Joseph Osho

  Saint John Bosco, Priest  2 Samuel 12:1-7,​10-17 Psalm 50(51):12-17 Mark 4:35-41 In the Gospel, Christ calms the sea and asks the Apostles, “Why are you terrified?” and “Do you not yet have faith?” By this point, they’ve witnessed miracles and heard parables about the Kingdom of God. These questions stem from their disappointment and confusion, perhaps because they weren’t paying attention or didn’t understand. As ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and farmers, they were distracted or lacked understanding, only grasping the message after Pentecost. Today’s Gospel ends with them still trying to figure it out, awe-struck by Jesus’ power. The spiritual life is a journey of reflecting on how God helps us. What questions is Christ asking you? What do you want to ask Him? Have you figured it out? 

  Friday of week 3 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 11:1-4,​5-10,​13-17 Psalm  50(51):3-7,10-11 Mark 4:26-34 In today’s Gospel, Jesus employs the metaphor of the mustard seed to illustrate the gradual development of faith. The mustard seed possesses the potential to grow into a large tree, providing a resting place for birds of the air. Faith matures through quiet, humble patience. Do you permit God’s word to cultivate fruitfulness in your life? Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves daily to embody the virtues of faith, patience, charity, wisdom, and humility.  

  Thursday of week 3 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 7:18-19,​24-29 Psalm 131(132):1-5,11-14 Mark 4:21-25 In today’s gospel, Jesus warns against hiding a lit lamp under a bushel, basket, bed, cellar, or secret place (hiding it under the bed seems especially dangerous). Mark 4:21; Matthew 5:15; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33. Today's reading from Mark suggests we should place our lamp so it illuminates all around us. We must let Christ's light shine in our lives, guiding us with wisdom, peace, and hope. Those who stay in darkness have nothing but more darkness, unable to see hope. Choosing to remain away from God, who is light, keeps us buried in sin, but God tries to reveal our faults to bring us into His light. The decision to accept or reject this is ours. Studying God’s word—not just to memorize but to gain His infinite wisdom—helps us understand how to live by biblical stories of good people. This exposes us to a bright light that cannot be extinguished, illuminating others around us. W...

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor  2 Samuel 7:4-17 Psalm 88(89):4-5,27-30 Mark 4:1-20 Today we celebrate Saint Thomas Aquinas, an influential Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. His teachings combine scholarly work with practical advice on virtues like prudence, wisdom, and humility. He advises listening willingly, seeking diligently, responding prudently, and meditating attentively to grow in wisdom. Aquinas emphasizes knowing when to speak and when to keep quiet, highlighting humility as vital for living a Christian life. We often find it easier to be impetuous, dismiss wiser advice, and cling to pride rather than admit faults and seek forgiveness. Wisdom and humility strengthen us, as expressed in scripture: ‘I prayed, and prudence was given me,’ and ‘Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’ Let us daily renew our commitment to these virtues. Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!

  Tuesday of week 3 in Ordinary Time  2 Samuel 6:12-15,​17-19 Psalm 23(24):7-10 Mark 3:31-35 BE ROOTED IN GOD’S LOVE  What is the core of being a Christian? It extends far beyond doctrine, precepts, and commandments. Primarily, it is a relationship—one founded on love, obedience, trust, compassion, kindness and numerous other qualities that foster mutual love and unity. God offers us the most profound relationship—a union of heart, mind, and spirit with Himself, the very source and origin of love (1 John 4:8,16).  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit form a community of love. This is why Jesus challenged His followers, including His own earthly relatives, to acknowledge that God is the ultimate source of all relationships. God desires for all our relationships to be rooted in His love.

  Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops  2 Timothy 1:1-8 Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10 Mark 3:22-30 Fan up the flame As a Pharisee, Paul was a dedicated Jewish worshiper and later a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Initially, he persecuted believers, but after his transformation, he became an enthusiastic apostle to the gentiles. Today, we honor two of his key converts—Timothy and Titus—who were the next generation of Christians; Timothy served as bishop of Ephesus, and Titus of Crete. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were faithful Jewish women who lovingly taught him the Old Testament scriptures. They saw Paul preaching, healing, and enduring persecution. Paul wholeheartedly believed in Jesus. Paul’s sacrifice inspired them to follow his path—dying to self and allowing Christ to shine through. They embraced, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This devotion and passion should be our greatest goal. We too have the Holy Spirit within us as part of God's family—one flock under on...

  3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,​17 Matthew 4:12-23 WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST-OUR LIGHT…GIVE PRIORITY TO GOD’S WORD When tribes unite, there will be peace. In Isaiah, darkness symbolizes sin; but the promise of light signifies happiness and peace through turning to the Messiah and embracing His good news. Today’s first reading links the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali—facing struggle from Assyrians and near Gentiles—to Jesus' ministry. His purpose is to bring light to darkness by uniting tribes and exiles, symbolized by the 12 apostles representing the 12 tribes as seen in today’s gospel highlights the call of the disciples. Despite differences in gospel details, the core message is that responding to God’s call is essential to being a disciple and also strengthen the bonds of Christian unity.  Jesus' message to Simon and Andrew was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," echoing John the Baptist's cal...

  Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor  2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27 Psalm 79(80):2-3,5-7 Mark 3:20-21 Jesus is surrounded by eager followers who press into the house so tightly that He and the disciples cannot even eat. In Mark's account, His family worries about His lack of self-care, but He dismisses their concern. This is not the first time Christ rejected caring attempts; as a child, He told His parents, "Do you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?" We have often ignored advice and pleas from loved ones and Your voice, Lord. Now, we realize You try to guide us away from false happiness and toward You. As the New Year begins, we remember that when we feel out of balance or stuck, we need to listen to You. Lord. As we listen to you, let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved.

  Friday of week 2 in Ordinary Time  1 Samuel 24:3-21 Psalm 56(57):2-4,6,11 Mark 3:13-19 In today’s first reading, we witness an incredible scene: Saul is on a relentless quest to find and kill David, only to find himself resting in the same cave where David hides. David faces a powerful temptation to seek revenge but chooses restraint. This moment highlights the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, showing that even in the face of danger, peace can prevail. Saul responds with gratitude, asking for forgiveness—prompting us to examine how often we hold grudges or choose reconciliation in our lives. The gospel then turns to an exciting moment: Jesus appoints the twelve apostles, calling us all to share in the mission of love, forgiveness, and peace through our words and actions. We are empowered to lead others into a closer relationship with God and one another. We are Christ’s hands and feet in today’s world. What acts of love, forgiveness, and peace will you demonstrate t...