Our true Family!
Jesus was teaching the crowds, then arrived his mother and his brothers who stood outside seeking to talk to him. Hearing that: “Your mother and brothers want to talk to you”, Jesus redefines not only our new family but also the new identity of every Christian. “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mt.12:50). That is what the Blessed Virgin Mary did. She is the perfect model of one who not only hears the word of God but lives by it. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word” (cf. Lk. 1:26-38). Mama Mary, help us to listen and obey God’s word. Lord for all our stubbornness and all our iniquities, Lord in your faithful love, have mercy on your people!
Precious Blood of Jesus of Jesus, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Monday; Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. 2 Cor. 5, 14-17; Ps. 62; John 20:1. 11-18
Magdalene is the first disciple to see Jesus after his resurrection. Before her encounter with Jesus, she was at the mercy of the evil one. Yet after meeting with Jesus, Mary became an apostle of the resurrection. She teaches us fidelity and perseverance in friendship especially in times of hardships as she visited the tomb of Jesus early morning! She will find true consolation in the risen Christ, who makes her the first disciple to announce his resurrection. Even when we are disappointed and defeated by the problems of life God is always close to us and he calls each of us by name. Like Mary Magdalene, we need to accept the “seen of the Lord” in our lives. The experience of the risen Lord is our strength and our hope.
Precious blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO
Saturday of the 15th week. Micah 2:1-5; Ps 9; Mt 12:14-21
In the first reading, the Prophet Micah stands against all those who commit evil and who were still planing in their hearts to do harm to others. Examine yourself. Are you among those who plan evil?
Jesus is facing such wickedness against the pharisees in today's Gospel. They seek to kill him because of his good actions. Jesus shows the power of his love by healing even more people. In the face of wickedness, always show love, for the Lord will be with you to give you more strength and to protect you! Let us, therefore, remember to put on the full armor of God so that we too can resist evil doers and all our enemies (Eph. 6:13)
Precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Reflection of July 16th. Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Is.1: 10-17; Mt. 11:21-22.
Mighty deeds, yet indifference!
The anger of Jesus is justifiable and understandable for most categories of people. Priests, pastors, catechists, Parents who give their best for the success of their parishioners, children, yet children do not care; Teachers who give their best for their students but receive indifference and lack of commitment. To Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum, Jesus gave everything himself, his message to the lost sheep of Israel and produced a lot of miracles and wonders yet these cities have remained indifferent, unfruitful and incapable of repentance. When we count our daily blessings and God’s miracles in our lives, they are far from Chorazin. Bethsaida and Capernaum… Throughout this day, remember these words of Isaiah: “If we do not stand by the Lord, we will not stand at all”
Most precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Reflection of July 15th. St Bonaventure. Is.1: 10-17; Mt 10:34-11,1.
God at the center of our lives!
The Lord invites us at the beginning of this week to purify and change our hearts and avoid vices, sins and other forms of evil. True sacrifice and true worship consist in avoiding doing what is evil but doing what is good, right and just, loving kindness and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). The Gospel invites us to keep our true relationships with God, with our family and with the rest of the world with the heart and mind of Christ Jesus; that is authentic love, which is always seeking God’s will. This demands of us ,daily sacrifices, detachments out of love and charity. Let’s go out and announce the Gospel, which is essentially, charity, justice and peace! Change your heart!
Most precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC
Friday, July 12th, 2024. Hoséa 14:2-10; Mt 10: 16-23.
Hosea, at the end of his book, insists on the faithful love of God. This is an invitation to conversion and putting our full trust in God. He is the one who sends like sheep among wolves. We must be, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Serpents in the time of Jesus were known as wise and shrewd animals. So shall we be. Yet doves are known to be harmless. Christians must be Christ-like, innocent, pure, and self-sacrificing. Yes, the world is cruel and hostile. We must be wise, prudent, and remain focused on God, who is always faithful (Ps. 114).
Lord, give me your wisdom!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Monday of the 14th week, Year B. Hosea 2:16-22; Mt9:18-26
God of life!
Jesus is truly the Messiah of God who comes to give life to people believe in Him. He heals the woman suffering from hemorrhages to reassure us of the power that God has over all forms of illness and goes so far as to bring the young girl back to life to signify that even death has no power before him. God truly loves us to the point that he never abandons us despite our unfaithfulness. He renews his love and faithfulness for us every day. It is, therefore, enough for us to have faith in Jesus Christ to see healing and all the power of the gospel of Christ manifested in our daily lives!
Precious blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!
Pax Christi!
Wednesday, July 03, 2024. St Thomas the Apostles. Eph. 2: 19-22; John 20:24-29.
Put your finger here and see my hands.
These words of Jesus express God's mercy towards sinners and his willingness to heal us. Such a compassion for the doubting Thomas reminds us that the Lord does not expect us to be “perfect Christians” but faithful.
Jesus wants us “to seek him, to call on him, or even, like Thomas, to protest, bringing him our needs and our unbelief, our personal or family wounds.
Our challenge is to recognize the presence of risen Christ in our midst in spite of our doubts and hesitations.
In those moments of difficulties and darkness, Jesus comes back with love and knocks at the door of our hearts. Jesus does not give up on us when we find ourselves in moments of crisis and doubts. He takes us through his light of faith.
"My Savior and my Lord!"
Pax Christi
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Monday of 13th week, Year B. Amos 2: 6-10. 13-16; Ps 49; Mt8:18-22
The cost of discipleship
In the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gave the basic conditions for anyone who wants to be his disciple. He should deny himself, take up his cross, and follow in his footsteps.
Following Christ implies accepting the cost to pay for it. It is a cost with no guarantees in this world except Jesus himself. One must be aware that they accept to lose everything in making such a decision. All we need is to have enough trust in Jesus as the one knows the way, who is the truth, and the life.
This may include giving up the comforts of this world and being prepared to do things that are difficult or even go against things that seem naturally obvious for our life in society.
Jesus makes it clear to us that following him is the greatest value that nothing else should obstract. Mere families' obligations should not be an excuse that stands against our project of following Christ. For this reason
"It's better to leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Happy New Month of July!
Precious of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world!
Fr. Georges sac
Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. Ac 3:1-10; Ps 18; Gal 1: 11-20.
Unity and universality!
I'm grateful that I was ordained on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul as they always remind me that God did not choose me because I'm perfect. Peter was impulsive in his reactions, and he denied Christ and Paul persecuted Christ and his Church. What made them pillars of the Church were not their human qualifications but faith in God, in spite of their human weaknesses. God works miracles and builds up his church through us. We are not qualified, but He qualifies us. He is the one who stands by us and gives us strength. "Come and I will make of you fishers of men." Peter is called by Christ to unite the whole Church, and Paul is called to help spread Christ's message to the universal Church. These are the two dimensions of the mission of the Church: Unity and Universality. Peter and Paul are certainly celebrated together by the Church in order to express these two directions of our missions.
We pray for our Pope so that he will always be the supreme bridge builder (Ad pontifex maximus) in the universal Church; that Bishop may fulfil the same mission in the diocesan level and Pastors in the Parish level. Lord, help our Church to remain faithful to her mission of "Binding and loosing"
Please make a special prayer for me and Fr. Hervé Pascal, today!
O Mary, conceived without sin. Pray for us who recourse to thee!
Pax Christi!
Fr. Georges sac
Friday of the 12th week, year B. 2Kings 25: 1-12; Ps 136; Mt 8:1-4
Purify me, Lord
“If you wish, you can make me clean.” The leper aware of the disastrous situation of leprosy opens his heart to Jesus. The leper teaches us that no matter how great our need is, we should always approach God with humility, not with pride. We should make a request and never a demand; for the prerogative lays entirely with Jesus.
Indeed, Jesus came to purify humanity from sins and death of which leprosy symbolizes. We can be purified through the cleansing and washing of the blood of Christ.(Ps. 139:23-24).
By asking to be purified by Jesus, the leper is asking for salvation, healing, and purity of heart.
Lord, if you wish, you may purify me.
Fr. Georges sac
Thursday of the 12th week, year B. 2Kings 24:8-17; Ps 72; Mt 7:21-2
Building on the Rock!
The Rock is Christ.
Any wise person should build his life upon Jesus just as any good man would build his house on the rock. Building one's house on the sand is indeed foolishness(Matthew 7:24-27).
We are to build our lives on Jesus Christ. He is our firm foundation. This implies, hearing God's word and obey it. It demands living according to Christ standards and teachings! We need the Holy Spirit.
Mary, Mother of the Word incarnate, help me. I want to build my life on Jesus, my Rock!
Pax Christi!
Fr. Georges sac
Reflection on Wednesday of the 12th week, year B. 2Kings 22:8-13; 23, 1-3; Ps 118; Mt 7:15-20.
Warning!
Jesus is warning us against false prophets who preach easy and cheap solutions to life and to the heavenly kingdom. The true way to heaven is through Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Such a way of life would imply observing the commandments as Josias and bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit in one's personal life. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, modesty, and chastity. (Galatians 5:22-23). Anyone bearing such fruits is known as Christ's true disciple or prophets or Apostle, etc...
By their fruits, you will know them, says Jesus!
Lord teach me your paths!
Fr. Georges sac
Pax Christi!
Tuesday of the 12th week, B. 2 Kings 19: 11.14-36; Ps47; Mt 7:6.12-14.
Trusting in God's salvation.
Ezekiah, in the first reading, teaches us that true wisdom is to rely on God's even in the most dreadful moments of our lives. The Lord is our rescuer! Handing things unto Him is the best solutions of all.
In the Gospel passage, Jesus invites us to "strive to enter through the narrow door." Jesus is the narrow door because he the Way, the Truth and the Life. While this way is narrow as we know the difficulties to welcome and follow Jesus and his message in our world today, the narrow door is open to everyone. Anyone who lives a life that accepts the cross, a life of prayer, faithfulness, love, forgiveness, service, and self-sacrifice as opposed to a life of pride and arrogance, laziness and greed, is taking the narrow road that lead to the fulness of life.
Holy Mary, Mother of Christ, help us to trust in God as you did, especially in helpless times.
Pax Christi!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Reflection on the solemnity of the birthday of John de Baptist. Jer. 1:4-10; Ps 70; Luke 1: 5-17
Witnessing to the Light
The Church only celebrates the date of birth of Jesus Our Savior, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother and John the Baptist, the forerunner because of their exceptional missions. Every June 24, we celebrate the solemnity of the nativity of St John the Baptist six months before the death of Jesus.
Nothing is impossible to God. If Elizabeth could conceive in her condition, this means that God can do all things with and for you. God is gracious, which means John's name. From disgrace he can bring grace. Let us thank God for his many blessings. (Luke 1:25).
One of the greatest lessons of John the Baptist is humility, selflessness, and courage. He never spoke for himself. He never stood for who he was not. He was just a voice, a witness to the Light.
May we decrease each day in our pride and self-centeredness so that Christ may increase in us.
Happy birthday to St John the Baptist!
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Saturday, 11th week in Year B. 2 Chronicles 24, 17-25; Ps 88; Mt 6: 24-34
Jesus continues to teach on Christian's priorities and fidelity. Henceforth, he says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other”.
Jesus wants our loyalty to God to be undivided. It is impossible to place ultimate priority on two things at the same time. One must be more important and at the service of the other.
Jesus is not diabolizing money, but that he re-centers the place and role of everything in life. God is Creator and our ultimate goal. We must always be loyal and faithful to God. Money is only a means and shall never be an end. It should always be sought or used in fidelity to God's guidance.
Usually slaves depend on their masters to provide everything. Being devoted to money cannot provide you everything. Yet being devoted to God gives you All.
Finally, the demands of having two masters will always compete until you give the ultimate priority to one. So, Jesus concludes that a person can not serve both God and money.
Teach me, O Holy Mary to be faithful to God.
Pax Christi
Fr. Georges sac
Friday 11th week. Aloyzius Gonzaga.
Crave for heavenly things!
We still in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus today is teaching His listeners the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure. He makes it clear that the heavenly treasures are more important: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). Whatever we focus on dictates our actions. When we focus on earthly success and wealth, we will expend our energies on earthly matters. However, when we focus on God’s priorities, our actions will reflect different priorities—and our reward in heaven will last forever. Let God be the treasure of our heart!
St. Aloyzius Gonzaga, pray for us!
Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC
Thursday of the 11th week of Ordinary Time, B. Sirach 48:1-14; Ps 97; Matt 6:7-15.
This morning, Christ teaches his disciples how to pray and he gives them the "Our Father" - We are called to pray to God, our Father and to serve him like Elijah and Elisha whose power and the book of Sirach praises in chapter 48.
We pray this Lord's Prayer at least once a day and it is beautiful and powerful. However, let us take time to meditate on each of the words of the Our Father and try to live it every day. The “OUR FATHER” prayer is a simple but effective prayer that allows us to recognize God as our Father by asking him for daily bread, forgiveness, guidance and protection.
Give us Lord our daily bread
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac
Wednesday of 11th Week , Year B. 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 30(31):20, 21, 24; Matt 6:1-6, 16-18.
Sacramentals are important!
Elijah finished his work and was taken up into the heavens, resulting in the tradition of Elijah’s return before the Day of the Lord’s coming. Elisha inherited his prophetic ministry and power. The cloak that separated the Jordan, just like Moses’ staff, reminds me of blessed Sacramentals. God through the Church, blesses instruments or persons to aid us on our earthly and spiritual journeys. such sacred objects have spiritual effects. Let us remember that Jesus is asking us not to focus only on external practices of our faith but on a heart to heart with Him.
Fr. Georges R. BIDZOGO SAC
Tuesday, 11th week year B. 1Kigs 21:17-29; Mt 5: 43-48.
Be perfect as your heavenly Father
In Mark 10:18. Jesus says, "Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. "Jesus shows clearly in this passage that only God is perfect. Yet he still invites us to be perfect as our heavenly Father.
With this invitation, the sermon on the mount reaches its hardest part, but its most beautiful demand. Being perfect as the heavenly Father means learning each day to be like Jesus, the Son of the Father and to correspond to God's plan for humanity.
In the New Testament, the Greek word 'perfect' means complete, whole, or fully developed, having reached an end-goal. Jesus Christ invites us to strive for that kind of perfection, which demands daily repentance, prayer, and love for our enemies. We are truly Christians if we love as God loves, without discrimination. Only God himself can help us reach such dimension of love.
Holy Spirit come to my help. May I find mercy on your sight just as Ahab did. Lord, have mercy!
Fr. Georges R. Bidzogo sac