Joseph Osho

  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...

  Monday of week 15 in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 1:10-17  Psalm 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23 Matthew 10:34-11:1 Whenever a significant call is issued, it invariably provokes division among those who accept it and those who reject it. In the present gospel passage, Jesus informs his disciples that he did not come to bring peace, but rather a sword (Matthew 10:34). This signifies that following him would entail considerable sacrifice, as it requires prioritizing God's kingdom and obeying his commandments. When Jesus mentions that division will strike close to home, his audience likely recalled the prophecy of Micah: a person's enemies are often their own household (Micah 7:6). The love of God compels us to determine who will occupy the foremost position in our lives. To elevate any relationship or possession above God constitutes a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to assess whom they love above all else. A genuine disciple loves God above all and is prepared to forsak...

  Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Isa 55.10-11;   Ps 64;   Rom 8.18-23;   Mt 13.1-23   Allow the word of God to bear fruits in you.  The three readings at today’s Mass all focus on God’s revelation of Himself to us. Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, God assures us that His spoken word is powerful and effective: “The word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.” We also know that God's fullest revelation came when He took on human flesh. In Jesus, His Word made flesh, He reveals the eternal Father in a way that the prophets, priests, and kings of the Old Testament could not. As last week’s Gospel reminds us, Jesus said, “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” The perfect revelation by the Son surpasses all previous ones and, in a sense, closes the door on fu...

  Saint Benedict, Abbot  Isaiah 6:1-8  Psalm 92(93):1-2,5 Matthew 10:24-33 In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to offer guidance to His apostles as they prepare to go out in His name. He gently reminds them that a challenging journey awaits and encourages them not to fear external threats to their bodies, but rather to remain vigilant of spiritual dangers, trusting solely in Christ. This compassionate advice is equally relevant to us. Often, we find ourselves more preoccupied with safeguarding our physical wellbeing than nurturing our spiritual health, even though the soul holds greater significance as our eternal part. Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by worry and fear? Could it be an opportunity to deepen your trust in God's divine plan? Let us offer thanks to God for His loving care and seek His forgiveness for times we have lacked faith and succumbed to fear and worry. Amen.   Wishing you a grace-filled day 

Friday of week 14 in Ordinary Time  Hosea 14:2-10 Psalm 50(51):3-4,8-9,12-14,17 Matthew 10:16-23 Beyond our fundamental needs for food, clothing, and shelter, our strongest desires often center on protection and security. In fact, safety from harm and danger can sometimes take precedence over material needs. Naturally, when confronted with threats, most of us would prioritize self-protection, even temporarily setting aside other concerns. This context helps us understand why Jesus, when sending out His disciples as sheep among wolves, emphasized the importance of vigilance. Such a request might have caused discomfort or concern, as no one wishes to face danger unprepared. Nevertheless, Jesus advised them to be "cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves" (Matt 10:16), highlighting the necessity of wisdom and discernment in navigating risks. Reflecting on personal experiences, how have you managed difficult times when external circumstances seemed overwhelming? Have you ...

  Thursday of week 14 in Ordinary Time  Hosea 11:1-4,​8-9  Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16 Matthew 10:7-15 The Lord sent his disciples on a mission. He sent to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. We too are sent by the Christ into the world. As we do so,   He expect us to treat ourselves with love not hatred; with kindness not    cruelty with compassion and not biases or sentiments. God wants the best for us and wants the best from us. We have received the power of God through our baptism in Christ, we share in the threefold functions of Christ; as king we establish His kingdom, as prophet we proclaim the Good News and as priest we pray through Christ Our Lord.  The best place to start the dream of success is in an agreement between you and God about your life about your vocation, about what your work is and what you hope to accomplish. With His leading in your life, you begin to move into it and work with it until it takes the shape of His bl...