Joseph Osho

  HAVE FAITH IN THE WORDS AND WORKS OF JESUS Jeremiah 20:10-13 John 10:31-42 In today's first reading, Jeremiah is being persecuted by the people for doing good deed but he places his trust in God and still praises Him. It is a reminder of Jesus who is soon to be arrested and who will also pray to the Father for guidance and strength while never abandoning faith in the Father.  In today's gospel, Jesus was about to be stoned by some of the Jews for speaking the truth. He, like Jeremiah, is under God’s protection and so He's saved from them until the hour of His glory. We too will be saved and supported from all opposition if we turn to God in confidence and continue to praise Him all our days. But we must not forget Him when things are going well for us. Jesus was consecrated by the Father to a special task and He was sent into the world to carry out his Father's mission. Have you been a faithful witness for Christ? Or do you only hear the Word & forget about it? Or...

  DON’T BE A STONE THROWER, KEEP THE FAITH LIKE     ABRAHAM Genesis 17:3-9 John 8:51-59 Jesus says; “Before Abraham I AM”. For the Jewish who heard Jesus in the Temple; this was blasphemy. How can someone have equality with God?    They could fathom the fact that a mere mortal creature could claim glory with the Father. They could not stomach this and without any further argument; they picked up stones to throw at him but He escaped their sight.  We notice how the authorities could not grasp the idea that Jesus is the Son of God. As Jesus says, they claim to know God, but unlike them, Jesus says that he knows God  and keeps his word . The people walking in Jesus’ midst who believed in His miracles were able to accept those miracles as truth – they believed! Sometimes we may listen to the word of God, and think we get it, but unless you are going deeper into understanding what we are reading, we may be missing a great deal.  The faith of Abrah...

  FOLLOWING CHRIST JESUS BRINGS TRUE FREEDOM  Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28 John 8:31-42 The people of kingdom of God here in earth suffers violence from the world.  Those who speak the Truth which comes from God and those who are in a close relationship with God are often being opposed and oppressed by those who are in authority over them, particularly if those in authority are not open to the Truth and to God's teachings.   In today’s first reading, we see the interplay between King Nebuchadnezzar and three gentlemen named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three men refuse to worship the King’s man-made statue, because they know the One, true God and worship Him alone. They know that their fate truly rests in God’s hands and not the King’s hands. If it be God’s will they will be spared. However, if God chooses to let the King’s deeds be carried out, then so be it; for these three men place God’s will first, rather than their own. Are you placing something of tempora...

JESUS. THE LIFE-GIVER ON THE CROSS Numbers 21:4-9 John 8:21-30 IThere is no hiding place from God. Nothing is hidden from God. All our actions both public and private; even our innermost intention, are seen plainly before His very eyes. In other words, nothing is hidden from God’s presence. The Israelites in the first reading would not run away from the wrath of God that they themselves have caused by their perpetual sinful ways.  Fiery serpents haunted them throughout the camp and they had to run to Moses to pray to God for the safety of their lives. The Lord then commanded Moses to construct the bronze serpent and anyone who looked at it will be saved. When we commit sin, we reject God and when we reject God, our life is in danger and when our life is in danger, we are at total risk of losing it, because it has rejected God in the first place who is the source of life and eternal salvation.  In today's gospel passage, we see that the Lord knows our hearts. He sees our consci...

  GOD IS OUR DEFENDER AND OUR REFUGE Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30, 33-62: John 8:1-11 Today’s scriptural passages remind us that God Himself defends those who are innocent, particularly when they cannot defend themselves. In today's first reading, we see that two judges had inordinate desire to sleep with Susanna but she never gave in. In turn, they became infatuated with Susanna and have lied to save themselves, condemning her to death for something she did not do. She is only saved by asking God for help.  God heard her cry and sent the boy Daniel to deliver her from the wickedness of these men. After few interrogations, She was vindicated and the two men were condemned. As the story shows in the end, God delivers his obedient sons and daughters even though they walk through the valley of darkness, God is with them to save them.    Only HIM has the final say. In today’s gospel, we see something similar to the first story in the old testament although this time around ...

  FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A   Ezek 37.12-14;   Rom 8.8-11;   Jn 11.1-45 “Lord, he whom you love is ill" God loves us all equally. As man, He naturally preferred the company of some more than others. Lazarus who was dead in today's gospel was obviously among His closest and dearest. And yet, we would we be missing the more important meaning of this gospel passage if we limited it simply to that of a miracle done for the sake of human affection for a friend. Christ Himself says that the meaning is wider and deeper than that. He says:  This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God… The raising of Lazarus was not just so that Our Lord might continue to enjoy his company, nor yet merely for the sake of consoling Martha and Mary.  He did it to teach us something.  Everything recorded in the gospels is there for a reason, even if the reason is not always obvious at first reading.  For example, Martha says of Lazarus,   "he has been de...