Though we celebrate the feast of the Archangels today, the 2nd reading from the Book of Revelation (Rev 12: 7-12) shows that the ultimate victory against evil is won by martyrs. Martyrdom reveals God’s goodness and truth and destroys the lies of evil. The martyr proves to the world that by the grace of God he is superior to the seduction and to the threat of evil. To choose to suffer for truth and love is the defeat of lies and hate.
The victory of the martyr is won through the blood of the Lamb—Jesus Christ. Through his Cross and Resurrection, Jesus fell to the nadir human existence (despair and hatred) and overcame it; and the martyrs participate and share in this costly victory of forgiveness. The world will not be saved by anonymous Christians, rather the world will be saved by the blood of those, who surrender their lives to Christ in order to be given away to the people of God—the world will be saved by martyrs for Christ. May we ask the Archangels to protect us, as we make journey to our martyrdoms.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Demands and Costs of Discipleship
Gospel Lk 8:4-15
This Saturday we hear possibly the 1st parable ever spoken by Jesus. It is a parable that speaks about the mission of Christ and about the ones who desire to follow him; it is a parable that illuminates the demands and costs of Christian discipleship.
In the Parable of the Sower we are reminded that the Word of God is always good, but the outcome of it depends on the heart and the mind into which it falls. The Word of God falling on good soil is equal to a person with a good and generous heart. The person with such a heart listens attentively. He allows Christ to grow in his heart and mind and ponders over the meaning of Christ for his life—he discerns where Christ is calling him. After his deliberation, he acts upon it.
As disciples, we follow in the footsteps of Christ by sowing or spreading the Good News to others. In our labor for the Kingdom, we are warned that we may not be completely successful. Yet we are counseled against despair. Though some of our efforts may not bear fruit, we are assured of a harvest. This parable reminds us that, though we may have our heart aches and losses in our mission for the Lord, no enemy can defeat the ultimate victory of God and we are to live in and out of this victory in our struggle for truth, goodness, and beauty.
This Saturday we hear possibly the 1st parable ever spoken by Jesus. It is a parable that speaks about the mission of Christ and about the ones who desire to follow him; it is a parable that illuminates the demands and costs of Christian discipleship.
In the Parable of the Sower we are reminded that the Word of God is always good, but the outcome of it depends on the heart and the mind into which it falls. The Word of God falling on good soil is equal to a person with a good and generous heart. The person with such a heart listens attentively. He allows Christ to grow in his heart and mind and ponders over the meaning of Christ for his life—he discerns where Christ is calling him. After his deliberation, he acts upon it.
As disciples, we follow in the footsteps of Christ by sowing or spreading the Good News to others. In our labor for the Kingdom, we are warned that we may not be completely successful. Yet we are counseled against despair. Though some of our efforts may not bear fruit, we are assured of a harvest. This parable reminds us that, though we may have our heart aches and losses in our mission for the Lord, no enemy can defeat the ultimate victory of God and we are to live in and out of this victory in our struggle for truth, goodness, and beauty.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Today we celebrate the exaltation of the Cross. The Cross in the light of the Resurrection reveals to us the love between the Father and the Son in the communion of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that defies fear, hatred, despair, and death. It is a love that transforms fear, hatred, despair, and death.
In Paul’s moving letter to the Philippians [2: 6-11], he points to the important characteristics of Jesus’ life: his humility, obedience, and selfless love. Within all this we find the glory of Jesus. It is the glory that should lead everyone to fall on their knees and to give Him praise. Yet, the impetus of our praise and worship does not ultimately come from fear. It comes from love. Jesus won the hearts of men and women, not by forcing them through his power, but by embracing both saints and sinners on the cross. Jesus did not take up the finer things in this world. He also took up the ugly things in this world on the cross, brought them to the Father in the Spirit, and transformed them into beauty.
In Paul’s moving letter to the Philippians [2: 6-11], he points to the important characteristics of Jesus’ life: his humility, obedience, and selfless love. Within all this we find the glory of Jesus. It is the glory that should lead everyone to fall on their knees and to give Him praise. Yet, the impetus of our praise and worship does not ultimately come from fear. It comes from love. Jesus won the hearts of men and women, not by forcing them through his power, but by embracing both saints and sinners on the cross. Jesus did not take up the finer things in this world. He also took up the ugly things in this world on the cross, brought them to the Father in the Spirit, and transformed them into beauty.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day Thoughts
Paul’s Letter to the Colossians (Col. 1:24-2:3) in today’s readings for Mass is appropriate for our Labor Day celebration. In the beginning of his letter Paul strikes a bold thought. He thinks of his sufferings occurred in ministry as “completing” the sufferings of Christ. Jesus died to save humanity and to gather a Church. Yet the Church ought to flourish and grow; She must be kept strong and free from error. Thus, anyone who labors in and for God’s people and ensuring their well-being and protecting them for harm, is doing the work of Christ. And if such labor entails suffering and sacrifice, that affliction is a participation in the suffering of Christ. To labor and suffer in service of Christ is neither a punishment nor a chore but a glorious opportunity and privilege for sharing in his work to renew creation and humanity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
