A Triumph Over Death

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In the 4th week of lent, the reading are as follows:
[2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23] [Ephesians 2:4-10] [John 3:14-21]

In this week's reading, we see that faith tells us that the cross is neither tragedy nor defeat but a glorious triumph over death because “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

We already share in that triumph because God’s great love for us has brought us to life in Christ. God has also reserved a place for us in heaven that he might display the great wealth of his favour toward us.

Death has been robbed of its power, because in Christ, death leads to eternal life.en transformed into the Church. The Church becomes a place of worship when Christ gathers together his people, to join him in the worship of God the Father.

Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

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This week is the 2nd Sunday of Lent and the readings are as follows:
[Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18] [Romans 8:31-34] [Mark 9:2-10]

Jesus explained to his apostles in the midst of his public ministry that he is to suffer and die and then be raised up. Six days later he transfigured before Peter, James and John. This was a visualization of the meaning of the Paschal Mystery.

The Paschal Mystery is there when birth pangs give way to joy, when health overcomes sickness and reconciliation after repentance. As Christians our first sacramental experience of the Paschal Mystery is our baptism.

We were immersed in the darkness of the death of Christ and raised with him to newness of life. It enlightens us with a faith that “Christ had first to suffer and so come to the glory of the resurrection”.

Eventually our own physical death is the ultimate sharing of the Paschal Mystery which brings us to enjoy the fruit of the resurrection and everlasting life and that God the Father includes us in his plan of the Paschal Mystery.

The Paschal Mystery which fills our minds and hearts especially during the season Lent gives light to our darkest days and eases the burden of our greatest suffering.

It is Darkest Before the Dawn.

4th Week of Advent - We can make a Difference

Image via WikipediaThis week’s reading are as follows: [2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8-12,14,16], [Romans 16: 25-27], [Luke 1: 26-38]

In the first reading today, we are told that despite his failures and weaknesses, God made David, a shepherd in Bethlehem, to become a great king in Jerusalem. David was an instrument of God in providing for his people and God established a covenant with David that ensured that his line will last forever.

In the Gospel reading, we are told of the beginning of our salvation plan by God. God chose the town called Nazareth in Galilee and a young girl specially chosen and prepared by Him to fulfill His plan for humanity.

Without Christ, there is no salvation. And God chose Mary whom we know as a prayerful and truly sinless girl to be the mother of His son – Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and told her: “You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus”. Mary was frighten and lost (likewise, we too will be scared if the same happened to us) because she is virgin and wonder how then could she conceive “but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour.”( LK1:40)

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.” (LK1:35).

To that, Mary replied despite her fear and uncertainty : “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me accordingly to your word.”

It was Mary’s total faith, total confidence and total obedience to God that led to the conception of the Son of God through God’s creative Spirit.

To Mary, it was God’s will and not her will that she obey. Mary did not say (like what most of us will hear today) – let me think about it and I’ll get back to you later.

Both David and Mary had made a difference in God’s salvation plan. How about us?

Are we prepared to make a difference too? Or are we looking after only our own benefits?

In whatever state and circumstance in our life, we can choose to live out the will of our heavenly Father. We can stand forward and be relied on to share our faith in God, to help others in need with our gifts and to speak out against injustice and indifference.

In other words, we can make a difference. Merry Christmas!

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Image via WikipediaThis week, is a dedication of the lateran Basilica in Rome and readings are as follows:
[Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12] [1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17] [John 2:13-22]

This week's reading saw Jesus telling the people to "stop using my Father's house as a market" and chasing them out of the temple....Indeed, the temple is for doing the business of the Father and not an avenue for making money.

Jesus stood up against the people who are trying to destroy the temple and we too must stand up when faced with the same.

Personally, it is sad to see how some pastors (who don't even have proper training) sugar coat their preaching and using the Church to make money. They are making use of people's trust in God and one day, they too will be chased out by Jesus.

Let us continue to preach the true Gospel and overcome any obstacles to help lead our brothers’ and sisters’ towards our beloved Jesus.

Are you a hypocrite?

Image by nick kulas via FlickrIn this week’s reading, Jesus told the chief priests and the scribes (Mt21:28-32 ) :

28 What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, "My boy, go and work in the vineyard today."

29 He answered, "I will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went.

30 The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, "Certainly, sir," but did not go.

31 Which of the two did the father's will?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came to you, showing the way of uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.

Wow, “tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you”! That’s a strong way to compare the lowest (least respected) people with the highest (most respected) chief priests and scribes. And what is worst to find out that people whom everyone think least of are making their way into Kingdom of God ahead of the most respected. Why?

Jesus once again tell us that to be a true disciple, it is not lip service that He wants. It must be a total conversion and total obedience to God. We need to hear what Jesus command us to do and to do it. And His commandment is really simply to love one another like how He has loved us.

As per my previous post, God is Love.

Jesus told another parable immediate after this and “ the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them (Mt 21:45)”.

Are we like these hypocrites who go round telling people that they are wrong and we are right and yet, everything we do are anti-Christ i.e. not the teaching of Christ. Cursing, swearing, baseless allegations etc…are certainly not teachings of Christ.

The other 2 readings are as follows:
Ez 18:25-28 and
Phil 2:1-11