SCRIPTURAL WISDOM : DAILY MEDITATION ON THE WORD OF GOD

St Francis of Assisi.  Today, we celebrate the feast of St Francis of Assisi, (1181-1226) founder of the Franciscan Order, including the Poor Clares and the Lay third Order. Thanks to him, the Catholic Church rediscovered the beauty of evangelical poverty in the 13th Century. Let us remember that it was St François who invented the Christmas creche. It is undoubtedly the fruit of his contemplation of the humility of God revealed in his humanity. This Wednesday, October 4, opens in Rome the last stage of the «Synod for a Synodal Church», launched on October 10, 2021 by Pope Francis . Starting this great even on the day of Feast of St Francis is certainly significant for the Church and all lovers of nature.  As we embark on our reflection today, let our hearts be drawn to the teachings of the Apostle Paul and the words of our Savior, and let’s see how they connect with the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.  Galatians 6:14-18  “But may I never boast except in the cross of ou

Scripture Passage : “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, 'Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?' But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.” – Luke 9:51-56 (NIV) Meditation: Divine Purpose: As Jesus knew His mission and “resolutely set out for Jerusalem”, so must every Christian discern and stick to the divine calling in their lives. Jerusalem is the place where he laid down his life for us. Luke used the expression “resolutely” to underline how challenging it was for the Lord.   The road to fulfilling God’s purpose might not be free from obstacles or rejections, yet our resolve should never waver. Jesus wasn’t

    Meditation: God’s Protective Care through Angels . In the hush of sacred spaces, we gather today, reflecting on the mystery and the majesty of our Guardian Angels. Our Catholic faith teaches us of the unseen presence of these celestial guardians, assigned to guide and protect us in our journey towards our eternal home. Guidance beyond the physical realm. Today’s feast provides us with an opportunity to re-connect    with our guardian angels, speak with them. The Exodus passage offers a vivid portrayal of God’s protective care. Just as God sent an angel to lead and safeguard the Israelites, each one of us is accompanied by a guardian angel to steer us through life’s deserts and challenges. It's not just about physical protection, but spiritual guidance. This angelic guide, carrying God's name within, demands our attention and obedience, nudging us towards righteousness and away from disobedience to God's will.  Embracing Angelic qualities.   This directive

Ezekiel 18:25-28 Ezekiel highlights an important perspective : while we might sometimes feel like questioning God’s justice, it’s crucial to turn that lens back onto ourselves. Isn’t it often our own actions that fall short? Instead of dwelling on past achievements or mistakes, let’s focus on our present journey towards God. Every moment offers a fresh start, and God’s arms remain open wide to welcome us back, to help us stand up each time we fall. Christians sometimes face the temptation is being complaisant with failures instead of striving to rise again. Matthew 21:28-32 Then, we have the story of the two sons from the Gospel of Matthew. It’s a poignant reminder that words alone don’t define our commitment to God, but actions do. How often have we promised faithfulness to God, to our Christian commitments and then not followed through? The essence of our Christian journey is not in grand declarations but in the quiet, consistent choices we make every day, no matter how sma

                  MEDITATION.  26TH SUNDAY, ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE A. Jesus extends his helping hand towards us today. Are we ready to receive him!  Ezekiel 18:25-28 “But you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.”   Matthew 21:28-32 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answere

  Meditation on Luke 9:43-45 .   “While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.”   The Marvel and the Mystery: In today’s Gospel, for the second time, Jesus announced his suffering and death to his disciples, (the first time being in Luke 9, 21-27). In the passage leading up to these verses, Jesus has just performed another great miracle — (v.37-42) the healing of a boy with a demon. The crowd is in awe of Jesus’ power and authority, marveling at the wonders He is performing. Amidst this atmosphere of amazement and admiration, Jesus decides to share a profound truth with His closest followers, his disciples. It is as if the clamor of applause and wonder creates a protective sound barrier aro

John 1:47-51 (NIV): 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”   Meditation : In this passage of the Gospel of John, we witness an intimate encounter between Jesus and Nathanael, revealing profound truths about Jesus’s divine nature, His knowledge, and the faith of those who follow Him. Deep Recognition : Jesus recognizes Nathanael even before Nathanael introduces himself. It’s an indication of Jesus’s omniscient nature. When He says, “Here truly