Liturgical readings
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 128
Hebrews 2:9-11
Mark 10:2-16
"They are no longer two but one flesh."
Christ's love for the Church is the basis for the indissolubility of the sacramental bond of marriage. Just as Christ was faithful until the end, so the Church calls all married couples to root their marital life in Christ's example of fidelity. Faithfulness is not an easy virtue to practice. It is in fact a difficult virtue to practice in any state of life. But with the grace of God, it can be done. And it will not certainly be always difficult. Fidelity in marriage between man and woman is very important to any society, because it is the living cell that stabilizes relationships in any society. It is also the nursery of vocations to the Church. It is the ideal we need to uphold so that the moral standards of society will not degenerate and completely break down.
In one of her meditation recordings, Sister Joan Chittister (an American Benedictine), reflects on the meaning of fidelity and commitment. She says commitment is very costly, and there will be times when we experience only the "will to commitment, instead of the joy". There will also be doubts and times of distance, but all these are part of it. In such times, Sr. Joan counsels us not to run from difficulties but to work through problems - patiently enduring what needs to be done. We will certainly receive encouragement from family and friends, and to look at situations from fresh new angles. More than these, those whose commitments are tried and troubled need not forget to seek counsel from professionals, and most of all from the old and the wise, who have definitely seen and experienced more to life than younger generations.
Many Saints in their writings give spiritual counsel for fidelity and commitment. They teach that meditating on the life of the Lord - especially His Passion and Death on the Cross - is very helpful. Reflecting on the Lord's suffering can teach us self-denial, patience, forbearance, humility, perseverance, mercy and love - important virtues that help anyone in the commitment to marriage. It will open anyone's eyes to see how the example of the Lord's fidelity can give not only meaning, but also the strength to persevere in the commitments of married life. Though couples may experience infidelities (in its many forms), at one or more times in their marriage, God is merciful. He always gives an opportunity to renew the ties that bind. He has given us His Son (in the Sacraments) to heal the wounds caused by infidelities, and to continue once more in the vocation of marriage - a vocation rooted very much in Jesus' love for the Church.
Monday, October 08, 2012
Monday, October 01, 2012
"Anyone who is not against us is with us."
Liturgical readings
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
"Anyone who is not against us is with us."
In the Jerusalem Bible, Mark's gospel passage is divided into three parts. Each of the three parts have the following paragraph headings: "On using the name of Jesus" (Mk 9:38-40), "Charity shown to Christ's disciples (Mk 9:41), and "On leading others astray" (Mk 9:42-48). One common theme running through all these three paragraph headings and sections is the theme of Christian discipleship. The Lord taught His disciples what is important in Christian discipleship: to work for the common good of the faith; to make their ministry bear fruit in charity; and to avoid occasions of sin - especially what can be scandalous in the eyes of other believers.
Working for the common good of the faith. In the gospel passage, when the apostle John saw someone who was not of their company use the name of the Lord to expel demons, he reported it at once to Jesus. John reported to Jesus a situation he understood on the level of appearances and human associations. But Jesus led John to go beyond just his political way of understanding. Jesus led John to see it from the perspective of the Kingdom's ultimate purpose: to heal the sick, expel demons, and reconcile as many people back to God. For Jesus, what was more important than viewing it only at the level of political associations, is to see everything and everyone working for the common good of the Kingdom. Everything done in the Lord's name (the common good) is for the Kingdom.
If we in our present generation follow this teaching of Jesus, we will realize an important responsibility: working for what unites towards the common ground, rather than be in adversarial relationship to one another due to our differences. It is not an easy counsel to follow, because we will need to forget our differences and cultivate a spirit that works along common grounds. Cultivation of this spirit needs more prayer, and a sincere desire to work in harmony with others. If we cannot convince or convert others to be Catholics, nor let them see the truth in what we believe, then we are called to respect whatever they believe in, and work along lines where universal values are commonly agreed upon. These universal values are what humanity generally agree upon: values like peace, universal human rights, and non-violent actions. But the ultimate goal and mission of the Church is to bring as many people to be baptized and receive the sacramental benefits all Catholics receive.
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
"Anyone who is not against us is with us."
In the Jerusalem Bible, Mark's gospel passage is divided into three parts. Each of the three parts have the following paragraph headings: "On using the name of Jesus" (Mk 9:38-40), "Charity shown to Christ's disciples (Mk 9:41), and "On leading others astray" (Mk 9:42-48). One common theme running through all these three paragraph headings and sections is the theme of Christian discipleship. The Lord taught His disciples what is important in Christian discipleship: to work for the common good of the faith; to make their ministry bear fruit in charity; and to avoid occasions of sin - especially what can be scandalous in the eyes of other believers.
Working for the common good of the faith. In the gospel passage, when the apostle John saw someone who was not of their company use the name of the Lord to expel demons, he reported it at once to Jesus. John reported to Jesus a situation he understood on the level of appearances and human associations. But Jesus led John to go beyond just his political way of understanding. Jesus led John to see it from the perspective of the Kingdom's ultimate purpose: to heal the sick, expel demons, and reconcile as many people back to God. For Jesus, what was more important than viewing it only at the level of political associations, is to see everything and everyone working for the common good of the Kingdom. Everything done in the Lord's name (the common good) is for the Kingdom.
If we in our present generation follow this teaching of Jesus, we will realize an important responsibility: working for what unites towards the common ground, rather than be in adversarial relationship to one another due to our differences. It is not an easy counsel to follow, because we will need to forget our differences and cultivate a spirit that works along common grounds. Cultivation of this spirit needs more prayer, and a sincere desire to work in harmony with others. If we cannot convince or convert others to be Catholics, nor let them see the truth in what we believe, then we are called to respect whatever they believe in, and work along lines where universal values are commonly agreed upon. These universal values are what humanity generally agree upon: values like peace, universal human rights, and non-violent actions. But the ultimate goal and mission of the Church is to bring as many people to be baptized and receive the sacramental benefits all Catholics receive.
Monday, September 24, 2012
"He put His arms around a little child."
Liturgical readings
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54
James 3:16 - 4:3
Mark 9:30-37
"He put His arms around a little child."
World history records kingdoms built on pride, power, and money. This is the order by which world civilizations (guided by what is sinful in our humanity) dominate others - a truth classical teachers call "hubris". Jesus, however, teaches about a kingdom whose values are built on top, and within this order: one ordered towards humility, self-sacrifice and charity. He points to the attitude of a little child (as opposed to the domineering attitudes of his apostles), as a greater value to signify this kingdom. His disciples were arguing about who was the most important among themselves, but the child Jesus presented made them see that children in God's kingdom know that the most important Person of all is the Father. He is the One who provides and cares for all His children. Such a great lesson by a great Teacher. And One who Himself exemplifies humility in all its truth.
The disciples as yet did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was leading them to would have as its pillar their own Master's passion, death and resurrection. Not only did they fail to understand, but they were overwhelmed by the tragic events Jesus had to pass through. And so, when their egos were under attack, they, like abandoned children, fled and sought refuge for fear of the Jews. Only when Jesus rose again from the dead were they comforted and encouraged with a peace that only God as Father can give. In all His resurrection appearances, Jesus greeted all His followers with "Peace". It was God's arms of peace in the Person of His Son Jesus that embraced them and dissipated the fears and anxieties brought about by their Teacher's crucifixion and death.
Relating to God as our Father is part of our Catholic tradition. In Catholic spirituality, this relationship was developed well by St. Therese of the Child Jesus (and also by St. Gabriel Possenti, a Passionist). For those who have read St. Therese's autobiography, it is very easy to understand why her life exemplifies very well the lesson Jesus teaches about childlikeness and humility. If one is able to read her autobiography (The Story of a Soul), you will see that holiness can begin from childlike attitudes that are practiced in any state of life. St. Therese's experience of God's love embracing her soul shows clearly that the kingdom of God is present even in the most humble situations of family, daily work, and living in community with others.
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54
James 3:16 - 4:3
Mark 9:30-37
"He put His arms around a little child."
World history records kingdoms built on pride, power, and money. This is the order by which world civilizations (guided by what is sinful in our humanity) dominate others - a truth classical teachers call "hubris". Jesus, however, teaches about a kingdom whose values are built on top, and within this order: one ordered towards humility, self-sacrifice and charity. He points to the attitude of a little child (as opposed to the domineering attitudes of his apostles), as a greater value to signify this kingdom. His disciples were arguing about who was the most important among themselves, but the child Jesus presented made them see that children in God's kingdom know that the most important Person of all is the Father. He is the One who provides and cares for all His children. Such a great lesson by a great Teacher. And One who Himself exemplifies humility in all its truth.
The disciples as yet did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was leading them to would have as its pillar their own Master's passion, death and resurrection. Not only did they fail to understand, but they were overwhelmed by the tragic events Jesus had to pass through. And so, when their egos were under attack, they, like abandoned children, fled and sought refuge for fear of the Jews. Only when Jesus rose again from the dead were they comforted and encouraged with a peace that only God as Father can give. In all His resurrection appearances, Jesus greeted all His followers with "Peace". It was God's arms of peace in the Person of His Son Jesus that embraced them and dissipated the fears and anxieties brought about by their Teacher's crucifixion and death.
Relating to God as our Father is part of our Catholic tradition. In Catholic spirituality, this relationship was developed well by St. Therese of the Child Jesus (and also by St. Gabriel Possenti, a Passionist). For those who have read St. Therese's autobiography, it is very easy to understand why her life exemplifies very well the lesson Jesus teaches about childlikeness and humility. If one is able to read her autobiography (The Story of a Soul), you will see that holiness can begin from childlike attitudes that are practiced in any state of life. St. Therese's experience of God's love embracing her soul shows clearly that the kingdom of God is present even in the most humble situations of family, daily work, and living in community with others.
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