Liturgical readings
Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Psalm 18
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28b-34
"There is no other commandment greater than these."
A scribe went to ask Jesus about God's commandments. Jesus replied with two commandments that summarizes what can be found in the Ten Commandments: first, to love God with our whole being (1st to 3rd commandments); and second, to love our neighbor as ourselves (4th to 10th commandments). Then Jesus added, "there is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe was pleased with the answer of Jesus, and confirmed that following these commandments "is worth more than any burnt offering or sacrifice."
To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments contain the Christian ethic to cultivate reverence and respect for God, and all He has created - including the environment. We know if we are obeying God just by examining what we have done, what we are doing, and how we treat others and ourselves. If we fill our mind, heart, and soul with God's Word and the Sacraments, then we will have the strength to do good and to continue to do what is right. Only when we patiently endure to do God's will can we receive His promise of eternal life.
We know by experience that following God's commandments is not always easy. But practicing a devotion helps. And a popular devotion that all Catholics can make is a devotion to Mary. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort (member of the French school of spirituality which includes St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, St. Francis de Sales, and St. John Eudes) advices this devotion to Mary because:
The Blessed Virgin prevents virtues from fading away ... merits from being wasted ... and graces from being lost; she prevents devils from doing harm (True Devotion to Mary #174)
Together with a devotion to the Eucharist, both can anchor us well to God in times of trial and adversity. Through these devotions, the Lord will sustain us and keep our souls rooted in His Life and teachings, whether it be in adversity or prosperity.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
"Rabboni, I want to see."
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.
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 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)