💭 As we conclude this series of 31 days of Reflection & Prayer, we thank the Lord for the gift of our Blessed Mamma Mary.
✅ We resolve today to
live like our Blessed Mother…
… seeking God’s Will at all times
… reaching out to people in joyful service
🙏🏻 Let us pray and make choices, to be ever faithful to the Lord!
💫 Yes…
… MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)
MAY 3️⃣1️⃣ – Mary, Queen of the Rosary
💭 To Reflect
Mary, as the beautiful Rose in the garden of the Lord, always remained faithful to God’s Will, and lived in perfect union & intimacy with the Lord!
✅ To Practise
Pray the Rosary everyday!
🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may make a choice to do God’s Will at all times, and spread the fragrance of God’s Love by a life of faithful service, Amen!
“Avoiding the ‘chameleon character’; instead, adopting and growing in our ‘Christian conviction!’”
(Based on Acts 20:28-38 and Jn 17:11b-19 – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter)
A zoologist, working in a Catholic University, was interacting with a group of youngsters.
As they were discussing about living as a Christian in the world the zoologist – himself a Christian – noted: “There are many of us Christians who live like chameleons!”
(Chameleons are a species of lizards – known for their distinct range of colours, as they are able to shift in different hues and brightness, depending on the surrounding)
The professor went on to say:
“The chameleon takes the colour of its background and environment—tree, bush, or grass.
Many Christians are chameleon-like in the facility with which they can take on the colour of the world about them”
And he added, “And… just as it is difficult to distinguish the chameleon from the background, the colour of which he has taken…
… so it is very difficult to distinguish many Christians from the background of the world in which they live!”
Are we living ‘chameleon-like Christian lives’…
… changing our colours and choices in life, to suit the corrupt ways around us, rather than being faithful to Christian teachings?
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus praying to the Father: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them safe from the evil one.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)
The call of a Christian is to live as a people “set apart” for Christ.
The Lord wishes, desires, wants and makes it a must that the one who follows Him, must seek to follow Him fully, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.
But the Lord was also very much aware that this His desire for a people “totally set apart” would face a lot of challenges and crisis from the Evil One.
He knew that His followers would struggle much in living a pure life…
… in the midst of many impurity, uncleanness and contamination.
He knew that His followers would find it hard to preserve holiness…
… in the hub of wicked temptations, ensnaring enticements and luring persuasions
St Paul warns the Church at Ephesus to be aware of the many dangers that may allure them in the world…
… and to remain focussed and alert
“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His own Blood.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things…
… to draw away the disciples after them.
Therefore, be alert…” (Acts 20:28-31)
We often find ourselves lost in this strange maze of the world….
We immerse ourselves too much in worldly activities and works….
… But, somehow at the end of the day, when lying down on our beds, we, perhaps, feel ourselves lost and not having a true sense of satisfaction!
We plunge ourselves to enjoy a lot of worldly pleasures, comforts and luxuries…
… But, somehow, after having been sort of saturated with those externals, we, perhaps, find ourselves still unhappy or experiencing a void!
We engage ourselves in an excess use of the social media, networking sites, chatting applications and remain attached constantly to modern communication gadgets…
… But, somehow, though we are in contact with many people, we, perhaps, realize that there is a grave presence of loneliness and not having genuine relationships of love and true care!
And therefore, Jesus, the ever-practical, sensible and realistic Master…
… Firstly, prays for His followers for strength and courage: “I pray for them…. Holy Father, keep them in Your name… “ (Jn 17: 9a, 11b)
… Secondly, reminds His followers on the need to set their hearts on Him because they belong not to the world: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)
This then ought to be our strength and hope, as we seek to live a Holy Christian Life in this world, often corrupted by sin and transgressions.
Knowing that Jesus has prayed for us….
In His prayer, we can find hope and blessings
In His prayer, we can find encouragement and support
Setting our heart entirely on the Lord and not being totally attached to the aspects of the world
In His Love, we find meaning in our relationships
In His Presence, we ought to engage all our activities
Light passes through pollution, but doesn’t get contaminated!
Every Christian, a reflection of the Light of Christ, ought to be such…
… focused on the Lord, seeking to be pure and unsullied, in holiness and sanctity.
As we begin this new month of June, and offer ourselves totally to the Providence of God…
… Let us avoid the ‘chameleon character” by compromising to suit the pleasures of the world…
Instead, let us adopt and grow in our “Christian conviction!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – THE SANCTORAL IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR
“In celebrating this annual cycle of the mysteries of Christ, Holy Church honours the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, with a special love.
She is inseparably linked with the saving work of her Son.
In her, the Church admires and exalts the most excellent fruit of redemption and joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless image, that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be.”
When the Church keeps the memorials of martyrs and other saints during the annual cycle, she proclaims the Paschal mystery in those “who have suffered and have been glorified with Christ.”
She proposes them to the faithful as examples who draw all people to the Father through Christ, and through their merits, she begs for God’s favours! (CCC # 1172-1173)
(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)
MAY 3️⃣0️⃣ – Mary, Queen of Peace
💭 To Reflect
Mary, who bore in herself Jesus, the Prince of Peace, experienced peace and serenity, even in the most difficult trials of life, because she fully cooperated with the Grace of God, and was totally focused on what God wanted in her life.
✅ To Practise
Become a messenger of peace!
🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may co-operate with the Holy Spirit, and experience peace, even amidst the struggles and sufferings, Amen!
“Allowing the Graces of God in us to not get stagnant or decayed or rusted; instead, to be extended in loving service to God and His people!”
(Based on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.
He had his first performance at the age of 11.
It is said that his great technical ability revolutionized violin techniques across Europe.
When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.
But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.
Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request, and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.
But, unfortunately, wooden violins have a certain peculiarity:
As long as they are handled, they show no wear…
… But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!
This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.
His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.
Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…
…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.
But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!
Such will also be the case with a Christian…
… If one does not spend one’s life in service!
A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!
Today, is the Feast of the Visitation…
… A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!
This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.
It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practice spread throughout the entire Church.
Previously it was celebrated on July 2….
… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.
One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.
St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)
Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)
Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)
The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)
The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!
She was no longer the same…
… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!
… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!
… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!
The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste!”
… In haste: to serve others
… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life
The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.
The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:
When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….
… to reach out to others in service
… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy
… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others
Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” – on a continual and constant journey:
… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)
… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)
… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)
… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)
… She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son
… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)
Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving that we receive…
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”
The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…
… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?
… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)
… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?
St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”
Charity is never idle!
Charity is always on the move …
… Sensitive to the needy
… Seeking to do good
May the Graces of God in us, not get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …
… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…
And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”
As we thank the Lord for the gift of the month of May – especially with a special focus on the Rosary…
… May we, with Mamma Mary, live in holiness!
Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly… towards Jesus!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS -THE LITURGICAL YEAR
At the Council of Nicaea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox.
The reform of the Western calendar, called “Gregorian” after Pope Gregory XIII (1582), caused a discrepancy of several days with the Eastern calendar.
Today, the Western and Eastern Churches are seeking an agreement in order once again to celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection on a common date.
In the liturgical year, the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold.
This is also the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the Incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany).
They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal mystery. (CCC #1170-1171)
“Responding joyfully and optimistically to ‘the advertisement of adversity’ offered by Jesus!”
(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter)
Early in the 20th century, a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read:
“Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger.
Safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success!”
This AD was from Sir Ernest Shackleton – the world famous Arctic explorer.
Commenting on this, Warren W. Wiersbe in his book, “Be Faithful” commented –
“If JESUS CHRIST had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:
Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church.
You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you.
You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy.
You may not see the results of your labour…
… and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed.
It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life!”
Are you ready to accept this Advertisement of Jesus to work for His Kingdom?
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.
Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)
The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.
Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.
Jesus is not a Master who hides the real facts of following Him.
He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.
He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)
Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.
He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)
Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.
Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”
But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.
We need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.
When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him
When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… But when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life
When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… But when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life
Along with this, hardships and sufferings also have a Salvific Value!
Every pain and difficulty we undergo, is to be united with the Suffering of Christ…
… and Christ redeems all of them!
In turn, we are blessed to be partakers with Christ’s Mission…
… and strength and hope, to realise, that God in His Providence, always does the best for us, when we remain faithful to Him!
Yes, strength of any kind grows only by exertion!
St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.
After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)
Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!
JESUS invites workers for His Kingdom, with
We will have struggles.
We will face misunderstandings
But when we remain faithful, Jesus Himself, is our reward!
Are you ready to respond joyfully and optimistically to this “the advertisement of adversity?”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance.
Gradually, on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy.
It really is a “year of the Lord’s favor.”
The economy of salvation is at work within the framework of time, but since its fulfilment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…
… the culmination of history is anticipated “as a foretaste,” and the kingdom of God enters into our time.
Therefore Easter is not simply_ one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts,” the “Solemnity of solemnities,” just as the Eucharist is the “Sacrament of sacraments” (the Great Sacrament).
St. Athanasius calls Easter “the Great Sunday” and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week “the Great Week.”
The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to Him. (CCC # 1168-1169)
(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)
MAY 2️⃣8️⃣ – Mary, Queen of Families
💭 To Reflect
Mary, as Mother of the Holy Family of Nazareth, went through many hardships; but remained faithful to the Providence of the Lord.
✅ To Practise
Fostering peace and joy in our families
🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that in my family, I may be always faithful to the Providence of the Lord, and realise the goodness of the Lord at all moments, Amen!
“On this Ascension Sunday, being invigorated with the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and becoming ‘doctors of healing and love’ in our world of suffering and pain!”
(Based on the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle C)
A very poor family by the name of Carpenter, lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
The oldest boy was given education in the city, with the help of some family friends, who generously financed his studies when they realized he wanted to become a doctor.
The boy Carpenter, graduated with honours…
… but declined all job offers to practice medicine in the city.
He decided to go back to the mountains, where there were many sick people and few doctors.
For many years he ministered to the sick. Some paid, most couldn’t.
He gave his very best and helped everyone he could.
In his old age, he was in broken health himself and almost penniless.
Two small rooms above the town grocery store were his home and office.
At the foot of the creaky stairs leading up to his office was a sign with these words: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”
One morning someone climbed those stairs to find their devoted doctor dead. The entire community was plunged into grief. They wanted to erect some kind of monument to him.
But they decided to simply write these words on a large tombstone: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”
Today, on this Ascension Day, the Church proudly displays the placard of hope and salvation: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”
But unlike the doctor boy who died, Jesus – the Divine Doctor of our souls – is alive…
… and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!
Yes, “Jesus, the Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”
The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when which Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection: “While Jesus blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Lk 24:51)
We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone: “and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Lk 24: 47-48)
The Ascension of Jesus completes the resurrection.
The Resurrection is victory over death.
The Ascension lifts humanity to heaven.
Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?’”
While it is quite natural for us to seek Jesus, who apparently “has gone far away from us,” the reality is that Jesus is now closer to us – closer than we can ever imagine!
It is as if they are saying to us, “Don’t misunderstand this moment. Don’t deny yourselves the gift that is being given you.”
The Ascension of the Lord is not about His absence but about His Presence.
It is not about His leaving but about His Presence that is assured and promised to all of us
It is not about a location but about a relationship.
This Feast is the beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live – to look upward
To transcend the needs of this world, and to have our highest priorities on God
To go beyond the pilgrim journey of this earth, and prepare meaningfully for eternity.
St Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God!” (Col 3:1)
Every moment, every hour and every day – Jesus tugs at our hearts, and invites us to “look upward” and to have our focus on Him, Who was Crucified, but now is Risen and seated at God’s Right Hand!
The Psalmist states, “Blessed [are those]… in whose heart are the highways to Zion! (Ps 84:5)
We need to make an examination of our lives and make suitable changes for the good…
Is sin enslaving us?
Let us rise with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!Is regret and remorse discouraging us?
Let us rise with His Healing – in joy and hope!
Is anger and jealousy pulling us down?
Let us rise with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!
May this Feast of the Ascension invigorate the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and spur us to be “doctors of healing and love” in our world of suffering and pain!
Yes, “Dr Carpenter is Upstairs!”
Happy Feast of the Ascension!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS -THE LORD’S DAY
“By a tradition handed down from the apostles which took its origin from the very day of Christ’s Resurrection, the Church celebrates the Paschal mystery every seventh day, which day is appropriately called the Lord’s Day or Sunday.”
The day of Christ’s Resurrection is both the first day of the week, the memorial of the first day of creation, and the “eighth day,” on which Christ after his “rest” on the great sabbath inaugurates the “day that the Lord has made,” the “day that knows no evening.”
The Lord’s Supper is its centre, for there the whole community of the faithful encounters the risen Lord who invites them to his banquet: The Lord’s day, the day of Resurrection, the day of Christians, is our day. It is called the Lord’s day because on it the Lord rose victorious to the Father. If pagans call it the “day of the sun,” we willingly agree, for today the light of the world is raised, today is revealed the sun of justice with healing in his rays.
Sunday is the pre-eminent day for the liturgical assembly, when the faithful gather “to listen to the word of God and take part in the Eucharist, thus calling to mind the Passion, Resurrection, and glory of the Lord Jesus…
… and giving thanks to God who ‘has begotten them again, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ unto a living hope”
When we ponder, O Christ, the marvels accomplished on this day, the Sunday of your holy resurrection, we say: “Blessed is Sunday, for on it began creation… the world’s salvation… the renewal of the human race.
On Sunday, heaven and earth rejoiced and the whole universe was filled with light. Blessed is Sunday, for on it were opened the gates of paradise so that Adam and all the exiles might enter it without fear. (CCC #1166-1167)
“Deepening our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father!”
(Based on Acts 18:23-28 and Jn 16:23-28 – Saturday of the 6th Week in Easter)
A young man was to be sentenced to the prison for a serious offence.
>> The judge had known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his late father.
His father was a famous legal scholar and the author of an exhaustive study entitled, “The Law of Trusts.”
“Do you remember your father?” asked the magistrate.
“I remember him well, your honour,” came the reply.
Seeking to probe further, the judge said, “As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?”
>> There was a groaning pause.
Then the judge received an answer he had not expected.
“I remember when I went to him for advice.
>> He looked up at me from the book he was writing and said, ‘Run along, boy; I’m busy!’
When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying “Run along, son; the writing of this book must be finished!’
Your honour, you remember him as a great lawyer.
>> But I remember him, only as a lost friend!”
The magistrate muttered to himself, “Alas! He finished the book, but lost the boy!”
The busyness of the father resulted in the boy failing to receive love, and thus ended up into bad ways of living.
• Every person longs for love…
• Every person longs to be cared for…
The father in this story, achieved great success in his worldly life, but failed miserably to love and care for his son.
>> However, in contrast, we have our Heavenly Father, who is deeply in love with us, His children, and who never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.
Our Heavenly Father is also busy… but busy in loving His children, and expressing His constant care.
The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.
Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts, “… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)
This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…
… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”
Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…
Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.
• Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…
• Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…
• Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….
All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.
All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.
>> But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially, Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely…
Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!
• It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…
… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)
>> His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!
• It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…
… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)
>> His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!
Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…
>> The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.
Let us, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.
• He is busy… but busy expressing His tender love to us.
• He is busy writing… writing His letters of His precious love to us.
May we be privileged to hear:
“Wow!! He finished his/her life, and gained eternal life!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
—————————————————-
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS
>> Holy Mother Church believes that she should celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse in a sacred commemoration on certain days throughout the course of the year.
>> Once each week, on the day which she has called the Lord’s Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord’s resurrection.
>> She also celebrates it once every year, together with his blessed Passion, at Easter, that most solemn of all feasts.
>> In the course of the year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ …
… thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace.
>> From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Saviour God, to give Him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance…
… and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them.
>> In the age of the Church, between the Passover of Christ already accomplished once for all, and its consummation in the kingdom of God, the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ.
>> When the Church celebrates the mystery of Christ, there is a word that marks her prayer: “Today!” – a word echoing the prayer her Lord taught her and the call of the Holy Spirit.
>> This “today” of the living God which man is called to enter is “the hour” of Jesus’ Passover, which reaches across and underlies all history: “Life extends over all beings and fills them with unlimited light; the Orient of orients pervades the universe, and He who was ‘before the daystar’ and before the heavenly bodies, immortal and vast, the great Christ, shines over all beings more brightly than the sun…
… therefore a day of long, eternal light is ushered in for us who believe in Him, a day which is never blotted out: the mystical Passover.” (CCC #1163-1165)
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(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)
MAY 2️⃣7️⃣ – Mary, Queen concieved without original sin
💭 To Reflect
Mary, immaculately concieved by the singular Grace of God and prepared to bear the God of Holiness in her womb, is the perfect model of sanctity.
✅ To Practise
Make conscious choices to live in holiness!
🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may co-operate with the Grace of God, and make choices to live in sanctity, Amen!
Reflection Capsules 