Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52
"Rabboni, I want to see."
The endnotes of one or two bible translations say that the term 'Rabboni', is a solemn Aramaic term for Master or Teacher. Bartimaeus in Mark's gospel uses 'Rabboni' to address Jesus. If you remember, during the season of Easter, this 'Rabboni' was also spoken by Mary Magdalene (in John 20:16) when she saw Jesus risen from the tomb. It seems coincidental that Bartimaeus (who was blind) and Mary Magdalene (who lost 'sight'of the Lord) both said, "Rabboni". It was more common for the gospel writers to use the term "Rabbi" in addressing Jesus. What would have been the intention of St. Mark and St. John to use "Rabboni"?
We should be grateful now that we understand with faith that Jesus is the Son of God. But during the Lord's earthly ministry, His own people did not see, nor realize who He really is. Jesus had performed many signs and miracles that made a strong and positive impact among His people, but many still failed to "see" Jesus in His divine nature. It had to be the witness of a sightless beggar and a woman whom seven devils were expelled, to see something more than just a Rabbi or Teacher in their midst. The quality of Bartimaeus' and Mary Magdalene's faith made them see beyond mere appearances, to look into the truth more deeply. Faith in the truth spurred them to take action: Bartimaeus began to follow Jesus up the road, while Mary went to the other disciples to announce the Good News of Jesus rising from the dead.
Seeing the Lord from the perspective of Bartimaeus and Mary is a call to see beyond mere intellectual understanding of who Jesus is. It was faith in Jesus that led Bartimaeus to discipleship and Mary Magdalene to witnessing. We can learn a lot from their example. Their faith in Jesus bore fruit in the desire to follow Him and to witness to His presence. Bartimaeus and Mary were both simple folks during Jesus' earthly minsitry. As the gospel attests, most of those who had faith in Christ were ordinary people. This is why the gospel spread fast, because the "masses" make up most of the population. Although there is no popular account or story in Tradition that say Bartimaeus and Mary Magdalene became martyrs or missionaries to far-flung areas of the Roman Empire, their following and witnessing to Jesus was like a mustard seed that helped the infant Church to have faith and to grow more followers of that faith.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
"Anyone who wants to rank first must serve the needs of all."
Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm 33
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45
"Anyone who wants to rank first must serve the needs of all."
There arose a feeling of indignation among the apostles because two of their own rank, James and John, approached Jesus and requested that they be sitted one at His right, and the other at His left (when He comes into His glory). To remedy the situation, Jesus called all of them and emphasized the priority of service above positions of honor and authority. His own words and deeds attest to this teaching. Jesus Himself exemplified service as a poor, itinerant preacher going about many villages to heal the sick, to reconcile sinners back to God, and to give hope by raising many dead back to life.
A life of serving others - in family, work or community - is not an easy responsibility or commitment. It takes God's grace from the Sacraments and the daily practice of prayer and work to continue, persevere and be faithful until the end. Whenever we encounter difficulty in any of our responsibilities, we can remember what St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans as a source of encouragement or consolation:
Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) God will provide timely help for anyone who trusts in Him in whatever responsibilities he needs to complete.
This is the wisdom that many should believe in. For those who are called to positions of authority, then the example of Jesus can help them see how they are to accomplish their work. What is important is not to fall into the temptation of wielding power and authority that causes disunity and disharmony - just as James and John did. Jesus and the example of saintly monarchs in our Catholic history can inspire and protect us from falling into this temptation. To resist the temptation to power and authority without a strong sense of responsibility and ethics calls for an attitude of valuing the common good above personal interests, valuing mercy above material motivations, and valuing God above all loves - be it persons or things.
Psalm 33
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45
"Anyone who wants to rank first must serve the needs of all."
There arose a feeling of indignation among the apostles because two of their own rank, James and John, approached Jesus and requested that they be sitted one at His right, and the other at His left (when He comes into His glory). To remedy the situation, Jesus called all of them and emphasized the priority of service above positions of honor and authority. His own words and deeds attest to this teaching. Jesus Himself exemplified service as a poor, itinerant preacher going about many villages to heal the sick, to reconcile sinners back to God, and to give hope by raising many dead back to life.
A life of serving others - in family, work or community - is not an easy responsibility or commitment. It takes God's grace from the Sacraments and the daily practice of prayer and work to continue, persevere and be faithful until the end. Whenever we encounter difficulty in any of our responsibilities, we can remember what St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans as a source of encouragement or consolation:
Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5) God will provide timely help for anyone who trusts in Him in whatever responsibilities he needs to complete.
This is the wisdom that many should believe in. For those who are called to positions of authority, then the example of Jesus can help them see how they are to accomplish their work. What is important is not to fall into the temptation of wielding power and authority that causes disunity and disharmony - just as James and John did. Jesus and the example of saintly monarchs in our Catholic history can inspire and protect us from falling into this temptation. To resist the temptation to power and authority without a strong sense of responsibility and ethics calls for an attitude of valuing the common good above personal interests, valuing mercy above material motivations, and valuing God above all loves - be it persons or things.
Monday, October 08, 2012
"They are no longer two but one flesh."
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.
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.
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