“Seeking the Lord wholeheartedly in all situations, knowing that everything in life happens for good, for those who love God!”

(Based on Ezek 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-56 – Saturday of the 5th Week in Lent)

There is an ancient story, familiar to many of us, in many forms…

A poor farmer in a village, owned a horse, which he used for ploughing and transportation.

One day, this horse escaped into the hills.

The neighbours sympathised with the farmer over his bad luck.

But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

A couple of days later, the horse returned to the farm, with a herd of wild horses, following its trail. The farmer locked these horses in the stable.
When the neighbours heard of it, they congratulated the farmer on his good luck.

But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The following day, the farmer’s son mounted one of these wild horses, but was thrown off, fracturing his legs.
Once again the neighbours called on the farmer to express their sorrow at his bad luck.

But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

The following week, army officers arrived at the village to recruit all the able-bodied young men, because of a war that had started. But, they of course, had to leave behind the famer’s young son, because of his fractured leg.
The neighbours once again told the farmer, how much in luck he was.

But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The farmer maintained a position of neutrality and balance in the midst of all pleasant and unpleasant events of life.

However, very often, we are like the neighbours, who rejoice greatly when good things happen and curse immensely when things go wrong.

We fail to see that everything in life has a purpose.

As a result, negative experiences in life often crush us and cause immense disappointments.

When things don’t shape up as we plan, we get greatly frustrated.

When people don’t behave in the way we expect, we get totally devastated.

But through today’s Gospel reading, the Lord invites us…
… to not get shattered or disappointed with life’s bad-turns or evil-leanings…

Rather, to gather strength and courage to fight the evil, arm oneself in faith and hope and seek to live a life of holiness and conviction…
… even in the midst of any setback or failure!

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…

Many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him (since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse (Deut 21: 23)!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them
Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death…
… but God planned life
They were selfish…
… but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain…
… but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation…
… but God saved the whole world.
They intended the worst evil for Jesus…
… but God turned it into the greatest good.
They wished to scatter all His followers…
… but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad…
… also have a purpose in God’s mind.
The moments that we consider as cursed…
… also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching…
… too difficult to understand this concept..

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

The Cross is the way of God…
… mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened; rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
.. to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?

“Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination.”
The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.
The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. >> The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself.

For this reason the ordination of women is not possible. (CCC # 1576)

“FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO”

A. What is it?
“Familiaris Consortio” is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation written by Pope John Paul II and promulgated on 22 November 1981.
“Familiaris Consortio” means ‘The fellowship of the family.’ It is subtitled ‘On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World.’

B. What does it speak of?

The document describes the position of the Catholic Church on the meaning and role of marriage and the family, and outlines challenges towards realizing that ideal.
It refers to marriage as “one of the most precious and most urgent tasks of Christian couples in our time”

“Familiaris Consortio” consists of 4 parts:

Part ONE: BRIGHT SPOTS AND SHADOWS FOR THE FAMILY TODAY

The Church is called to be a prudent observer of the challenges and opportunities which face today’s family. The Church must listen to the questions and concerns of married couples.
In responding to the needs of young married couples and families, the Church must offer
the truth of the Gospel as a source of inexhaustible grace rather than follow majority opinion.
This truth is urgently needed today because of the challenges faced by families: divorce, abortion, sterilization, contraception, the decay of parental authority, and a general weakening of the marriage bond between husband and wife.
The spiritual and moral renewal of marital and family life brings about a much-needed elevation of society in general.

PART TWO – THE PLAN OF GOD FOR MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

The human person was created by God out of love, and each is called to love within his or her vocation.
Love is the calling of each person.
Marriage and family life are special opportunities to live the vocation of love.
The love between husband and wife mirrors the love between Christ and his Church – that is, this love is sacrificial and life – giving
Married life is enriched and becomes a family, with the gift of children.
Virginity and celibacy do not deny the dignity of married and family life; rather, they highlight the call to love and the need to wait in patient hope for the Bridegroom – Jesus Christ.

PART THREE – THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY: BECOME WHAT YOU ARE

The family is part of God’s plan for creation and salvation.
It is within the family that the human person comes to be whom he or she is and comes to know the living God.
Love within the family reveals in a special way the unbounded love of God.
Family love involves four general callings: (1) Forming a community of persons; (2) Sharing a love which serves life; (3) Participating in the development of society; (4) Sharing in the life and mission of the Church.
Being faithful to these four callings to love, the family is a living proclamation of the Gospel and the truth of Jesus Christ.

PART FOUR – PASTORAL CARE OF THE FAMILY

The family is called to grow through a constant conversion to the will of God.
The Church is called to care, in the name of Jesus, for married couples and for families.
The Church must encourage and support those preparing for marriage and those who daily accept the challenges to be faithful to their marital vows.
Those who find themselves in difficult marital and family situations (mixed marriages, trial marriages, divorce, separation, and domestic violence) are in need of special pastoral care by the Church.
Pastoral ministry to those in difficult situations flows from the words and example of Jesus to love and be close to the broken-hearted, rejected, and suffering.

In conclusion, the model of true marriage and family life is the Holy Family: St. Joseph is the upright guardian of the family; Mary is the one entrusted with the Word made flesh; and Jesus is the child who perfectly does the will of the Father.

The Pope prays that each Family will be a holy family to the glory of God.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. The family is a community of life and love.

The Holy Father keeps these two words together – life and love.
‘Love and life’ are never to be torn apart; which is very different from “planned parenthood” or “family planning”.

2. The family is the first living cell of society.

Families produce, nourish and form individuals who will in turn go on to make new families. This is the natural cycle of society.
The Christian family serves the poor, the outcast, the lonely and the weakest ones.

3. The family must become what it is.

The family must develop its full potential according to God’s plan…
… for its own inner life as a community of persons based on marriage
… for its service of life
… for its wider role in society
… and for its life of faith within the Church

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Familiaris Consortio” for this Season of Lent?

1. Deepening our bonding in the family
2. As a Christian Family, reach out in service to others

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Introduce practises that help to unite – maybe some have been forgotten or missed (eg. Family Prayer, Family Meals, Sharing together – leaving aside all electronic gadgets)
2. Choose 3 families to whom we as a family can reach out – either with financial/material/spiritual/emotional assistance

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Familiaris Consortio” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

CLICK TO READ the Full Text of “Familiaris Consortio” at:
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Not being stone-hearted; rather having tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

(Based on Jer 20:10-13 and Jn 10:31-42 – Friday of the 5th Week in Lent)

“We are strewn all over the ground.

Some of us are considered useless….
Some of us are just stamped upon…
Some are made use in some hard labour…

Some of us…
… well, some of us, however, are made use for some inhuman practices.

This includes making use of some of us, to hurt others
… to cause pains and wounds to others
… and some even to cause fatal deaths!

Our life is often long…
… but sometimes, such kind of painful moments and incidents, ooze out any bit of feelings we may have (though we are considered not to be having any sentiments!)

Are you wondering who we are?

Well…
… we are the family of stones!

Yep… Stones!

Strewn all over…
Sometimes useless, right?
Sometimes just stamped upon, right?
Sometimes just made use for hard labour, right?

But sometimes, some of us, the stones
… also become objects of injuring and causing pain to others

One such occasion was when, as you read in the Gospel of St John 8
… some of us were picked up by a gang of highly malicious, judgmental and selfish people, to cause death to a woman who was caught in an act of immorality.

We were ready to thrown on that woman.
We were set to become objects of brutality and terror.

However, that day, we encountered the most amazing personality.
He had glorious eyes.
He had a breath-taking voice.
He had a tremendous authority.

His name was JESUS!

And His one sentence, “He who is without sin, let him be the first to stone” dropped the jaws of all those blood-thirsty and cruel people.

We were all released from their hands.

We saw them all turning their backs and going home, in shame.
We also saw, the wonderful triumph of Mercy and Love and Compassion.

However, a few days later, some of us were soon back to find ourselves in the hands of those blood-thirsty men.

This time, the target was none other than that same charismatic person named Jesus.

You read about that in John 10:31, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus”

We were left wondering why this innocent man was being targeted so badly.

He was after all preaching the Kingdom of God.
He was bringing the message of God’s Love and salvation to the world.
By His works, He was also proving Himself to be the Son of God.

But none of these “clear-cut” evidences were able to convince those people.

They still believed that Jesus was a blasphemer.

And so they picked us up – yes, we the stones
… to indulge themselves in a blood-bath of the Blessed Man of claimed Himself to be the Lord and Saviour of the World!

Prophet Jeremiah also had a similar experience of being denounced by the people…
… and centuries ago, recounting his own struggle, had written these prophetic words about the Saviour: “For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
‘Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him!’” (Jer 20:10)

Our thoughts go out to those people who have such ruthless and stony intentions….

God had blessed them with such beautiful hearts.
God had showered them with so much of wisdom to discern and understand.

Yet, they failed to make use of these divine gifts and instead, had hardened their hearts!

What a pity, that those human beings had become like us
… stones!

Yes, just how could they become stone-hearted?

Stone-hearted
… that they failed to be open to the possibility of God’s hand at work.

Stone hearted
… that they were adamant to be closed to any explanation of the Lord.

Stone-hearted
… that they were stubborn to listen to the voice of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We, the stones, now appeal to you, dear readers, to be wary and examine your lives: Are you also sometimes acquiring a nature like us, the stones…
… hard to the feelings of other people and failing to understand them?
… rigid to the inspirations of the Spirit of God and not letting Him work in your lives?
… inflexible to have changes and transformations in life, to attune oneself to God’s Will?

There are already many of us in the world…

On your streets, on your roads
… we are all, indeed strewn all over the place
…we, the stones.

But we sincerely beg you…
… not to let your hearts to become like us
… not to let your lives to be similar to our nature.

Let the world have more of, not stone-hearts…
… but tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

Let the world have more of, not hardened souls…
… but docile, open, submissive and humble lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT?

Since the sacrament of Holy Orders is the sacrament of the apostolic ministry, it is for the bishops as the successors of the apostles to hand on the “gift of the Spirit,” the “apostolic line.”

Validly ordained bishops, i.e., those who are in the line of apostolic succession, validly confer the three degrees of the sacrament of Holy Orders. (CCC # 1576)

“Deepening our Faith in JESUS – the Bright Star – Who always shines in our lives!

(Based on Gen 17:3-9 and Jn 8:51-59 – Thursday of the 5th Week in Lent)

It is said that during the First World War, in American towns any household that had given a son to the war…
… was entitled to place a star on the window pane.

A certain man was walking down a certain avenue in New York, accompanied by his little boy.

The lad became very interested in the lighted windows of the houses, and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star at the window pane of the houses.

As they passed house after house, he would say: “Oh, look, daddy, there’s another house that has given a son to the war!

And there’s another! There’s one with two stars!
And look, there’s a house with no star at all!”

After quite some time, they came to a some vacant places where there were no houses.

However, in the vast expanse, the evening star was seen shining brightly in the sky.

The little fellow caught his breath and with an excited exclaim said: “Oh, look, Daddy,” he cried, “God must have given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window.”

“He has indeed!’ said Daddy!

Yes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)

This Gift of God – Jesus, the Son of God – is the Person of controversy in today’s Gospel.

Not all people were able to digest this fact, that Jesus, could be fully divine.

It is such a debating discussion over the Divinity of the Lord that forms the chunk of the Gospel of the Day.

One of the constant companions of the Lord, all through His life was…
… being hated!

It was especially His declaration on having a Divine origin that generated greater sparks of hatred.

The debate continues between Jesus and the Jews.

The Jews had immense pride in calling themselves as the children of their Father, Abraham.

As the debate continues, the Lord puts forward the gem of His defense…the core of His revelation: “Truly truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58)

Those words of Jesus hit his critics, directly on the face…
“Before Abraham was, I AM!”

“I AM” was the title of God Yawheh!
“I AM” was the sole privilege of the Lord Almighty!

This was the name that was given by God to Moses: “I AM who am. This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you” (Ex 3:14)

It was pure blasphemy for any mortal to use it for oneself.

I AM – the Name…
… demanded fear as to none other
… commanded respect as to no one
… contained awesomeness as in nothing else

In the book of Genesis, we read God Yahweh – the Great “I AM” time and again encounters Abraham.

“Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations!” (Gen 17:3)

The Jews who were well aware of these incidents, were highly infuriated, when Jesus would call Himself as the “I AM”…
… not only claiming superiority over Abraham
… but equating Himself to be God!

And so, the Lord had to face the consequences of this “blasphemous” act:
“So they picked up stones to throw at Him” (Jn 8:59)

The life of our Blessed Lord expounds an important truth:
Where there is mention of Divinity…
… there are forces of the evil seeking to cast it away.

Where there is presence of the Divine…
… there are powers seeking to destroy the sacredness.

Jesus, the One hated the most, was the Most Divine.

Fulton Sheen picks up this beautiful aspect, to present a secular, rational and a logical reasoning to see the Truth in the Holy Catholic Church.

We quote him here….
“If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world;
… in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated.

My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh.

If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world!

Look for the Church…
… that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world!
… that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned.
… which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth.
… which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils.
… which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God.
… which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth.
… which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men.
… which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly. since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself.

But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved.

Therefore the Church is Divine.”

Our own lives sometimes becomes an object of hate when we stand for Christ, the Truth

The more we tend towards being Divine…
… the greater is the opposition we face.

Jesus, is the same, yesterday today and forever (Heb 13:8)

As His true followers, we too will have to undergo agony, pain, humiliation and even suffering….

Let us be firm in His grace and stand bold, facing the challenges to our faith

Let us grow in our love and commitment to the Holy Church and share in Her suffering.

Let us deepen our Faith that “God has given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window”…
… and may this Bright Star – Jesus – always shine in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT?
WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT?

Christ himself chose the apostles and gave them a share in his mission and authority.
Raised to the Father’s right hand, he has not forsaken his flock but he keeps it under his constant protection through the apostles, and guides it still through these same pastors who continue his work today.

Thus, it is Christ whose gift it is that some be apostles, others pastors. He continues to act through the bishops. (CCC # 1575)

“EVANGELII NUNTIANDI”

A. What is it?
“Evangelii Nuntiandi” is an apostolic exhortation by Pope Paul VI.

“Evangelii Nuntiandi” is a phrase in Latin which means, “Evangelization in the Modern World”
This apostolic exhortation was issued on 8 December 1975
Written 10 years after Vatican II, in a direct effort to reverse the collapse of missionary zeal that unfortunately happened after the Council, “Evangelii Nuntiandi” clearly explains what evangelization is and how to go about evangelizing in the modern world.

B. What does it speak of?
“Evangelii Nuntiandi” affirms the role of every Christian, not only ordained ministers, priests, and deacons, or religious, or professional church staff, in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis said here that it’s “the greatest pastoral document that has ever been written to this day!”

The exhortation has an introduction followed by 7 sections.

Introduction: Articulates evangelization as the Church’s primary service.

Section 1: Highlights the connection between Christ the evangelizer and his Church which imitates his example.
Section 2: A definition of evangelization is proposed, in contrast to all of the other possible conceptions of the term.
Section 3: Explains the content of evangelization.
Section 4: Describes the methods of evangelization.
Section 5: Denotes the beneficiaries of evangelization
Section 6: Clarifies who the workers in evangelization are.
Section 7: Speaks about the Spirit of evangelization

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. Jesus is the 1st and greatest evangelist.

“Jesus Himself, the Good News of God, was the very first and the greatest evangelizer; He was so through and through: to perfection and to the point of the sacrifice of His earthly life”
“Evangelization will also always contain – as the foundation, center, and at the same time, summit of its dynamism – a clear proclamation that, in Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, who died and rose from the dead, salvation is offered to all men, as a gift of God’s grace and mercy”

2. Evangelization is the essential mission of the Church.

“Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection”
“The purpose of evangelization is an interior change, and if it had to be expressed in one sentence the best way of stating it would be to say that ‘the Church evangelizes when she seeks to convert, solely through the divine power of the message she proclaims…'”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Evangelii Nuntiandi” for this Season of Lent?

1. Authentic witnesses are needed to evangelize.

“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses”
Evangelical zeal “must spring from true holiness of life”

2. The Holy Spirit is the principal agent & goal of evangelization.

“Evangelization will never be possible without the action of the Holy Spirit!”
Techniques of evangelization are good, but even the most advanced ones could not replace the gentle action of the Spirit. The most perfect preparation of the evangelizer has no effect without the Holy Spirit!

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Live the prayers and the values of Christ in our daily lives
2. Allow the Holy Spirit to be our walking companion – in everything we do

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Evangelii Nuntiandi” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

CLICK TO READ the Full Text of “Evangelii Nuntiandi” at https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that is permitting us to experience momentary suffering and struggle!”

(Based on Dan 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 and Jn 8:31-42 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Lent)

Valiant stories of courage and faith are always an inspiration!

One such beautiful incident is narrated in the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Daniel

This chapter describes how the Jews were forced to bow down before a golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Three young men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – refused to do so, and held on to their faithfulness to God Yahweh.

This act of defiance infuriated the king and he warned them of severe consequences if they failed to do what he commanded.

At this, the three young, displaying immense courage and faith in the Lord responded:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

But if not, be it known to you, O king…
… that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan 3:16-17)

The three young men were convinced of the mighty delivering Hand of the Lord…

But not only that; they also boldly offered themselves to the Will of God and declared…
… “even if it is the Will of God, that we should momentarily suffer in this fire, we will still be faithful to God!”

That’s Faith!
That’s Trust!

Holding on to the Lord, not only because you wish that God will answer your prayer, in the way you want, and in the time you want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when you know it is God’s Will that is permitting you, to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

Being convinced of the Truth and Beauty of God’s Will…
… they were willing to make every sacrifice – and go against every stubborn temptation!

Are we ready to open our eyes to this Truth of knowing and accepting God’s Will in our life?
Or do we remain stubborn and defiant in the ‘temptation to think and do as per our own wishes…
… and fail to experience the Divine Power of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of the Jews getting into arguments with Jesus on the question of His Divinity.

The Lord invites them open their eyes to see and experience the Truth…
… but they close their minds, and choose to remain stubborn, in their own understanding

The Lord exposes before them the futility of being ignorant and the advantage of knowing the Truth…
… but they wilfully choose to remain stuck in their past knowledge and be unwilling to open their hearts to possibilities of change.

Jesus, the Truth-Incarnate, declares: “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (Jn 8: 31)

But the people retorted and answered: “… we have never been enslaved…” (Jn 8: 33)

They considered slavery from only a physical perspective!
They were extremely offended when Jesus considered them to be slaves!

But Jesus brings the focus into right perspective (as he does always!), and speaks of a deadlier form of slavery and a higher form of freedom…

Slavery to Sin…
… that causes one to be away from God and His people
Slavery to ignorance and error…
… that causes one to be closed to God’s Word and prevent His transformation to take place within

He invites to receive Freedom in Him…
… that enjoins with knowing and doing the Father’s Will
… that liberates one from the bondages of death, and leads into peace and joy!

The danger to remain stagnant in sinful or ignorant ways constantly lurks in our life:

The Truth of the Bible is often presented to us in appealing and interesting formats…
… but we often seek to remain ignorant or don’t show any interest to read and understand God’s Word

The beauty of the Sacramental Life and the Teachings of the Church is laid before our eyes…
… but we time and again, tend to be lethargic, casual and sometimes even, hostile to them

Our eyes often come into contact with the suffering lot of people, in and around us…
… but many times, we turn a blind eye to them and remain indifferent in our cosy lifestyle

Each of us needs a purification…
Each of us needs a movement…
… a purification from our stubborn ways to a life of obedience and docility to God’s Word
… a movement from a sluggish life of faith to being a fervent and committed Christian

Yes, Jesus is constantly extending His Nail-Scarred Hands, inviting us to a life of holiness and sanctity.

Let us make a self-examination of our state of life…
… realize the need to have a purification and a movement…
… and embrace and live with Jesus, the Truth, “Who sets us free!”

Today, let us make a firm commitment – like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three young men in the Book of Daniel – whose life was a valiant story of courage and faith

And hold on to the Lord, not only because we wish that God will answer our prayer, in the way we want and in the time we want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that is permitting us to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT?

Since the Second Vatican Council the Latin Church has restored the diaconate “as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy,” while the Churches of the East had always maintained it.
This permanent diaconate, which can be conferred on married men, constitutes an important enrichment for the Church’s mission.
Indeed it is appropriate and useful that men who carry out a truly diaconal ministry in the Church, whether in its liturgical and pastoral life or whether in its social and charitable works, should “be strengthened by the imposition of hands which has come down from the apostles.

They would be more closely bound to the altar and their ministry would be made more fruitful through the sacramental grace of the diaconate.” (CCC # 1571)

“DOMINUM ET VIVIFICANTEM”

A. What is it?
“Dominum et vivificantem” is the fifth encyclical written by Pope John Paul II.

“Dominum et vivificantem” is a phrase in Latin which means, “The Lord and Giver of Life!”
The encyclical was promulgated on 18 May 1986.

“Dominum et vivificantem” is a theological examination of the role of the Holy Spirit as it pertains to the modern world and the Church and the use of spiritual prayer to renew one’s spiritual life.

This encyclical completed the Pope’s Trinitarian trilogy of encyclicals, which includes “Redemptor Hominis” and “Dives in Misericordia.”

B. What does it speak of?
“Dominum et vivificantem” consists of three parts:
PART I – The Spirit of the Father and of the Son, given to the Church
PART II – The Spirit Who convinces the world concerning sin
PART III – The Spirit Who gives life

In 1986, Pope John Paul II was already anticipating the new millennium, with its new challenges…
… as well as the new graces the Holy Spirit would bestow upon the Church as she celebrated the Great Jubilee beginning the third millennium of Christianity.

Wishing to prepare the Church for these things by giving the people of God an increased awareness and knowledge of the Holy Spirit, he issued the encyclical on May 18, the Solemnity of Pentecost

Four scenes from the “Upper Room” form the framework of the encyclical’s theological vision.

1. There is the farewell discourse of Jesus at his final meal with his disciples (John 14:17).

In this scene “the highest point of the revelation of the Trinity is reached”
Jesus begins to disclose the personal role that the Spirit will play in communicating the Gospel to the world:

2. The second Upper Room scene takes place on the evening of the first Easter Sunday

Jesus breathes on his disciples and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Here is fulfilled the principal prediction of the farewell discourse: the Risen Christ … ‘brings’ to the Apostles the Holy Spirit”

3. The third Upper Room scene, on the day of Pentecost, witnessed the further giving of the Holy Spirit to the world

“This event constitutes the definitive manifestation of what had already been accomplished in the same Upper Room on Easter Sunday”
Thus the era of the Church begins, and the Holy Spirit is precisely the soul of this new body.

4. The fourth evocation of the Upper Room concerns the Church’s fidelity to its mission, which requires it always to be attentive to the circumstances of its beginning.

“While it is an historical fact that the Church came forth from the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost, in a certain sense one can say that she has never left it.
Spiritually the event of Pentecost does not belong only to the past; the Church is always in the Upper Room that she bears in her heart”

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. This encyclical describes many “signs and symptoms of death” in the contemporary world

Against a materialism which accepts death as the end of human existence, the Church proclaims the Holy Spirit, “the life which is stronger than death.”

2. Conversion of the human heart “is brought about by the influence” of the Holy Spirit working through the conscience.

Conversion requires convincing of sin; it includes the interior judgment of the conscience, and becomes at the same time a new beginning of the bestowal of grace and love
Thus in this “convincing concerning sin” we discover a double gift: the gift of the truth of conscience and the gift of the certainty of redemption.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Dominum et vivificantem” for this Season of Lent?

1. Work against the ‘culture of death’ that is becoming a dangerous trend in the modern world
2. Recognise the danger of living in sin

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Be a promoter of life at all levels
2. Daily make an examination of conscience

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Dominum et vivificantem” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

CLICK TO READ the Full Text of “Dominum et vivificantem” at https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_18051986_dominum-et-vivificantem.html

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Opening our hearts – in repentance and contrition – and allowing Him to reveal “the light” of His love and grace in our hearts!”

(Based on Num 21:4-9 and Jn 8:21-30 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Lent)

St. Augustine speaks of a conversation, he had, with an unbeliever.

The other man showed him his idol gods and said, “Here is my god; Where is thine?”

He again pointed to the skies and said, “Lo, Here is my god; Where is thine?”
He further showed some of the land creatures and said, “Behold, here is my god; Where is thine?”

“But” St Augustine says, “I showed him not my God;
Not because I had not one to show him, but because he had not eyes to see Him”

Unless one open’s one’s eyes to the Divine realities…
… one cannot see the Divine!

If one chooses to remain closed to the light of Divinity…
… then one continues to remain in the darkness of life!

The Gospel of the Day is the account of Jesus presenting Himself as the Light of the World and his continued debate with the Pharisees, who chose to remain in the darkness of error and ignorance.

Jesus is at the Feast of the Tabernacles (Jn 7: 10)

It is a kind of a harvest festival.

It’s a festival of going up to Jerusalem and join in the festivities with many of the other farmers and vineyard-keepers…
… being grateful and expressing one’s thankfulness to God Yahweh, who has blessed with a good harvest.

In the evening of the Feast day, everyone gets together in the Court of the Women at the Temple to dance and praise God for his goodness.

There is an elaborate ceremony involving the pouring out of water from great pitchers and then the lamps are lit.

Four huge oil lamps are positioned around the courtyard and the priests’ assistants pour great quantities of oil into the bases of them.
Massive wicks are created from the worn-out clothing of the priests and stuffed into the necks.
Darkness falls quickly with very little twilight between the strong sunlight and the rising of the moon, which follows very rapidly at this time of year.

Suddenly the lamps are lit and the whole courtyard is bathed in their light.

A cheer goes up from the revellers and from around the city, as the light can be seen from every part of Jerusalem.

Using the contrast between…
… the glowing exuberance of the brightly lit courtyard
… and the growing darkness in the atmosphere

Jesus makes a loud and bold proclamation:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8: 12)

But the Pharisees objected and spoke in retort:
“You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified” (Jn 8: 13)

There was a contrast-play, on here….

The Temple was lit brightly
… Jesus declared Himself as the Light of the World
The evening had set and the surroundings were growing darker
… The Pharisees, by rejecting the person of Jesus, chose to remain in darkness!

Jesus was constantly giving witness to the fact that He was the “light of the world”

He brought the light…
… of healing – to those sick and in distress
… of salvation – to those in sin and guilt
… of power and grace – by His words and teachings

But the Pharisees and many of the “creamy class” of the Jewish society, chose to dwell in “darkness”

They remained in the darkness…
… of ignorance – by not being open to the teachings and works of Jesus
… of death – by continuing a life of sin and error and refusing the offer of grace from Jesus

Jesus wishes to be the “light of our life!”

One of the most tragic statements in the Bible reads thus:
“He came to His own, and His own rejected Him” (Jn 1: 11)

What about us?

Do we open our hearts to allow His light to shine through us?
… or do we get stagnant in darkness, and choose to reject His teaching in our life…?

Do we seek the Lord in honesty seeking, to cause His light to shine in our minds?
… or do we remain indifferent in darkness, and get stuck to our pride mentality and lifestyle…?

The people of Israel failed to see the mighty hand of the Lord leading and protecting them on their way to the Promised Land.

They got stuck with peripheral and materialistic concerns
… “And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” (Num 21:5)

As a result, they greatly offended the Lord and brought punishment upon themselves.

Yet, the Lord, in His Great Goodness, provided a solution – the bronze serpent – a pre-figurement of the Cross of Christ, which would bring redemption to the whole world!
… “And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live!” (Num 21:8-9)

The Lord comes to us, today…
… proclaiming Himself as the “light of the world”

Let us not remain closed; rather, open our hearts, in repentance and contrition…
… and allow Him to reveal “the light” of His love and grace in our hearts?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN CONFER THIS SACRAMENT?

Christ himself chose the apostles and gave them a share in his mission and authority.
Raised to the Father’s right hand, he has not forsaken his flock but he keeps it under his constant protection through the apostles, and guides it still through these same pastors who continue his work today.

Thus, it is Christ whose gift it is that some be apostles, others pastors. He continues to act through the bishops. (CCC # 1570)

“REDEMPTORIS MISSIO”

A. What is it?
‘Redemptoris Missio’ is an encyclical by Pope John Paul II published on 7 December 1990.

‘Redemptoris Missio’ is a Latin phrase for ‘The Mission of the Redeemer’
This encyclical is subtitled ‘On the permanent validity of the Church’s missionary mandate.’
The release coincided with the twenty-fifth anniversary of Vatican II’s Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, ‘Ad gentes.’

B. What does it speak of?
‘Redemptoris Missio’ is devoted to the subject of “the urgency of missionary activity”

The Pope wished “to invite the Church to renew her missionary commitment”
The encyclical is an important elaboration on the theme of New Evangelization cited often by Pope John Paul II.

The encyclical differentiated three spheres of evangelization:

Missio ad gentes: Directed to people who do not yet believe in Christ
Reevangelization: Aimed at rekindling Christian faith
Pastoral care: The deeper insertion of the gospel in the hearts and minds of faithful Christians

Besides the Introduction and the Conclusion, ‘Redemptoris Missio’ outlines 8 topics:
I. Jesus Christ, the Only Savior

II. The Kingdom of God

III. The Holy Spirit, the Principal Agent of Mission

“The Holy Spirit is indeed the principal agent of the whole of the Church’s mission”
“Today the Church must face other challenges and push forward to new frontiers”

IV. The Vast Horizons of the Mission Ad Gentes

“Internal and external difficulties must not make us pessimistic or inactive. What counts, here as in every area of Christian life, is…from the certainty that it is not we who are the principal agents of the Church’s mission, but Jesus Christ and his Spirit.”
The Church addresses people with full respect for their freedom. Her mission does not restrict freedom but rather promotes it. The Church proposes; she imposes nothing. She respects individuals and cultures, and she honors the sanctuary of conscience. To those who for various reasons oppose missionary activity, the Church repeats: Open the doors to Christ!”

V. The Paths of Mission

“Conversion is a gift of God, a work of the Blessed Trinity.”

VI. Leaders and Workers in the Missionary Apostolate

“The Church is missionary by her very nature, for Christ’s mandate is not something contingent or external, but reaches the very heart of the Church.”

VII. Cooperation in Missionary Activity

The Pope appeals: “I ask young people themselves to listen to Christ’s words… they will know the genuine joy of proclaiming the ‘Good News’ to brothers and sisters whom they will lead on the way of salvation.”

VIII. Missionary Spirituality

“An essential characteristic of missionary spirituality is intimate communion with Christ.”
“The Church’s missionary spirituality is a journey toward holiness.”

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Redemptoris Missio” invites to understand that the Kingdom of God is primarily the Person of Jesus Christ

“The Kingdom of God is not a concept, a doctrine, or a program subject to free interpretation, but it is before all else a person with the face and name of Jesus of Nazareth, the image of the invisible God.”

2. The Encyclical calls us to cooperate with the missionary tasks entrusted to us

“The witness of a Christian life is the first and irreplaceable form of mission”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Redemptoris Missio” for this Season of Lent?

1. Making Jesus as the centre of our lives
2. Using every opportunity to become a witness of the Kingdom of God

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Prioritize Jesus above all things and people
2. Try to speak about Christ and His Love – if possible, everyday – to at least one new person

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Redemptoris Missio” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

CLICK TO READ the Full Text of “Redemptoris Missio” at:
https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris-missio.html

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Picking up the broken pieces of our life, filling the spaces in our emptiness and starting, all over again!”

(Based on Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 and Jn 8:1-11 – Monday of the 5th Week in Lent)

“Let me start again…
Pick the pieces of my brokenness
Fill the spaces in my emptiness…
Let me start again!”

This a beautiful hymn that echoes the sentiments and feelings of a person…
… who has suffered much and is yet ready to start life all over again.

Life sometimes can crush us really hard…
Life sometimes can wreck us really miserably…

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful testimony of a person who…
… found herself at the lowest ebbs of her life
… when everything seemed all over
… in total tatters and brokenness

Yet…
… was able to pick up the broken pieces of her life
… fill the spaces in her emptiness
… and start it all over again

All by the grace and power of the Lord, who intervened, and instilled a new hope and zeal in her.

The incident in focus is the ‘infamous’ occurrence of the woman who was “caught” in adultery.

There are many things to be pondered and reflected on, through this incident…

1. Think of the “mean” and “disgraceful” attitude of the people who “caught” this woman “in the act” (Jn 8:3)
   … Were they fitted with “special probing and lusty” eyes, that devilishly gazed into “intimate exchanges”, that too on an early morning?
2. Think of the “self-appointed” role of these “moralists” who sought to restore the innocence of the land, without realising that, perhaps, their own eyes were filled with lust, their hearts drenched in obscenity and their lives soaked in vulgarity.
   … How was it that their “clean” consciences and “true” intentions caught hold of only the woman, “caught in the act”, whereas, the man involved, was left, scot-free?
3. Think of the “deadly” trap that they were laying before the Lord, in seeking to find his opinion on the accused woman
   … How neatly they had trapped the Lord in a “most vicious” dilemma:

If the Lord permitted death, it would be going against the Law of the land – of the Romans – since only the Romans were permitted to take the life of a person

If the Lord did not allow to stone, He would be going against the Law of the Lord, which had ordered the stoning of the convicted adulterer to death.

If the Lord permitted killing, He would be going against His own teaching of mercy, and His fundamental mission of “coming to seek and save the lost”

If the Lord forgave her, He would be going against the principle of Justice, and that would be infringing the rights and duties of a Just God.

It was a near-perfect scene, for the religious leaders to dreadfully trap the Lord.

The woman had been caught “in the act” of adultery…

Jesus was now to be trapped “in the act” of breaking the Law…

The woman had been shamefully paraded and stripped of all her dignity…

Jesus was now to be gloriously humiliated and disrobed of His glory and majesty…

But all these were “mere” human thinking and wile wishes…

The wisdom of God is much greater than all human craftiness and cunningness

In their wickedness, they failed to see, that they were testing the law with the Law-Giver Himself!

And so, the Benevolent Law-giver, bent down, and wrote with His finger… (Jn 8:6)
… just as He had, centuries back, written the Law on the tablet and given to Moses: “… tablets that were made by God, having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God Himself” (Ex 32:16)

He wrote, not a new law, but He wrote to make the law perfectly understood..

“Let the one who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7)

This statement shattered all those accusers who heard it!

Those who came to cast the stone had themselves stoned brutally, by the guilt of their sin!

Justice had triumphed!
Mercy had excelled!
Love had won!

All had left, save the one accused and the One who was Love and Compassion!

The one accused, stood in fear and trembling before the One who recreates and renews!

And so she was given another chance…
…. to pick up the broken pieces of her life
… and to start anew!

In the book of Daniel, the innocent lady, Susanna would undergo a similar experience…
… of being condemned and doomed to death!

But the Wisdom of the Lord would shine through the young boy Daniel…
… and innocent life was saved!

Susanna trusted in the mighty Providence of God…
… and her hopes would not be disappointed; she would not be left in desolation.

Yes, life may very often reduce us also to the same state as this one who was accused.

We may find ourselves crushed….broken…accused… abandoned…shamed!

But the Lord, still gives us a chance….

Shall we not…
…. pick up the broken pieces of our life…
… fill the spaces in our emptiness…
… and start it, all over again?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE CELEBRATION OF THIS SACRAMENT

In the Latin Church, the initial rites – presentation and election of the ordinand, instruction by the bishop, examination of the candidate, litany of the saints – attest that the choice of the candidate is made in keeping with the practice of the Church…
… and prepare for the solemn act of consecration, after which several rites symbolically express and complete the mystery accomplished.
For bishop and priest, an anointing with holy chrism, a sign of the special anointing of the Holy Spirit who makes their ministry fruitful; giving the book of the Gospels, the ring, the miter, and the crosier to the bishop as the sign of his apostolic mission to proclaim the Word of God, of his fidelity to the Church, the bride of Christ, and his office as shepherd of the Lord’s flock

… presentation to the priest of the paten and chalice, “the offering of the holy people” which he is called to present to God; giving the book of the Gospels to the deacon who has just received the mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. (CCC #1574)