God's Word and Daily Life

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

 Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Myanmar, which is also suffering so much because of the earthquake…

 The list of bloody conflicts and their victims is too long. How can we not despair? How can we be witnesses of hope in this Holy Year? Allow me to recommend to you two invitations from Pope Francis: to become a peacemaker in our daily lives and to pray for peace (from his Message for the 58^th World Day of Peace - 1^st January 2025)

 Become a peacemaker in your daily life

“Disarming hearts is a job for everyone, great and small, rich and poor alike. At times, something quite simple will do, such as “a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed”. With such gestures, we progress towards the goal of peace. We will arrive all the more quickly if, in the course of journeying alongside our brothers and sisters, we discover that we have changed from the time we first set out. Peace does not only come with the end of wars but with the dawn of a new world, a world in which we realize that we are different, closer and more fraternal than we ever thought possible.”

Pray Pope’s Francis prayer for peace

“Lord, grant us your peace!

Forgive us our trespasses, Lord,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

In this cycle of forgiveness, grant us your peace,

the peace that you alone can give

to those who let themselves be disarmed in heart,

to those who choose in hope to forgive the debts of their brothers and sisters,

to those who are unafraid to confess their debt to you,

and to those who do not close their ears to the cry of the poor.”

By Cristopher C. Urquiola

Tomorrow, the entire Church celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a moment for us to reflect on the virtues and quiet strength of a man who is often overlooked in the grand narrative of salvation history.  In the scriptures, Joseph is presented as a man of deep faith, someone who, despite his own uncertainties and struggles, places his trust entirely in God's will. When he learns of Mary's pregnancy, he is initially troubled but chooses not to publicly shame her. Instead, he decides to quietly divorce her, until an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s child is conceived by the aHoly Spirit. Without hesitation, Joseph accepts this divine revelation and takes Mary as his wife. 

This act of faith and obedience is not just a moment in the past; it is an example for all of us. Joseph’s willingness to submit to God’s plan, despite the personal sacrifices and misunderstandings it may have brought, demonstrates a profound trust in God's providence. He does not seek recognition or fame; his role is quiet yet crucial. His love for Mary and Jesus, and his steadfast commitment to protect and provide for them, shows us what it means to live a life of service, not for personal gain, but in obedience to God's will.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

The pillars of Lent were reminded to us by the Gospel of Ash Wednesday: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
But above all, it is a time for God and for others, a time to be attentive to our hearts, to others, and to God.
But what kind of fast?

Let us reread and meditate what God asked the prophet Isaiah (8^th century before Christ) to proclaim:

“The fast that I choose:

releasing those bound unjustly,

untying the thongs of the yoke;

Setting free the oppressed,

breaking off every yoke,

sharing your bread with the hungry,

bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house,

clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own flesh

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed.”

By Christopher C. Urquiola

Pope Francis has been a beacon of humility, compassion, and servant leadership, guiding the Church with a deep sense of love and care for all people, especially the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. His words and actions remind us of Christ’s call to serve one another with kindness and mercy. As he faces health challenges, we are reminded of his humanity and the need for prayerful support. May we, as a global community of faith, lift him up in prayer, asking God to grant him strength, comfort, and healing. May his witness continue to inspire us to walk the path of faith with courage and trust in God’s providence. 

By Christopher C. Urquiola

On February 22, we celebrate the Chair of St. Peter, the symbol or representation of the authority of St. Peter and his successors -the pope- in the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter expresses our unity to the Church founded by Christ, built on the rock, the Apostle Peter.

The Papacy is one of the greatest gifts Christ has given to His Church, ensuring unity, continuity, and guidance in faith and morals. As Catholics, we recognize the Pope as the Vicar of Christ on earth, entrusted with shepherding the flock and preserving the deposit of faith. Our fidelity to the Papacy is not merely a matter of obedience but a response of love and trust in Christ’s divine plan for His Church.

From the time of St. Peter, to whom Jesus said, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18), the successors of Peter have carried the weighty responsibility of confirming the brethren in faith (Luke 22:32). This sacred office is not founded on human wisdom or power but on God’s providence, which ensures that His Church remains a beacon of truth in a world often clouded by error and confusion.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

I had the chance to participate in the Jubilee of Journalists and Social Communicators in Rome, during which Maria Ressa gave a very remarkable testimony. I would like to recommend that you read Pope Francis' Message for the 59th World Day of Social Communications: "Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts."
The message is short, encouraging, full of hope.
It helps us to live in a world of violence, fake news, to be signs of hope.

« I encourage you to discover and make known the many stories of goodness hidden in the folds of the news, imitating those gold-prospectors who tirelessly sift the sand in search of a tiny nugget. It is good to seek out such seeds of hope and make them known. It helps our world to be a little less deaf to the cry of the poor, a little less indifferent, a little less closed in on itself. May you always find those glimmers of goodness that inspire us to hope.  This kind of communication can help to build communion, to make us feel less alone, to rediscover the importance of walking together”

“Be witnesses and promoters of a non-aggressive communication; help to spread a culture of care, build bridges and break down the visible and invisible barriers of the present time. Tell stories steeped in hope, be concerned about our common destiny and strive to write together the history of our future.”

For the VIDEO, TRANSCRIPT: Maria Ressa speech at Vatican for Jubilee Year, click here:

https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/video-full-text-transcript-dialogue-maria-ressa-colum-mccann-vatican/

Photo from L’Osservatore Romano from Rappler.