Saturday, December 30, 2923. Sixth day in the octave of Christmas. 1 John 2:12-17; Luke 2:36-40

Christian's Victory

At Christmas, we experience God's mercy on everyone. In Jesus and through his blood, we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. This is already the victory love over evil as Emmanuel enters humanity.

Saint John invites us to be faithful to Jesus and his word. We must live according to divine will, avoiding the obstacles that the world places before us. For this, we need to live according to the spirit of Christ every day of our lives. According to the prophetess, Anne, we must lead a life of fasting, prayer, and total service to God. Thanks to the love of Christ, we already have victory, and we can get up every day and learn to sow love, forgiveness, and joy around us!

 Give us the Lord, the grace of victory  over   the lust of the flesh and the addiction for the world. 

Father Georges sac

Daily reflections, December 28, 2023. 1John 1:5-2,2; Ps123; Matt 2:13-18. The holy innocents, Martyrs

Herod will seek to destroy the child!

Because of jealousy, envy, fear, insecurity and his selfishness, Herod, who represents the dark forces, Satan and his proxies, will demand the massacre of all boys from 0 to two years old. Because of the reasons today, Herod continues to massacre God's children. Through wars to conquer or preserve power, to ensure control of mineral resources, to have a position of power or promotion in a service, to remain the beneficiary of a bank account, land, 'a social climb, a marriage. Herod continues to wreak havoc in our societies today: The crisis in the South-West and North-West speaks to us; the recent massacres in Nigeria; the millions of people who continue to perish in Congo; the genocide that took place in Rwanda; the Israel Palestine’s war, the war going on in Ukraine... All this shows that we are not yet able to live as children of the light and that we do not yet accept Jesus as our King who must reign over us! The murder of the Innocents by Herod in his attempt to kill the newborn king demonstrates our refusal to welcome God and live according to the values of his kingdom. However, we are invited to understand that despite the constant presence of the forces of darkness, we must believe in God to the point of dying for him. So let us remain in fervent prayer because Herod still seeks to kill the child!

May the holy Innocents pray for us! And may the angel who appeared to Joseph be there for you, especially in times of danger and peril!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Tuesday in the Octave of Christmas. Saint Stephen, first martyr

Acts 6:8-60; Ps30; Mt10:17-22

Stephen, a witness of Christ!

Stephen was the first deacon and the first martyr of the Church. He was stoned to death by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem under the approving gaze of Saul (the future Saint Paul, apostle of the Gentiles). Stephen, under the power of the Holy Spirit, manifests through his predictions and his wonders his faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. The forgiveness he offers to his executioners identifies him with his Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. He already fulfills through his martyrdom the words of Christ who recalls that his disciples will be delivered up and betrayed for having believed in him. Indeed, Stephen by committing his spirit into the hands of the Lord, testifies that there is no reason to worry, because for all who believe and bear witness to Jesus, victory and eternal life are assured. Yes, to those who persevere in their faith, the heavens are indeed open.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Father Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Daily Reflections, December 23, 2023.

Setting his people free

Zachariah proclaims that God “has come to his people and set them free.” Freedom is the reason for Christ. It is what God always wants to do. He hates the fact that we’ve become enslaved by sin and fear, and accordingly, he wants to liberate us. The central event of the Old Testament is an event of liberation from slavery. We are, as sinners, enslaved to our pride, our envy, our anger, our appetites, our greed, our lust—all of which wrap us up and keep us from being the people that we want to be.

Lord set me free from any form of slavery of sin.

O Mary conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee

Fr Georges sac

Daily Reflections December 22, 2023. 1 Sam1: 24-28; 28. Luke 1:46-56.

My soul glorifies the Lord

The most powerful response to God is gratitude. Grateful are hearts of faith. Anna, who was barren, comes back to Shilo to offer Samuel to the Lord. The Blessed Virgin Mary magnifies the Lord for his goodness. Being grateful can change our lives.

Be grateful for what you have, be grateful for the people around you, and stop complaining. Paul and Silas were unjustly put in prison, but because of gratitude and for not complaining, God made an earthquake that shook the prison, and even the jailer was converted and born again.

Be grateful, and you will be able to turn even the worst situation into an opportunity and your mess into a message.

Happy Friday!

Fr. Georges sac

Reflection of December 18, 2023. Jer 22:5-8; Matt 1:18-24.

Joseph's "Yes"

Today we turn to the book of the prophet Jeremiah which was written in 605 BC. Today we are told that a descendant of King David will reign as a true king. Jesus is announced. 

Our gospel text tells us how Joseph and Mary came to be together and the dilemma Joseph had when he discovered Mary was already pregnant. We have in the text the Annunciation to Joseph in which it is said that this child is not an ordinary child but one who will save people from their sins. Being a man of faith, Joseph heeds the dream and takes Mary as his wife. Joseph’s “yes” to God is the one we are called to have in our lives. 

Dear  St. Joseph teach me how to say yes to God.  

Fr Georges sac

Daily Reflections, 14 December 2023. St John of the Cross. Isaiah 41 :13-20 ; Ps 145 ; Mt 11 : 11-15.

God, our Redeemer

When you feel lost, lonely, abandoned, afraid of what the future might be, this passage of Isaiah must become your guide. The Lord says to you, “I the Lord your God, hold your right hand”. “Fear not, I will help you” The Lord our God promises to send us the Redeemer, the Comforter, the God who will change our lives forever. This is the Good news that all the prophets up to John the Baptist have announced. Like John the Baptist we all have an important role to play for the edification of the kingdom of God and the proclamation of the Good news. God is coming to set us free and to guide us! This might not be easy to keep especially when adversities arise, but our Faith will save us. No wonder St. John of the Cross says, “Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.”

St John of the cross, Pray for us!

Daily Reflections, December 13, 2023. Is 40: 2531; Ps 102; Mt 11:28-30. St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.

As we celebrate St Lucy, whose name means light is the patron saint of blindness. In her twofold sacrifice of virginity and martyrdom, we indeed acknowledge the power of God who has no equal in creation. St Lucia torture by Diocletian because of her deep faith helps us to look on God as our sole consolation and peace! Jesus takes very seriously our problems, our burden of sins and sufferings; He is able to and abundantly able to solve our problem and he invites to acknowledge him as the Son of God and our Saviour. By inviting us “come to me”, Jesus is boldly affirming sovereignty and his capacity to give us rest. Do you have any burden, come to Jesus! Like St Lucy, we must live our faith openly and without fear!      

May St Lucy help us to carry the light of Christ into our world!

Fr. Georges sac

Daily Reflections, November 12, 2023, Isaiah 40:1-11; Ps 96; Mt 18:12-14

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

The title of  our Lady of Guadalupe is among the most famous and widespread marital titles in the world. According to Antonio Valerino, the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, an American, at Mount Tepeyac, ordering him to build a church on that mountain. The virgin will confirm her match and her message to Mgr. Juan de Zummarage by printing her image on the Tilma and the exotic flowers that she had asked Juan Diego to make a collection even though it was winter time. On this day, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built on the hill of the apparition. We give thanks to God for St. Juan Diego who was canonized on July 31, 2002 by St. John Paul II, thus revealing the message of love and compassion of our Lady of Guadalupe and her promise to always come to the aid of humanity. Our Lady of Guadalupe repeats to you today the same words she said to Juan Diego: “My dear child… Where are you going? Know it and understand that I am “Your mother”, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and earth.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us!

Daily reflections, December 11, 2023. St Damascus, Pope.

Rise up and walk

We begin this new week with a note of hope from Isaiah 35 and from Luke 5 . God is coming to save his people. He is coming to remove the yoke of captivity and to lift us up from our impediments, limitations, and infirmities. 

The  thoughts and plans of the Lord towards us are the thoughts of peace and not evil; the plans to give us a better future (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬).

God is a God of life. He wishes above all things that we may prosper and be in health spiritually and physically (‭ 3 John‬1: 2). If he can make the dry land and the desert rejoice, he can equally rise you up from your spiritual and physical paralysis. We believe that all things are possible (Luke 18: 27). This God of all possibilities has the power to heal and destroy every barrier, limitation, every evil and curse, every spell, every yoke, every poison, and every sickness. 

So I declare to you today, stand up and increase, be on the move, and enjoy your status as a free child of God.

Let's cultivate the gift of faith and carry others in the stretcher of faith of the Church.

Fr. Georges sac

Hearts ready for God

Dear friends in Christ, during this Advent season, focus your preparation on embracing the Sacraments, particularly reconciliation/confession and the Holy Eucharist. Just as God tenderly guided the exiles in Isaiah 40, let us allow Him to navigate our spiritual journey, clearing the path for Christ's presence in our hearts: "Prepare the way for the Lord". As we reflect on today’s readings for the Holy Eucharist, we open ourselves to receive Christ—not only celebrating His historical birth but eagerly anticipating His glorious return. This calls for sound self-examination. May this Advent be a period of profound spiritual reflection and readiness, transforming our hearts into a warm dwelling for the Lord, who comes to us at Christmas and will return on the last day. Amen.

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Daily Reflections, 09 December 2023. Is. 30: 19-21. 23-26; Ps 146; Mt 9:35-10, 1.5a. 6-8

The God of Hope

The beautiful passage of Isaiah 30:19-21. 23-26 and today’s gospel, reminds me of another beautiful and powerful passage from Psalm 56:8: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? You keep track of all my sorrows.” Talking to people who were anxious and desperate, Isaiah invited his fellow-Jewish to talk to God for he would answer. He is a God of Commission and abundant mercy” (Psalm 86:15). The time of Advent is a reminder that our God hears when we cry out and delivers us from all our troubles (Psalm 34:17). Are broken hearted? The Lord is near you. Are you living in a deep situation of sin? The Lord has come to save you. Are you afflicted by anything? Know that the Lord is coming to deliver you!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Romans 15:13)

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

The immaculate conception; Gen 3:9, 15-20; Ps 97; Eph1, 3-6.11-12; Lc 1:26-38

Jesus saves us all including, Mary his Mother (Luke 1:44)

In the Catholic Church, four dogmas refer to Mary: 1) the Perpetual Virginity; 2) Divine Motherhood; 3) Immaculate Conception; 4) Assumption into Heaven. This feast is different from the virginal conception of Jesus. The immaculate conception is an expression of the Catholic faith. Mary was preserved by God from sin at the conception and throughout her life. Mary is not sinless by nature but by grace. Unlike Jesus who is sinless by nature as he is the God who created and redeemed his own Mother. Mary herself calls Jesus, her “Saviour” (Luke 1:47ff). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that she was “redeemed in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son” (CCC #492) The Virgin Mary is the most fully redeemed of all creatures. She is “fully of grace” (Kecharitomene) (Luke 1:28). Henceforth, she is an exception to the phrase: “for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s grace…” (Rom. 3:23). Pope Puis IX explains that this was “a single and unique privilege” for God even promised to put enmity between Satan and the Woman, that is Mary (Genesis 3:15). In Immaculate Conception of Mary, the focus is not Mary, but the perfect celebration of Jesus’ works of redemption in her. In the immaculate conception of Mary we see the fulness and the perfection of Christ’s redemptive work from the moment he made her. She is conceived without the stain of sin; she is full of grace from the moment she is conceived. Therefore she is the perfect instrument of Christ's redemptive works in our life for we need a mother to make it to heaven. Mary is the exemplar for us and the new creation as she is indeed the new Ark of the Covenant (Revelation 11: 19 ff). The immaculate conception is about God’s powerful grace to save humanity. It calls us to seek for holiness, to strive to be perfect as our Father is perfect. Whenever we live faithfully and virtuously, we raise up our fallen humanity. I pray that like Mary, you will be a “better Eve” of obedience and faithfulness to God. Eve chased us away from the garden due to her disobedience but Mary brought us back to the garden through her obedience. Queen conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee! May we all strive to have immaculate hearts, hearts ready for God; hearts that listen to God's word; hearts that are opened to accomplish God’s plan.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee

FR. Georges sac

Daily Reflection, 07 December 2023. Is. 26:1-6; Ps 117; Mt 7 : 21. 24 – 27

St Ambrose of Milan

Wise or foolish builder !

If we do not live out the Word of God we hear on a daily basis, then we would be resting on a weak foundation (sinking sand), heading for a spiritual collapse in times of adversities, trials, tribulations, etc. We must put God’s word into practice, then we are building upon Christ, the Solid Rock. The first reading Isaiah 26, speaks of a strong city which the Lord will build. Whenever we act on God’s word, we become wise builders, the strong city built upon the solid rock. As we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ in this Advent season, we pray to remain firmly established on the Word of God and Christ the Rock of our salvation. (Psalm 62:6-8). Indeed, if our life is rooted in Christ, the Rock, we become strong, steadfast, consistent and not shaken. Are you wise  or a foolish builder?

Lord, strengthen my foundation!

Daily Reflections December 06, 2023. Is. 25:6-10; Ps 23; Mt15:29-37. St Nicolas

The Messianic banquet

The prophet Isaiah continues to console us and to bring us hope. Our tears will be wiped away and  death will be destroyed forever. Yesterday, he reminded us that the Advent season is a time to prepare for the arrival of the reign of the Messiah. Today, he speaks about the heavenly banquet or Messianic banquet, where the christian faithful, in particular the martyrs, go following heaven. This indeed the imagery of the Eucharist which is an anticipation of the new heaven. Jesus gives himself to us at the table of the Eucharist (Holy mountain), which is symbolised by the multiplication of loaves and the fish. The Eucharist is the self-giving of God, who is generous and compassionate. “ I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me for three days, and have nothing to eat.” (Mt 15: 32) In the Eucharist, we celebrate the Victory of God for nations through Christ, who had conquered sin and death. In the Eucharist, Christ feeds us; he heals us from all our iniquities. Christ in the Eucharist shares his very life with us, changes and transforms us. He gives us hope to celebrate the eternal banquet in heaven with his Father. Every Eucharist is a manifestation of God’s love for us!

May every eucharist celebrated today bring you healing body, mind and spirit. Through them, may every tear be wiped away from your eyes!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

Daily Reflections December 05, 2023. Is. 63:16-63, 2b-7; Ps 79

The Messianic era at home!

Isaiah, the prophet of hope, prophesied the messianic era that means the moment where the kingdom of God’s justice, righteousness and peace will prevail. That is the era of Jesus Christ the anointed Son of God on whom God’s spirit of wisdom will dwell. Isaiah in an allegorical fable. Isaiah describes the era when true love and righteousness will be at home with the people. The area where the wolf, that is the powerful, the wicked, the greedy, the mighty will dwell with the lamb, that is the weak, the poor  and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and lion playing with a little child leading them. The messianic era is that very moment that the world would truly accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. Christ becomes the reference and the goal of our existence, the solutions to our problems. The messianic era is that very era whereby, nations are no longer exploiting others, every human being is threatened not as a means or an object, but as an end as an a subject; where our relationship with God matters than any other thing and heaven is our raison – d’etre, that is the Messianic era at home.    

Father God, you so loved the world that you gave us your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, help us to open our hearts and minds to welcome

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

Daily reflections, December 01, 2023. Dan7: 2-14; Lk21: 29-33

His Word is Eternal 

The prophet Daniel today, speaks of "one like the son of man, coming on the clouds of heaven." This is an image that Our Lord used of Himself in His teaching. He is true God and true Man who gives us salvation. To Him belongs all powers, honor and glory forever and ever Amen.

In our Gospel text, Jesus speaks to the disciples about how people are able to read the signs of the seasons. In the same way, these signs will indicate that the kingdom is near and that although people may die, the words of Christ will never pass away. We welcome in our hearts the one whose words are eternal. 

Fr. Georges sac

Daily Reflections, November 29, 2023. Dn 2:31-45; Ps 49; Lc 21:5-11.

The Bible records three important moments where God writes visibly. In Deuteronomy 9:10, where he writes on two stone stables to give the law to men; In Daniel 5:5, 24-28, where he writes on a wall and finally, Jesus on the ground to resolve the question of the woman caught in the crime of adultery (John 8:3-11). In this chapter 5 of the book of Daniel, Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, has just desecrated the sacred vessels brought from the Temple in Jerusalem by his father. During the banquet a hand writes on the wall: “You have been weighed in the scales and you have been found too light.” According to the divine interpretation that God gave to Daniel, this is the fall of King Belshazzar and the kingdom of Syria. God sees all our actions and he writes on the wall of our lives every day. Yes, our faith in Jesus and our actions, good or bad, determine our fall or our rising and our happiness.

Fr Georges sac

Daily Reflections November 28, 2023. Dn 2:31-45; Ps 49; Lc 21:5-11.

Nothing permanent on this earth

Nebuchadnezzar, the great Babylonnian, wealthy and powerful king has a traumatizing dream of a glorious statue. Its head is made of pure gold. Chest and arms of silver. Belly and thighs of bronze. Legs of iron. Feet partly iron and clay (vv. 31–33). Then a rock, not made by human hands, cut and smashed the statue at the feet of iron and clay and the whole thing came crashing down. The world is made with all kinds of kingdoms and kings, these include the weak, the rich and the strong, the mixed  and the antichrist just like Nebuchadnezar. No earthly power, no earthly kingdom and king, no matter how powerful and great, it might be, is eternal. Nothing on this earth lasts forever. As beautiful as it is, the temple of Jerusalem will not be eternal.  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:33)The Rock, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings who has dominion over all things will destroy all evil kingdoms. Let us be careful not to be led astray. There is only One Saviour, One Redeemer, One Lord and eternal King, Jesus Christ. Let us follow him and give God the glory for evermore!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac

Daily Reflections November 25, 2023. 1Mc 6: 1-18; Ps 49; Lk 20:27-40. St. Catherine of Alexandria

Heaven, a Home in its own kind

Today’s gospel, responds to one of our daily preoccupations, what heaven looks like. Are you going to continue to do the same types of activities, marrying, getting married, eating and drinking and even dying? What will our lives become and to whom will we belong? Our God is not a God of the dead but of the living. This was Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees. This answer is valid for us as well as for all generations. After death, there is life because we belong to the God of love and of abundant life. That is the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob (Exodus 3). In death, our human customs, and habits disappear for we “become like angels” as Jesus said. Marriage and other physical activities all focus on loving God alone and “nothing not even death, can separate us from the love of God'' (Romans 8:31). So when we pass on we do not retain our earthly qualities that focus our attention on ourselves or other people ourselves, but God. Heaven is a different place with love and God as the only focus!  Lord, Help me to love heaven now by loving others just like how You love me and so that I may follow the attitude of Christ. Amen.                                                                                                                                                                                              

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac