Monday of the 18th week. Dedication of the Basilica of Mary Major. Jer. 28:1-17;Ps118; Mt 14:13-21.

Mary, Mother of God

There are four principal basilicas in Roma, St. Mary Major, St. Peter, St. John Lateran, and St Paul. Built in the 5th century, Mary Major honors Mary under her title as “Mother of God and the church”. The emphasis for this title was on divinity of Christ. Jesus, although he was incarnated, was divine. For our salvation, we must have faith in him like Mary. He is our living bread as stated by himself in the Gospel. Mary, trusted God even in the midst of uncertainties, we are invited to walk through the storms and on the water of life with confidence. Life is a journey of faith, by Mary’s help, let us walk it in total trust in Jesus!

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Saturday of the 17th Week B. Jer 26: 11-16.24; Mt 14:1-12.

 Beware of the influence Satan.

 The first reading shows  the rejection of God's words and the decision  to kill Jeremiah because his denounciation of all injustices and corruption.

In the Gospel, Philip's wife, Herrodias, her daughter, and King Herod represent sinful attitudes of hatred, vanity, corruption, and greed. John Baptist raised his voice among them.

Like Jeremiah, John Baptist ended up alone in a dark prison cell because of his fidelity to his prophetic mission. He will be beheaded.

Both Jeremiah as well as John would have chosen comfort and security, but they decided to give meaning to their lives by giving it up for the truth and for others. 

Brothers and sisters, our life dies and withers if we do not give it up for Jesus, the love of others, justice, and peace.

Our Lady of victory. Pray for us!

Happy weekend!

Fr. Georges sac

Friday of 17th week in Ordinary Time Year B. Jer. 26:1-9, Mt. 13:54-58

Lack of faith!

Are we not victims today of the lack of trust in God? Jesus, in today's passage, is returning to his hometown, where the people's lack faith in him just because they thought they knew who he was: the son of the carpenter. This prevented them from witnessing the full extent of Jesus' miraculous power.
Our world is the way it is because we are no more faithful to God's word and plans like the people in Jérémiah' s time as well as Jesus's hometown's people. Faith is key to our relationship with God because it pushes us to act on his word with confidence.

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us!

Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday of the 17th week. Mt. 13:44-52. St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Giving up all for it

Many people, many saints, reading today's Gospel with an open heart, have been so struck by Jesus. They found in him the true treasure. They converted to Him. Let us think of St Francis of Assisi: he was already a Christian. Reading this passage of the Gospel, was decisive moment of his youth. He encountered Jesus and discovered the Kingdom of God; with this, all his dreams of worldly glory vanished. The Gospel allows you to know the real Jesus. It lets you know the living Jesus; it speaks to your heart and changes your life. And then, yes, you leave it all. You can effectively change lifestyles, or continue to do what you did before but you are someone else, you are reborn: you have found what gives meaning, flavor, light to all things, even to toil, even to suffering, and even to death.

I rejoice, Lord, for finding the true treasure of my life, your kingdom.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Monday, July 29, 1 John 4:7-16; John11: 19-27

Welcoming Jesus' friendship 

The Church has designated every July 29 as the feast day of these siblings. They were close friends of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Martha generously offered Christ hospitality. We become like her when we feed, clothe, and care for Jesus in the hungry, thirsty, naked, and sick. (Mat 25:31-46). Yet, we must always avoid sterile activism.

 Mary, on her turn, listened attentively to Jesus. We must begin our days at his feet in order to offer him plans and activities.

 It is important for us to spend time in adoration of the blessed sacramen.

 Lazarus was our Lord's friend who allowed himself to be loved. He opened his home to Jesus, and when he died, Jesus manifested through him his authority and power over death. 

May we welcome Jesus in our lives and accept his friendship and love!

Happy New week!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Saturday of the 16th week, B. Jer. 7:1-11; Mt.13:24-30.

Building with the mind of Christ!

The parable of the wheat and the weed is an encouraging message. The kingdom is borderless. No one is excluded. We should not neglect the influence of the devil. We need patience and conversion.
As servants, we assist Jesus in planting seeds and ensuring that they grow to maturity. At the end of the age, it’s the job of the harvester to judge who is or isn’t a member of God’s kingdom, not us. We pray to all be good seed of the kingdom!

Help me, Lord, to be patient in wining more souls for the kingdom!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Thursday, July 26, 2024. St Anne & Johakim. Jer 3:14-17; Mt 13: 18-23.

Faith and generosity!

Through this memorial, we celebrate the importance of parents and grandparents in the world. They are the first shepherds, God's agent, who keep the family together. They sow in us the seed of prayer, faith, love, and hope.  Children are like the fertile ground, called to produce good fruits of the discipline and the education received from our parents and grandparents. St Anne and Johakim teach faithfulness, love, and generosity towards God and neighbors. We honor in them the beginning of our salvation (immaculate conception).

Happy Grandparents Day!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Thursday, July 25, 2024. St James. 2Co.4: 7-15; Mt 20: 20-28

We are servants!

The feast of St James, the Brother John, is a reminder to us Christians that we are called to serve in humility. Having experienced Jesus' authority over nature, death, and evil powers, his transfiguration and agony, St James became the first Apostle to be martyred. In our everyday life, a real shift is needed, from self-centeredness, self-ambitions, and worldly ambitions to selfless service of others. This is not an easy cup to drink. Yet it is the way to the eternal kingdom.

Lord Jesus, grant that nothing may ever prevent me from achieving eternal life with you in paradise. Amen.

St James, the Apostle, pray for us

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Wednesday of the 16th week. Mt 13:1-9; Jérémiah 11.4-10; Ps70.

Being a fertile ground!

Jesus is indeed the Great Teacher and Judge who sows salvation in the fields of the world. He sows the same gift of his life in different fields, that is different people. Important to observe that, the result is different and depends on the capacity of each field to yield fruit. Jesus is himself the logos, the word incarnate who wants to take deeper roots in our lives daily so thar we can bear fruits that last for eternal life. As the seed of Christ is sown into our lives, may we allow it to grow deeper and produce abundant fruits.

May we also like Jérémiah become sowers of God's word to the various fields of the universe!

Precious blood of Jesus Christ save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Tuesday of the 16th week, B. St Brigitte. Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 84:2-8; Mt 12:46 -50.

Our true Family!

Jesus was teaching the crowds, then arrived his mother and his brothers who stood outside seeking to talk to him. Hearing that: “Your mother and brothers want to talk to you”, Jesus redefines not only our new family but also the new identity of every Christian. “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mt.12:50). That is what the Blessed Virgin Mary did. She is the perfect model of one who not only hears the word of God but lives by it. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word” (cf. Lk. 1:26-38). Mama Mary, help us to listen and obey God’s word. Lord for all our stubbornness and all our iniquities, Lord in your faithful love, have mercy on your people!

Precious Blood of Jesus of Jesus, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Monday; Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. 2 Cor. 5, 14-17; Ps. 62; John 20:1. 11-18

Magdalene is the first disciple to see Jesus after his resurrection. Before her encounter with Jesus, she was at the mercy of the evil one. Yet after meeting with Jesus, Mary became an apostle of the resurrection. She teaches us fidelity and perseverance in friendship especially in times of hardships as she visited the tomb of Jesus early morning! She will find true consolation in the risen Christ, who makes her the first disciple to announce his resurrection. Even when we are disappointed and defeated by the problems of life God is always close to us and he calls each of us by name. Like Mary Magdalene, we need to accept the “seen of the Lord” in our lives. The experience of the risen Lord is our strength and our hope.

Precious blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO

Saturday of the 15th week. Micah 2:1-5; Ps 9; Mt 12:14-21

In the first reading, the Prophet Micah stands against all those who commit evil and who were still planing in their hearts to do harm to others. Examine yourself. Are you among those who plan evil?

Jesus is facing such wickedness against the pharisees in today's Gospel. They seek to kill him because of his good actions. Jesus shows the power of his love by healing even more people. In the face of wickedness, always show love, for the Lord will be with you to give you more strength and to protect you! Let us, therefore, remember to put on the full armor of God so that we too can resist evil doers and all our enemies (Eph. 6:13)

Precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Reflection of July 16th. Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Is.1: 10-17; Mt. 11:21-22.

Mighty deeds, yet indifference!

The anger of Jesus is justifiable and understandable for most categories of people. Priests, pastors, catechists, Parents who give their best for the success of their parishioners, children, yet children do not care; Teachers who give their best for their students but receive indifference and lack of commitment. To Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Jesus gave everything himself, his message to the lost sheep of Israel and produced a lot of miracles and wonders yet these cities have remained indifferent, unfruitful and incapable of repentance. When we count our daily blessings and God’s miracles in our lives, they are far from Chorazin. Bethsaida and Capernaum… Throughout this day, remember these words of Isaiah: “If we do not stand by the Lord, we will not stand at all”

Most precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Reflection of July 15th. St Bonaventure. Is.1: 10-17; Mt 10:34-11,1.

God at the center of our lives!

The Lord invites us at the beginning of this week to purify and change our hearts and avoid vices, sins and other forms of evil. True sacrifice and true worship consist in avoiding doing what is evil but doing what is good, right and just, loving kindness and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The Gospel invites us to keep our true relationships with God, with our family and with the rest of the world with the heart and mind of Christ Jesus; that is authentic love, which is always seeking God’s will. This demands of us ,daily sacrifices, detachments out of love and charity. Let’s go out and announce the Gospel, which is essentially, charity, justice and peace! Change your heart!

Most precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC

Friday, July 12th, 2024. Hoséa 14:2-10; Mt 10: 16-23.

Hosea, at the end of his book, insists on the faithful love of God. This is an invitation to conversion and putting our full trust in God. He is the one who sends like sheep among wolves. We must be, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Serpents in the time of Jesus were known as wise and shrewd animals. So shall we be. Yet doves are known to be harmless. Christians must be Christ-like, innocent, pure, and self-sacrificing. Yes, the world is cruel and hostile. We must be wise, prudent, and remain focused on God, who is always faithful (Ps. 114).

Lord, give me your wisdom!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Monday of the 14th week, Year B. Hosea 2:16-22; Mt9:18-26

God of life!

Jesus is truly the Messiah of God who comes to give life to people believe in Him. He heals the woman suffering from hemorrhages to reassure us of the power that God has over all forms of illness and goes so far as to bring the young girl back to life to signify that even death has no power before him. God truly loves us to the point that he never abandons us despite our unfaithfulness. He renews his love and faithfulness for us every day. It is, therefore, enough for us to have faith in Jesus Christ to see healing and all the power of the gospel of Christ manifested in our daily lives!

Precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!

Pax Christi!

Wednesday, July 03, 2024. St Thomas the Apostles. Eph. 2: 19-22; John 20:24-29.

Put your finger here and see my hands.


These words of Jesus express God's mercy towards sinners and his willingness to heal us. Such a compassion for the doubting Thomas reminds us that the Lord does not expect us to be “perfect Christians” but faithful.

Jesus wants us “to seek him, to call on him, or even, like Thomas, to protest, bringing him our needs and our unbelief, our personal or family wounds.
Our challenge is to recognize the presence of risen Christ in our midst in spite of our doubts and hesitations.
In those moments of difficulties and darkness, Jesus comes back with love and knocks at the door of our hearts. Jesus does not give up on us when we find ourselves in moments of crisis and doubts. He takes us through his light of faith.

"My Savior and my Lord!"

Pax Christi

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Monday of 13th week, Year B. Amos 2: 6-10. 13-16; Ps 49; Mt8:18-22

The cost of discipleship

In the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gave the basic conditions for anyone who wants to be his disciple. He should deny himself, take up his cross, and follow in his footsteps.

Following Christ implies accepting the cost to pay for it. It is a cost with no guarantees in this world except Jesus himself. One must be aware that they accept to lose everything in making such a decision. All we need is to have enough trust in Jesus as the one knows the way, who is the truth, and the life.

This may include giving up the comforts of this world and being prepared to do things that are difficult or even go against things that seem naturally obvious for our life in society.

Jesus makes it clear to us that following him is the greatest value that nothing else should obstract. Mere families' obligations should not be an excuse that stands against our project of following Christ. For this reason

"It's better to leave the dead to bury their own dead."

Happy New Month of July!

Precious of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!

Fr. Georges sac

Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. Ac 3:1-10; Ps 18; Gal 1: 11-20.

Unity and universality!

I'm grateful that I was ordained on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul as they always remind me that God did not choose me because I'm perfect. Peter was impulsive in his reactions, and he denied Christ and Paul persecuted Christ and his Church. What made them pillars of the Church were not their human qualifications but faith in God, in spite of their human weaknesses. God works miracles and builds up his church through us. We are not qualified, but He qualifies us. He is the one who stands by us and gives us strength. "Come and I will make of you fishers of men." Peter is called by Christ to unite the whole Church, and Paul is called to help spread Christ's message to the universal Church. These are the two dimensions of the mission of the Church: Unity and Universality. Peter and Paul are certainly celebrated together by the Church in order to express these two directions of our missions.
We pray for our Pope so that he will always be the supreme bridge builder (Ad pontifex maximus) in the universal Church; that Bishop may fulfil the same mission in the diocesan level and Pastors in the Parish level. Lord, help our Church to remain faithful to her mission of "Binding and loosing"
Please make a special prayer for me and Fr. Hervé Pascal, today!

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

Pax Christi!

Fr. Georges sac

Friday of the 12th week, year B. 2Kings 25: 1-12; Ps 136; Mt 8:1-4

Purify me, Lord

“If you wish, you can make me clean.” The leper aware of the disastrous situation of leprosy opens his heart to Jesus. The leper teaches us that no matter how great our need is, we should always approach God with humility, not with pride. We should make a request and never a demand; for the prerogative lays entirely with Jesus.

Indeed, Jesus came to purify humanity from sins and death of which leprosy symbolizes. We can be purified through the cleansing and washing of the blood of Christ.(Ps. 139:23-24).

By asking to be purified by Jesus, the leper is asking for salvation, healing, and purity of heart.

Lord, if you wish, you may purify me.

Fr. Georges sac