CONFRONTING OUR INNER KING DAVID: LESSONS FROM 2 SAMUEL 12:1-17

The Second Book of Samuel 12: 1 –17 offers us a profound story that encapsulates our struggle for moral integrity, self-awareness, and the human inclination to judge others while overlooking one’s own faults.

Before today’s episode, David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently murdered her husband Uriah. This narrative illustrates how one sin leads to another.  Nathan, as prophet of God, does not confront King David directly with his transgressions. Instead, Nathan employs a parable, the story of a rich man who unjustly seizes the only ewe lamb of a poor man. Nathan teaches us the importance of having wisdom to approach sensitive issues with care, leading others to self-reflection rather than direct accusation.

This story illustrates also the two sides of King David: he is the one who loved God and wrote songs for Him, and the one who did wrong by taking what wasn't his. David passed a harsh judgment on himself, unwittingly condemning himself.  He later realized that he is the rich man who has forcefully taken away the poor man’s only ewe lamb. David, who was supposed to be a good leader, had hurt someone innocent because of his idleness and selfishness. It is sometimes said that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

David’s judgment reveals the human tendency to be quick in judging others while being blind to one’s own faults. Jesus warned us against this hypocrisy in Matthew 7:3-5, where He speaks of the danger of noticing the speck in our brother’s eye while ignoring the log in our own eye.

Like David, we too can sometimes be too quick to judge others without seeing our own mistakes. Nathan's story is a reminder for us to examine ourselves first before we judge others. It reminds us of the necessity of showing mercy and understanding in our assessment of other people’s lives. The ability to condemn a sin without condemning the sinner is seen in the way we relate to each other especially when we notice other people’s failures and weaknesses.

Let's try to understand ourselves better and uncover the mistakes and sins  we may be overlooking before God. If we don't see what we're doing wrong, how can we help others do right?

Instead of blaming and accusing others, seeing only what is negative in them,  let's use stories like Nathan's as a way to help each other grow in kindness, mercy, love and forgiveness.  We all make mistakes, just like the rich man in the story. Understanding this can help us forgive and experience healing  together.

Proverb 24: 16 says: “For a just man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked stumbles when calamity strikes”. May Nathan and David’s story remind us to be honest with ourselves, so that we can become better and find peace within ourselves, practicing self-examination, mercy, forgiveness.🙏🙏🙏🙏

 

 

LA PUISSANCE DE L'HÉRITAGE SPIRITUEL : ALIMENTER LA FLAMME DE LA FOI À TRAVERS LES GÉNÉRATIONS (2 TIMOTHÉE 1 : 1-8).

            Frères et sœurs en Christ, ouvrons aujourd’hui nos cœurs aux braises de la foi qui brillent en nous, braises allumées par des générations de martyrs, nourries et soutenues par la main de Dieu. Paul, écrivant à Timothée, son fils bien-aimé dans la foi, nous rappelle cette lignée de lumière, une lignée qui s'étend de Lois, la grand-mère de Timothée, à Eunice, sa mère, jusqu'à lui et finalement jusqu'à chacun de nous.

Pensez un instant, chers amis, à ceux qui ont été les premiers à susciter en vous la  foi. Qui t'a tenu la main pour te parler de la foi, t’amener à l’église, t’apprendre à prier ? Qui t'a appris les chants liturgiques?  Qui a parlé de l'amour de Dieu à voix basse contre ta joue ? Leur contact, leur voix, leurs larmes, leurs sacrifices, leurs souffrances sont les flammes qui éclairent notre chemin, des flammes qui peuvent vaciller dans le vent, mais ne s'éteignent jamais vraiment.

Paul écrit : « Je me souviens de votre foi sincère, qui a d’abord vécu chez votre grand-mère Lois et chez votre mère Eunice et, j’en suis persuadé, vit maintenant aussi en vous. » Pouvez-vous entendre l’écho de ces mots à travers les âges ? Sentez-vous les mains de Lois sur votre épaule, l'amour d'Eunice dans votre cœur ? Leur héritage, leur foi, peuvent brûler en nous et nous pousser à l’attiser. C'est le feu de l'Amour de Jésus, jaillissant de son Sacré-Cœur et brûlant dans le cœur de celui qui l'aime vraiment. Oui, Dieu cherche les véritables adorateurs, ceux et celles qui l’adoreront en esprit et en vérité.

Mais la foi, comme tout feu, a besoin de carburant. Il aspire aux histoires des Écritures, à la chaleur de la prière, à la compagnie des autres croyants. Ensemble, les chrétiens sont plus forts. Vous souvenez-vous de l’imposition des mains, symbole du Saint-Esprit qui vous a été accordé ? Ce n'est pas un simple souvenir, mais un appel à l'action, à utiliser ce don, à partager cette lumière, à la laisser enflammer le monde qui vous entoure.

Car Dieu, nous dit Paul, ne nous a pas donné « un esprit de crainte, mais de puissance, d’amour et de maîtrise de soi ». La peur peut murmurer des doutes, et parfois nous pousse à jeter l’éponge en pensant que ce n’est pas possible de témoigner de Jésus aujourd’hui. Mais, souvenez-vous du pouvoir qui est le vôtre, le pouvoir de la foi, le pouvoir de l’amour, le pouvoir d’un esprit clair et connaisseur. Lorsque nous nous abandonnons au Saint-Esprit, adorer Dieu « en Esprit et en Vérité » devient une mission possible à notre portée. Laissez-Le être les soufflets qui attisent votre flamme, repoussant les ténèbres, révélant l’éclat de la Vérité.

Alors, n’ayons pas honte, frères et sœurs, du témoignage de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ. Ne laissez pas l’indifférence ou les moqueries du monde éteindre votre étincelle. Tenez-vous droit, élevez la voix, laissez briller votre lumière.

Ceci, chers amis, est le véritable héritage de Lois, Eunice et d'innombrables autres personnes qui nous ont précédés. Ils ne nous ont pas laissé des mondes parfaits, mais ils nous ont laissé quelque chose de bien plus précieux, les braises de la foi, l'étincelle de l'amour, la conviction brûlante que même dans la nuit la plus sombre, même au milieu de la tempête la plus violente, la lumière de Dieu ne peut s'éteindre.

Aujourd’hui, rendons hommage à leur héritage. Attisons les flammes en nous. Soyons le feu qui réchauffe le monde, le phare qui guide les perdus, la lumière qui montre le chemin du retour. Car dans le cœur brûlant de chaque croyant réside le pouvoir de changer le monde, une petite flamme à la fois.

Allons de l’avant, chers amis, et allons-y avec confiance. Allez-y hardiment. Allez avec le feu de la foi dans vos yeux et l’amour de Dieu dans votre cœur. Laissez votre lumière briller et qu’elle enflamme le monde.

Que Dieu vous bénisse et remplisse votre vie de sa paix et de sa joie !!!

Amen.🙏🙏🙏

 

THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL HERITAGE: NURTURING THE FLAME OF FAITH ACROSS GENERATIONS (2 TIMOTHY 1:1-8).

Brothers and sisters, let us open our hearts today to the embers of faith glowing within us, embers kindled by generations of Martyrs and nurtured by the steady hand of God. Paul, writing to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, reminds us of this lineage of light, a line that stretches from Lois, Timothy's grandmother, to Eunice, his mother, and down to him, and ultimately, to each of us.

Think for a moment, dear friends, of those who first sparked your own faith, who held your hand, sang to you, spoke of God's love in whispers against your cheek.  Their touch, their voice, their tears, their sacrifices, their sufferings are the flames that lit our way, flames that may flicker in the wind, but never truly die.

Paul writes, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” Can you hear the echo of those words through the ages? Can you feel the hands of Lois on your shoulder, the love of Eunice in your heart? Their legacy, their faith, can burn within us, and urge us to fan it into a blaze. It is the fire of the Love of Jesus, flowing from his Sacred Heart and burning in the heart of whoever really loves him.

But faith, like any fire, needs fuel. It yearns for the stories of scripture, the warmth of prayer, the company of fellow believers. Together Christians are stronger. Do you remember the laying on of hands, the symbol of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon you? It is not a mere memory, but a call to action, to use this gift, to share this light, to let it ignite the world around you.

For God, Paul tells us, has not given us “the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a self-control.” Fear may whisper doubts in our heart and sometimes may push us to give up, thinking that it is not possible to bear witness to Jesus today. But, remember the power that is yours, the power of faith, the power of love, the power of divine insight and knowledge. When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, worshiping God in “Spirit and Truth” becomes a possible mission within our reach. Let these be the bellows that fan your flame, pushing back the darkness, revealing the of the Truth.

So, let us not be ashamed, brothers and sisters, of the testimony about our Lord Jesus Christ. Do not let the world’s indifference or mockery dim your spark. Stand tall, raise your voice, let your light shine.

This, dear friends, is the true legacy of Lois, Eunice, and countless others who have gone before us. They didn’t leave us perfect worlds, but they left us something far more precious, the embers of faith, the spark of love, the burning belief that even in the darkest night, even amidst the fiercest storm, God’s light cannot be extinguished.

Today, let us honor their legacy. Let us fan the flames within us. Let us be the fire that warms the world, the beacon that guides the lost, the light that shows the way home. For in the burning heart of every believer lies the power to change the world, one small flame at a time.

Let us go forth, dear friends, and go confidently. Go boldly. Go with the fire of faith in your eyes and the love of God in your heart. Let your light shine, and may it set the world ablaze.

May God bless you and fill your life with His peace and Joy!!!

Amen.

 

Let us pray :

Father, like a child holding onto Paul's weathered letter, we come before You. We see the fire You've lit in our lineage, sparks of faith passed through generations, burning bright in lives of parents.

But sometimes, Lord, those embers flicker, threatened by the winds of doubt or the weight of the world. Help us fan them back to life, Lord. Show us how to use the gifts You've placed in our hands, not for our own glory, but like polished tools to build Your kingdom. Give us the backbone to stand tall with open hearts fueled by Your power, Your love, Your unwavering peace.

Let our lives be torches in the darkness, Father, radiating the warmth of Your grace. May those around us feel the flame glow, drawn to the fire of Your salvation. We may stumble, we may falter, but in Jesus' name, we'll keep walking, keep shining, until every last one of us finds His embrace.

We make our prayers through Christ our Lord, Amen.🙏🙏🙏

 

CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE: TO DWELL IN HIS LOVE.

           Brothers and sisters, nestled in the heart of John 15:9-17 lies a message as precious as a pearl unearthed from the depths. It marks an evolution in the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. They moved from being His servants to becoming His friends. "Behold, I call you Friends", says Jesus. This Gospel challenges and questions us: where do I stand today in my relationship with Jesus? Is He really my closest and best friend?

        Talking to his disciples Jesus says: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love”. What a privilege, what a great joy to know that the Love Jesus has for us is comparable with the Love God the Father has for him.  We remember that at the baptism of Jesus, the voice of the Father came from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am pleased; listen to Him”. 

        Can you feel the warmth of Jesus invitation, not just to dip your toes in His love, but to dive headfirst and remain there, forever rooted in a love that surpasses understanding?  How can we remain in his Love? By keeping his commandment. And what is his commandment? Love one another as I have loved you”, he tells us! Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends! Think about this: seeing Jesus as a friend!

        I remember a time when doubt and fear were thorns tangled around my heart. Then, like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves, His love whispered, “Abide in me.” “Do not be afraid, I love you, I am with you”! And as I surrendered, the thorns loosened, replaced by a blossoming joy and peace that overflowed into every corner of my being.

        Jesus said that there is no greater love than this: “To laydown one’s life for one’s friends!” This love, friends, is not a flickering candle, but a raging fire. It calls us to live lives ablaze with compassion, and love, to reach out not with empty hands, but with hearts overflowing with the very love that Jesus laid down for us. The close we come to Jesus the better we understand his love for us.  When the love we have for others flows from the love Jesus has for us, just like river flowing from its source, it will always be life-giving, it will never dry.  

        So, let us step out of the shadows and enter into the sunlight of His love. In the light of this Love we find perfect protection against the powers of darkness. Therefore, Let us bear fruit that will nourish a world starved for compassion, let us whisper His love into the ears of the lonely, the broken-hearted, and let us, with open arms, embrace the glorious calling to be agents of His transformative grace. 

May God bless you as you abide by His words!

 🙏🙏🙏

DISCERNING GOD’S VOICE IN THE WORLD TODAY. LESSONS FROM THE CALL OF SAMUEL IN THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL, 3: 3-19.

 Samuel, from his birth, was consecrated to the Lord by his parents. However, Samuel needed to say “yes” to that act of consecration, that covenant his parents did with God.  Having been entrusted to the care of Eli, he spent his life in the temple of the Lord. He lived what Psalm 27: 4 says: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” While recognizing that this is a special vocation, we can still learn a lot from Samuel’s call.

The Lord called Samuel and he replied “Here I am.” He was able to hear the Voice but couldn’t recognize that It was God calling him. His experience makes us understand that in the matters of faith, experience is vital. Who among us can say that it is easy for him or her to recognize God’s voice, discern the spiritual meaning behind events, both personal and in the society today? Spiritual discernment often requires patience, humility,  guidance, and a willingness to listen carefully.

Another important message is creating condition favorable to listening and hearing the voice of God. God called Samuel during the night, when everywhere was calm. This teaches us that through silent meditation we learn to listen to God’s voice. The noise we are talking about here is not only external but also internal. This is one of the key challenges faced by Christians: being able to listen, discern what God is telling us; understanding the meaning of various events happening in the world today.

Eli played a key role in helping Samuel discern the voice of God and answer positively. Despite the fact that he was unable to educate well his two children, he finally recognized that it was the Lord calling Samuel. This brings us to what is called “Spiritual Accompaniment.  Unfortunately, many Christians are not able to get such help but also some do not even recognize the importance. We cannot discern alone God’s voice; even great saints like Padre Pio, had a Spiritual father.

Having been told how to respond, hearing the voice of God the third time, Samuel replies: “Speak for your servant is listening.” God was waiting for this “yes”.  Just like Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, who through her “yes” permitted God to do what was humanly impossible, Samuel gave God that permission. Our Free Will, our Liberty are very precious to God. The more we surrender to God’s will, allow God be central in our lives, the deeper we will grow in our spiritual life and understand the meaning of so many things happening in the world today.  Because God was with Samuel, everything he said had an impact.

Discerning to God’s voice, spiritual discernment, is not reducible to what happens between a spiritual father, or mother and the person accompanied. At the center of their relation there is the Holy Spirit. For Jesus said in John 16: 13 that “The Spirit will guide you to knowledge of the whole truth.” We live in a world where truth is fragmented; often opposed to each other. Moral relativism is gradually imposing itself everywhere. When the Holy Spirit is absent in the life of individual, we see confusion, division, hatred, evil of all kinds. In 1 Corinthians 6: 13-20, St Paul says that “We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.”  Holy Spirit is a spirit of communion, unity, love, harmony.  

In our world today, many are in search of direction, meaning, purpose. Unfortunately, not all look for solution in the right direction.

Our perception of people, realities is influenced by so many things such as the media our cultural and social background, personal experiences, education, psychological factors, etc. Christian life is about having an experiential knowledge of Jesus and leading others to having the same experience. Therefore, let us ask the Lord the grace to have a renewed experience of his Love, presence.

A LA TABLE DE GRACE AVEC JESUS : SE LAISSER REGARDER ET AIMER PAR LE CHRIST (MARC 2 : 13-17).

Saint Marc commence l'Évangile d'aujourd'hui en disant que «Jésus marchait le long de la mer ». Tandis qu’il avançait, une foule se rassemblait autour de lui. La mention de la foule par l'évangéliste montre que la présence de Jésus incarnait un message d'amour, d'espoir et de rédemption qui résonnait profondément chez les gens ordinaires, dont beaucoup étaient accablés par les luttes de la vie. Ils trouvèrent en Jésus ce qu'ils cherchaient. Nous aussi pouvons vivre une expérience similaire lorsque nous nous approchons de Lui avec foi.

          L'évangéliste note également que « Jésus enseignait à la foule ». Bien que Marc ne précise pas ici le contenu de l'enseignement de Jésus, il est crucial de reconnaître que Jésus a souvent consacré beaucoup de temps à cette mission d'enseignement. Il nous a fourni une révélation unique et complète de Dieu, de l’humanité et de la création. Ses enseignements, révolutionnaires pour l’époque, remettaient en question les normes sociétales et les dogmes religieux. Les enseignements de Jésus restent pertinents aujourd'hui, en particulier dans une société aux prises avec le sens de la vie.

          Comprendre la vérité sur Dieu, telle que révélée par Jésus, est crucial pour nous. À une époque dominée par la tyrannie du relativisme, où les vérités subjectives tentent souvent d'éclipser la vérité de l'Évangile ou de l'édulcorer, les enseignements de Jésus nous rappellent que seule la Vérité nous libérera. Et pour nous chrétiens, la Vérité n’est pas une idéologie, une opinion, une propagande ; c'est une personne : le Christ Jésus lui-même (cf. Jean 14, 6). Il nous offre des fondations sur lesquelles nous pouvons construire nos vies, nos valeurs et nos décisions, et être capables de contrer le chaos du relativisme moral avec la stabilité de la Vérité Divine.

Cette mission de révélation de la vérité initiée par Jésus était assez énorme, et il n'est donc pas surprenant d'observer que souvent dans l'Évangile, il a beaucoup voyagé, prêchant la Bonne Nouvelle par des paroles et des actions. C'est probablement pour cette raison qu'il dit au maître de la Loi qui voulait le suivre : « Les renards ont des tanières et les oiseaux ont des nids, mais le Fils de l'homme n'a pas d'endroit où reposer sa tête » (cf. Mt 8, 20). Jésus jugea nécessaire d'associer à sa mission des hommes qu'il choisit selon le plan divin.

L'Évangile d'aujourd'hui concerne essentiellement l'appel de Lévi, également connu sous le nom de Mathieu. Il est présenté comme fils d'Alphée et collecteur d'impôts. La mention par Marc de l'occupation de Levi est assez significative. Les percepteurs d’impôts pendant l’occupation romaine étaient considérés comme des collaborateurs de la puissance étrangère oppressive, donc des traîtres envers leur propre peuple. C'est pourquoi ils étaient souvent mentionnés aux côtés des pécheurs, comme le montre l'Évangile d'aujourd'hui.

Le fait que Jésus ait non seulement appelé un pécheur à être son apôtre, mais qu’il ait également dîné avec lui et ses amis est très révélateur de qui Il est. Cette scène nous révèle l’inclusivité radicale de Jésus et sa mission d’apporter la rédemption à tous, quel que soit leur statut sociétal ou leurs transgressions passées. Cet acte était un message puissant contre les normes sociales dominantes et l’élitisme religieux.

Lévi a été transformé par l'amour que Jésus lui a montré. Sa conversion n’était pas une condition préalable pour suivre Jésus mais une conséquence de sa découverte d’être aimé librement et inconditionnellement. Il a immédiatement suivi Jésus parce qu’il manquait quelque chose d’essentiel dans sa vie. Cet Évangile souligne l’appel à embrasser tous les individus avec amour et compassion. Alors que les Pharisiens se préoccupaient du maintien de la pureté religieuse et de l’ordre social, Jésus se concentrait sur la guérison, le pardon et le renouveau spirituel. Chaque religion ne devrait-elle pas nous porter à cette expérience ?

Jésus nous met au défi de regarder au-delà des étiquettes sociétales et de voir la valeur inhérente à chaque personne. Il nous invite à rechercher la transformation de notre cœur par un véritable amour pour les autres. L'approche de Jésus dans l'Évangile d'aujourd'hui remet vraiment en question notre perception et nos attitudes envers ceux que nous pourrions être tentés de qualifier de «pécheurs». Nous pouvons contempler son regard d’amour lorsque nous reconnaissons notre besoin de salut. Puisse cette nouvelle année nous aider à prendre conscience de notre besoin de libération du péché et nous permettre de vivre pleinement le banquet céleste dont l'Eucharistie est l'avant-goût.

 

JESUS’ TABLE OF GRACE: CALLING SINNERS TO FREEDOM AND LIBERATION: REFLECTION ON MARK 2:13-17.

 

St Mark begins today’s Gospel by saying that “Jesus walked along the sea”. As he walked along, a crowd gathered around him. The evangelist’s mention of the crowd shows that Jesus’ presence embodied a message of love, hope and redemption that resonated deeply with common people, many of whom were burdened by life’s struggles. The found in Jesus what they were in search of. We too can have similar experience when we approach Him with faith.

          The evangelist also notes that “Jesus taught the crowd”. While Mark doesn’t specify the content of Jesus’ teaching here, it is crucial to recognize that Jesus often dedicated significant time to this mission of teaching.  He provided us with a unique and complete revelation of God, humanity, and creation. His teachings, revolutionary for their time, challenged societal norms and religious dogmas. Jesus’ teachings remain relevant today, especially in a society grappling with the meaning of life.

          Understanding the truth about God, as revealed by Jesus, is crucial for us. In an era dominated by the tyranny of relativism, where subjective truths often try to overshadow the truth of the Gospel or water it down, Jesus’ teachings remind us that only the Truth will set us free. And for us Christians, Truth is not an ideology, opinion, propaganda; it is a person: Christ Jesus himself (cf. John 14:6). He offers us foundations upon which we can build our lives, values, and decisions, and be able to counter the chaos of moral relativism with the stability of Divine Truth.

This mission of truth revelation initiated by Jesus was quite huge, and so it’s not a surprise to observe that often in the Gospel, He travelled extensively, preaching the Good News through words and actions.  It is probably for this reason that He said to the teacher of the Law who wanted to follow him: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (cf. Mt 8:20). Jesus deemed it necessary to associate to His mission some men whom he chose according to the divine plan.

Today’s Gospel is essentially about the call of Levi, also known as Mathew. He is presented as son of Alphaeus and tax collector. Mark’s mention of Levi’s occupation is quite significant. Tax collectors during the Roman occupation were viewed as collaborators with the oppressive foreign power, thus traitors to their own people. Consequently, they were often mentioned alongside sinners, as seen in today’s Gospel.   

The fact that Jesus not only called a sinner to be His apostle but also dined with him and his friends is quite revealing about who he is. This scene reveals to us Jesus radical inclusivity and His mission to bring redemption to all, irrespective of their societal status or past transgressions.  This act was a powerful message against the prevailing social norms and religious elitism.

Levi was transformed by the love Jesus showed him. His conversion was not a precondition to follow Jesus but a consequence of his discovery of being loved freely and unconditionally. He followed Jesus immediately because something essential was lacking in his life. This Gospel underlines the call to embrace all individuals with love and compassion. While the Pharisees were concerned with maintaining religious purity and social order, Jesus was focused on healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. 

Jesus challenges us to look beyond societal labels and see the inherent worth in every person. He invites us to seek heart transformation through genuine love for others. Jesus’ approach in todays Gospel really challenges our perception and attitudes towards those we might be tempted to label as “sinners”.  We can contemplate His gaze of love when we recognize our need for salvation.  May this new year help us grow in awareness of our need for liberation from sin, and enable us to fully experience the heavenly banquet, of which the Eucharist is the foretaste.