MESSAGE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA: PRAYING THE ROSARY AND EMBRACING GOD'S LOVE

 

Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima

(Readings: Is 61:9-11; Lk 11:27-28)

The responsorial psalm today says: “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.” These words of the psalmist resonate with today’s feast. While it is true that God’s revelation is totally and definitively achieved in the life of Christ Jesus, the mother Church considers some private revelations in her history. Among them are the apparitions of Fatima. Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times in Portugal to three children:  Lucia who was nine years, and her cousins—Francisco who was eights years and his sister Jacinta, who was six.

The message of Our Lady of Fatima to the world is very simple: a call to prayer and penance for conversion of sinners and reparation for sins of humanity against God and for peace in the world. Mary asked these children to pray the Rosary every day for these intentions. She also asked them to accept all the sufferings that they would experience because of their faithfulness to God. The historical context marked by the First World War and the communist ideology made this call very urgent.  Our Blessed Mother Mary revealed her name during the last apparition as the “Lady of the Rosary.” Mary’s attitude during these apparitions shows us that she continues to be at the service of her Son Jesus because of her love for us.

The Rosary

Today, the message of Fatima is as relevant as it was in the past. The Blessed Virgin Mary makes us understand that her mission is to lead us to her son Jesus, to help humanity understand more the Gospel message and live by it. At the heart of the Gospel is a universal call to embrace God’s Love through faith, conversion of heart, prayer and penance. We know that not only did Jesus pray several times in the Gospel, he also taught his disciples how to pray and invited them to pray always (cf. Luke 5, 16. 11, 1-13. 21,36). Among all forms of prayers that we have in the Catholic church, the Rosary remains unique. In Fatima, Rosary was the prayer privileged by our Blessed Mother Mary. 

For some Catholics, praying the Rosary is difficult not only because of its repetitive character but also because they find it hard to concentrate and meditate on the mysteries of our salvation. I simply suggest here that we read The Secret of the Rosary for renewal and salvation by Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. This Catholic priest (1673-1716) presented the Rosary as Mystical Rose tree (Jesus and Mary in life, death and eternity) that should be planted at the garden of our soul. Praying the Rosary goes hand in hand with doing good works.

Hail Mary

So, whenever we say “Ave Maria” we proclaim Mary as the new Eve, and how God in his infinite power had preserved her from all sin to which the first woman was subjected. The name “Mary” means “Lady of Light” because God filled her with Wisdom and light, like a shining star, to light up heaven and earth.

Full of Grace and Blessed Among Women

The word “Full of Grace” reminds us that the Holy Spirit showered so many graces upon her that made her capable of obtaining abundant graces to those who asked for them through meditation.

When we say: “The Lord is with thee”, we remind her of the indescribable joy she experienced when the Eternal Word was made flesh in her womb.

When we say “Blessed are you among women” the mercy of God who has raised her to this degree of happiness is praised in her. And at the mention of the words “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus”, the whole of heaven rejoices with her, seeing her son Jesus adored and glorified for having saved mankind.”  Thus, Mary intercedes for us before her Son as she did during the wedding in Cana (Cf John 2, 1-12).

When prayed with Love and Devotion, the Rosary leads us into a deeper encounter with God. As the world continues to experience crisis of all kinds,  we are encouraged to pray more especially the Rosary and always accompany our prayers with good works.

PRAYER AND FAITH: KEYS TO PERSEVERANCE IN OUR CHRISTIAN JOURNEY (Luke 18: 1-8)

 

On various occasions, Jesus imparted valuable lessons to his disciples about prayer and its significance. In Matthew 6:5-8, he advised, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen...” In Matthew 6:9-13, he emphasized our relationship with a Heavenly Father. In Luke 18:9-14, he taught us the attitude to embrace when approaching God in prayer. Regardless of the form of prayer we engage in—be it adoration, praise and worship, petition prayers, or thanksgiving—we must remember that it is all about nurturing our relationship with God.

In this Gospel according to Luke, Jesus’s teaching centers on the importance of persevering in prayer. He does this by sharing a parable: “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And in that town, there was a widow who came to him, saying, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.” At the end of the parable, Jesus advises his disciples, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.”

Let's reflect on the character of this dishonest judge. His behavior is quite peculiar, as he neither feared God nor had regard for any human. He could be likened to a tyrant. Faced with the persistence of the widow, this judge internally reasons, “I shall deliver a just decision for her, lest she finally comes and strikes me.” He responds to the widow's request out of fear and to avoid her constant disturbance. Jesus concludes the parable with a question and an answer: “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.” How comforting it is to have the assurance that God will promptly answer our prayers!

Acknowledging our human frailty: Jesus uses the image of a widow to further illustrate our relationship with God. In his time, widows (and even in some societies today) were among the most vulnerable individuals, often subjected to humiliation and persecution. Persevering in prayer, akin to the determination of this widow, means recognizing before God our vulnerability, our sufferings, and our need for salvation. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Our ability to persevere in prayer is occasionally challenged by poor time management, overwhelming daily activities, periods of spiritual desertion, or the temptation to give up. Jesus reassures us that God will swiftly answer our prayers! We believe in His word as truth and eternal. It is crucial to accept that His timing and His will are always best.

Allowing His Spirit to pray within us: Persevering in prayer becomes attainable when we permit the Spirit of God to intercede on our behalf. Galatians 6:4 states, “And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out 'Abba Father.” Indeed, the Spirit of God comprehends our genuine needs and knows how to present them to God. Similarly, Romans 8:26 affirms, “...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.” If our prayers are not always answered, it could be because what we are asking for may not align with what God intends for us. Garth Brooks, in his song, talks about unanswered prayers. It's evident that someday, we will thank God for prayers that went unanswered.

Living a life of faith is inconceivable without perseverance, and we cannot persevere in faith without a life of prayer. These three facets of our existence are intricately connected. We must always bear in mind that God truly loves us and cares for us as His beloved children.

 

 

 

 

 

LIVING THE RETURN OF CHRIST: A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND CALL TO VIGILANCE (Matthew 24).

 

In the Gospel readings, we are drawn into a profound contemplation of the return of Christ, the days of the Son of Man. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, talks about the “day of the Son of Man.” His disciples were naturally curious about the timing of this event. Yet, Jesus redirects their focus, and ours, towards something of even greater significance.

While referring to the story of Noah and Lot (Genesis chapters 6-9), Jesus highlights the ordinary aspects of life: eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, buying, selling, planting, and building. He does not condemn these activities but reminds us that, just as in the days of Noah and Lot, people became so engrossed in their daily lives that they failed to see the impending flood and destruction. Similarly, we may be caught off guard by the day of the Son of Man if we allow the distractions of this world to overwhelm us.

Today’s Gospel sheds light on the fact that our personal and collective histories will eventually come to an end. The day of the Son of Man will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly. When that day comes, our attachment to earthly possessions, houses, properties, and fields will be of no use. So, how can we fully embrace the present without losing sight of the return of the Son of Man?

I propose that we consider this Gospel as an invitation to cultivate a wise outlook on life. Life is delicate, and the return of the Son of Man, along with our own inevitable end, could happen at any moment. It's better to approach each day as an opportunity to deepen our love for God with all our heart and mind and to nurture selfless love for others. If you carry the burden of a troubled past, I suggest entrusting it to God's mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence. We can also view the past with gratitude, live the present passionately for Jesus, and embrace the future with hope in His promise.

The disciples of Jesus were eager to know when these events would occur. In response, Jesus quoted from the book of Job 39:30, emphasizing that the time and place of the Son of Man's return will only be known after the event, much like vultures gathering around a discovery. The key message here is readiness, not fear.

This readiness is attainable through spiritual vigilance. Jesus urges us to watch and pray, so we do not succumb to temptation (Matthew 26:41). It also hinges on our ability to discern the signs of our times. Our world may be saturated with distressing news, but without a foundation in faith, we risk slipping into despair or depression. The current era could, instead, offer an opportunity to refocus on what truly matters: our relationship with God and our fellow human beings.

If apprehension about the future plagues your thoughts, recall His promise: “I am with you always, until the end of time” (Matthew 28:20). Heaven and earth may pass away, but the Word of God remains steadfast (Luke 21:33). Faith in divine providence will grant us the serenity and hope needed to embrace the future with open arms. May God bless us as we abide by His divine word! Amen.

 

 LET US PRAY. 

Heavenly Father, amidst the rhythms of daily life, help us stay vigilant and attuned to your divine presence. May we not be so consumed by the world that we miss the signs of Your Love and the promise of Christ's return. 

Lord Jesus, teach us to deepen our love for  You and others, remaining alert and prayerful, every mindful of Your imminent return. 

Holy Spirit, anchor our hearts in Faith amidst the world's uncertainties. Strenghten us with hope, and guide our steps with Your unwavering light. 

In gratitude and trust, we await the return of the Son of Man, confident in Your eternal promise. 

We make our payers through Christ our Lord! 

Amen 

 

BUT HE PASSED THROUGH THE MIDST OF THEM AND WENT AWAY. (Luke 4: 24-30)

After Jesus was tempted in the desert, he went to the synagogue to inaugurate his public mission (cf. Luke 4:14-23). At the end of his inaugural message, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” The Gospel we meditate on today is in continuity with this episode.

A Prophet is not accepted in his native place: While still in the Synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus makes a surprising remark that contradicts the appreciation he just received from the crowd. He says: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his native place.” Upon hearing this, the same crowd that praised Jesus turns against him. They became furious, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill to hurl him down headlong. However, miraculously, he passed through their midst and went away. We have here a prefiguration of the agony of Jesus, during which we would witness the same attitude from the crowd on Palm Sunday. After singing “Hosanna to the son of David!”, they later shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him”.

        Telling the truth can sometimes hurt: John 1:11-12 says, “He came to his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Right from his birth, Jesus became a sign of contradiction. It is sometimes said that familiarity breeds contempt. Those in the synagogue felt they knew Jesus well enough, yet they failed to recognize who He truly was. This Gospel reminds us that when we stand up for the truth of the Gospel, we should be prepared to endure rejection and persecution. Sometimes, this rejection can come from those closest to us. However, we should remember that what makes us brothers and sisters of Jesus is our faithfulness to the will of God the Father.

        God’s salvation is for all: Why did Jesus's teaching infuriate those in the synagogue? By drawing examples from the stories of Elijah, who was sent to a widow in a foreign land (Zarephath), and Elisha, who cured Naaman, the Syrian, Jesus touches on an essential point in our relationship with God: God does not discriminate; instead, God reveals himself and bestows grace upon anyone who does His will. Those who listened to Jesus in the synagogue must have understood that he was challenging their sense of privilege as descendants of Abraham. The same question can be posed to us: Is it enough to be baptized and attend church regularly in other to be authentic an Christian? Do our actions guarantee our personal knowledge and encounter with Christ? Perhaps what is essential to Christ is our willingness to be transformed daily and be challenged by His saving Word.

        The Word of God is quite challenging: Far from being discouraged, when Jesus passed through the midst of the crowd, he continued to preach the Gospel with unwavering authority, amazing the people once again. Through our baptism, we are anointed as prophets, priests, and kings. We can fulfill our prophetic calling by emulating Jesu’s life. When we allow the Word of God to challenge us, we can become living Gospels for others. Therefore, we are encouraged to listen to the Word of God with sincere and open hearts.

“But he passed through the midst of them and went away.” Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, desires to lead us toward universal fraternity and love. Those who accept Him experience the great joy of being children of God. What matters most to God is our modest efforts to follow Christ, nurture the deep desire to grow in the ways of the Gospel, and not give up.

 

 

 

 

FAITH THAT MOVES THE HEART OF GOD

Faith that Moves the Heart of God. (Mark 2, 1-12)

The mention of the city of Capernaum at the beginning of today’s Gospel by Mark is quite significant. It helps to set the context of his narrative. Capernaum, which means “Village of comfort”, is a city where Jesus preached most of his missions,  accompanied by great signs such as the cure of a demoniac (Mark 1, 21-28), the Cure of Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1, 29-31), and many other miraculous healings, including that of a leper. It is evident that Jesus was well-known in Capernaum, explaining why many people were eager to be with him. He embodied the essence of the city’s name, providing not only comfort but also transformation in  people’s lives, both inside and out. Let’s explore how this transformation is reflected in today’s Gospel.

His Message Gladdens the Heart: Jesus preached to people who gathered around him. They found joy in  listening to him because his words carried authority and touched their souls, bringing gladness to their hearts. Jesus communicated not only through words but also through his actions, as we witness in his encounter wit the paralytic brought to him by four men.

Mark  doesn’t identity the four men who carried the paralytic, but we can presume  they were his friends or relatives. They must have heard about Jesus. Their action exemplify selfless love. However, to help their friend, they had to overcome a huge obstacle: the crowd. Unlike Zacheus, who overcame external and internal obstacles (the crowd and his short stature) to see Jesus, (Luke 19, 1-10), these four men had to find a way to reach Jesus. Instead of being discouraged  by the obstacle, they saw it as an opportunity for creativity : “they opened up the roof above Jesus… and let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” We witness here  what I call creative faith.

These four men teach us the importance of selfless love, solidarity and creativity in faith.  Each of their presence was necessary to maintain the balance of the mat. As Christians, we are challenged to collaborate with others in assisting those in need,  especially the isolated, handicapped, unloved, etc. Such selfless service requires creativity and endurance.

Jesus heals soul and body: Jesus interpreted the action of the four men as a sign of faith. Thus, he teaches us that faith is always accompanied by action. Their “creative faith”, moved the heart of Jesus. He came to the rescue of the paralytic thanks to the faith of these four men. This teaches us that God can intervene in the lives of others through our faith and actions.

The first message Jesus addressed to the paralytic was  a message of forgiveness: “Child, your sins are forgiven”. By calling him “child” Jesus reminded him of his fundamental identity: he is a child of a merciful God.  The fullness of life that Jesus brings extends beyond physical healing; it is primarily about reconciliation with God, and restoration of the bond between us and God, our Father. Through Jesus, God the Father wants to re-establish heart-to-heart contact with all his children and give them a share in his life through the Holy Spirit.

In his second message to the paralytic Jesus says: “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home”. He obeyed Jesus’s words,  picked up his mat at once and left in full view of everyone. This teaches us that Obedience to the Word Of God opens up doors to amazing graces and miracles.

 In the light of this narrative, we see that although sins paralyze human life, with Jesus there is the hope of reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing. No matter how deeply wounded lives might have been, today’s Gospel tells us that healing and restoration are possible.