Monday of the 13th week Year C. The martyrs of Rome. Mt 8:18-22

Monday of the 13th week Year C. The martyrs of Rome. Mt 8:18-22

The Gospel of today invites us to be true witnesses. As we celebrate the martyrs of Rome, we look at those men and women of faith who particularly gave their lives under the persecution of Emperor Nero. Christianity is a religion of love. This love is costly. Christians are to realize day after day, the power of faith, the importance of love for others, and the enduring strength that we find within the community of believers. The stories of the martyrs of Rome, demonstrate the transformative impact of the Gospel in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage to willingly sacrifice their lives for their faith. A true Christian witnesses God's truth, mercy, compassion and love at all times.

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges sac

Immaculate heart of Mary.

Immaculate heart of Mary. 

"Mary kept all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:19). Through the celebration of the Immaculate heart of Mary, we learn like Mary, to prioritize God's word in our lives. Jesus himself invites us to hear his word and keep it (Luke 11:28). Like Mary, we resolve to turn our lives totally to do the will of God. For St. Louis Marie de Montfort, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is a crucial path to Jesus Christ.  Because of her "fiat", Mary, is for us, believers, the perfect model of love and devotion to God. Souls seeking union with God may do this through total consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ez. 34:11-16;

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ez. 34:11-16;

The Shepherd Heart's

In his Encyclical, "Dilexit Nos," Pope Francis describes the heart as the core of a person's being, the seat of emotions, desires, and important decisions, and a place of sincerity and love. The heart reveals our true identity.

In celebrating the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, we would like to open our hearts that welcoming heart, heart of love, and compassion that Seeks out the lost, brings back the strayed, heals the sick, forgives all sinners, and restores the broken hearted. Today, we are reminded that every one of us has a special space in Jesus' sacred heart, which reflects the true meaning of Christianity.

St. John Vianney used to say: "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus." To be a Christian is to have the Shepherd's heart like Jesus. May God heal our hearts!

Sacred of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Fr. Georges sac

Thursday of the 12th week, Year C. Genesis 16, 1-12.16: Ps. 105; Mt.7:21-29

Thursday of the 12th week, Year C. Genesis 16, 1-12.16: Ps. 105; Mt.7:21-29

God's time is the best

In Chapter 15, God made a covenant with Abraham. As the promise delayed to be realized, he preferred to listen to his wife Saraì and decided to have a child with his his maidservant, Haggar. This often happens to all of us to lose patience and to seek quick and human solutions for our problems. Very often, such quick solutions have drastic end results. We are invited to learn to be patient with God, whose time is always the best. Let us build our lives on very solid foundations as advised by Jesus in today's gospel. The word of God is that solid foundation. When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen for you. Stop worrying! Have faith in God's promise. He can never fail.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday of the 12th week Year C. Mt. 7: 15-20

Wednesday of the 12th week Year C. Mt. 7: 15-20

Beware of false prophets.

Jesus is saddened at how easily we can be led astray by false teachings. False prophets and their doctrine are dangerous. 1)They are deceptive. The Holy Scriptures say: “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11;14). 2)They are divisive and confusing because that is the aim to cause divisions and confusion. Finally, false doctrines are destructive as they twist the message of truth. Let us be careful of false prophets as well as their teachings. Beware of false prophets for they do not only preach false doctrine but they also give us false hope and an illusory future. Lord help us to know your true voice!

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

The solemnity of the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1:57-80

The solemnity of the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1:57-80

You are not forgotten!

Except for Jesus our Lord and the Blessed Virgin, John the Baptist is the only Saint whose birth is celebrated in the Catholic Church. From John the Baptist’s life story, we can learn so many lessons, such as obedience to God, humility, courage, witnessing to God and making him the center of our gospel message and of our life. Have you ever thought of the great lesson that we all should learn from John's miraculous conception and birth, despite his parents' advanced age! Elizabeth, the barren, has conceived. God has a plan for each individual's life.  He remembers even those who feel that they have been forgotten. Do you feel as if God has forgotten you? Remember, you are the Elizabeth of our time. What man cannot do! God can do it!

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Monday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Mt. 7:1-5

Monday of the 12th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Mt. 7:1-5

Stop judging that you may not be judged. The word judgement could mean both “to discern” and “to condemn.” More often, we use the second meaning and we take over God's prerogative by condemning others. Jesus, instead, is inviting us to practice self-reflection and humility. By teaching that we'll be judged by the same standard we use to judge others, he encourages compassion over condemnation. St. Benedict, in his rule, invites us as he did for his monks to focus on self-improvement: recognize our own flaws and wrongdoings, not dwelling on other's shortcomings, avoid destructive and harmful talk or gossip and excessive criticism based judgmental attitudes. St. Benedict insists rather in the spirit of love and understanding towards those who face difficulties. Stop judging would truly mean avoiding creating a circle of negativity but rather promote charity, compassion, and truth.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 11th week year C. 2 Cor. 12:1-10. Mt. 6:24-34

Saturday of the 11th week year C. 2 Cor. 12:1-10. Mt. 6:24-34

God's love is sufficient

In today's first reading, St. Paul describes the vision he received, followed by a "thorn in the flesh" that God refused to remove because God's power is made perfect in weakness. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Having God is enough. He cares about us. Jesus asks us in the Gospel, not to worry but he would like us to become aware of God's providential love and care for each of us. Christian's trust in God's providence is not an invitation to irresponsibility but an invitation to live a life of hope, free from worries, fears, and anxieties. Our trust in God does not cancel hardships and problems, but it transforms them. Make the kingdom of God your priority, and you will the peace of heart!
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Thursday of the 11th week, Year C. Mt. 6:7-15

Thursday of the 11th week, Year C. Mt. 6:7-15

Speaking to God

Our best way to speak to is through prayer. By teaching us how to pray, Jesus insists that we should not babble like the pagans but pray with sincerity, as God knows our needs before we ask. What matters is not the length of our prayer but the depth of our hearts.

Our prayer should be sincere so that it would lead us to a deeper relationship with God. Prayer is the best way we talk to God to thank him, to praise him and to ask for our needs. Prayer is a process of transformation and change of our hearts. (Anthony de Mello)

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday of the 11th week year C. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-8

Wednesday of the 11th week year C. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-8

Our Motivations matter

External acts of piety are good within our Christian community, but they are better if we do them with sincerity, not to impress others. God sees through our hearts, and he rewards each of us according to our hearts. Vincent Pallotti reminds us that the motive of our actions should always be the glory of God, the salvation of souls, and our own sanctification. Christian life is neither a performance nor an entertainment, but sanctification. Our prayer, our fasting, and our almsgiving should always be for God's glory and our sanctification. 

Fr. Georges sac

Jesus I trust in you!

Tuesday if 11th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5: 33-38

Tuesday if 11th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5: 33-38

Love your enemy

Christian's love is called to be perfect just because God's nature is love (1 John 4:18). If for the Jewish, the neighbor is the fellow Jew whom they should love (Leviticus 19:18), for Jesus, the love of neighbor should be extended to the neighborhood. That's why we are "the salt of the earth"(Mt 5: 13). True love extends kindness and forgiveness to people who actively oppose and harm us or our family. This is a difficult task that can only be possible through divine grace and prayer. Love and forgiveness bring us closer to our divine nature. The love of the enemy makes us perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Mother Theresa believes that, such a love is possible when we begin to see even the unloved as children of God.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac.

Monday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. 1 Kings 21:1-16; Ps. 98; Matthew 5:38-42.

Monday of the 11th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. 1Kings 21:1-16; Ps 98; Matthew 5:38-42.

Love transforms us

Jesus teaches us about turning the other cheek, non-violence, non-retaliation and generosity, even towards those who are evil. St. John Chrysostom understands this as an opportunity to demonstrate love, forgiveness, and a desire for reconciliation.  This does not mean to ignore injustices or the pains caused to us, but to respond with a transformative love. Love and mercy always win. By choosing love, we choose to break the circle of violence and hatred. In the first reading from 1 Kings 21, King Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard and the subsequent evil actions of his wife, led to Naboth's death. We are warned against greed as it leads to violence, lies, division and crime. Let’s choose to live in the power of love that transforms us!

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 10th week in ordinary Time C. Matthew 5:33-37

Saturday of the 10th week in ordinary Time C. Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus reminds me of the sacrament or the power of our words. Christians are meant to be men and women of integrity. Live aligned with God. Let your "Yes" be "Yes" and your "No" be "No." There should be no dichotomy between what we say and what we do. A life of truth testifies to our faithfulness to God, our Creator. Our words and actions should be the reflection of our Christian values. Let's be true to ourselves and to others.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Memorial of St Anthony of Padua. 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Mt. 5:27-32

Treasure in earthen vessels

Brothers and sisters, St. Paul describes the privilege of being Christ's messengers. Though we are earthen vessels, we hold the treasure that the surpass every human power. All credit and honor belong to God, not to us. Christians are under God's guidance and protection. We are afflicted in every way but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. As Christians, we already experience death and resurrection in our daily lives. Our power is not from us but from Christ.

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac

10th week in Ordinary Time , 2 Cor 3. Mt. 5:20-26

10th week in Ordinary Time , 2 Cor 3. Mt. 5:20-26

Today's liturgy focuses on God's mercy, compassion, and the importance of living a life worthy of His grace. Christ has unveiled his glory to us. We are encouraged to repent and to begin a new life of unwavering faith in God's righteousness and forgiveness towards others.
I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus invites us to transform our hearts and to live a holy life.
The goal of our life is indeed the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday of 10th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5;13-16

Tuesday of 10th week in ordinary Time C. Mt. 5;13-16

Salt and Light

Jesus, in today's Gospel, likens his disciples to salt and light. "You are the salt of the earth... you are the light of the world. The salt, in ancient times, salt was essential for flavoring food, preserving it, and was also a disinfectant. Christians are that "salt," that is, those agents of positive change, who bring the flavor of Christ's love, preserve it in a world that can often feel stale or decaying.
By shining in the world by their words and deeds, Christians become that light that dispels the darkness of the world. So we are the light of the world.

Fr. Georges sac
Jesus I trust in you!

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. John 19:25-34

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
John 19:25-34

Woman, behold, your son

By entrusting John to Mary, and Mary to John, Jesus was designating Mary as the spiritual mother of all Christians. Although, literally Jesus wanted John, the beloved disciple to take care of Mary, ensuring her well-being after his death, Jesus was referring more of Mary as the Mother of the new family, the Church. Mary's new role as the mother of the Church would be her constant intercession for all believers. As Jesus was a gift of God to us through Mary, Jesus wanted Mary to be his gift to us through John the beloved disciple.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:20-25

Lord what about him

Peter is concerned about what will happen to the beloved disciple. But Jesus is very with Peter. Each one has his own mission. We should avoid jealousy, competition, and comparison in the church. Every calling is unique and important. What matters is our faithfulness to Christ. Jesus should always be our purpose and our destination.
Come Holy Spirit!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Friday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:15-19

Friday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 21:15-19

Follow Me

This is the meaning of discipleship. Jesus invites every human being to Follow Him in order to be conformed to Him. At all times, the Apostle Peter, serves as an example. Peter’s interior transformation was a conversion of heart that resulted in his recommitment to follow Christ, even after Jesus foretold his martyrdom. Peter’s experience was “one of those sorrowful outpourings that impoverish us but are ultimately profitable because they show us our powerlessness and oblige us from then on to trust exclusively in God’s mercy and faithfulness” (Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom, 100).

Jesus, I trust in you

Thursday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:20-26

Thursday of the 7th week of Easter. C. John 17:20-26

Prayer as a sign of communion.

When we pray, do we think of others first? Jesus spent time praying for his disciples. Praying for others is the highest sign of love and respect. No wonder Mother Theresa viewed prayer for others as a powerful tool for spreading love and bringing peace into the world. I strongly believe that if we pray for others and act well towards them, the face of the earth will be renewed.
Praying for others heals our divisions and breaks the walls that separate us.
Come Holy Spirit!

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac