Joseph Osho

  Friday of week 7 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 6:5-17 Psalm 118(119):12,16,18,27,34-35 Mark 10:1-12 IMPLORING DIVINE BLESSINGS ON MARITAL VOCATION In today’s gospel passage, Jesus addresses the theological and ethical dimensions of marriage. He emphasizes that the sacrament is intended for a single partner and is meant to be a lifelong commitment, thus elucidating that this model alone is sanctioned by divine authority. This becomes particularly evident when a group of legal experts attempts to entrap Him in a theological debate regarding the Mosaic Law. Historically, adherence to Moses had been seen as foundational for moral discernment. However, with the advent of Christ as the incarnate Word, a profound transition in understanding the divine law occurs—He does not nullify the Law but rather fulfills and perfects it. Jesus articulates that the provisions regarding divorce originally permitted by Moses were only a concession to human obstinacy. Instead, Christ presents a...

  Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 5:1-10 Psalm 1:1-4,6 Mark 9:41-50 DELAY NOT YOUR CONVERSION  In our first reading from Sirach, the author emphasizes, “Delay not your conversion to the Lord.” This statement, positioned toward the conclusion of the reading, encapsulates the preceding content and aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel reading, both highlighting the essence of what it means to undergo conversion to the Lord. Sirach cautions against reliance on material wealth and personal strength, suggesting that a fundamental shift in mindset necessary for conversion is one of surrender. As individuals draw nearer to God, there is a growing recognition of the necessity to submit to divine will, prioritizing reliance on God over our capabilities. This process is inherently humbling and often challenging to accept, yet it is the pathway to authentic peace and serenity. Personal attempts to navigate life independently, outside of God's guidance,...

  Ecclesiasticus 4:12-22 Ps.118(119):165,168,171-172,174-175 Mark 9:38-40 LOVE WISDOM!  LOVE LIFE!! Wisdom is a virtue that often receives insufficient attention in comparison to the more commonly discussed triad of “Faith, Hope, and Love.” In today’s reading from Sirach, wisdom is personified as a nurturing mother who “breathes life into her children,” suggesting an intimate relationship we are called to cultivate with this virtue. In our discourse on wisdom, we typically reference individuals characterized by a perspective shaped through extensive life experiences—marked by trials and triumphs. A wise individual reaches a state where validation from others is no longer necessary. Importantly, the wise possess a discerning clarity regarding ethical distinctions and prioritize relationships over material possessions. Saint Thomas Aquinas articulated that wisdom constitutes the habit of making prudent choices, defined as “the right reason about things to be done.” This encompas...

  Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 Ps. 36(37):3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40 Mark 9:30-37 FOCUSING ON DIVINE PROVIDENCE  As Jesus attempts to prepare his disciples for his impending suffering and death, they engage in disputes over status and importance, highlighting a tendency towards competition and the desire for dominance prevalent in human nature. Today, we find ourselves called to place our trust in the Divine and to emulate Christ's path. How can we authentically follow Christ to attain true liberation as children of God? Henri Nouwen posits, “When we can disengage from the external compulsions that bind us and allow the Holy Spirit—God’s love—to be our sole guiding force, we can then cultivate a genuinely liberated interior and spiritual life.” This applies universally, whether one is a diligent student, a devoted spouse, a sanitation worker, a parent, a factory employee, a scholar, a healthcare provider, a teacher, clergy, a pope, a homeless indiv...

  Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10 Psalm 92(93):1-2,5 Mark 9:14-29  DEPEND ON THE LORD   In the Gospels, we encounter numerous depictions of personal encounters with Christ, tallying at least 32 distinct examples of individuals interacting with Him. While this list is significant, it likely represents only a fraction of the total encounters recorded. In the current passage from Mark 9:22, we witness the poignant interaction between Jesus and a desperate father whose son is afflicted by possession.  This scenario prompts a reflection on our encounters with Jesus. Often, we feel His proximity, yet echoing the Father’s plea, we might ask, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus’s response, “If You Can?” underscores the critical nature of belief, affirming that “All things are possible to him who believes.”  The father's reply is particularly noteworthy: “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I d...

  7th Sunday in Ordinary Time  I Sam 26.2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23;  Ps 102;  II Cor 15.45-49;  Lk 6.27-38 In the recent gospel reading, Saint Luke offers a profound exploration of practical Christianity through the teachings of Christ. Distinct from other evangelists, Luke addresses an educated, largely non-Jewish audience, eschewing references to Jewish history and prophecy in favor of a narrative that emphasizes the transformative power of belief in Jesus and its societal implications. Luke's gospel serves as a counter-narrative to established societal norms. For instance, in last Sunday’s reading of the Beatitudes, he articulates a subversive theology that elevates the marginalized and downtrodden, suggesting that those who appear most disadvantaged may, in fact, hold the greatest favor in the eyes of God. Additionally, the Magnificat presents a clear socio-economic reversal, proclaiming the divine action that dethrones the powerful while exalting the humble and f...