Monday, November 19, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."
1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
"She gave from her want, all that she had to live on."
1 Kings 17:10-16 and Mark 12:38-44 both present widows as protagonists in their stories. Despite their poverty, these widows still continued in their trust and confidence in Yahweh. The prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:10-16) and Jesus (Mark 12:38-44) showed to these widows that God cares for them and all the little ones in society. Both Elijah and Jesus did not look at the poverty of the widows, but more on their great virtue of faith and trust in God. The faith of the widow in 1 Kings 17:10-16 saved her (and her only son) from hunger and death, while the widow in Mark's gospel earned her much praise from Jesus, and the attention she deserved from everyone in the synagogue who listened to Jesus.
Psalm 146 expresses well how God takes good care of the least of His children:
"The Lord ... secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free ...
The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those that are bowed down;
The Lord loves the just ...
The fatherless and the widow He sustains ... (Psalm 146:7ff)
The example of the two widows helps us learn very well that God should be our true hope and our future. Despite their dire situation, they opened their hearts so that God's providential care may enter their lives. We too are called to be open and to see how the Lord wants to enter our lives. We need not wait to be in dire straits (like the two widows in the readings), before we realize the value of placing our hope and trust in God. God calls us always. And sometimes in moments when we least expect it. Through the relationships and work we have in our respective states of life, God calls us and shows His desire to dwell in our hearts and souls. Our response is simple: to place our trust and confidence in Him, and to persevere in our faith and in His promise of eternal life.
Monday, November 05, 2012
"There is no other commandment greater than these."
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.
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.
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