1st Sunday of Lent (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from:) 1st Sunday of Lent (B), February 26, 2012

Liturgical readings

Genesis 9:8-15 Psalm 25 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15

"Reform your lives and believe in the good news."

The gospel passage for the 1st Sunday of Lent (B) is comprised of only 4 verses; yet, in many Catholic bible translations, this passage is divided into two paragraphs: The Temptation of Jesus (verses 12-13) and The Beginning of Jesus' Galilean Ministry (verses 14-15). Mark's description of the temptation of Jesus is not as detailed as that of Matthew's version (Mt 4:1-11), nor of Luke's version (Lk 4:1-13). In Mark's version, there are no descriptive details of the Jesus' encounter with Satan. And the victory of Jesus over Satan's temptation is implied in the gospel of Mark.

Jesus was like all humanity in every way except for sin. God was made flesh in Him to give all the faithful strength against sin and the practice of virtue. Because of the sin man inherited from Adam and Eve, he easily succumbs to sin, either venial or mortal. Only Jesus in His purity can give all humanity strength to obey God, follow His counsels and inspirations. Since all have been gifted with faith at the sacrament of baptism, the baptized have the responsibility to nurture this faith in Jesus. The quality of this faith gives strength to overcome temptations: the cravings of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes, and the strong pull of worldly ambition - three temptations that can ruin and destroy souls (as it almost did St. Augustine, before his conversion).

St. Augustine read and studied the bible well. In one of his sermons, St. Augustine teaches that the battle against evil is "harsher for those who are young". He is speaking from experience and reflecting in his wisdom years. It is true. In old age, the seniors (seasoned Catholics) know well about this fight and have passed through it many times. Quoting St. Augustine, he says: "you have grown old in this combat...age has worn you of the fight". And the wise saint continues to say that even old age can "wear out the foes". But St. Augustine knows the importance of vigilance, because he knows the ancient enemy still "does not cease to disturb the peace even of old age".

Memorial of Saints (February 12)

St. Marina was brought by her father (a Bithynian) to a monastery dressed as a boy. Marina suffered much and was assigned the lowliest tasks. She was also made to perform the most severe penances. When her gender was revealed at her death, all those who maltreated or falsely accused her were filled with remorse (date of death unknown).

St. Julian the Hospitaler was of noble birth. He married a wealthy widow and lived in a castle. While Julian was away, his parents arrived seeking him. Julian's wife accommodated them for the night in the master's bedroom. When Julian was startled to see a man and woman in his bed, he killed them, not knowing that it was his parents. Filled with much remorse, he fled from the castle, resolving to do a fitting penance. He was joined by his wife and they built an inn for travelers and a hospital for the poor. Julian was eventually forgiven for his crime (date of death unknown).

St. Meletius of Antioch was appointed bishop of Sebastea in ca. 358 A.D. When the appointment caused dissension, Meletius fled to the desert and then to Syria. In 361 A.D., he was elected archbishop of Antioch. But conflicts continued and Meletius was exiled to Lower Armenia. Since the Arian heresy was causing great rifts in the Church, Meletius suffered further exiles. Only in 378 A.D., when the pro-Arian Valens died, that Meletius was reinstated to his see. St. Meletius presided at the 3rd General Council of Constantinople (died ca. 381 A.D.).

St. Ethelwald was an assistant to St. Cuthbert and became prior of Old Melrose in Scotland. He eventually became abbot of the monastery. Upon the death of Eadfrith in 721 A.D., Ethelwald succeeded as bishop of Lindisfarne. St. Ethelwald was highly praised by St. Bede the English historian (died ca. 740 A.D.).

St. Antony Kauleas was of Phrygian descent. He entered a monastery near Constantinople upon the death of his mother. In time, he became abbot of the monastery. In 893 A.D., he was chosen patriarch of Constantinople. As patriarch, Antony was active in reconciling the differing theological factions within his patriarchate (died ca. 901 A.D.).

St. Ludan was the son of a Scottish prince. On the death of his father, he gave his inheritance to the poor and built a hospice for pilgrims and the ill. He then went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the way back, he dreamed of his death in a place near Strasbourg. When he awoke, he was given communion by an angel, and then afterwards, he passed away (died ca. 1202 A.D.).

6th Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Reflections (From) 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B), February 12, 2012

Liturgical readings

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Psalm 32
1 Corinthians 10:31 - 11:1
Mark 1:40-45

"I do will it. Be cured."

In the past Sunday gospels, people kept coming to Jesus for healing. It was clear to the people "Who" and "What" the Good News is: He is Jesus, and He brings restoration and healing. Today's passage describes another healing miracle which Jesus performed. It is a story of a leper. A leper approached Jesus and begged for healing. Jesus, moved with compassion, cured the leper. Jesus warned the healed man not to spread the "Word", but because of the man's joy, he made the story public. The Good News he made public, which the healed man concretely experienced in his life produced such joy in him that it overflowed to others.

Part of the realities of life that all people of all cultures experience are sin, sickness and death. It is clearly plain in the reading of the Scriptures, both in the Old and the New Testament. And it is experienced in every part of man's life. But these negative realities, these death-dealing direction should not be "the" reality. The Word of God incarnated in Jesus is a greater "reality". In truth, He is the best. In Him, the Good News of life and eternal life is being revealed to every member of the faithful from the rising of the sun until its setting. Our main task is to believe in Christ and receive continuous healing from our sins through prayer, the Sacraments, and good works. The joy the healed man experienced can be the same joy for all. It is a joy from amendment in one's state of life and fulfillment of one's responsibilites.

What do the classics say about this? The Classics regard Jesus as the Divine Physician of our souls. May this quote from St. Augustine give clarity to this great truth in the Person of Jesus:

"Rightly is my hope strong in Him, because You will heal all my diseases, through Him "who sits at Your right hand and makes intercession for us," elsewise I would despair. Many and great are those infirmities of mine, many they are and great, but more potent is Your medicine. We could think that Your Word is far from union with men, and we could despair of ourselves, unless He has been "made flesh and dwell amongst us." (from the Confessions of St. Augustine)