Tuesday within the Octave of Easter. John 20:11-18
Jesus is our loving friend
While we all know that it is very difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one, it is also important for us not to dwell too much on sadness, grief, and sorrow. Mary Magdelene focus was on the sadness of her Master's death and not on the hope of the resurrection. In such conditions, she could not recognize the risen Christ. Jesus may also remain a gardener if we remain staked in our discouragement, sufferings, and pains. When we shift from hopelessness and desperation, we begin to see and to talk to the risen Christ as our loving friend and, not as the gardener.
Fr. Georges sac
He is indeed risen, alleluia
Monday within the Octave of Easter. Mt. 28: 8-15.
Monday within the Octave of Easter. Mt. 28: 8-15.
Go to Galilee
"Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." These words of Jesus to Mary Magdelene and the other Mary are also the instruction that, He the risen Christ, gives to the universal Church today. Jesus wants us fearlessly to go the poorest, the less privileged, the abandoned to proclaim his message of love.
May the spirit of the risen Lord strengthen us for the proclamation of the Gospel.
He is risen, alleluia!
Praying for repose of the soul of Pope Francis
Fr. Georges sac
Jesus I trust in you!
Good Friday Reflection
AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
A place of pain for love
Today’s celebration revolves around the cross, not a mere sign of devotion but as the instrument of mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Pope Francis ceaselessly reminds us that,
"The God of mercy; he does not tire of forgiving. We are the ones who tire in asking for forgiveness, but he does not tire."
The cross manifests God’s love for us and Jesus extends visibly that love through pains, suffering, his passion and death. Isaiah tells us that,
"By his stripes, we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)
A place of hope in spite of our weakness
We are invited throughout the world today to stand at the foot of the cross. We all know how difficult and even impossible to make all things no matter how best our intentions could be. Paul himself has summed this up in these terms:
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15).
Paul clearly indicates the situation of our human condition. We are invited to the foot of the cross to learn how to surrender our weakness and frailty to the one who strengthens us. Give thanks to the Cross: for as he endured the suffering, we realize the possibility of our own salvation.
A place of forgiveness and restoration
We came to lay down all the
violence committed against the innocents and which are being committed against God, the church, and our world. It is an opportunity to bring at the foot of the cross, all weapons of human destruction and to embrace justice, love and peace that Christ offers us:
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
So Jesus not only loves us but he hung on the cross for each and everyone of us to be forgiven and reconciled. Paul while writing the Colossians says that Jesus reconciled all things on earth and in heaven by making peace through his blood he shed on the cross. (Cf. Col.1:20). Let each one of us, therefore, come forward on this Good Friday to stand at the foot of the cross with confidence and trust. On the cross, Jesus, is our ransom; He is a suffering Servant, who is ready to take away our sins, our own bruises, our wounds, our infirmities. Let’s come at the foot to be healed, consoled and transformed. Every time we embrace the cross, we acknowledge our new beginning that already anticipates our final entrance with him in heaven:
“Today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
As Mary, the Mother of the Lord is given to us as we stand with her at the foot of the cross, may we make sure not to leave her behind when we go back home. “Woman behold your son” and then to the disciple: “Behold your mother” (John 25-27)
For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Holy Thursday Reflection
Holy Thursday invites us to become Christ’s instrument of love.
Read Fr. Georges full reflection on Holy Thursday here:
Happy Holy Thursday and wonderful Paschal triduum. It is indeed a wonderful time of holiness and grace. We remember every Holy Thursday, Jesus’ command to us to love one another, his Institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the Institution of the ordained priesthood reflected in today’s readings. I would like us to think of how holy Thursday could make us become witnesses of the death of Christ.
Becoming Christ’s instrument of love
In the second reading, Paul gives the oldest narrative of the institution of the Eucharist. He reminds us that as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes! This is an invitation to lead a loving and sacrificial life like Jesus who died so we might have life. Proclaiming Jesus’ death is to work for peace and reconciliation. As we live a life that reflects the love and teaching of Jesus our light shines before the world (Matthew 5:16). Jesus, himself indicated when he instituted the Eucharist that we will continue to proclaim his death by a life of service and humility and selfless love.
“He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist”
We continue to proclaim Jesus' death as we put into practice his commandment of love.
On this Holy Thursday, listen to the word of Jesus:
“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
The Eucharist will always be a place where we learn from Christ and we become like Him. No wonder Padre Pio would say: “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without the Holy Mass.”
May we all proclaim the death of Christ by our lives. Let’s have a special intention of prayer for all our priests, especially those who minister in very hard and difficult conditions!
St. John Marie Vianney, Pray for us and for all our priests!
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Wednesday of the Holy Week. Mt. 26:14-25
Wednesday of the Holy Week. Mt. 26:14-25
Am I loyal to loyal to God?
Spy Wednesday falls within Holy Week. We focus on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of his closest disciples. Judas agreed to betray Jesus to the religious authorities for 30 pieces of silver. Judas traded our Savior for such a little amount of money? Do I choose money or fame or vain glories over relationships or over good? Do I choose money over human dignity? May we examine our lives and see in which way we often conspire against God. Pray for the gift of trust and loyalty to God.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Holy Monday 2025. John 12 :1-11
Holy Monday 2025. John 12 :1-11
Jesus, The Anointed One
Six days before the Passover, Jesus is anointed by Lazarus’s sister, Mary with a high-priced perfume at a dinner in Bethany. This symbolizes an act of solemn worship, Jesus burial as well as his identity as the Humble Messiah – Servant - King. By anointing Jesus feet and wiping them with her hair, Mary is anticipating Jesus’ sacrificial and selfless love at the upcoming washing of the feet at the last Supper. By using the costly perfume for the anointing, Mary expresses the unique, central and the unequal value of Jesus in our lives. What is Jesus’ worth in your life?
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Saturday within 5th week of Lent. John 11:44-56
Saturday within 5th week of Lent. John 11:44-56
Be a burning candle!
The chief priests and pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin in order to kill Jesus. Why? Jesus is a threat to the their influence and to the powers they want to maintain over the people. The high priest, Caiaphas, in the same way, moved by greed, declared that: "it is better for one man to die than to have the whole nation perish." Caiaphas is animated by selfishness and greed. He is power-hungry. Let's avoid being like Caiaphas, degrading others' dignity, blackmailing them in order to attain our selfish ambitions. On the contrary, let's imitate Jesus, who is like a candle, burning itself to give light to those in darkness. Jesus accepted to die for us so that we may have life. Am I ready to become a burning candle in this world?
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of the 5th week of Lent Year C. Jer. 20:10-14; John 10:31-42
Friday of the 5th week of Lent Year C. Jer. 20:10-14; John 10:31-42
Stand for righteousness
Jeremiah is persecuted even by his own friends just as Jesus is betrayed by one of his disciples. Never give up, but stand by righteousness, and God will protect you from evil hands. When falsely accused, call on the Lord who fights for innocents. Let's continue our pilgrimage toward Easter with hope and total confidence in the God who protects and saves us!
Fr. Georges sac
Jesus I trust in you!
Wednesday of the John 8 :31-42
The truth will set you free
Sin is a kind of monster, which destroys us. The Gospel today teaches about true freedom. Three ways to be free. Stay away from the slavery of sin. Our daily growth in faith consists in breaking the prisons of sinfulness in our lives. Many things seem to enslave us such as: power, hours, the work, the anger, the lust, envy, greed, vices and addictions. In the first reading, Shadrack, Mishak, Abednego chose to be free by loving God above anything else. We can be like them if we do not allow sins to have dominion over us. To be a slave of sin is a denial of God’s will. Rather lets us make Jesus the ruler of our lives!
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger BIdzogo sac
Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent, Year C. Numbers 21:4-9; John 8:21-30
Journey to the promised land
As we journey towards the promised land, we, like the Iraelites, often grumble and complain. Even worse, we love to go back to Egypt, to our place of slavery or to their old ways of living. The sinful attitude of the Israelites caused God to send fiery deadly serpents. Sin is the deadly poison. Sin is the new modern serpent that is looking for a new innocent victim. However God gives us a vaccine against the venom of sin. We must return to God by looking at the one who was lifted up as a new bronze serpent. Let us look at the cross and we shall live. The cross is our crown. The cross is the power that will take us to the promised land. Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Monday of the 5th Week of Lent C. John 8:12-20
Jesus, the light of the world
The light symbolizes goodness, truth and God's presence while darkness represents sin and separation from God. In today's gospel, Jesus says: “I’am the light of the world”. By this claim, Jesus becomes for us, the barometer of world welfare; the source of spiritual truth, guidance, goodness and hope even in the midst of darkness and troubles of this world. Those who follow Jesus and his teachings, even though they walk in the valley of the shadow of death, they will fear no evil, for the lord is with them (Ps 23:4). Jesus has conquered the world (John 16:33). Let's walk in the light.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Saturday of 4th week in Lent John 7:40-53
Never has anyone spoken like this man.
The Jewish leader see Jesus as a threat as they might lose their authority. They henceforth sent soldiers to arrest him. The soldiers return back to the leaders totally transformed. "Never has man spoken like that man." Dear friends, Jesus has a unique and authoritative way to speak. Jesus' words carry the divine power and authority. Jesus is divine. His words are spirit and truth. Let us trust in Jesus like Jeremiah, who knew that, in spite of adversities, our God is an undefeated champion.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of the 4th week in Lent. John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
You know me
Since the healing of the paralytic man, Jesus' speeches are directed to clarify his identity. In today's Gospel, he cries out to his listeners: "You know me and you know where I am from" (John 7:28). Jesus is divine, and to know him is to know God, his Father. St. Augustine said that Jesus has a unique and eternal relationship with God. Jesus is of divine origin. Do I know Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer? Such knowledge would definitely have an impact on our entire lives.
Jesus, I trust in you
Thursday of the 4th week in Lent. Exodus 32:7-14; Ps 105; John 5:31-47
Divine fidelity
God had just freed Israel from Egypt. However, in the wilderness, they decided to make golden calf to be their deity, forgetting the God who saved them(Ps105). In spite of his anger, God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God showed them his mercy; he is faithful from age to age.
In the Gospel, the Jewish people failed to see in Jesus, the one whom the Scriptures point at. Jesus is, of course, the new "siloam," meaning sent by God to heal and to restore us. He is the final revelation of God’s divine fidelity to the world. How often do we forget God in our lives in spite of his faithful love for us?
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of 4th week in Lent. Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30.
Wednesday of 4th week in Lent. Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30.
God is at work
Jesus affirms that the Father is at work, and so is the Son who, being one with the Father, has the authority to judge and give eternal life.
In the Old Testament, God's works are manifested through creation and through his covenant with his people. The main work of God is that of salvation. His promise to restore his people and bring them out of darkness is fulfilled in Christ, Jesus, the Son of Man. Each day, God cares for us, and his goodness and mercy are shown in all his works. God is at work in all creation through Jesus his Son!
Fr. Georges sac
Jesus, I trust in you
Tuesday of 4th week of Lent John 5:1-16; Ez 47:1-9, 12.
Tuesday of 4th week of Lent John 5:1-16; Ez 47:1-9, 12.
Becoming the flowing water.
Ezekiel speaks of the flowing water that gives life, and John tells us about the pool that brings healing to all who fall into it. The flowing water represents indeed Jesus, the stream of living water, who gives life to all things. Jesus is our provider and Healer. Through his Church, word and the sacraments, Jesus continues to heal to renew and to give life to all who approach him with confidence. We are invited to become streams of flowing water by caring and bringing healing to our brothers and sisters within our society.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Monday of the 4th week of Lent 2025. Isaiah 65:17-21; John 4:43-54.
“Go your son will live”
God is all-powerful. Nothing can limit his power. He can create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17). For those who have faith in him, his graciousness is so tangible. The official whose son was ill believed in the word of Jesus and his son was healed. This was the second sign of Jesus after he had changed water into wine. Our faith in Jesus can change our hopeless situations, and our sorrows into joy; Our faith in Jesus can move mountains. Let ‘s put our trust in the Lord, for our hope cannot deceive us (Romans 5:5). Indeed the Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Saturday of the 3rd week in Lent. Luke 8:9-14
Be merciful to me, Lord
Our prayer should not be a person self - gratification or self - glorification but God's glorification. The publican in today's gospel teaches us about God's centered and never self-centered prayer. It is not about comparison, self-righteousness but humility and self-awareness.
The pharisee, in his pride, is full of himself, whereas the publican in his humility is filled with God, and he returns home satisfied.
God is gracious, kind, and merciful. Like the publican, may our prayer be a realization of our sinfulness, imperfections, and weaknesses in need of God's abounding mercy and grace.
Be merciful to me, poor sinner!
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Friday 3rd week in Lent Mark 12:28–34.
Friday 3rd week in Lent
Mark 12:28–34.
How far are we from the kingdom of God?
Everyday should draw us nearer to God's kingdom. The Scriptures suggest ways that help us to get closer to God.
1) Hearing and obeying God's word draws us to God's heart.
2)Making God's our top priority. Love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul
3)Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves is indeed an extension of the kingdom of God. That is the meaning of the sign of the cross, which embraces God and our neighbor.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday, 3rd week in Lent. Luke 11:14-23
Thursday, 3rd week in Lent. Luke 11:14-23
No matter how excellent we are, some people will always have something negative to say. Jesus went through the same experience as he delivered a man with a mute demon. His adversaries decided to accuse him of using the power of Belzebul, the chief of demons.
We can learn the following:
1) Keep doing what is right and do not let yourself be distracted by criticism and negative comments of the enemy.
2) As for us, let us train our minds to see the good in other people's actions.
3) Let's be on the side of God who unites and brings all people and all things together in Christ.
The question remains, do we truly believe in Jesus as our Saviour?
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac