Joseph Osho

  The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary  - Feast   Zephaniah 3:14-18 Isaiah 12 Luke 1:39-56 The Almighty has done great things for me.  On the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, we also conclude our May devotion. This feast commemorates the meeting of two extraordinary women, one a Virgin and the other barren, both expecting babies against all odds. After the Virgin Mary learned of her pregnancy, she hurried to visit her elderly cousin, who was now also expecting a child. This encounter was centered on the Word made flesh, dwelling in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our encounters with others should fill us with joy, just like St. John the Baptist leaped in his mother's womb. The Good News is that Jesus came to save us and reconcile us with the Father. Believing in Jesus brings us eternal life. In the Gospel, Mary shares her beautiful Magnificat, a hymn of praise. We are called to consider the needs of others and...

  Thursday of week 8 in Ordinary Time   1 Peter 2:2-5,​9-12 Psalm 99(100):2-5 Mark 10:46-52 SAVED BY FAITH  Nothing could stop Bartimeus (the blind beggar) from crying out to Jesus for mercy- nothing even the disciples of Jesus. His preserving faith brought him to the Light and God who sees his heart answered him. He drew nearer to Jesus and followed him along the road. We too have been blinded by our sins and our own desires but we are admonished today to take courage and stand up in faith.  God who knows our innermost part of our hearts, will grant us his mercy and saving help. Do not let anyone or anything stop from reaching out and drawing close to Jesus. He is asking you today, what do you want me to do for you? So before we raise our voice and call out to Jesus, and before we throw off the “cloak” that burdens us or defines us, we first need to know our deepest desire: “Master, I want to see.” Lord, I want to be your disciple. As long as we stand for God, we ar...

  Wednesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time   Memorial of Saint Paul VI, Pope 1 Peter 1:18-25 Ps 147:12-15,19-20 Mark 10:32-45 CAN YOU PAY THE RANSOM FOR YOUR LIFE?  The cross is an indescribable symbol in the Greco-Roman civilization. It represents suffering and pain leading to death. Each page of the gospel illustrates Jesus' teachings on the cross, and in today's gospel, we are reminded of the path of the cross, which the Messiah took to bring us salvation. Thomas A. Kempis once said that salvation and eternal life can only be found through the cross. The first reading from the first letter of Peter emphasizes the significance of Christ's death and resurrection. The image of the "spotless, unblemished Lamb" sacrificed on the cross bought us eternal life with God. Not only is the "Blood of Christ imperishable," but His word is as well. This truth is evident as the Gospel message has influenced Christ's followers for over two thousand years. The Gospel s...

  Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time   1 Peter 1:10-16 Psalm 97(98):1-4 Mark 10:28-31 A HUNDRED TIMES MORE  HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDER LEAVING EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST?  Our readings today give us some basic ideas or practices on how to make the best of this time of the church year called Ordinary.  Being the ordinary human beings we are, trying to navigate life in the fast lane, we need to pay attention to growing our spiritual life amid vacation planning.  In 1st Peter, we are called to ‘be holy just as He is holy’!  In the gospel, Jesus reiterates that for those of us who accept the challenge and gift of being a believer in Christ, in enduring the highs and lows that this life brings to it, we will in the end be rewarded. Consider your ways and draw closer to God. God will never forget his own. 

  Monday of week 8 in Ordinary Time   1 Peter 1:3-9 Psalm 110(111):1-2,5-6,9-10 Mark 10:17-27 SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND MIND The readings for today complement each other as they both challenge and encourage us to live as disciples of Christ. In our first reading, Peter encourages his fellow disciples, reminding them of the promise they have in Jesus Christ, even though they may be suffering "through various trials." He says, "Although you have not seen him, you love him..." Love is the key to discipleship and love and life. In our Gospel reading, Jesus encounters a sincere man who wants to know how to "inherit eternal life." After the man tells Jesus that he has followed the Ten Commandments, Jesus, with love, invites him to go a step further. He tells him to sell what he has and give it to the poor, and then come and follow Him. Mark tells us that the man went away sad, "for he had many possessions." After this, Jesus shocks His dis...

  The Most Holy Trinity  - Solemnity   Deut 4:32-34,​39-40 Ps 32(33):4-6,9,18-20,22 Rom 8:14-17 Matt 28:16-20 What was the first religious thing you were ever taught? For me, it was the sign of the cross with the name of the Blessed Trinity from the head, chest, and shoulders. That is such a visible sign that has inward grace, a powerful statement of faith, blessing ourselves with Holy Water, and signing our entire body in the name of the God of all things.  It is submitting every single action, word, thought – every single action of mine – to God, and doing them in His name. When people heard Jesus speak and saw Him heal the sick, they knew that God’s power was wonderfully at work in the words and actions set out before them.  But after the Resurrection, the identity of Jesus was fully revealed.  The man whom people had touched, eaten with, listened to, and related to in every way as a human person was none other than God Himself, incarnate, in flesh,...

  Saturday of week 7 in Ordinary Time   James 5:13-20 Ps 140(141):1-3,8 Mark 10:13-16 GOD IS THE GIVER OF LIFE    As James concludes his letter, he emphasizes the power of prayer in times of trouble. He highlights the importance of our actions in changing and enriching lives as instruments of God’s work especially through the sacraments of reconciliation and the anointing of the sick . It is crucial not to hinder growth and healing; and to bring everyone and everything to God. We should not hinder our children from growing in faith and pursuing God's plan for them. Just as eagles learn to fly by being pushed out of their nests, children also need to be encouraged to discover and fulfill their unique destinies. While most teenagers are eager to leave home, some may need a push. Encouraging grown children to move on when the time comes can be challenging. Sometimes, the issue is not that parents withhold independence, but that children are reluctant to accept it. ...