HE IS COMPASIONATE TOWARDS US!

Compassionate Jesus with a shepherd’s heart.

A meditative approach to Mt 9:35-38.

Introduction: Lets find a quiet and comfortable place to center our thoughts and hearts on the message of the Lord. As we reflect on Matthew 9:35-38, let us open our minds to God's word and His call for us.

Begin by taking a few deep breaths. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, release any tension or distractions from your mind.

Now, let’s focus on the words of this passage: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Meditation 1. Imagine yourself walking alongside Jesus, witnessing His love, compassion, and healing power. Picture the towns and villages He visited, and feel the hope that His presence brought to those who were sick and in need.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Meditation 2. Reflect on the compassion of Jesus. See His heart overflowing with love for the lost and the broken, like sheep without a shepherd. Allow His compassion to touch your heart, reminding you of His boundless love for all. If you were to be in the Crowd, how would you have reacted? Imagine Jesus fixing his gaze of love and compassion on you.

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Meditation 3.

Consider the significance of these words. The harvest is plentiful, meaning there are countless souls in need of salvation and healing. But there are few workers. Hear Jesus' call to action, inviting you to join Him in the harvest field.

Now, take a moment to talk to God in your heart:

Prayer as dialogue

Dear Lord, we thank You for Your love and compassion that knows no bounds. We see the need around us, the lost and broken, and we hear Your call to become workers in Your harvest field. Strengthen us, Lord, and equip us to share Your love and message with those who are in need. We ask for Your guidance, wisdom, and courage to be Your hands and feet in this world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As you conclude this meditation, remember that,  as a Christian, you are called to be a laborer in the Lord’s harvest, sharing His love, healing, and hope with those around you. May you go forth with a heart full of compassion, just as Jesus did, and be a blessing to others in His name.

 

 

 

 

We are Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus and Mother Mary

Exploring the Spiritual brotherhood in Christ beyond blood ties. 

(Luke 8:19-21).

In today’s reflection, we delve into an episode from the public ministry of Jesus, as recounted in Luke 8:19-21. This passage not only sheds light on the dynamic between biological and spiritual relationships but also offers profound insights into the nature of our connection with Christ.

The Search for Jesus:

The scene opens with Jesus addressing a crowd, and then His mother and brothers arriving, seeking to meet Him. While Luke’s Gospel doesn’t explicitly state their purpose, the Gospel of Mark (Mark 3:20-22) suggests they came because they believed Jesus was “out of his mind.” Regardless of their motivation, their search for Jesus holds a significant message. This reminds me of words of St Paul to the Corinthians saying: “For the foolishness of God is wiser that man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger that man’s strength.” (1 Corinthians 1: 25). Indeed God’s ways might be surprising to us sometimes.

A Surprising Response:

Jesus’ response to those who informed Him of His family's presence is remarkable. He declares, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” In Matthew’s account, Jesus extends this thought further, emphasizing that those who do the will of His Father in heaven are His true family.

Elevating Relationships: What Jesus is communicating here transcends biological ties. He invites us to ascend to a higher understanding of brotherhood and kinship. By beginning with His own mother, Mary, He underscores that Mother Mary’s identity goes beyond being merely the biological his mother. She is foremost the one “who heard the word of God and acted on it, the one who did perfectly well  the will of the Father in heaven.” It was thanks to her “Yes” to God’s call that the Word took flesh in her, that salvation was brought to us.

A Universal Family: This revelation implies that anyone who aligns with the will of the heavenly Father becomes part of the greater family of God and can rightly call Jesus their brother. The beauty of this truth lies in the fact that all who align with the divine will become brothers and sisters with Mary as their mother. While those who share blood relations refer to themselves as brothers and sisters, there is an even deeper and more profound brotherhood in those who align with the will of God. This means that wants us to seek the will of God and act on it. This is exactly what Jesus did, especially in the most critical moments of his life; he prayed that not his will but the Father’s will be done (Luke 22, 42). We believe that Jesus’ will cannot contain anything bad, evil, yet he surrendered to God’s will. I believe that this is why lies the secret of his mission successes.

Conclusion:

In contemplating this passage, we are prompted to reconsider the nature of our relationships, emphasizing the spiritual connections that transcend the boundaries of biology. The message from Luke 8:19-21 encourages us to view ourselves as members of a universal family of God founded by Jesus and Mother Mary, bound together by our dedication to hearing and acting upon the word of God. In doing so, we embrace the extraordinary truth that we are indeed brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer moment:

Heavenly Father,

As we reflect on the words of Jesus in Luke 8:19-21, we are reminded of the profound truth that we are not only bound by blood but by our shared commitment to hear and act upon Your Word. We thank You for the gift of spiritual kinship, for the understanding that we are all part of the great family of God.

Help us, Lord, to embrace this universal brotherhood and sisterhood with open hearts and open arms. May we always seek to do Your will and, in doing so, strengthen our connection with You and with one another.

We pray for the grace to see beyond the confines of biology and recognize the deeper bonds that unite us as followers of Christ. Let this awareness guide our actions and relationships, that we may truly live out the message of love and unity that Jesus exemplified.

We make our prayers through Christ our Lord! Amen.

 

 

JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Called to be Light of the World like Jesus.  

(Luke 8:16-18).

 

“In the  beginning was the light”: In the account of Creation found in the Book of Genesis, the very first creative word from God resonates: "Let there be light, and there was light." God's act of separating light from darkness laid the foundation for the alternating cycles of day and night (Genesis 1:1-5). When we contemplate this creation story in conjunction with 1 John 1:1-2, a profound realization dawns: the Word that existed in the beginning, the Word through whom all things were made, is none other than Jesus Himself. The Word made flesh was born into the world at night. He, the Light of the World, came to dispel the darkness of sin and death. From this perspective, we gain deeper insight into His earthly mission, as expressed in today's Gospel.

The metaphor of light in Jesus’ teachings: Jesus employs the powerful imagery of light to communicate with us today. We readily acknowledge the significance of light in our daily lives. Through this metaphor of light, Jesus conveys that “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” In essence, the purpose of light within a room or a house is to illuminate and enable sight. Jesus’ message here follows His teachings on the parables of the sower, serving as a culmination of His instructions concerning the Word of God and its anticipated impact on those who receive it with good and generous heart.

The mission of discipleship:  In the context of discipleship, the imagery of light used in today’s Gospel implies that anyone aspiring to be a follower of Jesus should radiate as a source of light for others. In the Gospel of Matthew, the identity of disciples as light is explicitly stated: “You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). This is the mission of every Christian: to lead a life that uplifts others and simultaneously directs them to the source of all goodness: God. This is a particularly positive aspect, as there are individuals in the world capable of recognizing goodness, regardless of their religious and cultural background. Whoever is filled with the divine light sees the world differently. 

Living as children of light: Following Christ’s teachings, St. Paul admonished the Christians of Ephesus to live as children of light, striving to discern what pleases the Lord and avoiding participation in fruitless works of darkness. Instead, they were urged to expose them (Ephesians 5:8-13). The fruits of light manifest in all that is good, righteous, and true.

Embracing our divine image: If we embrace the belief that we are created in God’s image and likeness, we can comprehend the divine calling to live as children of light. 1 John 1:5-10 reiterates: “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."

To shine as a beacon of light in today's world, we must continually renew our personal relationship with God. By allowing ourselves to be illuminated by the light of His Word, we, in turn, can radiate that light upon a world grappling with complex and challenging questions and circumstances.

 

 Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today, inspired by the profound truth that Jesus is the Light of the World. Just as You spoke light into existence at the dawn of Creation, Your Son, Jesus, shines brilliantly to dispel the darkness in our lives.

May we, as His disciples, carry His radiant light within us, not concealing it but letting it shine for all to see. Grant us the strength and wisdom to live lives that reflect Your goodness, righteousness, and truth.

In our journey as children of light, help us constantly renew our connection with You through Your Word and Your love. May we be beacons of hope and understanding in a world facing complex challenges.

We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who purifies us from sin and guides us with His eternal light. May our actions glorify You, our Heavenly Father, as we walk in His light.

In Jesus’ name, we pray! Amen. 🙏🙏🙏

 

 

Learning from Divine Wisdom

                                               

Divine Wisdom : Understanding the logic of the Kingdom of God.  

(Isaiah 55, 6-9. Mt 20, 1-16).

 

Isaiah 55:6-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways”, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." These words conclude today's first reading from the prophet Isaiah.

Renewing the Covenant and God’s Mercy: In Isaiah 55, God promised to renew His covenant with the Israelites, the promise He made to King David, inviting the people to turn away from their wicked ways and evil deeds. He assures them that He will have mercy on them and freely pardon their offenses. God's ways and thoughts are above ours because, though He exists beyond time and space as we know it, He has made Himself close to us in Christ Jesus. He is like a caring father guiding his child in the right direction, encouraging  him to avoid paths that lead to dead ends or nowhere.

Relevance of the Prophetic message of Isaiah today: The message of God to humanity through the prophet Isaiah remains relevant. As our creator, God perfectly understands what we need to be happy. Everything God says and does is aimed at helping us experience the fullness of life that comes from Him. The way we conceive and think about God matters significantly. In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Human Free Will and the Temptation of Rebellion: Unfortunately, mankind, in the exercise of their free will and liberty, often goes against God's word. This rebellion, which began when Lucifer rebelled against God and successfully deceived some angels to join him in his rebellious acts, continues to this day (Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-10). After being cast down to the earth, Lucifer and his fallen angels continue to deceive people, leading some to doubt God's existence, make accusations against God, and reject God's plan of salvation, which was perfectly accomplished in Christ Jesus.

The Kingdom of God: Collaborating with Divine Creation: Jesus came to be one of us to establish the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. In today's Gospel, Jesus uses parables once again to illustrate the Kingdom of God (or the Kingdom of Heaven). He compares it to a landowner who went out at various hours of the day to hire laborers for his vineyard. Some he made agreements with regarding their wages, while with others, he promised to give them “what is just.”

The key message that Jesus conveys here is twofold: First, God has assigned us the duty of collaborating with His work of creation since the time of Adam. This touches on the question of ecology and the impact of human activities on creation. God doesn't want us to remain idle because He knows that an idle mind can become a devil's workshop. Unfortunately, unemployment or underemployment is a reality experienced by many people worldwide.

Secondly, Jesus teaches us that divine justice goes beyond the question of merits; it is founded on divine love. At the heart of divine justice is the sacrificial love of Jesus on the Cross, where He made atonement for our sins (Romans 5:8). 2 Corinthians 5:21 perfectly expresses this divine love: “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sins, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Our response to God’s free offer of Salvation: We are to live our Christian lives as a response to this free divine offer of salvation. In the light of today’s parable, Jesus is telling us that on the day of the final judgment, divine justice will prevail. He also questions our image of God. When those who were first employed received their wages, they grumbled against the landowner and complained because they expected to receive more. The landowner questioned one of the first laborers, “Are you envious because I am generous?” They were motivated by the spirit of meritocracy.

One of the temptations that  some Christians face is comparing  themselves with others and feeling that others are more blessed by God than they are. Jesus reminds us today that all is grace, and words of gratitude should never be absent from our lives. There are always reasons to be grateful to God. A grateful heart has no time to envy others or accuse God.

May we always remember that the thoughts of God for us are thoughts of peace and not of evil, aimed at giving us a future and a hope.

 

 

 

 

 

Rooted in Christ, the Incarnate Word

     

Nurturing Authentic Faith: Insights from Luke 8, 4-15. 

The opening of today’s Gospel paints a vivid picture:  people from various towns and places were running towards Jesus. Some may have been curious to see the face of the Messiah for the first time, while others had likely heard him speak on numerous occasions. Faced with this crowd, Jesus changed his method of preaching; he spoke to them in parables. By addressing the crowd in parables, Jesus invites all who are listening to pay attention and consider how they receive the Word of God. At the conclusion of the parable, Jesus emphasizes: “whoever has ears to hear ought to hear!”.

Conversion begins in the heart : In light of this parable, Jesus highlights a fundamental truth: being a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, is about allowing the Word of God to take root deep in our hearts, not just reside in our heads. This is the reason why it is written : “Today, if you will listen to His voice, harden not your hearts.”, (Hebrews 3, 15). Conversion begins in the heart, therefore, it is crucial to understand what we read and listen to. This is where biblical studies come into play. Catholics are often criticized for not having sufficient knowledge of the Bible. It is important to note that knowledge of the Bible goes beyond mere familiarity with biblical quotations. The Word has to take root in our hearts. It is in hearts that are good and generous that fruit is borne through perseverance.

Standing firms in the face of storms of life: Our lives as Christians inevitably encounter different storms. The thorns of life and temptations, such as health challenges, anxieties, the excessive pursuit of wealth, and the pleasures of life, can challenge our faith. They are capable of suffocating us and hinder the Word of God from maturing within us. Some Christians wonder why they sometimes transition from enthusiasm and joy to moments of sadness, confusion, and discouragement. It is obvious that without a strong bond with the Word of God, we cannot withstand the storms of evils and sins blowing all over the world.

We are saved by the Incarnate-Word: Jesus is telling us clearly that what satan and his agents are looking and working for day and nights is to prevent as many souls as possible from knowing the truth and be saved.  The enemy is afraid of the word of God, that is the reason why it will bring all sorts of directions to prevent souls from embracing the word of God. The word of God is not mere Scripture; it is Christ Himself, the Word Incarnate. He is the Word through which all things were made (1 Jn 1, 1-5), the Word by which were are sanctified ( Jn 17, 17). Jesus left us with this truth: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

        Mary: Model of a heart that embraced the Word: Mother Mary is the not only the mother of Jesus; she is also His first disciples. She learnt from Jesus how to embrace the Word of God with generous and good heart, as well as how to persevere in bearing good fruits that last forever.  She too faced tests of her faith: the prophecy of Simeon at the presentation of Child Jesus, the misunderstanding with Joseph, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus for three days, journeying with Jesus on the way to the Calvary, seeing Jesus being Crucified, taken down from the Cross, laid to the tomb. Challenges and difficulties are part of life, what makes the difference is how we live them.

        Conclusion.

 So, when we are faced with various difficulties, trials, persecutions, let us remember Mary’s          experience and invoke her maternal assistance. She was given to us at the feet of the Cross when Jesus said: “Woman, behold your son”. She persevered as Mother and disciples of Jesus until the end. Building deep, resilient faith is crucial to perseverance especially in challenging moment in our lives. It is only in God that  our hearts can find lasting peace, joy and fulfillment.  For God has created us for Himself and our hearts are restless until it finds rest in God”!  We experience this peace of heart when Jesus abides in us through His Word. May God bless us as we abide by His Word! Amen! 

 

 

 

 

BLESSED IN CHRIST AND CHOSEN OUT OF LOVE

 

BLESSED IN CHRIST AND CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.

(Readings: EPH 1:1-10; LK 11:47-54)

T

he beginning of the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians starts as a prayer of thanksgiving. Thus, we read: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens….” We have here a revelation of who we are, and the eternal will of God for us. For St. Paul, God’s plan for us started even before the foundation of the world. So, we can say unequivocally that the revelation of God in Jesus was not accidental; it corresponds to the eternal will of God, therefore goes beyond the fall of Adam and Eve and its consequences.

Blessed and Chosen; This is Who We Are.

What does this mean? From its Latin origin, benedicere, means: “to speak well of….” In other words, in Christ Jesus, God has spoken well of us, pronounced words of blessings on us. It means that all the spiritual blessings we need in our earthly journey have been provided to us. Given that Christ is the unique mediator between God and mankind, (Cfr. 1 Timothy 2:5) it means that it is by relating with him personally that we can receive our own spiritual blessings.

Connecting With Divine Blessings Through Faith.

Furthermore, understanding the mystery of Christ, and entering into a personal relation with Him is not possible without faith. Faith should be understood here as adherence of the whole person, intellect, freewill, heart, soul…to God who reveals himself. We remember that Abraham, the father in faith, was declared just because of his faith in God. No wonder why God made this promise to him: “in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because you have obeyed my voice,” (Cfr. Genesis 22:17). Mary was declared blessed among all women because she believed in the accomplishment of the promise of God. So, one of the signs of faith is obedience. Obeying God’s word revealed to us in Christ is faith in action.

Chosen to Be Righteous Before Him.

Reflecting on the primary purpose of our life on earth is very important. If we believe that God does not act by chance, that God is the master of time and history, then we should make this call to be righteous the primary objective we pursue. What does it mean to “be holy and without blemish before him”? Proverb 24:16 says: “for the righteous falls seven times and rises again…” So, holiness does not mean to be without sin. Beyond the symbolic meaning of the figure seven, I understand that holiness consists of striving each day to believe in God’s infinite and unconditional Love for us, to keep one’s eyes focused on Christ Jesus, irrespective of the storms of life. If we see this as the primary purpose of why we are here on Earth, then we need to constantly review our lives in the light this divine call.

Redeemed in Christ

Beyond the reality of sin and evil in the world today, we can strive to see the larger picture of God’s will for humanity. As St Paul said, “In Christ we have redemption by his Blood, the forgiveness of transgressions.” Believing that we have been redeemed and forgiven thanks to the precious blood of Jesus provides us with inner strength to continue our earthly pilgrimage. This leads us to constant renewal of our inner life and help us experience the blessing of inner peace. Because God has adopted us in Christ, as Christians we have this beautiful but demanding mission of being expressions of God’s spiritual blessings lavished for all humanity.

May today be for us an opportunity to rediscover how we are so loved by God who is practically begging us to allow Him shine in us always and everywhere.

 

 

HIS LOVE IS STRONGER THAN OUR FAILURES

 

HIS LOVE FOR US IS STRONGER THAN OUR FAILURES.

(Readings: Is 50:4-9a; Mt 26:14-25)

P

rophet Isaiah introduces us in today’s meditation with his message on the “suffering servant.” Even in his suffering, this servant is able to speak to the weary a word that will revive them. He was nonviolent notwithstanding his persecution; but with complete trust in God, he says: “The Lord is my help.” We have here a prefiguration of the sufferings of Jesus. Betrayed and abandoned by his closest friends, unjustly condemned, he suffered unimaginable pains, yet he was able to pray for his executioners: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Keeping in mind this prayer of Jesus on the Cross, we can now move to the Gospel announcing his betrayal.

In the Gospel of Matthew 26:14-25, we read about the announcement of the betrayal of Jesus. At the table with his disciples, Jesus solemnly announced to them: “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The question that comes to mind here is: “Why did Judas betray his Master, Jesus?”

“Why did Judas betray his Master, Jesus?”

To make some suggestions on why Judas betrayed Jesus, let us put this passage of Matthew 26:14-25 in connection with the anointing of Jesus’s feet by Mary in John 12:1-8. Six days after the Passover, Jesus came back to Bethany, a city where he raised Lazarus from death. He was well received by the family of Lazarus. Just like in today’s Gospel, this event is taking place during a meal. Often, Jesus used moments of meals to symbolize the deep communion he wants to establish with every soul. Mary’s gesture of anointing the feet of Jesus and wiping it with her hair was not understood by others.

From Judas's reaction: “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” We learn that Mary spent a huge amount of money to manifest her love for Jesus. Jesus gives the meaning of Mary’s gesture: it will be for his burial. So, contrary to Mary who showed great love to Jesus by buying expensive perfume to anoint him, Judas betrayed his Master by a kiss for thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus was Sold for the Price of a Slave: When we compare thirty pieces of silver to three hundred denarii, the difference is quite striking. To understand better the figure of thirty pieces, we can read Exodus 21:32. 30 shekels of silver was the amount paid to a master whose slave was gored by a bull.

In other words, for the chief priests, Jesus had the value of a slave. Without knowing it, they reveal in this event the meaning of the Cross: Jesus humbled himself, took our human nature enslaved by sin; he was obedient even unto death for us to be saved (cf. Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus paid the ultimate price for the redemption of sinners. Although he was without sin, he took upon himself the sins of all humanity and nailed them on the Cross. So, in him, we can experience freedom from sin that renders us slaves, and thus regain our dignity as children of God.

Every Soul is Precious to God: Because God bought us with a high price, we are called to glorify him with our body, soul and spirit. In other words, with our whole person. The betrayal of Jesus by Judas was the consequence of lack of love. Judas realized his fault, but could not open his life to God’s mercy, contrary to the apostle Peter who denied knowing Jesus but later wept bitterly for his sins and was forgiven. Both betrayals are two possibilities for every human liberty that in one way or the other, betrays Jesus.

God’s Forgiveness is a Beautiful Gift Offered to Every Soul: On the cross, Jesus prayed for all humanity: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” God’s forgiveness is a beautiful gift offered to every soul. We can freely accept it and welcome this gift through the sacrament of reconciliation. We are also called to forgive and love others, even those who have betrayed us. No matter how deep the wounds of sins could be in our lives, our hearts, Jesus is capable of speaking healing words to our souls as Prophet Isaiah does today. Every new day offers us yet another wonderful opportunity to be renewed by the power of the Resurrection.

 Let us not miss this moment of grace because tomorrow may be too late. May God bless us all in this holy week!

 AMEN