Saturday within 21st in ordinary time Year C. Mat 25:14-30

Saturday within 21st in ordinary time Year C. Mat 25:14-30

Do I fructify or hide my talents? My dear friends, through today's Gospel, we are invited to realize that every talent, every opportunity, every gift, and every blessing is meant to be shared. By multiplying our talents, we open a room for hope for others. This requires courage and faith that God's grace can turn even our little efforts into abundance. In a world shadowed by fear, doubts, and skepticism, our actions filled hope and faith become an enlightenment. There is an urgency of transforming hesitation into hope and fear itself to bold actions. So, today, dear friends, we are asked to trust God, take action after prayer, and we will be amazed by the final results. With the help of St. Augustine, we can conclude that, the faithful use of the divine gifts, regardless of their magnitude, leads to spiritual profit and a greater share in God's joy, whereas neglecting them results in spiritual punishment. So, fructify your talents!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Jesus, I trust in you

Friday within the 21st week Year C. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; Mark 6:17-29.

Friday within the 21st week Year C. 1 Corinthians 1:17-25; Mark 6:17-29.

Stand firm in your faith

Paul tells us that the "foolishness" of God is wiser than human wisdom. This is an appeal to focus on faith rather than worldly knowledge. That is why he insists that, "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). God's will invites us to walk toward sanctification.

It is such a faith that gave courage to John the Baptist, allowing his head to be shopped off. John, by his faith, stood strong in the midst of all threats and dangers. Fear did not control his life, but Faith guided him. While Herod's life was rooted in human approval, John's entire life was grounded on God's promises. We, too, whenever we anchor our faith in Christ, no fear, not evil can overthrow us.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Thursday within the 21st week Year C. Matthew 24:42-51

Thursday within the 21st week Year C. Matthew 24:42-51

Watchfulness for the day of the Lord is a constant and powerful reminder of the reality of the return of Christ. We are invited to examine whether our hearts and minds align with God's holy will. Being ready entails leading every day a life of charity, mercy, forgiveness, and integrity as required by Christ. It is another call to enter the narrow gate. Pope Leo XIV considers this call as an invitation to constantly be attentive to God's loving presence and to the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. Just as St. Augustine opened himself to God's love, may we open our hearts to live for God and to die for God and in God.

St. Augustine, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday within the 21-week Year C. Mt 23: 23-26

Tuesday within the 21-week Year C. Mt 23: 23-26

Sometimes, in our lives, we tend to focus on appearances and our external outlook. Yet, Jesus , in chapter 23 of Matthew Gospel, reminds us that what truly matters is the power of our interior life; it is our heart. Outside beauty must be motivated by inside purity. A shining cup filled with dirt can only serve for decoration.
True beauty begins in the heart and flows outside. Jesus is reminding us that Christian life is not just about avoiding sin but cultivation God's love and compassion in our daily lives. Christian way of life is not about performing rituals but portraying the divine love of Christ in our relationships with others. It is manifesting the heart to Christ to the world. This needs a true transformation of heart that leads to a genuine and authentic Christian life. For Jesus, our true beauty starts from within. It's rooted in Him, and it spreads to all people we encounter.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Monday of the 21st week year C. Mt 23: 13-22

Monday of the 21st week year C. Mt 23: 13-22

Jesus is inviting us through these woes against the Pharisees to live an authentic faith. He would like us to have faith that translates into actions. He is not worried about perfection in what we do or in whom we are but in our consistency of striving to become the person he wants us to be. I always believe that Jesus is not expecting of us to be flawless but to be real with our hearts and our faith so that he can help us by his grace to be a sign of our personal transformation and the transformation of others. 

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Friday of the 20th week Year C. Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 12:38-50

Friday of the 20th week Year C. Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 12:38-50

God's power of restoration
Through a vision, Prophet Ezekiel depicts the hopeless situation of the children of Israel as a valley filled with dry bones. What a powerful image of helplessness! However, behind this, there is a great message of hope. The Almighty God has immense power to bring restoration and new life, not just to a nation but to any situation that seems dead or hopeless in our lives. Lord, we need a breath of the spirit in our situations of life. We believe, whoever accepts to enter into Christ's new family, can experience the power of such a restoration.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac

Thursday of the 20th week year C. Mt. 20:1-14

Thursday of the 20th week year C. Mt. 20:1-14

The parable of banquet feast reveals the heart of the God who wants to see all in heaven. God has given the invitation of salvation to all. God's love is inclusive, and he so wished to see all partaking at his table. However, some of us can leave out due to our own early concerns. We, by doing that, exclude ourselves to God's loving plan to be with us in heaven. We truly need to change our hearts in order to correspond to this invitation so that we are not assimilated to that guest without the proper garment. To all of us Christ has provided a garment of salvation, let us wear it on.

Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday of the 20th week year c. Judges 9:6-15; Matthew 20:1-16.

Wednesday of the 20th week year c. Judges 9:6-15; Matthew 20:1-16.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard reveals God's overwhelming generosity. God's love has no limit. Anyone who comes to faith even later is to be rewarded equally with those who have served longer. " You too, come to my vineyard, and i will give you a fair wage." Although we might be choked at how God treated everybody equally, the main lesson of this parable is very encouraging. He is inviting us all without any discrimination. Mercy, indeed, is underserved love and forgiveness. This contradicts our human logic, which is shown in the first reading by the story of Abimelech, who was made king through violence and treachery.
God's kingdom is not about power, positions, and competition, but about God's loving mercy. God's grace is a pure gift avaible to us all.

Hail full of grace, pray for us sinners!

Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday of the 20th week year c. Judges 6:11-24a (BONUS)

Tuesday of the 20th week year c. Judges 6:11-24a

"Yahweh-shalom"

In Judges 6, 24, Gideon gives the above name to an altar he builds after encountering the angel of the Lord. "Yahweh-shalom" or Jehovah-Shalom, means "The Lord is Peace". Brothers and sisters in Christ,  

God is the source of peace, the provider of peace, especially in the midst of fear and oppression, turmoil and whenever we fill totally abandoned in the face strong worldly  powers. 

The context of the meeting of Gedeon with God's angel is exactly a context of hardship. Israel is experiencing oppression and fear under the Midianites, and Gideon himself is hiding in fear. What situation are you in? Terminal cancer illness, loss of job, falsely accused by the enemy, your marriage is breaking down, your vocation is shaking, your faith is wavering, your life is threaten by those who seem stronger than you. Here is the goodnews. The God of Gedeon is declaring "Peace be to you" By giving you this Scriptures this morning, the Lord would like to know that, He is the one who brings peace amidst turmoil. 

Yes, The Lord is with you. He has the ability to bring wholeness and tranquility. He is Yahweh-shalom. Do not worry about all external circumstances, God is the ultimate Source of your peace.

Yahweh-shalom". I declare peace unto you and your household. Amen.

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Jesus I trust in you!

Tuesday of the 20th week year C., Matthew 19:23-30

Tuesday of the 20th week year C., Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus came to inaugurate his Father's kingdom and in this passage of the Gospel, he is teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven and the challenges of wealth. It is difficult for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because wealth often blinds us. However when we learn to give up everything to follow Jesus, he promises to give us a hundredfold in this life and eternal. Dear friends, God's power is available to those who trust in him, even when they feel unworthy. How willing are we to make sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Fr. Georges sac

Monday of the 20th week Year C. Mat 19:16-22

Monday of the 20th week Year C. Mat 19:16-22

Jesus invites the rich young man to sell his possessions, to give to the poor, and to follow him. Jesus is challenging every individual believer who is exposing himself to attachments to wealth and materials to open up to charity. So many of us, in spite of our superficial devotion to God and external observance of the commandments, lack active charity. Lack of charity can cause sadness from within. When our possessions become a barrier to our spiritual growth, they equally become a potential hindrance to our salvation. We, too, can become like the rich young man whenever our priorities are not aligned with God's kingdom. That's indeed the true meaning of idolatry. How free am I in the face of material possession?

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges sac

Jesus I trust in you!

Saturday of August 19, 2025. Joshua 24:14-29; Ps16; Mat19:13-15.

Saturday of August 19, 2025. Joshua 24:14-29; Ps16; Mat19:13-15.

"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them." Children represent qualities like humility, trust, and dependence. God expects us to open our hearts to him like children. God does not invite us to immaturity and childishness but simplicity and readiness to learn. To enter the enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must have a childlike faith. Such a faith is constant choice to serve God completely and sincerely as Joshua and his household did in Joshua 24:14-29.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6; 1Cor15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6; 1Cor15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56

Heaven is our destiny

As we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we articulate the fact that Mary is an example for us all who will follow Christ. Paul tells us that,  Christ has been raised from the dead as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1Corthians 15:20).Mary, full of grace, is the woman clothed with the sun and with the moon under her feet,  who fulfills  first the promises of Christ to all believers. Like her, we must live in humility and faith, trust in God, and openness to God's will. Mary Assumption points out to heaven as the destiny of every believer. Therefore, as Christians, we should strive for holiness. We are citizens of heaven. Through Mary's Magnificat, we understand that God is the Alpha and the Omega of everything. So, we should lead a life of joy, gratitude, and a life of total service and surrender to God, just as Mary did. 

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!

Fr. Georges sac

August 14, 2025. St. Maximilian Kolbe. Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 17; Psalm 114; Matthew 18:21-19:1

August 14, 2025. St. Maximilian Kolbe. Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 17; Psalm 114; Matthew 18:21-19:1

The Israelites are crossing the Jordan River. The ark of the covenant carried by the priests leads the way. The Jordan, just like the red sea, split into two to allow the children of Israel to pass through on dry land. This shows the presence of God among His people. Hence, today's Psalm 114 celebrates God's mighty acts, particularly in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. God shows his faithfulness as he promised to Joshua. "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."(Joshua 1:5). We, too, should keep in mind God's faithfulness whose covenant lasts forever. Amen.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday 8/13, 2025 year C.Matthew 18:15-20

Wednesday 8/13, 2025 year C.Matthew 18:15-20

If your brother sins against you. What to do?

Fraternal correction is one of the highest expressions of love, and also one of the most demanding, because it is not easy to correct others. We have conflicts everywhere in our communities. To resorbe them as Christians, Jesus advise three different steps. We should do it in private. Approach the person in one to one because correction is not about humiliation but healing. Jesus advises us to go privately and gently.

If the first attempt does not work, we need to adjoint another person in showing our communautarian concern. The public approach, which consists of involving the Church community, which now is called to deepen the compassionate love of God. No matter the outcome, we should involve the dimension of prayer; personal prayer, and communautarian prayer. Let's choose the path of reconciliation and peace as Christ's disciples.

Fr. Georges sac

Monday of the 19th week year C. St. Clare. ; Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Matthew 17:22-27

Monday of the 19th week year C. St. Clare. ; Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Matthew 17:22-27

The purpose of life

Let's begin this new week by deepening the question that Moses asks the Israelites today's first reading. Children of Israel, what does God ask of you? The answer is to fear the Lord, to follow His ways, to love and serve Him with all their heart and soul, and keep His commandments. This response answers the daily question of why God made us. Our Christian life consists in seeking and corresponding to what the Lord, God is asking of us. St. Clare is given to us as an example, poverty, simplicity, and personal devotion to God.  God is expecting from each of us an indefectible relationship of love. Such a relationship is the source of true happiness. 

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 18th week Year. C. Mt. 17:14-20

The failure of the disciples to heal the young boy with epilepsy teaches us that our success does not rest on our skills and personal strength but on our deep faith and relationship with God. Faith in Christ can move mountains. It is important to pray for the increase of our faith than to pray for the improvement of our skills.  For with faith, nothing is impossible! Paul sums this up beautifully for us: " Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame" (Romans 5:3-4). Somebody said about faith like this: “Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way! Doubt sees the darkest night, Faith sees the day! Doubt dreads to take a step, Faith soars on high! Doubt questions, ‘Who believes?' Faith answers, 'I'." 

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Friday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Deut. 4:32-40, Mt. 16:24-28

Friday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Deut. 4:32-40, Mt. 16:24-28

Discipleship

Today, readings focus on remembering God's mighty works and embracing discipleship through self-denial and carrying one's cross. God's past faithfulness is the foundation for present obedience and future blessings. This begins by putting God's at the center by denying ourselves. Christ wants us to carry our cross in the context of our love and service for others. This is indeed a clear path to the imitate Him. That's why he invites us to follow him by allowing his footsteps to define our entire life. As Christians, we are called to love and serve those Christ Himself loved and served. We should remember we are not called to live for success but for sacrifice. The promise of God for us has never been a comfortable life but eternal life for all who believe.

Fr. Georges sac

Thursday 18th week C. Numbers 20:1-13; Ps 95 Matthew 16:13-23

Thursday 18th week C.
Numbers 20:1-13; Ps 95 Matthew 16:13-23

Faith calls for obedience

In today's 1st reading, we are in the desert. Moses and Aaron under the pressure of the people. Miriam has just died. The people lack water to drink. Moses and Aaron consult with God, who instructs Moses to strike the rock in order to produce water for the people. Out of doubt, Moses struck twice the rock. Moses did not follow God's instructions. He did not fully believe in God's word. Yet the Psalm 95 insists the importance of listening to God's voice and not hardening one's heart against him. Peter in the gospel invites us to profess our faith Christ, the Son of the living God.
Our obedience to God is capital in our journey of faith. No matter how simple God's instruction may appear, we must give it our obedience of faith.

Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac

The transfiguration of the Lord. Mark 9:2-10

The transfiguration of the Lord. Mark 9:2-10

Life is a package

Life is not like a movie that we watch on the screens. When you watch a movie, you can rewind and watch the interesting parts as many times as you like and skip the part you don't like. But in life, you go through all the scenes, the good, the bad, the sweetest and the ugly. What brings us comfort is that God is in all of them. From our birth to our death, God is always with us. Jesus himself, through this event of the transfiguration, is teaching us that we must embrace all stages of our life with confidence and faith. As the Word incarnate, he is the Beloved Son of God, who fulfills all the Law and the prophets. He will suffer the passion for us, and he will rise again in glory. With the transfiguration, we now understand that Jesus is not just a servant, a preacher, a prophet but the Savior. We must listen to him and follow him. Life is a full package, and God is in all the parts. 

 Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac