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Sunday 5th week of Lent
Gospel: Jn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Gospel: Jn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
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Saturday 4th of Lent
“Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, ‘cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us’ (cf. 1Pet 5:7).” ‐ Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi blessing to see nd coronavirus on Friday 27th March 2020.
Let us respond with a resounding "Amen".
Peace.
“Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, ‘cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us’ (cf. 1Pet 5:7).” ‐ Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi blessing to see nd coronavirus on Friday 27th March 2020.
Let us respond with a resounding "Amen".
Peace.
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Sunday 3rd week of Lent
Today's gospel recounted the encounter with Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It broke all social conventions of the day. Consider who Jesus was speaking to: a person of questionable morals (adultery/fornication) who belonged to an underclass group (women) in a despised society (Samaritan).
Theirs was a deep discussion on her sin, on true thirst, on worship, on the Spirit: Jesus and this marginalized woman. At the end of it, she became an evangelist "come and see". She was no longer outcast as her people listened and came. The life giving water that Jesus offered her renewed and restored her life. Her thirst fully satisfied.
In our thirst we look to quench it with the wrong things. Wealth, power, sex, drugs etc fail to satisfy because it's like drinking from a stagnant pool. Only Jesus offers living water.
This Lent Jesus still waits at the well.
Peace.
Today's gospel recounted the encounter with Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It broke all social conventions of the day. Consider who Jesus was speaking to: a person of questionable morals (adultery/fornication) who belonged to an underclass group (women) in a despised society (Samaritan).
Theirs was a deep discussion on her sin, on true thirst, on worship, on the Spirit: Jesus and this marginalized woman. At the end of it, she became an evangelist "come and see". She was no longer outcast as her people listened and came. The life giving water that Jesus offered her renewed and restored her life. Her thirst fully satisfied.
In our thirst we look to quench it with the wrong things. Wealth, power, sex, drugs etc fail to satisfy because it's like drinking from a stagnant pool. Only Jesus offers living water.
This Lent Jesus still waits at the well.
Peace.
- Published on
Tuesday 2nd week of Lent
"The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection
When we think of leadership we seldom think about service. In fact, the more common view of great leaders is that they expect others to serve them, just the opposite of what Jesus says. What then is my attitude, do I wish to serve or to rule?
Why do I do the things I do? Is it to elevate myself in the eyes of others? Isn't it natural to like the accolades from others, to see signs of appreciation?
Jesus spoke at length about this. Humility is a Christian virtue.
Peace.
"The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection
When we think of leadership we seldom think about service. In fact, the more common view of great leaders is that they expect others to serve them, just the opposite of what Jesus says. What then is my attitude, do I wish to serve or to rule?
Why do I do the things I do? Is it to elevate myself in the eyes of others? Isn't it natural to like the accolades from others, to see signs of appreciation?
Jesus spoke at length about this. Humility is a Christian virtue.
Peace.
- Published on
Saturday 2nd week of Lent
Reflection:
I believe the least church going person knows the gospel of the Prodigal Son. It is one of the most human and emotionally touching parables told.
It is the message of Lent. We can go home from anywhere, any state, any condition. No sin need keep us separated from our Father in heaven. All we need is to repent. Our God is waiting.
Peace.
Reflection:
I believe the least church going person knows the gospel of the Prodigal Son. It is one of the most human and emotionally touching parables told.
It is the message of Lent. We can go home from anywhere, any state, any condition. No sin need keep us separated from our Father in heaven. All we need is to repent. Our God is waiting.
Peace.
- Published on
Friday 2nd week of Lent
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Reflection:
How far are we from the kingdom of heaven? Are we confident in our devotions, bible verses, devotions and such (these are all good things after all) or are we confident in the power of our love?
Look at the discourse between the scribe and Jesus. It may seem that Jesus gave two answers to one question. He didn't. They are two sides of the same coin really. To love my neighbor is to love God and to love God is to love my neighbor. Neither can be mutually exclusive.
How far are we from the kingdom of God? We can use this Lenten season to find out.
Peace
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Reflection:
How far are we from the kingdom of heaven? Are we confident in our devotions, bible verses, devotions and such (these are all good things after all) or are we confident in the power of our love?
Look at the discourse between the scribe and Jesus. It may seem that Jesus gave two answers to one question. He didn't. They are two sides of the same coin really. To love my neighbor is to love God and to love God is to love my neighbor. Neither can be mutually exclusive.
How far are we from the kingdom of God? We can use this Lenten season to find out.
Peace
- Published on
Thursday 2nd week of Lent
The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Reflection
The rich man gave himself away in asking Abraham to send Lazarus to give him relief. He knew his name, was aware of his presence. He simply chose to ignore Lazarus, to deliberately do nothing to give him relief.
Here is a little test: what is our attitude toward the poor, the homeless? Do our windows and noses turn up rather than a dollar, a 'scrap', go out?
Lent challenges me hard today. Do you know Lazarus?
Peace.
The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Reflection
The rich man gave himself away in asking Abraham to send Lazarus to give him relief. He knew his name, was aware of his presence. He simply chose to ignore Lazarus, to deliberately do nothing to give him relief.
Here is a little test: what is our attitude toward the poor, the homeless? Do our windows and noses turn up rather than a dollar, a 'scrap', go out?
Lent challenges me hard today. Do you know Lazarus?
Peace.
- Published on
Wednesday 2nd week of Lent
Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Another occasion for Jesus to stress the importance of the virtue of humility. It would appear that his disciples wasn't getting the message the first time. In a world of 'I want' and 'gimme' Jesus addresses the call to service, to take care of the needs of others.
Has Lent become challenging for you yet? We continue on.
Peace.
Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Another occasion for Jesus to stress the importance of the virtue of humility. It would appear that his disciples wasn't getting the message the first time. In a world of 'I want' and 'gimme' Jesus addresses the call to service, to take care of the needs of others.
Has Lent become challenging for you yet? We continue on.
Peace.
- Published on
Monday 2nd week of Lent
"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." Lk 6:38
This could be considered an adjunct to the 'Golden rule' that Jesus instructed his listeners. Everybody know it: 'do unto others as you would have them do to you'.
If everyone followed this the world would be paradise. But it isn't always so, sometimes your good intent gets thrown back at you. Should you respond then with their 'measure' exchanging hurt for hurt, insult for insult?
In this case you need to break the cycle. This is where forgiveness comes in. You see, at the heart of Jesus message is love. Love them as you would have them love you, and if they don't love you back then love them anyway.
It takes a lot of practice but Lent gives us the opportunity.
Peace
"For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." Lk 6:38
This could be considered an adjunct to the 'Golden rule' that Jesus instructed his listeners. Everybody know it: 'do unto others as you would have them do to you'.
If everyone followed this the world would be paradise. But it isn't always so, sometimes your good intent gets thrown back at you. Should you respond then with their 'measure' exchanging hurt for hurt, insult for insult?
In this case you need to break the cycle. This is where forgiveness comes in. You see, at the heart of Jesus message is love. Love them as you would have them love you, and if they don't love you back then love them anyway.
It takes a lot of practice but Lent gives us the opportunity.
Peace
- Published on
Thursday 1st week of Lent
I've found it difficult to pray with a cold and hacking cough. In fact most attempts at prayer ended in sleep, deep sleep. Not how I wanted to start Lent.
St. Augustine once wrote “God could in no way permit the kind of evil out of which He could not being good...” thus it shows his desire to bring as much good out of our misfortunes as we let Him. Our illnesses, trials and tribulations, can indeed help us and others achieve salvation. Our very suffering becomes powerful prayer in itself with the right disposition.
Lord teach us to pray.
Peace
I've found it difficult to pray with a cold and hacking cough. In fact most attempts at prayer ended in sleep, deep sleep. Not how I wanted to start Lent.
St. Augustine once wrote “God could in no way permit the kind of evil out of which He could not being good...” thus it shows his desire to bring as much good out of our misfortunes as we let Him. Our illnesses, trials and tribulations, can indeed help us and others achieve salvation. Our very suffering becomes powerful prayer in itself with the right disposition.
Lord teach us to pray.
Peace