Believing in Jesus

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Today’s readings emphasise believing in Jesus, the Risen lord. He is powerfully present in the community and manifests himself to the disciples. In the new age, the disciples carry on the ministry of Jesus and rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit. In our time, belief takes on a different tenor for we believe in the testimony of others and without the signs seen in the early days of the Church.

The early Church was a community which was credible and attractive to others because it gave testimony to the presence and action of the Lord. This resulted in a great increase in the number of believers in the early Church.

In the reading from Revelation, John reflects on the meaning and significance of his union with Christ and the union of Christians in the Lord. It is a union in suffering and glory. According to John, Jesus and the Christian do not pass through suffering into glory. Rather, for Jesus and the Christian, suffering and glorification occur in the same moment. In other words, in the suffering is the glorification.

The reading also reminds us of the presence of the Risen Lord in our ministry. John’s vision stresses the presence of the Lord among us. The glorified Lord is always with the Church as he interprets the meaning of events and gives new life to hispeople. Jesus is present and active in our lives and in the community.

In the two appearances of the Risen Lord to his disciples as recorded in John’s gospel, Jesus invites the unbelieving disciples to a new level of belief. In the first episode, the frightened disciples were filled with joy when they heard the words of peace spoken by Jesus. They believed in his new presence among them and
because of this renewed faith, they were sent forth to continue his mission. Believing is therefore more than an affirmation of faith in Jesus. It is actively continuing the mission of Jesus. The Risen Lord assures us that he will continue to be with us in his Spirit. It is in the reality that we celebrate the Easter liturgies.

The second appearance of Jesus to his disciples speaks of believing in Jesus.. The story of Thomas’ “unbelief” reminds us of ourselves. Thomas would not believe in the presence of the Risen Lord on the testimony of others. We remember Thomas being mentioned several times in the gospel. At the time of Lazarus' death in Bethany, Thomas said,“Let us go and die with him.” During the Last Supper,he had some difficulty understanding Jesus. “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Thomas seemed again to struggle in his faith and needed a sign of his own choosing – a sign that would confirm Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, the doubt of Thomas was the prelude to a great confession of belief: “My Lord and my God.”

Today’s readings end with a clarification of what believing in Jesus is all about. When we believe in Jesus, we have life in his name. The reading identifies for us the focus of our belief and urges us to believe in Jesus. And our belief can only be an effectual sign if it is expressed in relationship with and service of others within and beyond our community.

The above article is taken from the bulletin of the St Francis Xavier Church - Serangoon.

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The 3rd Sunday of Advent

Image via WikipediaThis week's reading is as follows :

[Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11] [1 Thessalonians 5:16-24] [John 1:6-8, 19-28]

In the gospel of John, we are told that John the Baptist’s works must have a great impact as many people think and hoped that he is the messiah. Although he was at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'

Instead of tempted by fame, glory and prestige, John speaks the truth and in his humility and says: “I am not the one. There is one coming after me”.

John preached repentance in preparation for the coming of Christ and proclaimed himself as “A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!' as prophesied by Isaiah.

What about us? Who do we identify ourselves in terms of? Do we realise that our roles in life are expressed in relation to others? Our talents and resources are meaningless unless others benefit from them.

Our accomplishments and status are empty if we do not look to the concern of others. We can only find fulfilment when we serve others in our families and in our communities, promoting their good above our own.

In short, our salvation depends not only on our love for God but also on our love for other people.

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When was Jesus born?

Image via WikipediaThis week mark the begining of 9 weeks of special Novena to Christmas. This is an interesting article taken from "Dear Padre" this week and written by Fr John Schmidt C.Ss.R :

Pinpointing the date of Jesus's birth seems an easy task; however, due to the complexity of history's various calenders and ways of calculating time, we cannot be sure of the date.

The two Gospels that detail the birth of Jesus do not give a date. Early Christians observed an annual feast to remember Jesus's death and resurrection, focusing on the paschal mystery rather than on his birth.

As Christianity grew and spread, however, Christians wanted to celebrate more events from Jesus' life. The celebration on December 25 has more to do with expression of faith in Jesus than with establishing the exact date if his birth.

December 25 is listed as the date of Jesus' birth in a fourth-century calender of martyrs, but how this date was chosen is unclear. Some Scholars believe Christians in Rome chose December 25 to counteract the celebration of the pagan sun god Emesa. Another theory follows the influences of the seasons: Early Christians believed John the Baptist was conceived on the autumnal equionx and born at the summer solstice. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus' conception took place six month after John's. That time line would place Jesus' birth at the winter solstice, December 25 on the Julian calender. A third theory says Jesus' birth would have occurred on the same date as his death, which we believe to be in the spring at Passover.

Regardless of the exact date, we celebrate Jesus as the true Son who came to enlighten us and, by his death and resurection, to give us life.