Joseph Osho

  The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary  - Feast   Zephaniah 3:14-18 Isaiah 12 Luke 1:39-56 Happy Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! As we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary's visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, we wrap up our May devotion with a sense of joy and anticipation, for the Novena to the Holy Spirit has begun! In today’s energizing passage from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:39-56), we witness a remarkable moment! After receiving the incredible news from the angel about her miraculous pregnancy, Mary sets off “in haste” from Nazareth, embarking on an inspiring journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who lives in a charming village nestled in the hills of Judea. And when she arrives, what a surprise awaits her—Elizabeth, despite her age, is also miraculously pregnant! Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth greets Mary with a shout of joy: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” It’s a powerful m...

  Friday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 18:9-18 Psalm 46(47):2-7 John 16:20-23 Farewells are rarely a celebration, but they can be thrilling in their own way! At their core, they are a blend of bitterness and sweetness. The bitter pang of goodbyes pulls at our hearts, while the sweetness lies in the potential of new beginnings. Just think about it—how many parents have felt that rollercoaster of emotions when leaving their child in a kindergarten classroom or waving goodbye as they set off for college? In every goodbye, there's the promise of something extraordinary on the horizon. Now, imagine the disciples during Jesus’ powerful farewell. The weight of grief enveloped them as they grappled with his words: “A little while, and you will no longer see me.” Confusion reigned as they wondered, “What could this mean?” But then Jesus shifted the atmosphere with a vivid analogy—the imagery of a woman in labor.   “When a woman goes through labor, she endures pain because he...

  The Ascension of the Lord - Mass of the Day  Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 46(47):2-3,6-9 Hebrews 9:24-28,​10:19-23 Luke 24:46-53 UPLIFT YOUR CHRISTIAN HOPE AND GIVE PRAISE TO OUR GLORIOUS SAVIOR WHO SITS UPON THE THRONE The Ascension of Christ is a profound and awesome moment, marking the grand finale of his earthly journey with the Apostles and showcasing his stunning victory over Satan! As Christ rises to his rightful place in heaven, he prepares to send the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples. The Gospel of Luke captures this vibrant scene, ending with the Apostles bursting forth in celebration and praise! They finally grasp the profound lessons Jesus has imparted, realizing that the joy of Easter is just beginning, not ending! In this incredible moment, Christ’s Ascension reflects the glory unveiled at his Transfiguration, but this time, it’s a collective revelation for all the Apostles! Witnessing this awe-inspiring ascent filled them with immense joy and hope, affirming everythi...

  Wednesday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 17:15,​22-18:1 Psalm 148:1-2,11-14 John 16:12-15 In a thrilling moment from the iconic film *A Few Good Men*, Colonel Jessup delivers a powerful line in response to Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee’s probing question: “You want the truth?” With fiery intensity, Kaffee retorts, “You can’t handle the truth!”  This week’s Mass readings from the Gospels bring us to an electrifying juncture in Jesus’ journey — the arrival of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit! Just after the Passover meal in the upper room, Jesus has one last chance to relay vital truths to his closest followers. Little do they know, their lives are on the brink of a dramatic upheaval. As they sit together, they envision continuing their familiar path with Jesus — traveling, teaching, and spreading the message just as they have for the past three years. But everything is about to change! That very night, Jesus will be betrayed, arrested like a common criminal, brutally tried,...

Tuesday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 16:22-34 Psalm 137(138):1-3,7-8 John 16:5-11 As we look forward to the moments of worship and praise in the Ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, much like Paul and Silas experienced, we can anticipate that the power of God will dramatically transform our situations. We envision a time when the foundations of our challenges will shake, doors will swing wide open, and the chains that bind us will fall away. This anticipation brings joy not only to us but also to those around us.  We have faith that, just as the jailer and his household found salvation, many will experience the joy of conversion in the days ahead. eautiful and magnificent. As the psalmist reminds us, “You stretch out your hand and save me, O Lord." We call upon God with hope, knowing that we need the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth. Through the Holy Spirit, we believe that what seems impossible will become possible. Despite any adversity...

  Saint Philip Neri, Priest  Acts 16:11-15 Psalm 149:1-6,9 John 15:26-16:4 In today's gospel, Jesus delivers a striking warning to his disciples: “Indeed, the hour is coming when anyone who kills you thinks he is doing a holy duty for God.” This call echoes through the ages, reminding us that the persecution of Christians is not just a distant memory—it's a reality that has shaped lives across every culture and era!  Today, we find ourselves amid a world increasingly hostile toward Christianity, where embracing our faith requires not just commitment, but fierce endurance. The journey of following Jesus is anything but easy; it demands courageous sacrifice at every turn. Bringing the message of Christ to others may even lead to the ultimate test of faith: persecution and, for some, martyrdom.  Fleeing from suffering or evading persecution is a mere illusion; true strength lies in embracing the call to stand firm in our beliefs, no matter the cost. Are you ready to tak...

  6th Sunday of Easter  Acts 15:1-2,​22-29 Psalm 66(67):2-3,5-6,8 Apocalypse 21:10-14,​22-23 John 14:23-29 Peace is participating in the divine life In just a few days, we will be celebrating the magnificent feast of the Ascension! This incredible event fills our hearts with anticipation as we reflect on the words of Our Lord in today’s gospel: "I go to the Father." The time has come for the Church to wrap up the liturgical celebration of the resurrection appearances, bringing us to the climactic moment of the Ascension—the most awe-inspiring of all the Resurrection appearances!  At the Ascension, with the light of faith illuminating our path, we catch a glimpse of the glorious journey that the Redeemer will take, guiding humanity back to where we truly belong: deep within the embrace of the most Blessed Trinity. Christ was sent by the Father with a vital mission—to save the entire shipwrecked human race! And now, after His Passion and Resurrection, that mission is triump...