Joseph Osho

  The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary  - Feast   Micah 5:1-4 Psalm 12(13):6-7 Matthew 1:1-16,​18-23 Today we joyfully celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our beloved spiritual mother! This special Feast Day has been cherished by the Church since around the sixth century, making it a rich tradition filled with love and devotion. According to tradition, Mary’s amazing parents, Anne and Joachim, had only one child—Mary herself—who would become a pivotal figure in our faith. Though we may not know much about Mary's early life before being chosen by God and marrying Joseph, her unwavering dedication and faithfulness shine brightly throughout her journey. Mary's entire existence is a testament to a life fully entrusted to God. Her incredible example not only plays a crucial role in our story of salvation but also inspires us to live our lives with purpose and passion. She teaches us that discipleship knows no limits, can inspire u...

  23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time  Wisdom 9:13-18 Psalm 89(90):3-6,12-14,17 Philemon 9-10,​12-17 Luke 14:25-33 In today’s gospel, we encounter a powerful truth: the call of Christ on our lives is incredibly profound—far beyond any earthly ties we may have. Jesus teaches us that if there’s a clash between our family connections and our relationship with Him, our allegiance to Him must reign supreme. This might seem daunting, but it’s not just hard—it’s the honest reality we must embrace!  In recent times, many have come to believe that family life is the ultimate blessing. And while it can indeed be a tremendous source of joy, stability, and a nurturing environment for our children’s faith, it’s important to recognize that it’s not the only path. Family life is a beautiful vocation, but it’s only one of many ways we can live out our faith.  With striking boldness, Jesus uses hyperbole to convey an unwavering truth: as disciples of the Son of God, He is our sovereign Lord...

  Saturday of week 22 in Ordinary Time  Colossians 1:21-23 Psalm 53(54):3-4,6,8 Luke 6:1-5 Today's Gospel selection is a powerful reminder of how Christ-like St. truly was on earth ! Imagine a world where the religious norms of Jesus’ time created an ironclad routine that every good Jew was expected to follow, no questions asked. In that world, plucking a few grains of wheat on the Sabbath was a major taboo, a big no-no, no matter how hungry or curious you were! When the religious leaders questioned Jesus' disciples about this innocent act, Jesus seized the moment to illuminate their blind spots. He brilliantly pointed out their failure to grasp what truly matters in God's eyes. From God's perspective, the most basic human needs take precedence over rigid rules. But let's bring this home to our fragile world today! So many people are clinging to stability, desperate to protect their version of the “My Way of Life,” sometimes resorting to extreme measures—violent or ...

  Friday of week 22 in Ordinary Time  Colossians 1:15-20 Psalm 99(100):2-5 Luke 5:33-39 It’s an exhilarating truth: human beings often resist change, a phenomenon echoed through the ages in countless proverbs and sayings, tracing back to the wisdom of ancient Rome and Greece. Even when our current circumstances aren't ideal, we find ourselves hesitant to embrace the new and unknown! Today’s Gospel offers a thrilling revelation as Jesus unveils the promise of something groundbreaking. He uses a vivid metaphor that would resonate deeply with his disciples and the people of his time. Imagine the scene: everyone understood the peril of placing new wine into old wineskins. The old wineskins, having stretched and stiffened over time, were simply not equipped to contain the bubbling vitality of new wine, which is still fermenting—growing and changing! Jesus reminds us that attempting to mix new teachings with our outdated ways of thinking can lead to chaos. He's beckoning us, challen...

  Thursday of week 22 in Ordinary Time  Colossians 1:9-14 Psalm 97(98):2-6 Luke 5:1-11 Truly, God’s ways are not always our ways. So get ready, because God’s ways are nothing short of astounding! His wisdom spins the cosmos, and we’re invited to partner with Him in this incredible journey! Picture today’s gospel passage: The crowds of eager listeners pressing in on Jesus, hungry for His words. But our Savior knows how to shake things up! He hops into a nearby fishing boat on the magnificent Lake of Gennesaret, ready to turn this into a miraculous moment. Then comes the twist—Jesus instructs Peter to venture into the deep waters and cast the nets. Can you feel the tension? Peter hesitates, recounting the long night with no catch, but then he takes a leap of faith and responds, “…if you say so, at your command I’ll lower the nets.”  And BAM! The result is staggering—a boat overflowing with fish! But that’s not all; it’s the divine call to leave everything behind and follow ...

  Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor Colossians 1:1-8 Psalm 51(52):10-11 Luke 4:38-44 GOD’S REIGN AND THE FLOURISHING OF HUMANITY God’s reign is alive and bursting forth wherever we are! Today, we discover this divine presence flourishing in the synagogue, in Simon's family home, and in the vibrant atmosphere of the evening air, where crowds desperately seek healing. Jesus' remarkable ministry journey takes him everywhere, offering no haven but an abundance of hope! The reign of God comes to life when evil is cast out and silenced! It breaks into our reality, banishing suffering and bringing relief. This dynamic interplay—silencing demons and lifting Simon’s mother-in-law from her fever, followed by the healing of many others—this is a powerful theme in today’s reading, inviting us to pause and reflect. When did God make a dramatic entrance into your life, ushering in healing and restoring what was broken, guiding you to live as you were meant to? Jesus is the embodiment of ...

  Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,​9-11 Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14 Luke 4:31-37 STAY STRONG AND BE CALM. TOGETHER WE CAN NAVIGATE THE TRIALS OF LIFE  Today’s first reading is a powerful letter from St. Paul, bursting with encouragement for the vibrant new community of Thessalonian Christians! He passionately reminds them to tackle the challenges of their time head-on, assuring them that no hardship can tear them away from Christ because they are truly “children of the light.” But that’s not all—he shares a vital message: “Stay alert and sober!” Be vigilant for God’s presence in every season and moment of life. And he calls them to action, urging them to “encourage one another and build each other up.” Together, they can navigate these trials, united as a strong and supportive community! Get ready to embrace this journey together! Near the end of Vatican Council II, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (“Gaudium et Spes”) was p...

  Monday of week 22 in Ordinary Time  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Psalm 95(96):1,3-5,11-13 Luke 4:16-30 Can you relate to distinguishing between what we truly need and what we want? It's a tricky lesson that we teach to kids, yet even as adults, we often find ourselves mixing the two up especially when we are rounding up the year. We think we know what will bring us happiness, security, or fulfillment, and we fervently wish for those things. But here's the catch: our wants don’t always align with our deeper needs. This tension was palpable for the Nazarenes when Jesus stepped into his hometown synagogue. After generations of longing for the promised Messiah, the Jewish people had faced exile, foreign dominion, and oppressive Roman rule. Naturally, their hearts yearned for a mighty king—a deliverer who would restore Israel’s honor and strength. That was the Messiah they envisioned. But then, startlingly, Jesus stood up to read from the prophet Isaiah, offering a radically different...