Saturday of the third week in ordinary Time. Acts 9:31-42; John 6: 63c-68c.

The power of Christ's resurrection.

In today's readings,  we experience the effects of Christ, the one who has the words of eternal life. By rising from death, Christ's name has become the source of salvation for all believers. We see the effects of his resurrection. In the name of the risen Christ, Peter heals, Éneas a man of Lod, who has been paralyzed for eight years. The man rose up and began to make his own bed. We too can experience such healing today if we belive in Christ.

 In the same name of Jésus, the Apostle, Peter brought back to life Dorcas, a good woman, from Jaffa. Both miracles caused many people to believe and to put their trust in God alone, whose words are eternal.

Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life.

Happy Saturday!

Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo sac

Thursday of the 3rd week. Acts 8, 26-40; John 6:44-51.

The power of the Eucharist

Today's gospel continues the theme Christ on the bread of life. Jesus is indeed the bread of life. He is the incarnate Son of God who offers his life for us. We are all called to believe in him to have eternal life.

Jesus is the very one who satisfies our deepest spiritual needs. He is what we need to satisfy our needs, to be happy and to live forever!
The source of our true happiness is Jesus. This happiness is found in communion with him on the Eucharist every day as the source and summit of our life (Vatican II, CCC1324-1327)
Lord give us this bread always!

Fr Georges sac

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter. Acts 8, 1b-8; Psa 65; John 6:35-40.

Come to him and get satisfied! Having reached this 3rd week of Easter, every liturgical celebration is an accomplishment of the Paschal Triduum. Jesus by his death and resurrection gained us: salvation and eternal life. It is up to us every day to believe in Christ and Him alone. This testimony to the gospel of Christ will go through many trials, persecutions and death. The death of Stephen, the first martyr, was nothing other than the beginning of a persecution of the disciples which continues to this day. (Mt 5:12). It’s also a great time for conversation. Saul, presented today as a persecutor, will soon become a preacher of the Good News. Yes, Jesus, I thirst for you, I believe, you have overcome the world.

Fr. Georges sac 

Tuesday of the 3rd week Acts 7:51-8:1a; Ps 31; Jn 6:30-35.

“Sir, give us this bread always.” 

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus' words are often misunderstood. When speaking with the Samaritan woman  about the living water John 4:1-46) she misunderstood him. She understood “water” in a strict material sense. Today’s word of Christ on the “true bread of heaven” has been misunderstood from the very opening of chapter 6 of John gospel. However, Jesus is very clear that, the bread that he is speaking about is not the perishable food, but the “bread of God”, “the Son of Man”, the person of Jesus, who is the eternal food (John 6:27; Isaiah 55:2). Jesus says: “Im the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Lord, Jesus give us this bread always! Amen.

Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo sac 

Monday of the 3rd week of Easter. Acts 6: 8-15; P118; Jn 6: 22-29.

Longing for the bread of life.

More often, we focus too much on how to get rich, how to satisfy all our human wants and forget about how become holy, how to satisfy our spiritual hunger and how to attain eternal life. To the Jewish who were following him after the multiplication of loaves, Jesus boldly advised them to desire and to work for the bread of eternal life. This is an invitation to us as well. Jesus invites us to base our entire life on the woks of God's kingdom or in seeking the eternal kingdom.

The foundation of such works is our total faith and surrender to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Such a trend of life makes us unshakable amidst persecutions. When truly absorbed by the Holy Spirit, our wisdom is divine inspiration, and our visage appears like that of an angel.

Help us, Lord, to long for the bread that lasts for eternal life.

Fr. Georges R. Sac

Saturday of the second week of Easter. Acts 6:1-6; John 6:16-21

Jesus, Master of situations.

In today's gospel, Jesus walks on the sea, agitated by wind and tornado. He calms the sea and comforts the fearful disciples. He shows us that, he is the Lord of creation and can overcome all dangers, and the natural world and including their rules.

When tormented by the situations of life, corruption, sexual scandal, tumultuous marriages, financial troubles, crisis in our vocations, in our religious and family communities, difficulties and tribulations of everyday life, family quarrels, land disputes, divisions within of the same family, same parish, or same nation, or tribalism and socio-political crisis, we must never lose sight of the presence of the Lord. He is ever present to help us.

Like the Apostles in the first reading, we must enter into prayer to discern the appropriate solutions for the resolution of our conflicts. We must get on our knees.

When we pray and trust God, even in the midst of crises, the number of believers continues to increase. There is no hopeless situation in Christ, Jesus.

He is risen alleluia

Fr Georges R Bidzogo sac

Friday of the 2nd week, B. Acts 5: 34-42; John 6: 1-15

Happy to suffer for Christ 's sake!

Even though they were found guiltless, the apostles were tortured and beaten up. They are firmly asked not to preach in the name of Jesus and then set free. Instead of thanking their persecutors for letting them free, they rather tanked God and felt privileged to have suffered for Christ. The apostles are convinced that if we die with Christ, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him.

Have you ever rejoiced to suffer for Christ?

Fr. Georges sac

Thursday of the 2nd week of Easter. St Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr. John 3:31-36

Jesus gives us the spirit without measuring 

We remember that in the Old Testament, certain people were given the Spirit of God for a limited time. These include certain prophets (2 Chronicles 24:20; Micah 3:8; 2 Samuel 23:2), various people (Numbers 24:2, 1 Samuel 19:20), and some of the Judges (Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34), including Samson (Judges 13—16). Jesus, however, has the Spirit of God continuously. This is why He is said to have the Spirit "without measure" or "without limit."

This permanent presence of the Spirit and the fact that Jesus came from heaven are important proofs that He is, in fact, God incarnate (John 1:1; John 1:14). 

Most Fathers of the Church have insisted on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Let's build an intimacy with the one who gives us the Holy Spirit in full measure. 

Come Holy Spirit!

Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday of the second week of Easter, Acts 4: 32-37; John 3: 7b-15.

Born again, we live in the spirit 

Jesus is clear with us this morning, every disciple must be born a new. This entails a life of faith in Christ and a living and active charity and concern for one another (cf Acts 4). Am I born anew?

This new life means being baptized into Christ's death and being aware of our new status. (Romans 6:3-11). Our new life is a life in the spirit - walking, thinking, acting in the spirit because our life is hidden with Christ in God. Am I aware that my new life is hidden with Christ in God?

Paul tells us that, if we have been raised with Christ, we must seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1-4)

Let us cleanse out the old leaven that we may live a new life in Christ. 

Fr. Georges sac

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Is 7:10-14;8:10. Ps 39; Lc 1:26-38

Mary's Yes, must be ours.

The Feast of the Annunciation, celebrated on March 25, commemorates the announcement made by the angel Gabriel to Mary. Mary will soon carry in her womb a Son, Emmanuel, the Savior of humanity.

In celebrating this feast, we make Mary's “Yes” to God our response to God's salvation.

In fact, Mary's yes is in line with Jesus' own response to the will of his Father to redeem mankind. “Behold, I have come to do your will” (Heb. 10:9).

Our lives too, should be animated by this constant “yes” to welcome God into our lives and to do his will.

In our trials, our daily choices, our relationships with the world and others, we are invited to open our hearts to God, to give him our lives, and to trusting him completely by following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Through our daily “yes” to Jesus, we welcome God's offering of eternal life.

Oh Mary, teach us how to say yes to the Lord!

Father Georges sac

Saturday within the Octave of Easter Mc 16:9-15; Acts 4:13-21.

Set free to preach the Gospel

The high priests and the Saduccees decided to arrest the apostles and put them in public jail in order to stop their influence over the nation. But at night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out so that they could go back to preach to the people the full message of the resurrection. (Acts4: 20)

Even though the Apostles were threatened not to preach in the name of Christ anymore, they remain firm in their conviction to obey God rather than men. That is true discipleship. That is truly being a witness of Christ.

We too,  can truly become children of the resurrection when we accept to be freed from the fear of men and the captivities of the world in order to please God and God alone. (Read Ps 4:2)

Go and announce the gospel...

Christ is risen, alleluia 

Fr. Georges sac

Friday within the Octave of Easter. Acts 4: 1-12; Ps 117; John 21:1-14.

Jesus alone is Saviour

While he was biding farewell to his disciples, Jesus boldly declared: "I'm the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This is what the Apostle Peter and his companions are confirming as they are interrogated on the source of the paralytic healing. There is no other name and power that can achieve human salvation except the person of Jesus. Let it be clear: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Even the miraculous catching of the fish points at that truth. When human abilities fail, God takes the lead. He is the only one who can qualify us and atone for our sins. Jesus alone is Saviour.

Christ is risen.

Fr. Georges sac

Easter Thursday. Acts 3:11-26; ps117; Luke 24; 35-48

Risen, Christ now lives forever.

St. Peter makes a declaration which is now addressed to all hearers of the word of God of every generation: “You have killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead”

This is the message of the resurrection. It is an eternal and timeless truth which is addressed to all men and women of all ages. The resurrection is real in each of our lives. Divine grace is even more active and powerful than ever! God is Sovereign, Master of life and history. We can pretend to ignore ignore or kill God in our hearts or in our history, but God becomes even more alive and omnipresent than ever. We can seek to obstruct the truth or the word of God, but it becomes more than alive in our lives. Our God reigns!

As Peter and the other Apostles insist on the power of the most holy name of Jesus, we too are invited to trust completely in Jesus and in his Almighty name.

May our words, our actions and our lives contribute to bringing glory to God. By healing the lame man, Peter and his friends find this an opportunity to spread the Good News.

Christ is risen, alleluia

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter. Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35

Resurrection brings transformation.

Saint Peter and his fellow disciples have been strengthened by Christ's resurrection and will now preach his message and heal people in his name. Instead of giving an ephemeral solution to the paralyzed person, they offer him healing in the name of Jesus.

The disciples of Emaeus discover their true identity as disciples of the resurrected Christ. He opens our eyes to recognize him and to follow him in the path of Emaeus. Their encounter with the resurrected Christ transforms their lives and makes them apostles of the resurrection and witnesses of a new dynamic.

 Christ is risen, alleluia

Fr. Georges sac

Spy Wednesday. Is 50, 4-9; Ps 68; Mt 26, 14-25.

For 30 pieces of silver

What would give me if I hand him over to you, Judas asked the high priests. They gave him 30 pieces of silver. From that time, he was looking for an opportunity to betray him for only 30 pieces of silver, which just the equivalent of buying one slave.

In many modern languages, the expression “30 pieces of silver” has been used as a proverb. Alluding to the treachery and betrayal of Judas, it refers to someone who has sold out and taken money, high office, or personal gain in exchange for betraying a person or an important cause.

Only God knows how many of us have sold out their dignity, their relationship with God, their Catholic faith, their own blood, skin, their loyalty to their company, all this for bribery.

The treachery of Judas is a very serious paradigm that calls us to reflect deeply on the state of personal faith and morality and that of our present society.

But always remember, it is Jesus who will save the true slaves that we are by his blood

Happy Spy Wednesday!

Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday of Holy Week. Isa 49:1-6; Ps 79; John 13:

Could it be me, Lord?

Five days before Easter, the Gospel presents to us the atmosphere which reigned at the Last Supper. it was gloomy. Jesus announces his betrayal by one of his disciples without specifying the name. There is panic around Christ. Is it me, Lord? It will, of course, be Judas Iscariot. In our midst are Judah-Christians who profess faith in Christ every day. Let us work to build an honest relationship with Jesus and with others (Jn 8:31-32)

Furthermore, despite his wish, Peter will fail to defend Christ.

Following Christ in his passion is not a matter of our purely human abilities, but of the opening of our heart to his grace, which gives us the necessary strength.

Happy Holy Tuesday!

Fr. Georges sac

Monday of Holy Week. Isa 42:1-7; Ps 26; John 12:1-11.

Christ, New Covenant!

Isaiah points through this morning's passage, at the person of Christ as God's Anointed, the Light and Helper of the nations (Ps 27) The One anointed by God will establish divine righteousness on earth. That is Jesus, the Son of Mary, who will fulfill all the covenants of the past.

Therefore, the passage from today's Gospel presents to us the anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary, the sister of Lazarus six days before Easter in preparation for the Passion of Christ.

To accomplish his mission, Jesus will be betrayed by Judas; he will have to die, be buried, and resurrect.

Like Jesus, we are invited to be the light that enlightens others, but this sometimes requires us to go through very difficult trials.

Happy Monday Holy Week!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac 

Saturday of the 5th week of Lent. Ezek 37:21-28; John 11:45-57; VS Jer 31.

His death brings us together in the Father’s kingdom.

Jesus has just resurrected Lazarus. The high priests and the Pharisees are now hunting him to avoid the revolt of the people and the invasion of the Romans. Without knowing how to say it so well, Caiaphas, the high priest, will say that it was necessary for a single man to die for the people instead of letting an entire nation perish. These words, in truth, clearly suggest that the death of Jesus will save all mankind. His death will unite the people who have been divided and separated from God – This mission of Christ fulfills the words of the prophet Ezekiel in the first reading. God will gather the children of Israel from everywhere. He will bring them back to their land.

Jesus is the Messiah who came to set us free. Unfortunately, we spend time fighting it because we don't understand its true mission in our lives.

  Let us open our hearts to God and his Spirit to understand Christ's mission of salvation. Through his death, Christ unites us to his Father's kingdom.

Excellent week-end

Father Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Friday of the 5th week of Lent. Jeremiah 20:10-13; Ps 17; John 10:31-42

Our God, A Fearsome Warrior

Our everyday life is sometimes filled with persecution, slander, jealousy by sometimes very intimate people, those who are supposed to understand and protect us.
This is what we undergo, the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New. Against these persecutions, Jeremiah, and at a higher level, Jesus always have their trust in God. Jesus, who will soon be arrested, prays to the Father for guidance and strength. He believes that his Father will never be able to abandon him

Faced with our persecutions, we too must remain confident in the power and protection of God, our formidable healer.

As Saint Paul said in all circumstances, let us turn to the Lord with Psalms, hymns, supplications and songs of thanksgiving. (Eph 5:19).

Put your faith in the Lord, following the example of Jeremiah and Jesus.

Blessed Friday!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Thursday of the 5th week of Lent. Gen17:3-9; John 8:51-59

“I am, the name of God”

Jesus clearly evokes his divinity in today's gospel. “Before Abraham was, I am.” The preexistence of Jesus implies his divinity and his equality with God.

Jesus identifies himself with God, the one who revealed his name to the people through Moses in Exodus 3:13-15. God said to Moses, “I am he who is.”

“I am” is the same God

in the book of Genesis, which makes its alliance with Abraham and his descendants. Jesus is the fulfillment of this covenant.

The “I am” of Jesus in John 8:51-59 is the same as that of the burning bush. Yes, “I am” is the name God gives to himself. He is God and does not need violence to exist. Jesus is therefore the God of Moses, Abraham and Isaac. In Jesus it is God himself who speaks to us. He is the God of life. If we believe in him, even if we suffer or die in this world, neither suffering nor death has any power over us. Jesus is very clear when he says, I am the door”, “I am the life”, “I am the word”, “I am the bread”. “I am the way, the truth and the eternal life”, Jesus is God.

May the peace of God descend upon us in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac