Action plan for Advent.
In the first reading, Isaiah invites us to cry out to the Lord for our sins, and he will forgive and restore us. Christmas is about God's faithfulness and unfailing love.
In the Gospel, Jesus, as the Good Pastor, would like each of us to work in his vineyard. The harvest is plentiful but laborers are few. Welcoming him at Christmas implies accepting the mission of becoming his witnesses in this world. For this, there is an action plan.
First, we must pray because everything depends on God's power and initiative.
Second, we must open ourselves to the authority and power that Jesus gives us.
Third, we are sent to the world to seek the lost, cure the sick, and cast out demons. Jesus reminds us however that, the gift of the Godpel is a gratuitous gift that should not be for sale. Freely, we have received, freely we give.
St. Ambrose, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of the 1st week of Advent. Isaiah 29:17-24; Ps. 26; Mt. 9:27-31
Healed from spiritual blindness
Christmas is the celebration of the coming of the Son of God whose light shines in our darkness. It is the restoration of man from all bondages and infirmities. The Advent season helps us to welcome Christ, our light, and our salvation (Ps 27) into our lives and families. When we welcome Christ in our lives, our eyes, blinded by sins and worldly ambitions, deceived by a erroneous understanding of sciences and technology, and the misuse of created things for selfish gain, are opened and enlightened. Once healed by Christ, the Light the world, we can follow him and embrace his mission of healing, mercy, and the restoration of the world.
Dear St. Nicholas, obtain for us the spirit of Christmas, that is the spirit of generosity, care and love for others.
St. Nicholas, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday of the 1st week of Advent. Is 26: 1-6; Ps. 127; Mt. 7:21-27
Solid foundation of faith.
Advent season invites us to deepen the foundation of our faith. For Isaiah depends on the solidity of believers characterized by the fidelity to God's prescriptions and instructions. Such a believer will enter the holy dwelling of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus, compares the Christian life to a building that needs to be build on a very solid foundation in order to stand firm at all seasons. In this season of Advent, please, increase your time of reading and pondering on the Word of God. Multiply your hours of prayer as well as your Church's involvement. Receive the sacrament regularly but always strive to be in a state of grace. Constantly express your gratitude by thanking God for all his benefits and blessings. (Ps 127; Ps 103).
Holy Spirit, help me to deepen my Christian foundations!
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent. Isaiah 25:6-10; Ps 22; Mt. 15:29-37
Compassion and love
On this 4th day of Advent, we ponder on the God's
compassion and love. Isaiah shows the compassion of God, who will wipe away all tears from people's eyes and destroy death forever. He will prepare for us a banquet.
Jesus is the embodiment of God's compassion and love as he heals people's diseases, infirmities, evil, pains and he feeds them not only physically but also with his own body and blood (Eucharistic banquet).As we progress in our Advent exercise, we are invited to emulate Jesus's compassionate love in our world today. Compassion is the one of the pill that can bring healing to our broken society. As we prepare for Christmas, let us learn how to share with the needy. At this Christmas, let's open our hearts to give and make a difference; to give and inspire. Life is not all about accumulation but contribution. Many people are needy because so many others are greedy. My friend, be compassionate and generous!
Fr. Georges sac
Tuesday of the 1st week of Advent. Isiah 12:1-10; Ps. 71; Luke 10:21-24
Open your heart to the Holy Spirit.
The time of Advent invites us to be open to the Holy Spirit. Such ability enables us, according to Isaiah, to welcome God's kingdom in our heart and in our midst. With the coming of Christ, enter the messianic era of peace and justice for all and with all (Ps 71)
A life in the spirit opens us to the knowledge of the Son, who is the visible image of the invisible God. Advent is all about building such a friendship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the cause of our Joy. He has revealed himself and made himself known to us.
Open my heart, Lord. I want to see you!
Fr. Georges sac
November 30, 2024. Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle.
Spreading the Good news
Saint Andrew, the Apostle, patron saint of Scotland, was born in Betsaida in Galilee. He was a fisherman like his brother Peter, whom he introduced to Christ.
In that way, he teaches us to bring others to Jesus once we have known him.
Our personal witness is very important in proclaming the Gospel and in bring other into contact with Christ. Faith comes from hearing the word.
His immediate response to Jesus, teaches us the importance and urgency of leaving our old ways and to follow Jesus even on his way of crucifixion. We will never get lost if we follow Jesus with trust.
Today, Christ is still calling us to be fishers of men. How do I fulfill this mission?
St. Andrew, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac
November 29, 2024. Rev. 20:1-4, 11-21:2; Ps. 84 Luke 21:29-33
There will be an end for everything.
John, in his vision filled with hope, encourages us as believers to stand firm in the faith. As Jesus mentions it in today's gospel, heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will not pass away. So, at the end of our lives, we will be judged according to our deeds. How faithful are we to the word of God? The book of life has been opened. Only those whose names will be written in will be saved. Fixing our eyes on Christ and not on the things that pass away is the best way to have our names written in the book of life.
Pax Christi,
Fr. Georges sac
November 26, 24. Rev. 14:14-19; Ps 95; Luke 21:5-11.
Harvest's time!
St. John, in today's vision, speaks of the harvest as the final jugement at the end of time. Jesus will harvest the righteous (the seed or the grain) who have been faithful to him. An angel will crush grapes in a winepress. This represents the destruction of the wicked. Today's vision is a beautiful metaphor for the end times pointing out the decisive separation that will occur between good and evil. It begins now as we choose between goodness, virtue, evil, and wickedness. The sicke is near to reap the harvest. Stay alert!
Fr. Georges sac
November 25, 2024. Rv. 14:1-3. 4b-5; Luke 21: 1-4.
November 25, 2024. Rv. 14:1-3. 4b-5; Luke 21: 1-4.
True generosity.
The wisdom in her poverty gives all she has while rich people give out of their abundance. She praises her offering because it expresses true charity. True charity must always be sacrificial. Our true greatness is not revealed in what we have but in what we give. Giving is always trusting that God always provides back. It is on the basis of faith and love that the poor widow could give all she had. Generosity is always the practical expression of love and prayer. While true love is always sacrificial, the generosity of a heart is measured by its ability to pour out for another.
Happy new week.
November 20, 2024. Rv. 4, 1-11; Ps. Luke 19:11-28.
We are accountable
God trusts each person and entrusts gifts and talents accordingly. We are to be acountable. For Jesus, the wrong utilization or the refusal to multiply our gifts and talents are both firms of wikedness that make bad stewar. central Let's make these resolutions. *I will actively utilize my God-given abilities."
I take the responsibility to manage my talents responsibly and not be afraid to take risks in using them for the glory of God.
Fr. Georges sac
November 19,2024. Our Lady of the Providence. Rv 3:1-6.14-22; Ps 14; Luke 19:1-10.
For us, sinners, he came!
Jesus came indeed to save people who were lost, such as Zachaeus, who was living a life of trickery and corruption. Zachaeus's life was spiritually dead like that of the Christians in Sardes and lukewarm like those of Laodecea. Jesus is calling us all to come down from the sycamore tree and to meet with him, dine with him, and receive a new life. Like Zachaeus, we must let go of our sinful way, though comfortable for the joy of being with Christ. For you too, salvation has entered your house!
Pax et bonum
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday of 32nd week year B. Phil. 7-20; Ps. 145; Luke 17: 20-25
We are all brothers and sisters!
St Paul from his prison plead for the change of the status of Onesimus from his well to do friend Philemon. Because of Christ Jesus, whatever status we occupy, we are all brothers and must treat each other like such. May we welcome the truth of the Gospel inviting us to accept each other as Christ brothers and sisters. When Christ comes back will he still find his image in each of us?
Pax et Bonum
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of the 32nd week year B. Titus 3,1-7; Ps 22; Luke 17:11-19.
Gratitude is divine
Ten lepers were healed, but only one came back to thank Jesus. This is sad. This expresses our ingratitude. The one leper returns because he realizes that his healing is from the divine. Let's realize that whatever good happens in our lives is the result of God's love and mercy for us.
A lifestyle of gratitude is a lifestyle of wellness. Our troubles end when gratitude begins to be our attitude.
Pax et Bonum
Fr. Georges sac
Tuesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time B. St. Josaphat. Titus 2:8-14; Ps 36; Lk 17:7-10;
Tuesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time B. St. Josaphat. Titus 2:8-14; Ps 36; Lk 17:7-10;
Be just, and you will be saved
Being just is being morally right and fair. In that way, St. Paul advised us to live according to the holy doctrine and teachings received and each person according to their age and status. The practicing of righteousness, integrity, and self-control should characterize the life of a Christian every day.
In today's Gospel, Jesus himself invites us to be just by being the servant that we called to be. This means, serving without complaining, or expecting anything in return and always think of serving others as person as our privilege and duty. God created us because other people need our help and service. Be just, and you will be saved. Serve and you will be fulfilled.
Pray for the souls in purgatory!
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of 31st week B. Phil 3:17-4,1; Ps 22; Luke 16:1-8
We are steward.
Jesus teaches us a lesson from a bad example as he admires the dishonest sterward not for his dishonesty but for his cleverness to find solutions to a situation.
The parable first reminds us that we are only stewards and administrators. What we have belong to God. Let avoid any form of selfishness. The parable also encourages us to focus on finding solutions to our problems and never focus on the problems that occur on our way of life. God trusts us and entrusts everything to us so that we should love him and give account of our lives.
Pax Christi!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Wednesday of the 31st week B. Phil 2:12-18; Ps 26; Luke 14:25-33
Challenge of discipleship.
To follow Jesus is neither an easy choice nor part-time decision, but a costly and life-time commitment. Examining the cost of such commitment is necessary. Being a disciple will involve: making God's number "One" priority in all our relationships. This means we learn to put the will of God above our own heart desires. This is far from a comfortable way of life, but a life where Jesus is not just at the periphery of our lives, but he is our reason for living and our way of life! Such a life makes us indeed the salt of earth in the world in which we live. We are to shine in the world as disciples Christ!
For the repose of eternal rest of our faithful departed, we pray. Amen.
Blessed day in Christ
Fr. Georges sac
Monday of the 31st week B. Phil 2:1-4; Ps 130; Luke 14:12-14
How to give?
True giving is gratuitousness, which is giving without any expectation of receiving anything in return. To achieve this, we need to have special concern for the poor, the lame, the orphans, the widows, and people who can not repay us. Mother Theresa is teaching us to give and give until it hurts, and then we will be repaid at the resurrection of the blessed. Our relationship should not be based on what we will get in return but on what we give to better the lives of others. Paul tells us in today's first reading that, no one should be preoccupied by his own interests but also be preoccupied about others.
May the souls of all the faithful departed through God's mercy, rest in perfect peace!
Fr. Georges sac
November 02, 2024. All souls day. Mt 25:31-46
The resurrection is our hope!
We remind ourselves that life is short and death is certain. Our life expectancy is 80 for the strong Ps 90, 10).
For us Christians, death is not the end but our transformation from perishable to imperishable life. To go to heaven, our lifestyle rooted in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy towards others is an important requirement.
Our daly strugle is not to be better than others but to make the world a better place than we found it. Let's inspire others before we expire. Like St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, let's spend the whole of our life on earth doing good for the resurrection is our hope and hope will not disappoint us (Romans 5:5). The grave is not our final destiny, but heaven.
Lord give eternal rest to the faithful departed. Amen.
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of the 30th week B. Eph. 6:1-9; Ps. 144; Luke 13:22-30
Choosing the narrow door.
Our christian life must go beyond the profession of faith. We must do the will of God, which requires discipline of life and detachment. Jesus asks us, therefore, to strive to enter by the narrow door, which is difficult and requires daily efforts. No good thing or success comes on a silver platter. The cross of Christ is always our reminder. Henceforth Paul invites all humanity to live in mutual love, equally and respect. All this requires disciplining our heart desire of domination, arrogance, greed, selfishness, and superiority complex.
Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac
Tuesday of the 30th week B. Eph 5:21-33; Ps 127; Luke 13:18-21
The influence of the word
Jesus gives us two parables, which represent both our external and interior growth. Like the mustard seed, which is a very small seed, the word God has the power to transform and yield abundant and extraordinary fruits in our visible world. Like the leaven on the yeast, our lives must be receptive to the influence of the power of the word of which transforms us from within. Such an influence results on a mutual relationship of mutual love, peace, selflessness, humility and service within the community. (Cf Eph 5:21-33).
Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us!
Fr. Georges sac