ADVENT: A TIME TO REMEMBER THE FUTURE WITH HOPE

"AND THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING

IN A CLOUD WITH GREAT POWER AND GLORY."

Today we begin a new liturgical year, the spiritual journey in which we relive the wonders the Lord has done for all mankind and do our best to respond to His love. We begin this journey with the season of Advent, a season in which we recall the fundamental truth of Christ’s Second Coming in glory, and we prepare to commemorate His first coming in the humility of the Incarnation.

At the same time, while professing our faith in the glorious coming of the Lord at the end of time and while preparing our hearts to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, we are also reminded of Christ’s constant coming into our lives through the Sacraments and our neighbor.

As we are about to begin this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord for the grace to be always ready to welcome him at any time with a heart full of trust, hope, and love.

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

LET THE FIRST BE THE SERVANT OF ALL

"WHOEVER RECEIVES ONE CHILD
SUCH AS THIS IN MY NAME,
RECEIVES ME; AND WHOEVER RECEIVES ME,
RECEIVES NOT ME BUT THE ONE WHO SENT ME."

The aspiration to rise above others is deeply rooted in the heart of man. Its source is usually pride. On this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to overcome that pride with humble and generous service.

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples and us to be the servant of all. That is the most practical and effective way to counteract the devastating consequences of “the passions that make war within our members.”
(Second Reading)

In this Eucharist, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to be able to serve with love and for love. And as we continue the celebration of National Catechetical Month, we are also invited to pray for all catechists so that they may not only teach but also live the faith.

Jesus and his disciples left from there [the place near Mt. Tabor] and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.

He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

GOD'S GREAT LOVE FOR US IN JESUS CHRIST

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT
HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON,
SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM
MIGHT NOT PERISH
BUT MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

As we proceed in our Lenten pilgrimage and approach the dramatic days of the Holy Week, on this last Sunday of March, we are invited to focus on the essence of it all: God’s merciful love for all human beings.

His love for us is eternal. It is patient and wise, kind and strong, resourceful and constant. It is best exemplified in Jesus Christ, the God-Man who willingly laid down His life that every human being might have life, life to the full.

This divine life is ours whenever we open our hearts to Him in faith and let Him fill us up with the light of His presence and grace. Let us humbly return to our Father who in His compassion and great love for us, certainly assured of His warm reception as we implore with faith, hope and love God’s mercy on all mankind.

Euchalette, 22 March 2009
WORD AND LIFE PUBLICATIONS
MCPO Box 1820, Makati City, Philippines

TRANSFIGURATION: CHALLENGE TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN US

"THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. LISTEN TO HIM."

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain, apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say for they were so terrified.

Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them. From the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what “rising from the dead” meant.

In this Second Sunday of Lent we are invited to reflect on the message of Jesus’ transfiguration and apply it to our lives. This event in the life of the Lord is an encouragement to bring out the best that is in us – to let our light shine! This will become a reality if we live our lives according to the teaching and example of Jesus.

We are also challenged to remain steadfast in our faith even in the midst of difficult trials. For it is only in the endurance of trials that our own transfiguration is completed. The process of purification brought about by loving perseverance transforms us to the perfect image in conformity with the Divine Will of our Creator. The God who gave His only Son for us will surely protect us from all evil and give us all the help we need.


Euchalette, 8 March 2009
WORD AND LIFE PUBLICATIONS
MCPO Box 1820, Makati City 1258, Philippines

HEALER OF SOUL AND BODY

"MY CHILD, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN."

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that He was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and He preached the word to them.

They came bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Jesus immediately knew in His mind what they were thinking to themselves, so He said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth,” He said to the paralytic, “I say to you: rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.

They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

We are continuously afflicted by so many forms of illness and weakness in all aspects of our existence. We are in dire need of a “comprehensive salvation” which can come only from God. And He does send such a “total salvation” in the person of Jesus Christ who heals us from all our ailments and sets us free from all impediments.

In fulfilling His mission, Jesus starts from the very core of our weakness and handicaps – our sinfulness. Once our souls and our hearts are healed, all the remaining aspects of our life fall into place and we feel strong enough to face the difficulties of life. We can dream again of becoming better and happier persons and even help others do the same.

Euchalette, 22 February 2009
WORD AND LIFE PUBLICATIONS
MCPO Box 1820, Makati City 1258, Philippines