Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Spirit Of A Believing Welcome
Whether we are considering increasing our charitable donations, entering into a business partership, forming a small Christian community or getting married, there are spiritual as well as economic issues involved. As long as we hold back, defining ourselves by what we own or competing with each other for status and position will make real sharing impossible.. Moreover, our efforts to protect our interests legally, for example, mean that we give while counting the cost down to the very last penny.
This may be wise according to the world's standards, but it does not represent the fullness of true Christian charity. Real giving always entails vulnerability. Christian charity, as modeled by the early Church in the 1st reading is based on the promise that the goods of this world come as gifts to be used wisely for the benefit of all, especially the poor and needy among us. Few of us are ever going to voluntarily give everything away; when we do give, however, may we give with the generosity of Christ which knows no limits.
Our giving also should not only be one in cash or kind, but also one in faith. A giving of our faith, a proclamation of our belief, a declaration of the spiritual truth we hold near and dear is sometimes what someone needs, more that money or help in any other form. Our Gospel text shows us Thomas in just that light. From refusing to open up his heart to accept, one meeting with the risen Jesus and he proclamed the highest form of faith that can be declared: "My Lord and my God!"
His believing welcome, as it were, of Jesus' risen presence among His disciples opened Thomas up to new and greater possibilities. His encounter with Jesus began to prepare him for the mission the Lord had in store for him. Jesus was in fact, taking Thomas out of the "tomb of doubt" that had enslaved him for so long. The Resurrection encounter gave Thomas the boldness to declare his faith, a faith he would one day gladly suffer martyrdom for.
Yet, what has all this in store for us? What practical application can we draw from the 1st reading and the Gospel passages of this Sunday's Mass? Possibly it is calling us to sit down in the presence of the risen Jesus and see just how generous, welcoming and faithful our Lenten preparation has made us. Have we given willingly during Charities Week? have we sacrifice some comfort for the sake of our felow Catholics?
Has our Easter celebration been one big faith proclamation? We will only be able to give like the early Church and profess our faith like Thomas once we allow the ever powerful Ressurection presence of Jesus to encounter us, challenge us, transform us and invite us to live fully as a child of the Light and a child of the Resurrection. Amen.
Teach us O Lord, to give without counting the cost & let us always boldly proclaim our faith in You, as our only Lord and God. Amen.
This may be wise according to the world's standards, but it does not represent the fullness of true Christian charity. Real giving always entails vulnerability. Christian charity, as modeled by the early Church in the 1st reading is based on the promise that the goods of this world come as gifts to be used wisely for the benefit of all, especially the poor and needy among us. Few of us are ever going to voluntarily give everything away; when we do give, however, may we give with the generosity of Christ which knows no limits.
Our giving also should not only be one in cash or kind, but also one in faith. A giving of our faith, a proclamation of our belief, a declaration of the spiritual truth we hold near and dear is sometimes what someone needs, more that money or help in any other form. Our Gospel text shows us Thomas in just that light. From refusing to open up his heart to accept, one meeting with the risen Jesus and he proclamed the highest form of faith that can be declared: "My Lord and my God!"
His believing welcome, as it were, of Jesus' risen presence among His disciples opened Thomas up to new and greater possibilities. His encounter with Jesus began to prepare him for the mission the Lord had in store for him. Jesus was in fact, taking Thomas out of the "tomb of doubt" that had enslaved him for so long. The Resurrection encounter gave Thomas the boldness to declare his faith, a faith he would one day gladly suffer martyrdom for.
Yet, what has all this in store for us? What practical application can we draw from the 1st reading and the Gospel passages of this Sunday's Mass? Possibly it is calling us to sit down in the presence of the risen Jesus and see just how generous, welcoming and faithful our Lenten preparation has made us. Have we given willingly during Charities Week? have we sacrifice some comfort for the sake of our felow Catholics?
Has our Easter celebration been one big faith proclamation? We will only be able to give like the early Church and profess our faith like Thomas once we allow the ever powerful Ressurection presence of Jesus to encounter us, challenge us, transform us and invite us to live fully as a child of the Light and a child of the Resurrection. Amen.
Teach us O Lord, to give without counting the cost & let us always boldly proclaim our faith in You, as our only Lord and God. Amen.
Acknowledgements:
Fraternity of Mater Dolorosa
Fraternity of Mater Dolorosa
Labels: Easter, Sacred Scripture, Spirituality, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Baptism of the Lord (A)
When the Lord had been baptised, the heavens opened, and the Spirit came down like a dove to rest on Him. Then the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased. (Intriot)
Lectionary:
1st Reading: Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Gradual: Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R/ Ps 11(b)
2nd Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Mt 3:13-17
This is My Son, Listen to Him
Why was Jesus Baptised? Jesus did not require baptism but because He had taken our sins upon Him to atone for them, he humbled Himself and put Himself on the same level with sinners. We read in other parts of scripture that Jesus also subjected Himself to circumcision and the presentation at the temple. These qualities reflect the humility and obedience of the Son.
Water as a sacramental. Water would never have been a sacramental should Jesus not have been baptised. By His baptism, He sanctified the water, hence now, water becomes for us a tool of purification for our souls.
In the book of Genesis we see the Church been metaphorically depicted as the ark carrying on board all sorts of creatures and rising above the waters that were commanded to wash the world of it's impurities and sins. Today, we as Catholics from all walks of life find ourselves in the ark- the Church who dispenses the waters of baptism to enable us rise to new life. How can we voyage as a community if we do not love the Church- our vessel? We need to love the Chruch- as Cardinal Rhode appropriately put it to the Jesuits during their recent international gathering. Our love is displayed through obedience and humility. All our efforts will come to naught if we fail to find ourselves on board the true ark of salvation.
Voice from Heaven- This is truly as sign of what a sacrament is. An outward sign of an inward grace. Here we see the voice from Heaven as the outward sign setting Jesus before the people as the promised one. The inward grace comes as the people receive faith in His Divine Mission.
Opening of Heaven- When we rise from our baptism, we see Heaven which had been closed since the fall, now opened by Jesus.
Labels: Sacred Scripture, Spirituality, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Thrid Sunday of Advent (A)
Lectionary:
1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 (God Himself is coming to save you)
Gradual: Psalm 145, R/ Isaiah 35:4
2nd Reading: James 5:7-10 (Do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon)
Acclamation: Isaiah 61:1 or Luke 4:18
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 (Are you the one who is to come?)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. The Lord is near
Sent his disciples- No doubt whatsoever that Jesus was the Messiah; for this was the burden of his preaching at the Jordan. If this was the case, why did he send his disciples? He did so because many of them though had heard about the works of the Lord had not seen it for themselves and were not fully assured. Therefore in order to confirm their faith John sent them directly. Already knowing the intentions of John the Baptist, Jesus answers the question indirectly by referring to His works. Thus, confirming the faith of the disciples and the testimony of John.
How strong is our faith? When we send ourselves before the Altar of Sacrifice to receive the Body and Blood our Jesus in the Eucharist, are we fully convicted of His presence hidden under the veil of the sacrament or are we still asking questions?
Are you the one who is to come- This is a plain question showing what John wanted, that is the knowledge of Christ as the Redeemer. He did not ask for any proof or sign; in his final inquiry, we see a declaration that our Lord’s simple assertion was enough to command unconditional belief in Him.
Is our faith ready? Do we still ask questions, or signs, or proofs? “Blessed are those who have not yet seen but believe”. St. Peter J. Eymard once said that “tomorrow will be too late”. How true. We do not know the hour or the day of the Lord’s coming- not the end of the world, but rather death; our own end. When the time comes are we ready to meet Him with our unconditional believe that “He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God”? St. Peter Julian Eymard’s reminder is probably founded on the warning given by the prophet Malachi. He tells us, “who will be able to endure when the day comes? Who will be able to survive when He appears? He will like a strong soap, like a fire that purifies metal…” On that day, the Lord will appear as judge and “testify at once… against all who do not respect (Mal 3:5)” Him.
Go back and tell- If we look at Luke’s account in 7:21 we see that it was “at that VERY time” when the messengers were corresponding with Him that “He cured many people of their diseases, He cast out evil spirits & restored sight to the blind”.
When we see the works of the Lord, do we “go back and tell” our loved ones, friends, co-workers about the power and mercies of our great Lord and Savior? Are we being a testimony to His greatness?
Does not lose faith- Also translated to scandalize or offended. Why would Jesus say this? Why would people be scandalized, offended or lose faith because of His good works? To understand this we need to look at the Book of the Prophet Isaiah who foretold Jesus way of life to be characterized by “poverty and lowliness, suffering and death”. Jesus had to say this because the Jews had expected the messiah to come in pomp and power instead of humility and poverty; which by the way was a great hindrance to their faith.
Is humility and suffering a hindrance to OUR faith today as it was in the time of the Jews? Today’s society focuses much on the individual, on power, control, wealth, et cetera. We need to learn from John’s joyful reception of the Lord into his own life so that in time of adversity, or even in the face of the secular world, we may receive the consolation of having that joy.
Conclusion- The later part of the Gospel which discusses about John’s greatness is something that gives us an opportunity to reflect upon. John entered the world in a state of grace, growing daily in grace and virtue.
We came into the world in the state of original sin, BUT by the holy waters of baptism, this sin has been taken away and replaced by sanctifying grace. Have we lost this grace through mortal sin? When was the last time we made satisfaction for it through the Sacrament of Penance? To paraphrase the cry of the Baptist, turn away from thoughtlessness and forgetfulness of God to piety and fear of God! To be holy and godly Catholics, we need to try to prevent sin. This is what Jesus meant when he proclaimed that “the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is” even though no one greater than him has ever been seen.
Is it possible to live holy and godly lives in a culture of sin and death? In the Second Reading, James advises us how to go about living holy and godly lives for the Lord in expectation and anticipation of His return. It is important to note that patience is an important virtue that we need to adopt in our lives because no one knows the exact hour the Lord is coming. It is with patience that we can, like the Baptist, persevere in the knowledge that Jesus is the Redeemer and that He WILL come to gather us back to Himself. Amen.
1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 (God Himself is coming to save you)
Gradual: Psalm 145, R/ Isaiah 35:4
2nd Reading: James 5:7-10 (Do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon)
Acclamation: Isaiah 61:1 or Luke 4:18
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 (Are you the one who is to come?)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. The Lord is near
Sent his disciples- No doubt whatsoever that Jesus was the Messiah; for this was the burden of his preaching at the Jordan. If this was the case, why did he send his disciples? He did so because many of them though had heard about the works of the Lord had not seen it for themselves and were not fully assured. Therefore in order to confirm their faith John sent them directly. Already knowing the intentions of John the Baptist, Jesus answers the question indirectly by referring to His works. Thus, confirming the faith of the disciples and the testimony of John.
How strong is our faith? When we send ourselves before the Altar of Sacrifice to receive the Body and Blood our Jesus in the Eucharist, are we fully convicted of His presence hidden under the veil of the sacrament or are we still asking questions?
Are you the one who is to come- This is a plain question showing what John wanted, that is the knowledge of Christ as the Redeemer. He did not ask for any proof or sign; in his final inquiry, we see a declaration that our Lord’s simple assertion was enough to command unconditional belief in Him.
Is our faith ready? Do we still ask questions, or signs, or proofs? “Blessed are those who have not yet seen but believe”. St. Peter J. Eymard once said that “tomorrow will be too late”. How true. We do not know the hour or the day of the Lord’s coming- not the end of the world, but rather death; our own end. When the time comes are we ready to meet Him with our unconditional believe that “He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God”? St. Peter Julian Eymard’s reminder is probably founded on the warning given by the prophet Malachi. He tells us, “who will be able to endure when the day comes? Who will be able to survive when He appears? He will like a strong soap, like a fire that purifies metal…” On that day, the Lord will appear as judge and “testify at once… against all who do not respect (Mal 3:5)” Him.
Go back and tell- If we look at Luke’s account in 7:21 we see that it was “at that VERY time” when the messengers were corresponding with Him that “He cured many people of their diseases, He cast out evil spirits & restored sight to the blind”.
When we see the works of the Lord, do we “go back and tell” our loved ones, friends, co-workers about the power and mercies of our great Lord and Savior? Are we being a testimony to His greatness?
Does not lose faith- Also translated to scandalize or offended. Why would Jesus say this? Why would people be scandalized, offended or lose faith because of His good works? To understand this we need to look at the Book of the Prophet Isaiah who foretold Jesus way of life to be characterized by “poverty and lowliness, suffering and death”. Jesus had to say this because the Jews had expected the messiah to come in pomp and power instead of humility and poverty; which by the way was a great hindrance to their faith.
Is humility and suffering a hindrance to OUR faith today as it was in the time of the Jews? Today’s society focuses much on the individual, on power, control, wealth, et cetera. We need to learn from John’s joyful reception of the Lord into his own life so that in time of adversity, or even in the face of the secular world, we may receive the consolation of having that joy.
Conclusion- The later part of the Gospel which discusses about John’s greatness is something that gives us an opportunity to reflect upon. John entered the world in a state of grace, growing daily in grace and virtue.
We came into the world in the state of original sin, BUT by the holy waters of baptism, this sin has been taken away and replaced by sanctifying grace. Have we lost this grace through mortal sin? When was the last time we made satisfaction for it through the Sacrament of Penance? To paraphrase the cry of the Baptist, turn away from thoughtlessness and forgetfulness of God to piety and fear of God! To be holy and godly Catholics, we need to try to prevent sin. This is what Jesus meant when he proclaimed that “the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is” even though no one greater than him has ever been seen.
Is it possible to live holy and godly lives in a culture of sin and death? In the Second Reading, James advises us how to go about living holy and godly lives for the Lord in expectation and anticipation of His return. It is important to note that patience is an important virtue that we need to adopt in our lives because no one knows the exact hour the Lord is coming. It is with patience that we can, like the Baptist, persevere in the knowledge that Jesus is the Redeemer and that He WILL come to gather us back to Himself. Amen.
Labels: Sacred Scripture, Spirituality, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
Sunday Reading Reflections
My renewed participation in a Scripture Sharing/Reflection group at the parish of the Holy Family with some good friends have prompted me to share my thoughts, reflections, and ideas- which I try to prepare before hand- here online. I truly appreaciate the new lectionary for it's abundant use of scripture- speard over 3 cycles for Sundays and 2 for weekdays. This has opened up wonderful riches contained in the holy word of God, When we begin to love the Word, we can see that it actually offers us deep spiritual insights that can be applied to both our physical and spiritual lives.
I must say that I am not academically trained in Sacred Scripture, therefore the interpretation of Sacred Scripture contained in these posts may not reflect what Holy Mother the Church has to say. Though I try to stick closely to the authorised commentaries and concordances, there are (and will be) times when some views may not reflect that of the Church.
I make mention of the above as I know (and accept the fact) that the final interpretation of all Sacred Scripture lies in the magisteral of the Church.
Labels: Announcements, Sacred Scripture, Sunday Reading Reflections (A)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Singapore Pastoral Institute: Diploma in Sacred Scripture
Yesterday, I commenced my first lesson at the Singapore Pastoral Institute (SPI). The course I applied for is the third and last module of the Diploma course SPI offered some three years back. Lasting 12 sessions- 2 hours each-, this last module covers the Letter to the Hebrews as well as the Book of Revelation.
The course is conducted by local scripture scholar, Rev. Fr. Ambrose Vaz. It is no coincidence that Fr. Vaz,- brother of Msgr. Eugene Vaz- is the one of the Formators at St. Francis Xavier's Major Semionary.
Having missed part I and II, I'll not be receiving any certification for this course.
Below are some notes on the History/Background of the the Letter to the Hebrews and explaination of the Chapters 1 to 4. Enjoy!
Labels: Courses, Hebrews, Personal, Sacred Scripture, Singapore Pastoral Institute
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