Joseph Osho

  13th Sunday in Ordinary Time   Wisdom 1:13-15,​2:23-24 Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13 2 Corinthians 8:7,​9,​13-15 Mark 5:21-43 THE QUEST OF FAITH  In last Sunday's gospel, we read about Jesus calming the storm and questioning his disciples' lack of faith. Today, Mark shares an important detail about a synagogue official who asked Jesus to heal his sick daughter.  On the way, a woman with a hemorrhage reached out and touched Jesus' cloak, believing it would heal her. Jesus felt power leave him and asked who had touched him. This reveals Jesus' divinity and humanity working together to perform miracles, showing his dual nature as both God and man. The readings from the Book of Wisdom in today's Mass reflect on the fall of man and its consequences. They speak about how sin brought illness and death into the world, but Christ came to restore us. The sacraments, especially the Anointing of the Sick, offer us the grace and healing to restore us to wholeness. We are all invite...

  Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles Acts 12:1-11 Psalm 33(34):2-9 2 Timothy 4:6-8,​17-18 Matthew 16:13-19 TU ES PETRUS ET SUPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM, ET TIBI DABO CLAVES REGNI CAELORUM Today, we celebrate two great men of the Church: Saints Peter and Paul. They were two ordinary men, one a fisherman and the other a Pharisee and a tentmaker, who recognized that God had called them to be something greater than they thought themselves to be. They dared to speak the truth spoken to them through Christ, enduring suffering and hardships for their beliefs. Despite Peter's past denials of Christ, he was entrusted by Him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and was told that he would be drawing souls into the net of faith and charity. Similarly, Paul, once a zealous enemy of the Church, was chosen by the risen Lord to become the greatest theologian and missionary. Both Peter and Paul, martyrs for the faith, bore witness to the truth of the living God by making the supreme s...

  Saint Irenaeus, Bishop, Doctor, Martyr   2 Kings 25:1-12 Psalm 136(137):1-6 Matthew 8:1-4 WE ARE TRULY IN NEED OF GOD’S HELP  As I reflect on the readings from 2 Kings that I read yesterday and today, I cannot help but draw parallels with the troubling news of our world today. The accounts of the killing of Zedekiah and his sons, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the persecution of its people resonate with the ongoing conflicts in places like Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria. Closer to home in Nigeria, stories of terror, kidnapping, shootings, poverty, and homelessness fill the local newspapers and news updates. It's truly disheartening. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling a profound sadness and frustration. As faithful believers in a God of peace and justice, how can we confront evil with goodness, hate with love, apathy with understanding, and unbelief with faith? As Catholics, we must not let sadness consume us for too long. Instead, we should focus on God and strive to combat...

  Thursday of week 12 in Ordinary Time   2 Kings 24:8-17 Psalm 78(79):1-5,8-9 Matthew 7:21-29 GOD IS THE ROCK OF AGES AND HE NEVER FAILS  The readings today tell us the importance of placing our trust in the Lord and not depending solely on earthly powers and human institutions. They urge us to remain steadfast in our faith, regardless of the challenges we may face. The first reading begins by recounting a historical event involving Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who displeased the Lord and suffered the consequences when the king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and took him, the royal household, and treasures from the Temple to Babylon. This serves as a reminder that we should not take the Lord's mercy for granted and that we must trust in Him rather than in worldly powers, which are ultimately unreliable. So check your foundation.  Today’s gospel passage also emphasizes Jesus' warning to his disciples about placing their trust in human foundations, highlighting the ne...

  Wednesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time   2 Kings 22:8-13,​23:1-3 Psalm 118(119):33-37,40 Matthew 7:15-20   WATCH OUT  In today’s gospel, Jesus warns us against false prophets. So, how do we recognize a false prophet, since they are around us like wolves in sheep's clothing? The Lord says it is by their fruits you will know them. Not everything that glitters is gold. We need to pray for the spirit of discernment and carefully evaluate those who claim to be true Christians. Someone may seem attractive or have eloquent speech, but their motives could be harmful. When we find it difficult to understand a situation, we need patience to uncover the intentions that lie within, or else we might fall prey to falsehood. So watch out.  Do we approach people with hidden motives just to take advantage of them? Are we wolves in sheep's clothing? Are we true Christians or ungodly people seeking to harm other members of the flock ? What beliefs do I hold that align me with the...

  Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time 2 Kings 19:9-11,​14-21,​31-36 Psalm 47(48):2-4,10-11 Matthew 7:6,​12-14 LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE’S SITUATION BEFORE THE LORD AND TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT  In today's first reading, we learned about King Sennacherib who was a tyrant and a bully. He relied on his power and army to conquer many nations and intended to shame the people of God. King Hezekiah, upon receiving Sennacherib's threatening letter, brought the matter before the Lord in his temple. The Lord sent his angel to strike down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp that very night and the Assyrian army was defeated. King Hezekiah's trust in the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the tyrant and bully. In today's gospel, Jesus encourages us to treat others with respect. The Lord will bless us with peace if we do so. Even though life is filled with obstacles and trials, the gate to eternal life, as the Lord tells us, is narrow, and only a few find it. Do you trust in the Lord as you journ...