Joseph Osho

  22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time  Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,​30-31 Psalm 67(68):4-7,10-11 Hebrews 12:18-19,​22-24a Luke 14:1,​7-14 HUMILITY ATTRACTS FAVORS  In this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Luke 14:1, 7-14), we witness a remarkable scene where Jesus finds Himself dining at the home of a prominent Pharisee. As He observes the guests jockeying for the best seats at the table, He powerfully illustrates a profound lesson through a captivating parable. The parable crescendos with an invitation that grabs our attention: “Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Every time I immerse myself in these transformative words, I discover that Jesus isn't just talking about status; He’s unveiling the beautiful reality of bein...

  Saturday of week 21 in Ordinary Time  1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 Psalm 97(98):1,7-9 Matthew 25:14-30 In today's gospel, we encounter a master who entrusts three servants with talents before embarking on his journey. Upon his return, he eagerly seeks to know what each servant has done with their precious gifts. Though the term "talents" originally refers to a measure of money, let's broaden our perspective! Each of us is blessed with unique talents, waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Think about it: what special talent do you possess? Have you taken the leap to develop it and share it with the world around you? Every day is a treasure trove of opportunities to showcase our talents! From displaying patience during traffic jams and spreading kindness in bustling shop lines, to empathizing with those who are less fortunate and caring for our planet—there are countless ways to shine. Let’s encourage one another to cultivate our skills and celebrate our individual strengt...

  The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist  1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Psalm 96(97):1-2,5-6,10-12 Mark 6:17-29 GOD’S WILL IS FOR US TO PERSEVERE ALL THE WAY TILL THE VERY END  Holiness isn't just for the Saints—it's a vibrant journey that everyone can embark on! In his inspiring Letter to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul boldly urges us to embrace holiness by “conducting yourselves to please God.” His passionate message highlights the importance of our interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to choosing a spouse or engaging with those around us. Consider the powerful figure of Saint John the Baptist, who passionately proclaimed the arrival of the Messiah while fearlessly confronting Herod Antipas about his scandalous marriage to his brother's wife. This fiery exchange serves as a wake-up call for Herod to reflect on how he relates to others. When pressured by his wife for the “head of John the Baptist,” Herod, wielding his power as king, succumbed to her demand. This...

  Saint Augustine, Bishop, Doctor  1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Psalm 89(90):3-4,12-14,17 Matthew 24:42-51 In Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians, we uncover a powerful message of gratitude that inspires joy! He asks, “What Thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?” This thought alone warms the heart and reminds us how meaningful it is to receive praise and thanks. In our busy lives, we sometimes overlook the incredible impact that a kind word or gentle gesture can have on those around us. The truth is, it doesn’t always have to be about us! Our loving Creator, God, showers us with unconditional love and encourages us to mirror that love and care, even to those we find challenging! Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians—and us—of God’s beautiful law of love for our neighbor: “Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and ...

  Saint Monica  1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Psalm 138(139):7-12 Matthew 23:27-32 CARING FOR OTHERS  For a great reason, many of us find ourselves gripped by fear when it comes to revealing our true selves. We carry scars that tell stories, we navigate disordered feelings, and we wrestle with petty desires. Disappointments and insecurities can loom large in our minds, leading us to believe that if anyone truly saw who we are, love would be out of the question. But here's the exhilarating truth: Jesus Christ sees us—our flaws, our brokenness—and still loves us fiercely! Just like Monica, who deeply understood the strengths and struggles of her son Augustine, we too can embrace this love. So why do we celebrate and respect everyone, regardless of how different they may be in thoughts or appearances? Because that’s precisely what Jesus exemplifies! Let’s take up this incredible challenge and mirror that love in our lives !

  Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time  1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Psalm 138(139):1-3,4-6 Matthew 23:23-26 WE ARE SINNERS , YET WE ARE DEEPLY LOVED BY GOD. In today’s gospel, Jesus isn’t holding back! He boldly calls out the scribes and Pharisees: “Woe to you, hypocrites! You scrub the outside of your cups and dishes, but inside they’re brimming with plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, clean the inside first, so the outside can shine too!” It’s a powerful reminder that true faith ignites within our hearts—it’s not about flashy rituals or pious displays. Those acts should reflect what genuinely lives in our hearts! Look around, and you’ll see plenty of self-proclaimed Christians behaving in ways that can only be described as “crude.” My father loved to use that word for actions that are both cruel and rude. It’s shocking to see someone flaunting a gold cross while hurling hurtful nicknames and calling others losers. Where’s the harmony between what’s inside and what’s outsid...

  Monday of week 21 in Ordinary Time  1 Thessalonians 1:1-5,​8-10 Psalm 149:1-6,9 Matthew 23:13-22 LOVE AND SERVE!  To love is the spark that ignites the fire of serving! Love lays the groundwork for our selfless acts, propelling us to reach out and uplift others. When we anchor ourselves in the profound love of God, we're naturally inspired to serve. God, who knows us intimately and loves us deeply, continually offers us the gift of His life. As we experience and cherish that love, we can’t help but share it, pouring out the abundant gifts of life that God has graciously bestowed upon us. Today’s Gospel from Matthew reveals a surprising and intense moment: Jesus, filled with righteous indignation, confronts the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees! These so-called religious leaders have lost sight of love in their service, becoming "blind guides." They drown people in a sea of words and complex rules, effectively "locking the Kingdom of Heaven" away from thos...

  21st Sunday in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalm 116(117) Hebrews 12:5-7,​11-13 Luke 13:22-30 NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, STEP THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR AND EMBRACE YOUR SALVATION! In the time of our Lord, the Jewish people—especially their leaders—held a profound belief that they were the cherished chosen ones of God. However, our Lord stepped onto the scene with a revolutionary message that shook their foundations. He boldly challenged the notion that the kingdom of heaven would simply be their exclusive domain. In today's gospel, He issued a striking warning: many will strive to enter, yet not all will succeed! And here’s the thrilling twist—individuals from every corner of the earth, from the east and west, from the north and south, will take their seats at the grand feast in the kingdom of God! Our Lord was on a mission to broaden horizons and elevate expectations. This extraordinary journey of expanding the kingdom didn’t stop with Him—it has been carried on b...