“Firmly pledging loyalty and allegiance to our Loving God and trusting Him at all times!”

(Based on 2 Chron 24:17-25 and Mt 6:24-34 – Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time)

A top ranked official, was extremely efficient and skilled in all his works.

However, he suffered from constant bouts of ulcer in the mouth, stomach upset and headaches.

Several medications couldn’t solve this problem.

Finally, a close friend of his, who had been away abroad for some years, met him…
… and knowing of his problems, suggested:
“I have the solution for all your physical troubles.

With all your works and responsibilities, you daily take up a lot of tension and worry.

So all that you need to do is…

Choose any one particular day of the week.

Whenever you get a problem that causes you anxiety…

Write it on a piece of paper….
Drop it inside a ‘Worry Box’…
… and then completely forget about it.

This ‘worry box’ is to be opened on that particular day of the week.”

The official tried this method of “writing the anxieties and problems on a paper, dropping it into a ‘worry box’ and opening it only on a Sunday.”

To his surprise, he found that most of the things that had disturbed him over the past six days were already settled.

It would have been useless to have worried about them.

That’s when he realised, his foolishness in being anxious and worried about a lot of things in life…
… things that deserved no attention for worry or anxiety!

And behold, in doing so, he also found his health to be regaining to full force.

Is that not pretty similar in our lives as well?

We often fret and worry about a lot of things in life…
… only to realise, that most of them, do not actually deserve the “anxiety attention and the worry weightage.”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reflection given by Jesus on this nagging factor in our life – anxiety and worry.

The Lord firstly invites us to have a clear conviction regarding our loyalty: to God or to mammon.

He says, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6: 24)

We can be faithful and committed to only one of them.

To whom have we pledged our loyalty and allegiance…?

To the True and Living God who alone is worthy of every honour and who alone is able to bless our lives with true joy and happiness….?
… or to false and make-believe effigies of money, wealth and possessions which may give momentary satisfactions but fail miserably in rendering true peace of mind…?

When we have made this pledge and commitment to the Lord, He invites us to “live” this commitment.

One of the strongest signs of “living” this commitment is to “trust” in Him!

And the external sign of “trusting” in Him is to not get into the vice of “anxiety”

Jesus asks this very practical and logical question:
“Can any of you, by worrying, add a single moment to your life-span?” (Mt 6: 27)

All of us…
… surely, as we live our lives have our quota of tensions and troubles.
… without doubt, as we discharge our duties, will have our share of pressures.

But do we let these tensions and troubles and pressures to get converted to needless “worries” and undue “anxieties”?

It is said that “worry is wasting today’s time, to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.”

Worries and anxieties cause us…
… to miss the beautiful gift of the present – Today
… causing blockage in the golden chances awaiting ahead – Tomorrow
… as a result of the cloud of undue pressures and fears of the past – Yesterday

Humans, as we are, stresses and strains are sure to come our way…
… but, does my Christian Faith help me to convert such circumstances to occasions to trust in God deeper and build our faith stronger?

For a person on deep faith, situations of tension are made into moments of seeking God deeper and experiencing His providence.
For a person of higher trust, circumstances of worries are transformed to occasions of cherishing God’s presence and developing an approach of stronger reliance and dependence.

There is no doubt that life will constantly hurl ‘bricks of worry and anxiety’ on us

Discouragements are an easy trap for us to stumble in our life of faith
Anxieties are easy snares to corner us with fretfulness and fear.

But as Christians, we need to be courageous to use these ‘bricks of worry and anxiety’ into castles of “confidence and success!”

The evil one, in life…
… seeks to hamper our desire to seek the Lord and work for His Kingdom
… attempts to tarnish our good intentions to be a messenger of His Kingdom

Do we succumb to those attacks of “anxiety” and “worry”?
… or do we stand firm, in faith and trust, placing our faith in the Lord, entirely?

Worries and anxieties often eat up our life…
… and many of us even suffer physically, spiritually and socially.

The Lord, our best friend, advises us today:
“Write down your worries and anxieties on a piece of paper… (i.e. speak to me in Prayer!)
… put them into the “worry box”… (i.e. Offer them to My Heart!)
… and open it once a week… (i.e. On a Sunday – the Sabbath Day, set apart for the Lord!)

And you will realise, most of the things that had disturbed over the past six days, were already settled.”

Yes, let us firmly pledge loyalty and allegiance to our Loving God…
… and trusting Him at all times, boldly declare, with hope:
“I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
CHRIST’S BAPTISM

All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfilment in Christ Jesus.
He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan.
After His resurrection, Christ gives this mission to his apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to “fulfil all righteousness.”
Jesus’ gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying.

The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his “beloved Son.” (CCC #1223-1224)

“Making a choice for God and His everlasting Kingdom, over the world and its transient riches!”

(Based on 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-8, 20 and Mt 6:19-23 – Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time)

A priest who knew of a man in his parish, who was greatly attached to wealth, wrote this letter, to him, exhorting him on the need to have God as the Greatest Treasure of his life.

“Dear Jim, I would like to propose to you two examples today – one from the Christian world and the other from the secular world.

Do read through… and I pray that God will help you to make the right choices in life.

The first example is of St Francis de Sales who says that there is a wide difference between having poison and being poisoned.

He tells that all apothecaries (= a person who prepares and sells medicines and drugs) have poisons ready for special uses, but they are not consequently poisoned, because…
… the poison is only in their shop, not in themselves

And so you may possess riches without being poisoned by them, so long as they are in your house or purse only…
…and not in your heart!

The second example is that of King Midas, which I’m sure you are aware of…

This ancient Greek tale tells of a king named Midas who was granted a special wish…
… that whatever he touched would turn to gold!

Excitedly, Midas went about touching all sorts of things, turning them into gold.

Soon Midas became hungry.
He picked up a piece of food, but he couldn’t eat it, for it had turned to gold in his hand!

Midas’ beloved daughter, seeing his dismay, threw her arms about him to comfort him, and, she too turned to gold!

‘The golden touch is no blessing,’ cried Midas and begged for this power to be taken away!

Greed and avarice made King Midas to consider gold as the greatest treasure.

However, life taught him the lesson for true happiness by making him realise the transient nature of worldly treasures.”

The priest concluded the letter with these words: “These two examples are set before you.

Now you need to make a choice: God and His everlasting Kingdom…
… or the world and its transient riches!”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus teaching us this great lesson of not being attached to earthly riches…
… and instead, to discover our true treasure in the Lord.

Our Blessed Lord says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal…” (Mt 6: 19)

Jesus points out to the futility of having our security on earthly goods by citing two similes:
• Moth and rust
• Thieves

Any possession or any wealth on the earth, has to face a danger from both these aspects:
Those which cause damage from within… Those which cause destruction from outside.

Moth and rust cause damage from within…
… they spoil money, render precious things useless and cause irreversible harm to costly goods.

Thieves cause destruction from outside…
… they loot valuable things, threaten lives for acquiring wealth and induce immense tension and worry.

However, the Lord says to place our treasure on things that are eternal and heavenly.

The advantage?

There is to be no fear of destruction: from within or from outside.

Moth and rust cannot affect them… Thieves cannot loot them.

That is why the Lord assures His disciples:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give you peace” (Jn 14: 27)
“…your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you” (Jn 16: 22)

St Paul would later articulate this in his letter to the Romans:
“For I am convinced that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth…
… nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8: 38)

Jesus assures a treasure and wealth that cannot be either damaged from inside or can be destroyed from outside.
• There is total guarantee in placing our hearts on heavenly treasures.
• There is full assurance in letting our mind set on spiritual wealth.

What do these teachings mean for us?

Am I being forbidden to use wealth?
Am I being discouraged from having money with me?

Jesus goes a step beyond these queries and seeks to check our intentions and our attitude:
“For where your treasure is, there your health also will be” (Mt 6: 21)

• Is my heart constantly set only on worldly treasures and riches…
… and fails to, instead, give the prime place and honour to the Lord and set priorities for Him?

• Is my life constantly only worried about money, properties, gadgets and possessions…
… and fails to, instead, accord the rightful and due place to the Lord and concerns for Him?

Any of us can, at any time, fall into the temptation of having an attitude of avarice and wanting to have only wealth and earthly treasures.

But can I know and realise, that all such external possessions will not be able to assure my true peace and happiness?

Real treasure is to be cherished only by having the Lord as our only true possession!

The greatest joys of life come by clinging on to those realities which have eternal value!

The choice is before us: God and His everlasting Kingdom…
… or the world and its transient riches!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant

The Church has seen in Noah’s ark a prefiguring of salvation by Baptism, for by it “a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water”: The waters of the great flood, you made a sign of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness.
If water springing up from the earth symbolizes life, the water of the sea is a symbol of death and so can represent the mystery of the cross.
By this symbolism, Baptism signifies communion with Christ’s death.
But above all, the crossing of the Red Sea, literally the liberation of Israel from the slavery of Egypt, announces the liberation wrought by Baptism:
You freed the children of Abraham from the slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an image of the people set free in Baptism.
Finally, Baptism is prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River by which the People of God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham’s descendants, an image of eternal life.

the promise of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New Covenant. (CCC #1219-1222)

“Making ‘Our Father’ – the beautiful prayer, to become a really meaningful one in our life!”

(Based on Sir 48:1-14 and Mt 6:7-15 – Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time)

Most of us have seen those advertisements or billboards which announce some bumper offer or sale.

For example…

Winter Sale on branded clothing: Up to 50% off!*

Buy a new house, at just Rs 1000!*

Buy one pizza, get one free!*

But, a point to be noted is that most of these advertisements of offers and goodies also have a “tiny asterisk – * ” sign next to it.

What does the * refer to?

It has a catch in it…. Terms and Conditions Apply!

The offer is valid, only on the basis of some conditions.

The sale is applicable, only on the agreement of some special terms.

Well, the Gospel of the Day is the prayer of the Our Father.

And one of the ‘offer’ that is mentioned in the Our Father is that of Forgiveness.

However, this offer of Forgiveness has an “asterisk *” sign attached to it…
Yes… Terms and Conditions apply!

What is the offer?

The Forgiveness from God!

And what is the condition applied to receive this offer of forgiveness?

We, first need to forgive others!

The Gospel of the Day is part of the Sermons on the mount in the Gospel of St Matthew.

Jesus is presenting His teaching on various Christian themes.

In His teaching on prayer, Jesus teaches the beautiful prayer – The Our Father.

The Our Father has seven petitions:

1. Hallowed be thy name
2. Thy Kingdom come
3. Thy Will be done
4. Give us today our daily bread
5. Forgive us our sins
6. Lead us not into temptation
7. Deliver us from evil.

The fifth petition – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”…
“… and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12)
… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!
… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!

Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

Certainly NO!

It needs to be understood, that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But to receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

To receive this grace of pardon, we need to first pardon others!

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is unconditional…
… but our reception of the same, is conditional!

It means that…
If we harbour a wrong against other…
If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive me either!
… then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!
… then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!
… then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!

The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.

But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!

This clause of the prayer, which is often not thought of, also makes this prayer challenging!

Let the prayer ‘Our Father’ make us to make inroads into forgiving others!
Let the prayer ‘Our Father’ make us to march forward into extending pardon to others!

Let this beautiful prayer, also become a really meaningful one!

Are we ready, to take this “Offer?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
BAPTISM IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – Prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant

In the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, during the blessing of the baptismal water, the Church solemnly commemorates the great events in salvation history that already prefigured the mystery of Baptism:
Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power. In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament
Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as “oveshadowed” by the Spirit of God:

At the very dawn of creation, Your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness! (CCC #1217-1218)

“Doing away with the ‘gadgets of our self-wills’ and beginning to really re-charge ourselves with doing God’s Will!”

(Based on 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 and Mt 6:1-6 – Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time)

An Italian newspaper carried a news story about a young couple in Milan who seemed particularly devoted in their worship.

The priest at a Cathedral reported that the pair spent an hour or more on a regular basis…
… sitting before a statue of the Virgin Mary.

But shockingly…
… it turned out, that they were not really praying!

This young couple was recharging their cell phone!

They had noticed a stray electric cable sticking out of the wall…
… behind the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Whenever their phone’s power supply dwindled, the young couple came to the church and re-charged it!

Well…
What looked like an act of piety, was actually a self-serving ploy!

Maybe, we are much shocked by this act…

But how about us?
Do we indulge ourselves into similar acts?
… claiming to be praying – but without true devotion or only for “transient gains and desires”
… claiming to be abstaining – but without a sense of joy and reducing it to “an annual observance of an unconvinced pious act”
… claiming to be doing acts of piety – but perhaps, with selfish motives or as “popularity stunts”

Are we really re-charging ourselves?
… or are recharging the many “gadgets” of our self-will?

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of restoring the “true intention in the acts of praying, fasting and almsgiving”…
… with a need to put on the vestment of humility and sincerity!

The Gospel Passage – Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18 – presents to us Jesus speaking of the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: ALMSGIVING, PRAYER and FASTING (PENANCE).

He invites us to perform these acts of piety with a “holy and sincere devotion”

With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet” (Mt 6:2)

With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father” (Mt 6:6)

With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face” (Mt 6:17)

It is interesting to note that these 3 practices refers to 3 dimensions of Love:
… towards God
… towards others
… towards oneself

Prayer: Reminding ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
Almsgiving: Reviving our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
Fasting: Rediscovering the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

It’s high time we move from “prayering” –merely reciting words…
… to praying – words of love that arise from the heart!

It’s high time we move from “announcements” – throwing words of charity into the air…
…to almsgiving – charity that flows from the generosity of one’s heart!

It’s high time we move from “feasting” – indulging in self-pleasure…
… to fasting – self-discipline to help one to regulate one’s life!

Yes… we are called to give greater attention to “return to the basics”…
… restoring the “true intention in all our activities!”

Can we stop making our acts of piety as merely self-serving ploys?

Shall we do away with the “gadgets of our self-wills”
… and begin to really re-charge ourselves with doing God’s Will?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
BAPTISM – What is This Sacrament Called?

This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding
Having received in Baptism the Word, “the true light that enlightens every man,” the person baptized has been “enlightened,” he becomes a “son of light,” indeed, he becomes “light” himself
Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift… We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift.
It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own…
… grace since it is given even to the guilty
… Baptism because sin is buried in the water
… anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed
… enlightenment because it radiates light

… clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship. (CCC #1216)

“Making the journey to see people not as a ‘burden or stress’ but as a brother and sister!”

(Based on 1 Kings 21:17-29 and Mt 5:43-48 – Tuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time)

The following story is known to us, perhaps in different forms…

A gentleman who was walking down the streets of a city was greatly interested too look at the street children – many of whom were carrying smaller children upon their backs…
… and managing at the same time to play their games.

“It is too bad,” said the gentleman to one little fellow, “that you have to carry such a heavy burden!”

“He’s no burden, Sir!” came the quick reply; “he’s my brother.”

The child who was carrying his younger sibling, did not count the pain or the difficulty in carrying; instead embraced the situation joyfully.

“He’s no burden, Sir… he’s my brother” – is a phrase that ought to strike a chord in our hearts.

As Christians, we need to make this journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful exhortation by Jesus to make this transition from considering people as a “burden” and “stress”…
… and instead look at them as “brothers and sisters”, extending the Christian virtue of unconditional love to all.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, continues to pull down barriers of “comfort and coziness” by challenging His disciples to rise above the normal standards of the world.

Today He speaks on the aspect of “Love”.

Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human person.

Dictionaries define love as being ‘a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person’ or a ‘feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection’.

Generally speaking, love is considered only to be a human ’emotion or feeling’.

It is something that is usually understood as being “felt” or “sensed” or “experienced”.

Jesus surely did consider “love” as an emotion and a feeling.

Therefore…
• He loved the company of people….
• He cherished affection of those who followed Him…
• He treasured relationships and fostered friendships with all…

But beyond these “external” dimensions of Love…
… Our Blessed Lord taught and showed a higher aspect of love.

Love, not just being a “feeling” but “love as a “decision”.
Love, not just being a “sensation” but love as a “commitment”

Therefore Jesus would say, “For if you love only those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Mt 5: 46)

Love, when understood only as a “feeling” or an “emotion” can get reduced to being just an “object” or a “thing”

Just as one exchanges goods with each other…
.. love is also exchanged with one another.
Just as one shares one’s belongings and possessions with one another…
… love is also shared with one another
Just as one gives and takes things from each other…
… love is also given and taken from each other

But the Lord presents a higher understanding of love and demands a much supreme expression of love from His followers: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48)

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling” and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

When someone hurts us, we don’t “feel” like loving…

But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is a “daring decision”

When someone continues to be lukewarm, we don’t have any “emotions” of love…

But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is an “absolute allegiance”

When someone continues to cause pain, we don’t “experience” any love…

But Jesus says, “Love that person” because love is a “challenging commitment”

Now this teaching certainly irks our “normal” understanding.
• How can I possibly love someone, who has hurt and killed me mentally?
• How can I be expected to show love to someone, who still hurts me – even intentionally?
• How can I be told to love people who have no regard for me at all and treat me as an object?

It seems to be an impossibility.
It seems to be absurd.

But let us look to the Crucified Lord…
… and we have the perfect example of this Love being lived in actuality!

Jesus on the Cross shows that love is to be a “daring decision”, an “absolute allegiance” and a “challenging commitment”!

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling”…
… and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

One may not be able to “show” love…
… but can we not, at least pray and wish for the good of the person?

One may not be able to “talk” freely to the one who has hurt…
… but can we not, at least refrain from wanting bad to happen to that person?

One may not be able to “resist” from having bad feelings when encountering one’s enemy…
… but can we not, at least offer the person to the Mercy of God?

The journey of reconciliation begins with a conscious and committed decision ‘to accept and forgive!’

This teaching certainly seems to be a big “burden” and a significant “stress”

But this is where, we need to make a journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Lord has walked through this journey.

He is still with us, to accompany us.
• This journey may be hard
• This journey may be hurting
• This journey may be painful

But the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you!” (2 Cor 12: 9)

Let us trust Him!
Let us be courageous in Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
BAPTISM – What is This Sacrament Called?

This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out…
… to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to “plunge” or “immerse”; the “plunge” into the water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as “a new creature.”
This sacrament is also called “the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit…

… without which no one “can enter the kingdom of God” (CCC #1214-1215)

“Through the intercession of St Antony of Padua, being firm and resolute in our Christian living and being bold in one’s convictions to oppose evil!”

(Based on 1 Kings 21:1-16 and Mt 5:38-42 – Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of St Antony of Padua)

India honours Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the nation.

The New Testament made a great impression on him, especially the Sermon on the Mount, which went straight to his heart.

He, once said, to one of his disciples:
“Behold the gentle figure of Christ…
… so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that He taught His followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek…

I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…!”

“The message of Jesus as I understand it,” said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole…”

The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.

It is significant to read that in this Passage of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus is instructing some of the core personal tasks that has to be taken up by each individual Christian.

The Sermon on the Mount makes a personal obligation on each Christian

It is worth meditating and reflecting on each line of this Great Sermon, and examining to what extent am I living this lofty and powerful teaching of the Lord in my life.

One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)

This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…

Did Jesus mean that Christian should be passive to evil?
Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?
Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?

The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…

He was always actively against evil and sinful activities
He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness

Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil… and turning one’s cheeks?”

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:

1. Opposing with violence
2. Bearing everything passively
3. A courageous non-violence

The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight
…either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations

FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence
FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

But the way of Jesus is a higher one…
… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.

The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.

It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

It means…
… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist
… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.
… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)

This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission…
… rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.

This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”

Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it could quite probably mean, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.

What is the significance of a back-handed slap?
A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…

Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!

A backhand slap, in the time of Jesus, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:

Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.

What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?
Not Fight… Not Flight.

Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.

This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,
“Try again if you want, buddy!
Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.
I deny you any power to humiliate me!”

This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life… by dying on the Cross!

The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…

Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!

As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.
In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.

To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…

In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.

Jesus embodied this spirituality.

Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.

As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Antony of Padua…
… one of the most loved Saints, all over the world.

He is popularly invoked by those who have trouble finding lost objects.

But in own day, he was more popular as the “Hammer of Heretics”…
… due to the powerful witness of his life and preaching.

May the Powerful Intercession of the “Hammer of Heretics” – St Antony of Padua…
…. help us to always be firm and resolute in our Christian Living!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua)…
… and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.
Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God…

… we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the Word” (CCC # 1213)

“Seeking to grow in faith and trust in the Lord, the Triune God!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity)

A law-school professor was telling his class what to expect of the final examination.
“The question paper will be nearly 14 pages long” he explained, “and it will take at least four hours to answer all the questions!”

Hearing that, the entire class groaned with murmuring.

As the class grumbled, the Professor added, with a tone of consolation: “Don’t be worried.

In this tough exercise of the examination, all of you will be in the same boat!”

At this, one student, with a naughty grin spoke up: “Yeah, Sir… We all will be in the same boat.
Just that, the name of the boat would be Titanic!!”

(Titanic was the name of the boat that had a tragic end -sinking into the ocean after a crash with an iceberg and leading to the death of nearly 1500 people in the year 1912)

This little humorous incident (without being too critical or analytical), when looked at from a global spiritual perspective, points out a grand and complex reality: There are many examinations in life, which tends to drown our life!
To some questions of life, answers will be found.

But to many, there will be a mysterious silence.

Today we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity…
… a feast that apparently throws up a lot of questions

Yet, is so fundamental to our faith, that we are called forth to make a leap of faith and deepen our love-relationship with this Mystery of Unity!

One of the basic truths of life is that the most beautiful aspects of the world cannot really be defined

Can we define love and the exact reasons why we love a person?
Will it be possible to clearly define if you are asked the happiest moment of your life?
Is it easy to give a definition of the moment when you went through an agonising tragedy?

In all such cases, they can be described, but not really defined with precision…
… These are mysteries of life that need to be experienced!

The most profound, meaningful, and life-changing things or events of our lives don’t warrant to be defined…
… they need to be experienced, and lived in a manner that proves the truth of the Mystery!

The greater one delves into the experience of such mysteries, the greater is one able to love them!

The deeper one experiences such mysteries, the passionate is one’s commitment to it!

And it is an experience that makes a Mystery come alive, and to abide by it!

The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is indeed deep and complex

Yet, the Power of this Beautiful Mystery is so deep, that we can approach the Blessed Trinity… experience the Love and Mercy showered to us, and live with a passionate commitment!

The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity goes beyond the realm of human definition…
… and insures us to surrender ourselves to God’s Awesomeness and bow down in adoration!

That is why the most beautiful way to understand this Lofty Mystery is to enter into a deeper relationship with the Blessed Trinity – a greater communion and participation.

The Gospel of the Day is this assurance of Jesus that even though many things are not understood in life, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us, in time and as needed, the mysteries of life and our faith.

Jesus speaks about this to His disciples: “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth…” (Jn 16:12-13)

The experience of the Pentecost – the infilling of the Holy Spirit – helped the disciples, who were strict monotheists, to grasp the Mystery of the Trinity in a new light…

God is One and there are three Persons – the Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God
The Father is not the Son and the Spirit; the Son is not the Father and the Spirit; the Spirit is not the Son and the Father.

The Mystery of the Trinity is indeed lofty – and even though many worldly realities and examples attempt to explain, we can no way fully explain this Mystery.

[Example: Sunlight displays a triune dimension – the substance of the sun, the heat, the light

The universe consists of three things: matter, space, and time.
(Each one of itself has a triune dimension
Matter = mass + energy + motion.
Space = length + height + breadth.
Time = past + present + future)
Human beings have a triple dimension, consisting of the body, the mind and the soul
In short, the whole world reflects the Triune nature of the Blessed Trinity!]

We are reminded this Most profound, Meaningful, and Life Impacting Mystery of our life – the Mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity – doesn’t warrant to be defined…
… It needs to be experienced, and lived in a manner that proves the Truth of the Mystery!

Our lives often remain a blank question-paper, with mysterious questions hurled at us, and answers found wanting!
We look for answers. We seek for solutions.

Sometimes we get. But many times, we fail to obtain.

It may lead us to desperation. It may even lead us to anxiety.

But the Lord assures us…
… that He has the answer to every question in the world and the solution to every problem of our life.
Of course, not all will be told to us, or revealed to us, at once.

They will be conveyed to us, at the appropriate time, in the appropriate situation.

From our part, what is simply needed is…
… openness to His Spirit; trust in His Divine Providence; constantly seeking to know His Will

The underlying principle for this simple, yet, seemingly hard to practise philosophy of life, is that “the Triune God Loves Us” greatly, and that every moment of our life, is taken care of by God’s Providence!

The greater our trust in the Living God…
… the nearer will we be, to the answers of life!

Yes, Life will constantly place before us “tough exams!”
We may complain and grumble

In frustration, we may sometimes even feel that “lives may turn out to be like the Titanic!”

But let’s not lose hope… Let us seek to grow in faith and trust in the Lord, the Triune God!

Happy Feast of the Most Blessed Trinity!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

The sacraments of Christian initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – lay the foundations of every Christian life.
“The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life.
The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life.

By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.” (CCC # 1212)

“Willing to be an apostle of encouragement, ‘by putting back the stars’ in the lives of people!”

(Based on Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3 and Mt 10:7-13 – Feast of St Barnabas)

A story is said of a man who lived a very fine life.

Being a carpenter, he had helped in the construction works of the church.
He was also very benevolent in helping people who needed his counselling and guiding skills

However, at a particular phase in his life, many things went wrong…
His wife had a sudden death and the man found himself at a deep loss
There was also a financial crisis that he faced, with a few people exploiting his simple innocence

These and many other experiences left him quite broken, dejected and defeated.

It was at this time, that attending a Sunday Mass, he heard the priest preaching on the Love and Providence of God.

The sermon touched him much… the Word of God moved him greatly.

After the Mass, he approached the priest to have a talk with him

The priest welcomed him cordially, and the two spoke for a long time.

After his sharing, the man felt extremely relieved and coming back home, he told his neighbour:
“What a man he is…!

“When I went into his office, all the stars had fallen out of my skies – but one by one he put them back again…
I feel so much stronger and hopeful, now…!

Experiences in life are often such…
… unfair and unjust
… partial and discriminatory

We therefore are in need of encouragements in life…
… to lift our sagging spirits
… to boost our depressed minds

In situations where “the stars fall out of our skies”…
… we need encouragements and support to have them ” one by one, be put back again!”

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of St Barnabas – who was an immense source of encouragement…
… and invites us to also become persons of encouragement to others.

The Holy Bible presents many characters and personalities, who assume great importance and are in the highlight, by virtue of their words and deeds.

But there are also a few, who remain in the background, and yet are strong and powerful characters…
… St Barnabas, whose feast we celebrate today, is one such personality.

The word “Barnabas” in Greek means… “the Son of Encouragement”.

And true to his name, St Barnabas lived a life, “encouraging” the Christian Faith.

It’s amazing to see the very many practical ways in which St Barnabas can be a model and example for our Christian lives

Let’s pick up a few areas in which St Barnabas was a source of encouragement…for our practical Christian life.

1. Religiously:
   Barnabas was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36)
   The tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well.

The spirit of a strict Jewish System was much strong in Levites.
Yet, Barnabas breaks away from that strict religious system, to embrace Christianity – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my many faith-prejudices and false religious-notions and embrace Christ and His Church, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

2. Cultural
   Barnabas was from Cyprus, in Turkey (Acts 4:36)
   … and yet, he becomes a missionary to work in Jerusalem and other far-away places.
   He transcends cultures and places, and moves beyond his own cultural, linguistic and ethnic boundaries – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go beyond my cultural, linguistic and ethnic barriers, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

3. Financially
   When the Early Church was in need, Barnabas sold his field, and gave the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:37)
   He was sensitive to the needs of the Church and was willing to be self-giving – all for the love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my richness, possessions and attachments, for the Love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

4. Psychologically
   St Paul, after his dramatic conversion, was not easily accepted by the Early Church because of his ignominious past (Acts 9:26).

But Barnabas took the lead in helping Paul to be part of the preaching ministry, as Scripture testifies:
“But Barnabas took him (Paul) and brought him to the Apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27)

It was St Barnabas who supported and encouraged St Paul, in his initial days of struggle – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to accept and encourage people who are misunderstood and are mistreated, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

5. Spiritually
   St Barnabas was a person mightily filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:24)

Yet, he was happy and content to ‘play second fiddle’ – playing the minor and supportive role to St Paul, in his missionary endeavours.

He was willing to remain humble and meek – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my tendencies of spiritual pride, and instead remain humble and meek, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

In life, we come across many who are broken and dejected, sad and hopeless…

We find many who “have the stars fallen out of their skies”

Can we become persons who encourage, console and strengthen them, “by one by one, putting back the stars” in their life?

St Barnabas invites and exhorts us…
… Are we willing to be a “Child of Encouragement?”

Happy Feast of the “Apostle of Encouragement!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law.
There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith.
There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.

In this organic whole, the Eucharist occupies a unique place as the “Sacrament of sacraments”: all the other sacraments are ordered to it as to their end (CCC # 1210-1211)

“Freeing ourselves from the ‘imprisonment of our appetites’ and experiencing the ‘glorious liberty’ of the Children of God!”

(Based on 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16 and Mt 5:27-32 – Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time)

The Canadian author, Thomas Costain in his historical novel “The Three Edwards” speaks of the life of a 14th century Duke named Raynald Ill.

Raynald was extremely overweight and was commonly called by his Latin nickname “Crassus” which meant ‘fat’!

This Duke Raynald, after a violent quarrel, suffered defeat in a revolt by his younger brother Edward.

Edward captured Raynald, but did not kill him.

Instead he imprisoned Raynald in a room in the castle…
… and promised that he could regain his title and property, if he was able to escape from the room.

This task – to escape from the room – would have been pretty simple for most people, since the room had several windows and a door; none of which was locked!

But Raynald had a problem…. His size… His uncontrolled appetite!

Edward knew his elder brother…
… and He very well knew this weakness as well!

Each day, therefore, Edward send him a variety of delicious foods!

Instead of dieting his way out of the room, he began to relish on the grand food served to him…
… and Raynald grew fatter!

When Edward was questioned by the people on his cruelty for having captured his elder brother, he would reply, without any qualms:
“My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

The story goes on to say that Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle.

But by then his health was so ruined, that he died within a year!

Raynald died…
… as a prisoner of his own appetite!

How often is this a reality in our spiritual lives as well!

Sin sometimes captures our hearts so much…
… that we are unwilling to let go, and thus wither in our sinful state

Immorality and transgressions take over our lives so much…
… that we become slaves, and remain much bound to them.

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful call by Jesus to make an honest examination of our state of life, and check whether we are imprisoned by sin…
… especially from the perspective of immorality and decadence in our ethical system.

Our modern society is often a rude and mute witness to many inhuman atrocities and abuses, especially against women and children.

The world seems to be more and more losing, the sense of sin!

In this context, it’s shocking to read the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading:
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart”! (Mt 5:28)

Jesus’ words pierces through the heart!

He gives no space for lame excuses and silly explanations…
… he hits straight at the target!

SIN consists not in some external actions alone…
… but SIN is conceived and given birth in one’s heart!

When we consider the society in which we live in, we find that…
Immorality is on the rise….

We pass through cities and towns…
We look through newspapers and magazines…
We scan across websites, swanky apps and fancy shops…
.. and we find that… Immorality is, indeed, on the rise!

Immoral pictures, sensual visuals, inhuman portrayal of persons, double-meaning talks have somehow become the order of the day!

We are very often surrounded by filth and lewdness in our society.

Satan, the father of deception scatters the seeds of immorality and lust everywhere!

It’s here, that a Christian needs to be on the watch.

It is our duty as Christians, to preserve our hearts from this dangerous contagion.

The beatitudes tell us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mt 5: 8)

We have a duty…
… to preserve ourselves from impurity!
… to protect others in their dignity and honour!
…to awaken the society which is often, deadened in immorality and perversion!

The Lord reveals Himself in the stillness and tranquillity of our hearts and lives…
… just as Elijah experiences the Voice of the Lord – not in the strong wind, or earthquake or the fire… but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Let us examine our lives and check… “Am I becoming a prisoner of my own appetite?”
… being a slave to lustful thoughts or immoral patterns of attitudes
… being indifferent to a society which strips itself of all dignity in the name of liberty and freedom

The Lord very powerfully challenges us to be totally intolerant to casting away sin and sinful tendencies from our life…
“If your right eye causes you to sin… tear it out and throw it away” (Mt 5: 29)
“If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off and throw it away” (Mt 5: 30)

Sin has no place in a world of mercy and love!

Mercy places an obligation that all sin be rid off!
Love demands that all wrongdoing be cast away!

Let the words of St Antony of Padua be given heed to:
“Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.”

Let’s awake, Dear Christians…
… purify our world and live in sanctity and holiness…

Let us free ourselves from the “imprisonment of our appetites” and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? Liturgy and culture

The celebration of the liturgy, therefore, should correspond to the genius and culture of the different peoples.
In order that the mystery of Christ be “made known to all the nations… to bring about the obedience of faith,”
It must be proclaimed, celebrated, and lived in all cultures in such a way that they themselves are not abolished by it, but redeemed and fulfilled…
… It is with and through their own human culture, assumed and transfigured by Christ, that the multitude of God’s children has access to the Father, in order to glorify Him in the one Spirit.
“In the liturgy, above all that of the sacraments, there is an immutable part, a part that is divinely instituted and of which the Church is the guardian, and parts that can be changed…
… which the Church has the power and on occasion also the duty to adapt to the cultures of recently evangelized peoples.”
“Liturgical diversity can be a source of enrichment, but it can also provoke tensions, mutual misunderstandings, and even schisms.”
In this matter, it is clear that diversity must not damage unity.
It must express only fidelity to the common faith, to the sacramental signs that the Church has received from Christ, and to hierarchical communion.

Cultural adaptation also requires a conversion of heart and even, where necessary, a breaking with ancestral customs incompatible with the Catholic faith (CCC #1204-1206)

“Seeking to make our lives to be a Good News!”

(Based on 1 Kings 18:41-46 and Mt 5:20-26 – Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time)

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.

They are

1. “What is the use?”
2. “Why should I?”

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial
… causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life
… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

The “What is the use” lifestyle…
… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion

The “Why should I” lifestyle…
… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

Jesus always keeps challenging us!
The Lord loathes laziness and luke-warmness…

He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.

Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…
… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit
… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns… and which perhaps, we need to overcome?

1. They liked to preach…but not practise

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

2. They liked to do things to “show-off”

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

3. They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

Am I in any of these category of peoples??

The Lord challenges us today… to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

We need to be people…
… “who walk the talk”!
… “who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone
… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…
… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…
… and live as Jesus would want us to!

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mottos…

“What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”
“Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!”

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.
Let our lives truly be a Good News!

As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…use words, if necessary!“

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LITURGICAL DIVERSITY AND THE UNITY OF THE MYSTERY – Liturgical traditions and the catholicity of the Church

The diverse liturgical traditions have arisen by very reason of the Church’s mission.
Churches of the same geographical and cultural area came to celebrate the mystery of Christ through particular expressions characterized by the culture: in the tradition of the “deposit of faith,” in liturgical symbolism, in the organization of fraternal communion, in the theological understanding of the mysteries, and in various forms of holiness.
Through the liturgical life of a local church, Christ, the light and salvation of all peoples, is made manifest to the particular people and culture to which that Church is sent and in which she is rooted. >> The Church is catholic, capable of integrating into her unity, while purifying them, all the authentic riches of cultures.
The liturgical traditions or rites presently in use in the Church are the Latin (principally the Roman rite, but also the rites of certain local churches, such as the Ambrosian rite, or those of certain religious orders) and the Byzantine, Alexandrian or Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite and Chaldean rites.

In “faithful obedience to tradition, the sacred Council declares that Holy Mother Church holds all lawfully recognized rites to be of equal right and dignity, and that she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way. (CCC # 1202-1203)