Saturday of the 7th week in ordinary Time, EccIesiaticus 17:1-13; Psalm102; Mark 10:13-16

True strength is dependence on God.

Dear friends in Christ, it is difficult in our today's world to accept our dependency and limitations. It requires humility to acknowledge that we are dust. We should admit that, no matter how much we can be able to achieve, we are still dust. By embracing this truth, we become free. By becoming like little children, we experience  God's love, protection and peace. By experience, when we surrender our strength, our wisdom, our intelligence to God's service, He gives us real power  and wisdom - the kind that doesn’t fade with time. The greatest danger of our world today  is pride and self-sufficiency, leading to the rejection and denial of God. Our dependency on God's strength and wisdom rather determines how we live but also where we spend eternity.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Thursday, 2/27. Sirach 5:1-8. Mark 9:41-50

Prioritizing!

Joshua Ben Sirach, invite us not to set our hearts on the desires of this world. Rather, we should place our trust in the Lord. Life in general is about prioritizing.
For us Christians, God and his kingdom come first in all aspects of our life: family, economy, friendship, and socio-political life. "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" as stated in the Bible (Matthew 6:33). This implies sacrificing and cutting off whatever that does not draw us close to the kingdom of God.
Let's be selective about our hearts' inclinations!
Cut off whatever that does not align with our Christian values!

Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday, 2/26, 2025. Sirach 4:11-19; Mark 9:38-40.

Collaboration is divine

To be a child of God does not depend on the church we go, but on the way, we bring God's love to the world. But for us, we often act like John in the Gospel: we condemn and judge those who are not like us, who do not think or do not belong to our  inner religious, political and cultural circles. God's wisdom invites us this morning to see others with God's eyes and accept them for who they are. If we all do good in the name of Jesus, we can all be considered as his fellow servants who proclaim his kingdom.

Let's encourage each other to bring Christ's love and mercy to our world. As christians, united we stand. Divided, we fall.

 Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday, 2/25, Mark 9:30-7.

Trials lead to glory

Jesus embarked on a secret journey with his disciple in order to reveal to them his upcoming trials, suffering, and passion. In line with the Book of Sirach, Jesus invites us to prepare for trials, which are part of our journey. Our pains, trials, and challenges are meant to strengthen us, and they are only temporary. Jesus will rise on the third day. There is glory and joy in humility and service. There is glory behind our daily crosses. For Jesus, our greatness is determined by service, not by possessions. Humility and service are key to becoming a giant in God's kingdom.

Jesus, I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Monday, 2/24. Mark 9:14-29

Monday, 2/24.
Mark 9:14-29

Faith can move mountains.

The apostles just failed to heal a child who has been epileptic for many years. The boy was brought by his father. This is very disturbing. Why couldn't they heal this child?
For Jesus, we need not only healing power but a life of penance and prayer that connects us with the Ultimate Healer, God. For those who have faith in God, nothing is impossible. Prayer of faith is our safety and shield against any situation. Let plug our lives in the power of prayer, which is a true relationship with God.
The Apostle James says: "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" ( James 5:14)

Jesus, I trust in you!

Thursday, February 20, 2025. Mark 8:25-33

Get behind me, Satan

Peter, one of the most devoted disciples, is called Satan after being commended for his faith. Why?

His idea of the Messiah is far different from who Jesus is: the suffering servant. 

He wants a comfortable Saviour and wants Jesus to abandon God's plan. Whatever tempts us to abandon God's will or God's ways or the cross can be considered as Satan. It must get behind us so that we can follow God's directions and plans. Pains and sufferings can become heavenly grace for us.

Get behind me, Satan!

Jesus I trust in you

Fr. Georges sac

Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Mark 8:22-26.

Healing is a process.

The blind man in today's account is healed in two steps. After the first touch of Jesus, the blind man sees people walking like trees. He needed another touch, which now helped him to see clearly. Friends, we should grow on our journey of faith step by step. Our knowledge, our healing, and our spiritual and physical maturity are not a once off events but a daily process. As we grow each day in our faith, Jesus recommends us not to go back to our old habits or that "village" of sin, fear, addiction, prostitution, adultery, drugs and alcoholism that cause our blindness. Do not return to the village! 

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges sac

Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Mark 8:14-21

Have faith in Jesus!

Jesus addresses in this passage not only the levain of the pharisees but the lack of faith of the disciples who were worried because of the lack of bread. Repetitively, he asked: "Do you not understand?" While situations in our daily lives could be worrisome, we should never lose trust in Jesus who is the Bread of life. Jesus wants us to place our confidence in him who can nourish us both spiritually and physically. As we face challenges and troubles on our journey, let's not focus on them but on Jesus, who is The Solution to our problems. He is the Way, The Truth, and the Life.

Lord, increase our faith.

Jesus, I trust in you!

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac

Monday, February 17, 2025. Mark 8:11-13

No sign if you do not want to see.

The Pharisees feel that Jesus does not fit their standard. He is not the type of God that they were expecting. They are asking for signs. They want a spectacular God even if they have failed to see Jesus himself as the greatest sign in the life of humanity. They fail to see in Jesus, the Savior. Maybe this is the greatest sin of our time, too. Most of the time, we fail to realize God's love and presence in our lives, but seeking signs. Eventually, once God is removed in our lives, what remains is sin. Yet, God is love and he is ever present in our lives. He does not force us to see if we are not willing to open our hearts and our eyes. One cannot force a blind person to see if they do not want to open their eyes.

Lord help me to open my heart to the marvel of your love.

Fr. Georges sac

Friday, January 17, 2025. Mark 2: 1-12.

Friday, January 17, 2025. Mark 2: 1-12.

Your sins are forgiven

What a beautiful gift: the forgiveness of sins. While the paralytic was brought for physical healing, Jesus extended the later to the forgiveness of sin. This shows that sin is the most dangerous illness of all. It is sin that is the cause of paralysis. It is sin that isolate and separates us from God. Sin causes fear, doubt, mistrust and paralysis.
Let's be like the friends of this paralytic who were willing to bring their friends to Jesus for healing. Let's surround ourselves with people of great faith who uplift our own faith. May we always strive to be the hand that feeds not only the lips that pray.
With the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pick up our mat and walk!

Fr. Georges sac

Reflection of January 10 ,2025. 1 John 5:5-13; Ps. 147; Luke 5:12-16

Reflection of January 10 ,2025. 1 John 5:5-13; Ps. 147; Luke 5:12-16

Eternal life in Jesus

While St Luke gives us the instantly healing and purification of the leper only by Jesus words, St John invites to meditate on his threefold witnesses of water, spirit, and blood as a unified testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In Jesus, believers have eternal life because he is the beloved Son of God confirmed at his baptism in the Jordan

(Water). He will shed his blood on the cross to save us (Blood). Finally, the coming of the Holy Spirit testifying about Him is a sign of his lordship.

Jesus is the true God and true man in whom all believers should have confidence if they would like to have eternal life.

He has the full potential to heal to forgive and to save.

Giving him our heart is the greatest act of our existence.

Blessed New Year 2025

Fr. Georges sac

January 28, 2024. The Holy Innocents.

January 28, 2024. The Holy Innocents. 

Instead of welcoming Jesus, the newborn king, Herod decided to get rid of him. He was insecured, jealous, and attached to power. Let's not allow attraction to power and worldly ambitions, turn us into monsters and murderers. This message is for all those who are in position of power and leadership. Abuse of power causes harm, loss of trust and peace! Let's kill the Herod in us and allow the new baby Jesus to be born. Let's be protectors of the innocents after the example of Joseph. 

Pray and show love to the innocent children, especially the unborn.

Merry Christmas!

Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo sac

Reflection of December 21, 2024.

Reflection of December 21, 2024. 

Song of Songs 2; Ps 32; Lc 1:39-45

Bringing Jesus to the world.

God in the Book of Songs invites us to come to him and lead a happy life with him. 

Elizabeth rejoices at the visitation of Mary as well as the child in her womb. This is because Mary carries in her, Jesus, the cause of our joy. We, too, can transform the lives of people if we bring to them the Gospel. Like John, they will leap with joy. Like Elizabeth, they will praise God. So never leave Jesus behind. Never walk alone. Don't abandon your faith, your important weapon, the word of God. 

Keep in mind, my dear friends, that our God wants to visit you. He visits those who are forgotten, the lowly and the humble. Visit the outcast, the orphans, the lonely, the neglected and the abandoned. Find time to reach those people who are in need of Christ's presence. Bring him to them.

Let's like Mary do this in haste.

Blessed weekend

Fr. Georges sac 

Wednesday of the 2nd week in Advent. C. Ps. 103; Isaiah 40: 25-31; Mt. 11:28-30

The end of the year brings all kinds of tiredness: physical, emotional, and psychological. Jesus, make an invitation to u. "Come to Me". Most of the time, we look for man made solutions and trusting God. 

Jesus would rather invite us to hand anything beyond our power to him. Whatever disturbs us, let us surrender it to Jesus. He says to us: when we are tired: Come to Jesus; Take his yoke and find rest in him. 

Jesus's yoke isn't a burden but a blessing and his own power. 

Peace be with you!

Fr. Georges sac

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke 1:26-38

Friends, the Immaculate Conception is one of the Marian dogma. It was declared by Pope IX in 1854 and stipulates that the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of Original Sin in preparation for becoming the Mother of God, the Son Jesus Christ. This was, through a very special grace.

In today's Gospel, the angel refers to Mary as "Kecharitomene", meaning, "full of grace." 

God gave Mary a special treatment in order to prepare a worthy vessel for the reception of his Word. Just as the Holy of Holies in the temple was kept pure and inviolate, the definitive Temple, the true Ark of the Covenant, which is Mary herself, should all the more be untrammeled. God, in his plan, made Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, even though she is herself redeemed by the grace of her Son. (Bl. John Duns Scottus).

God's infinite love for humanity is activated through the Immaculate Conception. No wonder the Bible says that He has a plan for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11)

As the Virgin Mary participated in that plan, so we certainly should today.

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

Fr. Georges sac

Saturday of the 1st week of Advent. Ps. 146; Isaiah 30:19-26.Mt. 9:35-10, 1.5-8.

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