from God. Just as he knew their thoughts, he also knew the thoughts of the man with dropsy. The man’s body was swollen with excess fluid in his tissues, yet he may have felt unable to speak because of those watching him in silence. Perhaps he felt uneasy about their view of life, but Christ was not deterred. He continued to do good works and perform wonders. He accomplished all things well. By his pure light, darkness and deceit faded away. Is there something y...

  Thursday of week 30 in Ordinary Time  Ephesians 6:10-20 · Psalm 143(144):1-2,9-10 Luke 13:31-35 BE ON GUARD Our lives are filled with beautiful moments—gifts from God, grand and simple. Yet we also face things we dread: an awkward conversation, a painful talk with a friend, standing up to a bully, or protecting the innocent. No one is spared this world’s hardships—not Saint Paul, the Psalmist, or Jesus. Imprisoned and awaiting punishment, Paul wrote, “I am already being poured out like a libation.” (II Timothy 4:6) He also declared, “We are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered,” (Romans 8:36). In today’s First Reading (Ephesians 6:10-20), Paul is chained and asks for prayers to find courage. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is warned, “Go, leave this place, for Herod wants to kill you.”Luke 13:31. It’s enough to make anyone want to run. But Jesus sets the ultimate example. Even amid fear and sorrow, we are called to hope, patience, and trust in...

  Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles  - Feast   Ephesians 2:19-22 · Psalm 18(19):2-5 Luke 6:12-19 Why You Should Pray Before Making a Decision In today’s Gospel, Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father for wisdom before choosing twelve men of faith who loved Him and would remain faithful to His purposes (see also John 14:21-14). Before taking a step in life—especially one that may define your future—or making a significant or critical decision, do you pray? Can prayer accomplish anything? “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus also taught the importance of bringing our requests to our Heavenly Father. If Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before making an important decision, how much more should we “never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and read His Word to seek His wisdom and guidance? When we call on the name of the Lord, we lift our minds to God and enter into a bond—a relationship between a Father and His son or da...

  Tuesday of week 30 in Ordinary Time  Ephesians 5:21-33  Psalm 127(128):1-5 Luke 13:18-21 PATIENCE PAYS In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses nature to show how God’s kingdom grows quietly, gradually, and offers shelter to all. God’s unseen presence likewise sustains us and keeps the universe in harmony—the quiet miracles of daily life. Both parables teach that growth unfolds over time and requires patience. Patience may seem like delay or weakness, but prayer and humility help us cultivate it. A journey’s first steps can be difficult, yet lead to fruitfulness. Nature reminds us that growth takes time. Exercise, healthy eating, and medical checkups matter, but we can also recognize God’s loving care in sustaining us. Do we see God at work, return that love, or take it for granted? Do we show love for God by caring for others? Are we patient, or eager for results? Waiting on the Lord can strengthen us through every trouble. Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and yeast also speak...

  Monday of week 30 in Ordinary Time  Ephesians 4:32-5:8 Psalm 1:1-4,6 Luke 13:10-17 God’s transforming power  In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers healing and wholeness to a “daughter of Abraham”—or, more profoundly, a “daughter of God.” The healing takes place in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Some of the Pharisees respond with indignation, focusing on the timing of the miracle rather than on the goodness God has shown. Their reaction prompts one of the synagogue officials to speak out against Jesus. In reply, Jesus makes clear that the Law does not prohibit acts of kindness on the Sabbath. Works of charity, offered for the greater glory of God, are in keeping with the spirit of God’s law. The woman is healed not only physically but also spiritually, and she begins to glorify God.The Sabbath, like any other day of worship, is a day of thanksgiving—a celebration of God, who invites us to share in his divine life. It is a time to appreciate the wonders God has done and the good...