Joseph Osho

  Thursday of week 5 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 11:4-13 Psalm 105(106):3-4,35-37,40 Mark 7:24-30 Living faithfully as recipients of divine love presents its challenges. The current readings highlight two contrasting approaches. Solomon, comfortable with his wealth and authority, neglects his fundamental role as a servant of Yahweh. Do I allow God to shape my identity instead of being swayed by misleading influences? The Syrophoenician woman, confident in her role as a mother and believer, places her trust in God's capacity to act. What sustains her strength? Am I willing to let God define me and remain true to that core identity? These questions are of significant importance. We pray for the confidence to act with the assurance that God knows and loves us completely. Regardless of life's difficulties, we are children of God. May we remain grounded in this truth and act accordingly. Amen.

Wednesday of week 5 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 10:1-10 Psalm 36(37):5-6,30-31,39-40 Mark 7:14-23 The story of King Solomon serves as a stark warning: even the most brilliant success can become a veil. When the Queen of Sheba praised his wisdom, she saw a king of justice; however, that same praise eventually blinded Solomon to his own internal drift. By neglecting his inner life, his external kingdom—once a marvel of unity—crumbled into division. It is a reminder that the most significant collapses rarely start with a bang; they begin in the quiet, unexamined corners of the soul. The Myth of External Purity Jesus addressed this head-on when confronted by traditionalists obsessed with the "correct" way to wash hands. He pivoted the conversation from the basin to the breast, making it clear that defilement isn’t something you swallow—it is something you harbor. Rituals and traditions are often used as armor to hide a lack of internal transformation, yet as Jesus noted, the heart ...

  Saint Scholastica, Virgin 1 Kings 8:22-23,​27-30 Psalm 83(84):3-5,10-11 Mark 7:1-13 DO NOT TWIST THE TRUTH   Today's Gospel reminds us that rituals and liturgy only transform us when rooted in God’s love, especially when we are in the wilderness and need His cleansing grace. The gospel discusses Jewish hand-washing and purification rituals, meant to show reverence for God. By Jesus’ time, these traditions had become empty and oppressive, with Pharisees scolding Jesus’ disciples for eating with unclean hands—a dispute linked to Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Mk 6:35-44). The Pharisees were upset, even though the crowd had no chance to wash their hands. Jesus called them hypocrites, stage actors hiding their empty hearts behind outward piety. He wasn’t rejecting tradition but condemning their hypocrisy. Like the Pharisees, we may turn meaningful traditions into legalistic rituals. Whether it’s hand-washing, Friday abstention, or Eucharist—are we truly transformed or just going throu...

  Monday of week 5 in Ordinary Time  1 Kings 8:1-7,​9-13 Psalm 131(132):6-10 Mark 6:53-56 In today’s first reading, God’s abiding presence fills the Temple, making priests unable to minister. He created all things and has power over everything. Isaiah 66:1-2 highlights God's sovereignty, with heaven as His throne and earth as His footstool. God's glory among us shows His willingness to give us divine life and dwell in our midst. In the gospel, crowds followed Jesus, seeking healing by touching His cloak, illustrating that God's presence brings holiness and healing. We are His temple and must respond in faith and holiness. Christ taught us that faith makes the impossible possible, emphasizing its importance. Nathaniel Emmons said obedience to God proves love for Him; God desires us to obey out of love, not just for potential or reward. Obedience begins with trusting God's will. Doing God's work doesn't always require understanding; faith and obedience guide us. ...

  Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Isa 58.7-10;   Ps 111;   I Cor 2.1-5;   Mt 5.13-16   There is a common misconception, both inside and outside the Church, that prayer and action are mutually exclusive—you can have one or the other, but not both. In reality, these Christian duties are two aspects of the same commitment. Our calling is to both pray and be active. Saints and many prayer teachers, regardless of their tradition, agree that the more we pray, the more we want to serve God, and the more we work for God, the more we desire to pray. By prayer, they mean spending time in God’s presence, and by work, engaging actively in God's kingdom.    Light shines for others to see. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in the light of God's truth and goodness. Do not lose your saltiness. 

  Saturday of week 4 in Ordinary Time 1 Kings 3:4-13 Psalm 118(119):9-14 Mark 6:30-34 In today’s gospel, Jesus seeks a quiet place for His disciples; however, an increasing number of people arrive, leaving little time even for sustenance. Previously, Jesus dispatched His disciples to cast out demons, anoint the sick, and provide healing. Upon their return, they report their successful endeavors, and Mark describes their ministry as rapidly expanding, with the disciples gaining direct experience of God’s Spirit. As they return, more individuals follow. Jesus and the disciples attempt to find respite by traveling by boat to another location, but the crowd arrives first, assembling in anticipation. Jesus, moved by compassion, regarded them as sheep without a shepherd, and His concern for their needs intensifies. The atmosphere builds with anticipation of a significant event. Reflecting on Mark chapter 6, it is evident that those present perceived something uniquely profound about Jesu...