Friday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Deut. 4:32-40, Mt. 16:24-28
Discipleship
Today, readings focus on remembering God's mighty works and embracing discipleship through self-denial and carrying one's cross. God's past faithfulness is the foundation for present obedience and future blessings. This begins by putting God's at the center by denying ourselves. Christ wants us to carry our cross in the context of our love and service for others. This is indeed a clear path to the imitate Him. That's why he invites us to follow him by allowing his footsteps to define our entire life. As Christians, we are called to love and serve those Christ Himself loved and served. We should remember we are not called to live for success but for sacrifice. The promise of God for us has never been a comfortable life but eternal life for all who believe.
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday 18th week C. Numbers 20:1-13; Ps 95 Matthew 16:13-23
Thursday 18th week C.
Numbers 20:1-13; Ps 95 Matthew 16:13-23
Faith calls for obedience
In today's 1st reading, we are in the desert. Moses and Aaron under the pressure of the people. Miriam has just died. The people lack water to drink. Moses and Aaron consult with God, who instructs Moses to strike the rock in order to produce water for the people. Out of doubt, Moses struck twice the rock. Moses did not follow God's instructions. He did not fully believe in God's word. Yet the Psalm 95 insists the importance of listening to God's voice and not hardening one's heart against him. Peter in the gospel invites us to profess our faith Christ, the Son of the living God.
Our obedience to God is capital in our journey of faith. No matter how simple God's instruction may appear, we must give it our obedience of faith.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
The transfiguration of the Lord. Mark 9:2-10
The transfiguration of the Lord. Mark 9:2-10
Life is a package
Life is not like a movie that we watch on the screens. When you watch a movie, you can rewind and watch the interesting parts as many times as you like and skip the part you don't like. But in life, you go through all the scenes, the good, the bad, the sweetest and the ugly. What brings us comfort is that God is in all of them. From our birth to our death, God is always with us. Jesus himself, through this event of the transfiguration, is teaching us that we must embrace all stages of our life with confidence and faith. As the Word incarnate, he is the Beloved Son of God, who fulfills all the Law and the prophets. He will suffer the passion for us, and he will rise again in glory. With the transfiguration, we now understand that Jesus is not just a servant, a preacher, a prophet but the Savior. We must listen to him and follow him. Life is a full package, and God is in all the parts.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Tuesday of the 18th week Year C. Nm 12:1-13; Mt 14:22-36
Tuesday of the 18th week Year C. Nm 12:1-13; Mt 14:22-36
Fear not
In today's Gospel, while facing the storm in the sea, Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid. The biblical meaning of "fear, not" afraid mainly, refers to faith in God. Believers, as they cross over the sea of this world, must face the challenges of this world with faith and courage. We should not be paralyzed by fear, anxiety, worries, potential harm, or any circumstances. Jesus wants us to trust in God's presence, power, and love. When we face the boat of troubles in this world, resignation and fear are not the solution but full trust in God's presence and salvific power.
Jesus, I trust in you
Saturday of the 17th week Year C. Lv 25:1, 8-17; Mt 14:1-12
Saturday of the 17th week Year C. Lv 25:1, 8-17; Mt 14:1-12
Today's gospel highlights John the Baptist's martyrdom. St. Augustine viewed this martyrdom as a testament to John's humility and a way that foreshadows Christ's own sacrifice. All highly regarded John, including Herod, but John consistently pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. He wanted to decrease so that Christ may increase. By pointing out boldly at Herod's sin with Herodias, John the Baptist is reminding us of our prophetic mission to witness to truth even at the cost of our own lives.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of 17th week ordinary Time year C. Leviticus 23:1-37;
Friday of 17th week ordinary Time year C. Leviticus 23:1-37;
God faithfulness
In our actual liturgy, we celebrate God's love and mercy for his children. Our entire celebrations through the liturgical year are forwarded in this chapter 23 of the book of Leviticus. We have the outlines of the feasts that the Lord commanded the Israelites to observe as a reminder of his faithful love. Every liturgy celebrates God's salvific works. These include the Sabbath, Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Firstfruits (Weeks), the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Booths (Tabernacles). The Lord recommended these feasts to be observed as holy convocations. Every liturgy of the mass is the actualization of God's faithfulness and provision for us. Let's not become too familiar to the point of losing its depth and its meaning.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of 17th week C. Matthew 13:44-46. Exodus 34:29-35.
Wednesday of 17th week C. Matthew 13:44-46. Exodus 34:29-35.
Discovering the most important treasure.
Jesus invites us to discover the riches of God's Kingdom and the importance of prayer and perseverance in seeking it. God is always willing to give good gifts to those who ask, seek, and knock.
The Lord is very clear. The Kingdom of Heaven is a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price, worth sacrificing everything for.
We need to detach from unnecessary worldly desires and false security and focus on the treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven. The pearl and the treasure of high value invite us to prioritize God and his kingdom. In God, we find our true treasure, our true peace, and our true joy. What do I need to give up in order to find this treasure?
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Feast of Mary Martha and Lazarus. 1 John 4:7-16; John 11: 19-27
Feast of Mary Martha and Lazarus. 1 John 4:7-16; John 11: 19-27
The three were friends of Jesus. And Jesus enjoyed visiting them. He felt comfortable spending time with them. Each of them has something to teach us in our Christians life. Martha is a model of service. She teaches us to offer our time and talents in the service of God and others. (Luke 10:38-42). Mary, in her turn, teaches us to seek a deeper relationship with God by listening actively to his word. She is the model of the contemplative disciple. As for Lazarus, the friend of Jesus, he points out the goal of our Christian life. Like him, we are witnesses of the resurrection. Jesus is not only a simple friend to us, but the Saviour who promises us eternal life. Faith in Christ, Jesus overcomes any limitation as well as death itself.
Jesus I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Saturday of the 15th week. Year C.Exodus 12:37-42 Matthew 12:14-2
Saturday of the 15th week. Year C.Exodus 12:37-42 Matthew 12:14-2
Jesus chose to withdraw
Today's gospel passage depicts the Pharisees conspiring against Jesus because of his healings and teaching. Jesus, aware of their plotting, withdraws but continues to heal many, urging them to keep messianic secret. He fulfils Isaiah's prophecy about the humble, gentle, and just nature of God's chosen servant who brings hope to the Gentiles. Like Jesus we should learn to walk away from those who have evil intentions to destroy us. It is a courageous decision to make. Our peace and joy are more important than staying where we are not valued. It might be hard, but remember, God always has a better purpose. God himself asked the Israelites to leave Egypt behind after 430 years, in spite of all they had built up there. Their freedom was more important than anything else.
Jesus I trust in you!
Friday of the 15th week, year C. Exodus 11:10-12:14; Mt. 12:1-8
Friday of the 15th week, year C. Exodus 11:10-12:14; Mt. 12:1-8
The Book of Exodus (11:10-12:14), highlights the institution of the Passover. It is indeed a testament to God’s mercy and compassion. As the Angel of Death passed over the homes marked with the blood of the sacrificial lamb, God’s mercy spared the firstborn of the Israelites, liberating them from the bondage of Egypt. The Passover foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood brings eternal redemption and salvation to all who believe in Him. God’s mercy takes precedence over religious rituals as Jesus says in today’s gospel. It is not mere adherence to rules and regulations that captures God’s heart; rather, it is a heart moved by compassion and love for God’s people.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Tuesday of the 15th week year C. Exodus 2:1-15a; Psalm 69; Matthew 11:20-24
Tuesday of the 15th week year C. Exodus 2:1-15a; Psalm 69; Matthew 11:20-24
Today's meditation focuses on themes of divine providence, the consequences of rejecting God's grace, and the call to repentance.
Exodus 2:1-15a narrates the birth and early life of Moses. Even in dire circumstances, we must rely on God's intervention and protection. That's why the psalmist in Psalm 69 gives us a message of trust and compassion. When we cry unto the Lord, he hears and answers us.
This psalm reflects a plea for rescue from suffering and affirms trust in God's mercy and salvation.
Jesus in the Gospel brings us salvation and warns us as he did with the people of his time, against the rejection of God's compassion, which should always lead to repentance. Our failure to repent in the face of the evidence of God's miraculous love could lead to harsher judgment.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Monday of the 15th week year C. Exodus 1:8-14, 22.
Monday of the 15th week year C. Exodus 1:8-14, 22.
Matthew 10:34-11:1
We begin this morning the reading from the Book of Exodus. Israelites are now suffering under a new the Pharaoh who feared their growing numbers. He sets taskmasters over to oppress them. This symbolizes the power of darness and evil over our lives. Yet, despite the harsh treatment, the children of Israel persevered and continued to multiply, demonstrating their resilience and trust in God. Evil will not prvail on those who love God. Jesus came to destroy the powers of evil and through Him
God will definitely set free all those who put their faith in him.
All he asks of us is our loyalty and fidelity to Him.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday of the 14th week Year C
Thursday of the 14th week Year C.
Gen 44, 18-21. 23b-29; 44, 1-5/ Ps 104/ Mt 10, 7-15
God's is in Sovereign
Although Joseph acknowledged and manifested the pains and the heaviness of his heart, he goes beyond his personal sufferings and anguish to see in the evil act of his brothers, the hand of God at work in order for him to save many lives. “I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt. But now, do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” Dear friends, St. Augustine believed that God can use evil to bring about a greater good, such as refining believers through trials or ultimately redeeming them. With St. Augustine, through this story of Joseph, we are may affirm that, yes, our God is sovereign, and he is in control, even over evil.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of the 14th week Year C.
Wednesday of the 14th week Year C.
Gn. 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a: .Mt. 10: 1-7
Today's liturgy helps us to meditate on the calling of the twelve apostles as well as the calling of Joseph, who became, in spite of the betrayal, the savior of brothers who sold him to Egypt. Joseph refused to avenge himself or to abuse the power entrusted to him. As Jesus calls the Apostles, he does it today for us so that we should be at the service of our brothers and sisters. Regardless of our background, Jesus wants us to be his followers so that we can share his message to the world. Like the Apostles, Jesus expects each of us, the willingness to leave our old lives and follow him. To be a true disciple of Christ will involve total reliance on prayer and the commitment to spread the Gospel by words and an exemplary way of life.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Tuesday of the 14th week Year C. Genesis 32:23-32; Mt. 9: 32-38.
Tuesday of the 14th week Year C. Genesis 32:23-32; Mt. 9: 32-38.
Wrestling with God
The story of Jacob wrestling with God is a paradigm for our spiritual journey. It symbolizes spiritual struggle and transformation. The story is central in Jacob's life. Jacob was known for his trickery and deception of his brother Essau. It was high time for him to confront his own flaws. Hence, he wrestles with the divine. We all need to face our own past and settle things with God. Like in Jacob's case, God is always ready to start afresh with us, to give us a new identity. From now on, Jacob is called Israel, the "one who struggles with God". God desires an authentic relationship with us. He takes our past and transforms us into a new creation. We all wrestle with something of our past. May we open up to the Lord in order to begin an authentic relationship with him. Wrestling with God is powerful and transforming experience!
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Saturday of the 13th week Year C. Gen 27: 1-5, 15-29; Mt 9: 14-17.
Saturday of the 13th week Year C. Gen 27: 1-5, 15-29; Mt 9: 14-17.
Jesus' words about old wineskins and new wineskins is an invitation to let go of old habits, our rigidity, our self-righteousness, our false religious expectations. We should rather trust completely on the grace he betows. "My yoke is easy," he says.
Our hearts should become like new wineskins, which are flexible and expansive. We need a transformed mindset and a way of life that is receptive to the new reality of God's Kingdom and grace, as brought by Jesus. The new wineskin is, indeed, the new heart and a new spirit promised by God.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle. Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:23-29
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle. Ephesians 2:19-22; John 20:23-29
Members of God's household
The Feast of St. Thomas helps us to reflect on the power of faith, the importance of building God's Kingdom, and the transformative potential of doubt and questioning in our spiritual journey. Moments' uncertainties and doubt can open us to a deeper understanding and exploration of our faith. In his doubt, St. Thomas is for us a paradigm of those who embrace uncertainties as an open window for what we are yet to know. "My Lord and my God" Let's become effective witnesses to Christ on this continuous journey of faith.
Jesus, I trust in you
Fr. Georges sac
Wednesday of the 13th week Year C. Gen. 21:5.8-20; Ps. 33; Mt. 8:28-34
Wednesday of the 13th week Year C. Gen. 21:5.8-20; Ps. 33; Mt. 8:28-34
After the storm, the disciples are now confronted with two powerful demons living in the cemetery. For St. Chrysostom, their healing highlights Christ's omnipotence and authority over demonic forces. We are invited to put our faith and and trust in Christ, who not only calms the storms of our life but also over the power of evil, which attacks not only individuals but our entire communities. Jesus is the Son of God who has power to set us free from the demonic powers of hatred, tribalism, racism, anger, greed, selfishness and corruption. And by destroying the herd of swines into which the demons had entered, Jesus showed that the human soul is worth more than the world. But do we in return acknowledge the primacy of God in our lives or do I trade him for anything of this world.
Jesus I trust in you!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Tuesday of the 13th week in Year C. Mt 8:23-27.
Tuesday of the 13th week in Year C. Mt 8:23-27.
Never lose hope!
Our daily life is filled with storms: financial, family and storms, marital and relationships storms; storms related to our faith, or our job and personal decisions. Storms are part of our lives. No matter how peaceful our life may seem to be, or even how close we are to God, how faithful we are to vocation, we can not be storms free. St. Augustine says the storms story is an allegory of our Christian life and the Church. Storms are a test to our strength and of our trust in God. Instead of agitation and panic in the midst of adversity and storms, we are called to surrender to the Lord because he is Almighty. He has the word of eternal life. He speaks to the wind, and it obeys Him. "He is really the Savior of the world." ( John 4:42)
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac
Monday of the 13th week Year C. The martyrs of Rome. Mt 8:18-22
Monday of the 13th week Year C. The martyrs of Rome. Mt 8:18-22
The Gospel of today invites us to be true witnesses. As we celebrate the martyrs of Rome, we look at those men and women of faith who particularly gave their lives under the persecution of Emperor Nero. Christianity is a religion of love. This love is costly. Christians are to realize day after day, the power of faith, the importance of love for others, and the enduring strength that we find within the community of believers. The stories of the martyrs of Rome, demonstrate the transformative impact of the Gospel in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit gave them the courage to willingly sacrifice their lives for their faith. A true Christian witnesses God's truth, mercy, compassion and love at all times.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Fr. Georges sac