Joseph Osho

  Saint Jerome, Priest, Doctor  Zechariah 8:20-23 Psalm 86(87) Luke 9:51-56 I’ve read this Gospel time and again, each time captivated by the word ‘resolutely’ that captures Jesus’s fierce determination. He didn’t just move quietly; He charged forward with boldness and unwavering resolve! Jesus knew the time had come to leave behind what He had accomplished. His mission was calling Him to new places, igniting action! I can picture Him saying, “I’m going!” as the word of His journey spread like wildfire along the road ahead. Traveling can be a grind, we all know that—but imagine averaging 15 miles a day on foot while juggling your belongings! Meanwhile, His devoted disciples were out there hustling, spreading the news, and securing a warm welcome—a place to stay. The excitement in the towns must have been electric as many longed to see and hear Him in person. What if Jesus had the chance to pause and connect with us? The townspeople understood the balance of commitment versus r...

  Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels  - Feast   Daniel 7:9-10,​13-14 Psalm 137(138):1-5 John 1:47-51 In the vibrant tapestry of the Catholic faith, we encounter the amazing hierarchy of nine choirs of angels, each one more awe-inspiring than the last: starting from the humble Angels, rising through the mighty Archangels, and soaring to the regal heights of Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominions, Thrones, Cherubim, and finally, the blazing Seraphim!  Within the Church, we come together to celebrate the powerful archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, whose remarkable stories echo through the Old and New Testaments. Michael, whose name resonates with strength—“Who is like God?”—stands as our protector, ready to shield us with his might. We look to him in powerful prayers, calling upon St. Michael for divine protection. His epic battles against evil in the Book of Revelation are legendary! Then there’s Gabriel, the archangel of messages and enli...

  Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)   Amos 6.1, 4-7;  Ps 145;  I Tim 6.11-16;  Lk 16.19-31   Today's gospel, often called the parable of  "Dives and Lazarus", is well-known and popular.  For many people, it has a clear and attractive message: the poor go to heaven, and the rich go to hell.  Nice and simple!  And it would be foolish to deny that this element is there.  Our Lord clearly wanted to shake rich people out of any possible complacency.  We must also remember that it was a widely accepted Jewish belief that material prosperity in this world was a sign of God's approval.  If your business prospered, the Father of Israel was looking after you.  By contrast, Christ taught again and again that it was the dispositions of the heart, not external circumstances or observances, that put us on the side of the angels, and kept us there.     The parable is also a sharp reminder of the need to show co...

  Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest  Zechariah 2:5-9,​14-15 Jeremiah 31:10-12,13 Luke 9:43-45 Zechariah was the head of a priestly family Neh 12:16. In the Sacred scriptures, the eight famous visions of the night, he had were one of the foremost apocalyptic writing during the post-exilic era. Today’s first reading is the third vision. Just like Haggai the prophet, he was instructed by God to tell the remnant of Israel that God will restore Jerusalem and all nations will flow to it. There will be no fence for God is a wall of fire around it and its glory. This is also an anticipation of the heavenly Jerusalem. In today's Gospel, as Jesus goes up to Jerusalem together with his disciples, he revealed to them for the second time his passion and yet they did not understand the messianic knowledge, they were still yet to grasp fully the truth about his mission.  Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a ...

  Friday of week 25 in Ordinary Time  Haggai 1:15-2:9 Psalm 42(43):1-4 Luke 9:18-22 I absolutely adore the quiet and stillness of the morning! It’s in that serene moment that we can truly uncover our authentic selves. Just like in today’s gospel, where Jesus steps away from the chaos, he dives deeper into understanding his identity and mission. Can you feel the noise of the day looming? A whirlwind of voices is constantly vying for our attention, trying to shape our thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Even Jesus faced this! He turned to his disciples and asked, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The responses were wild: “Some say John the Baptist; others claim Elijah; still others think he’s one of the ancient prophets come back to life.” It’s so tempting to try to mold Jesus into our own image! I’ll admit it—I find myself wanting to shape others to see the world through my lens. Like many, I sometimes get caught up in the clamor that aligns with my desired narrative. With all the...

  Thursday of week 25 in Ordinary Time  Haggai 1:1-8 Psalm 149:1-6,9 Luke 9:7-9 COMPREHENDING THE TRUTH It can be all too easy to misjudge God and the incredible divine plan laid out for us! In the first reading from Haggai (1:1-8), we meet the prophet Haggai, who passionately points out that the returning exiles are caught up in their own lives, neglecting what truly matters—God's wishes! Haggai reminds them that while they enjoy their lavish homes, the House of the Lord lies in ruins. God calls on them to reflect on their lives and take action: gather materials and get to work on rebuilding the Temple!  Turning to the Gospel, we encounter Herod, a man who’s heard the buzz surrounding Christ’s presence. Despite witnessing countless miracles and powerful teachings, the people still miss the mark—they mistake Jesus for John the Baptist or a long-forgotten prophet! This challenges us, too! Who do we believe Christ is in our lives? Is He just a remarkable teacher preaching l...

  Wednesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time  Ezra 9:5-9 Tobit 13:2,4,6-8 Luke 9:1-6 In our first reading, we are blessed with Ezra’s stunning prayer, inviting us to turn away from our sinful past and embrace God’s incredible gift of kindness! One key Hebrew word we can’t overlook is “suv,” meaning “to turn.” It calls us to shift our gaze from life’s temptations to the glorious Face of God. The New Testament echoes this powerful theme with the Greek word “metanoia,” which urges us to change our minds and truly understand God and His kingdom!   In English, we have several captivating terms to express this transformation—conversion, repentance, and those profound afterthoughts about sin and God’s unwavering care for us! Sin is the utmost disaster we can face, and we must earnestly seek God’s healing and forgiveness. Even more importantly, we must turn our faces towards the brilliant Face of God, shining through Christ, who is the very image of the Father! We need to envision God...