Joseph Osho

WILL YOU BE READY WHEN THE LORD SHALL COME?   Thess 3:7-13 Matth. 24:42-51 There is a note of urgency and attentiveness in today's readings and our souls should examine themselves in the light of this text not just today but always.  In our first reading, Paul speaks to the Christian community in Thessalonica, encouraging them to be conscious and persistent in the practice of their faith until he returns to them or when the Lord Jesus comes to them to heaven and in the gospel we see Jesus rebuking the people to be always ready because nobody knows when this life on earth will be over.  We need to pay attention and stay awake. We Christians have  received the word with joy and to proclaim it still. Over and over our feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, let us remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into our very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of he...

  THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO SPEAK AGAINST CORRUPTION AND STAND FOR THE TRUTH Thess 2:9-13 Matt 23:27-32 Woe! Woe!! Woe!!! There are so many woes in this chapter and our Lord  Jesus must have been a thorn in the flesh of the Pharisees and scribes. No wonder they wanted to kill him by all means possible. The Lord Jesu in today's Gospel exposes their corruption to the extent that he told them that since they were the sons of those who murdered the prophets they could as well finish the evil deeds their fathers began.  Here is a lesson for us, Our Lord Jesus was not scared of speaking against corruption and corrupt leaders, As the saying goes no one needs to defend the truth for the truth can defend itself. Do we join the gangs of people who celebrate corruption in the name of trendy fashion even if it is very obvious that this is against the commandments of God? Do we keep quiet when atrocities and moral decadence become the disorder of the day? Are we training the younger g...

  The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist  Do I have enough faith and courage to speak up when I know something is not right, true, or just  like St. John the Baptist? Thess. 2:1-8 Mark 16:17-29 Among the sons of men, the Lord says that John was the greatest. Matthew 11:11. No wonder, the Church celebrates his birth on the 24th of June and his death which is today the 29th of August. John the Baptist had a single mission, to point at the Messiah. From the womb, he leaped for joy at the presence of Mary who had already conceived Jesus in her womb. As a young man, he went into the wilderness to prepare for the coming of Christ. In his preaching, he told the people to prepare a way for the Lord and make his path straight through repentance and mortification. And when the Lord appeared, he pointed him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  John was a man of truth and courage. He had tongues as sharp as a two-edged sword. John chastised King Herod A...

  Saint Augustine, Bishop, and Doctor THE LORD TAKES DELIGHT IN HIS PEOPLE  Thess 1:1-5,8-10 Matt. 23:13-22 Today’s liturgy and readings offer us a sharp difference between faithful believers and those who practice religion falsely. First of all, we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine, a great saint  that made profound contributions to the Church, a gifted philosopher and theologian.. He is best known for his philosophical works, the Confessions and City of God. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1308. We all know stories of ‘bad boy’ Augustine!  His early life was filled with sinfulness and revelry. Augustine led a wayward life and he would not have realized his potential if not for the prayers of his mother St. Monica who prayed fervently for his conversion.  After his conversion, he was baptized and well-groomed in the Catholic faith by St. Ambrose who had a deep influence on his life. Today’s first reading is the opening of St. ...

  Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)   Isa 22.19-23;   Rom 11.33-36;   Mt 16.13-20 Today's Gospel is very familiar. We heard it on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.  One important aspect emphasises the primacy of Saint Peter, the authority given him by Christ to rule, govern and sanctify the Church while the other aspect is quite puzzling.  Our Lord gives the apostles a surprising command : "He strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ."  It seems a strange order for Him to give, especially after Peter's inspired act of faith:  "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God". This in other words is often called Messianic secrecy.  St. Paul asks us in today's second reading, who knows the mind of God? At the incarnation, Christ veiled His godhead in flesh. During the three years of His public life, we read of great crowds following Him, being taught, being fed, being healed. The healings were probabl...

  DO YOU AN AUTHORITY TO PREACH? Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17 Matthew 23:1-12 Living in union with God is what gives us the authority to preach. When reading today’s gospel story from Matthew about the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus is telling us to practice what we preach. A person is viewed as having authority when they live what they say and do.  It is only when we practice what we preach we can turn the world into a better place.   The Lord tells us also, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you.” It is on this, that we have authority because that is the summary of the law, the prophets, and all the realities that we experience in life.  God rewarded Ruth for her humility and she became the grandmother of David.    The Blessed Virgin Mary said Yes to God not only at the Annunciation but throughout her entire life, and now She is the Queen of Heaven and Earth.  In all, let us all make an effort to leave the world ju...