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.
Monday, October 01, 2012
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.
Monday, September 17, 2012
To judge by God's standards
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 50:4c-9a
Psalm 116
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
"Judge by God's standards, not by man's."
When Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them what this meant - in relation to Himself, and to Peter and his companions. It was a difficult teaching that Peter's limited understanding took hold of him, and made him dissuade Jesus from the terrible fate of the Cross. Jesus, understanding God's will, rebuked Peter, and took occasion to teach everyone within hearing about self-denial, the cross, Christian discipleship, and life itself. All the truths that Christ taught on that occasion is in our Christian faith - often heard during the liturgical season of Lent. These truths that Jesus emphasized become more real for us whenever we find ourselves in a situation of adversity.
Going back to the gospel passage, we will see that Peter appeared to have missed hearing the end of Jesus' explanation: "...and to rise three days later." Suffering, rejection and death from Jesus' first words struck Peter's attention, that he missed listening to what would happen after all that. Humanly speaking, it can happen to us too. Perhaps not in the same way as Peter's but similar, according to how we are overwhelmed by a series of negative, death-related events. Like Peter, we get absorbed by the bad appearance and forget to "listen" to the good God can still do. We must avoid judging on human standards alone.
God became man in Jesus to show us that human suffering and death is not the end. By His resurrection, He showed a path to love, hope and life. We understand all human pain and death from this perspective of Christ conquering death. Jesus has created a new standard above our ordinary way of seeing and understanding. It is a noble standard. We are reminded of this noble standard every time we celebrate the Eucharist. In communion, when we receive the Body of Christ, our lives are elevated to the standard of Christ's Life. This is the reason why we revere much the image of the Crucified Jesus. Although our physical sight sees suffering, by prayer and the gift of faith, we know that God sent His Son Jesus to elevate our human understanding to God's standards.
Isaiah 50:4c-9a
Psalm 116
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
"Judge by God's standards, not by man's."
When Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them what this meant - in relation to Himself, and to Peter and his companions. It was a difficult teaching that Peter's limited understanding took hold of him, and made him dissuade Jesus from the terrible fate of the Cross. Jesus, understanding God's will, rebuked Peter, and took occasion to teach everyone within hearing about self-denial, the cross, Christian discipleship, and life itself. All the truths that Christ taught on that occasion is in our Christian faith - often heard during the liturgical season of Lent. These truths that Jesus emphasized become more real for us whenever we find ourselves in a situation of adversity.
Going back to the gospel passage, we will see that Peter appeared to have missed hearing the end of Jesus' explanation: "...and to rise three days later." Suffering, rejection and death from Jesus' first words struck Peter's attention, that he missed listening to what would happen after all that. Humanly speaking, it can happen to us too. Perhaps not in the same way as Peter's but similar, according to how we are overwhelmed by a series of negative, death-related events. Like Peter, we get absorbed by the bad appearance and forget to "listen" to the good God can still do. We must avoid judging on human standards alone.
God became man in Jesus to show us that human suffering and death is not the end. By His resurrection, He showed a path to love, hope and life. We understand all human pain and death from this perspective of Christ conquering death. Jesus has created a new standard above our ordinary way of seeing and understanding. It is a noble standard. We are reminded of this noble standard every time we celebrate the Eucharist. In communion, when we receive the Body of Christ, our lives are elevated to the standard of Christ's Life. This is the reason why we revere much the image of the Crucified Jesus. Although our physical sight sees suffering, by prayer and the gift of faith, we know that God sent His Son Jesus to elevate our human understanding to God's standards.
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