To hear the Audio reflections of Wednesday, August 1, 2018 click HERE
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - What would you give in exchange for your life?
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 15:10,16-21; Mt 13:44-46
The parables of the hidden treasure (13:44) and the fine pearls
(13:45-46) are found only in the Gospel of Matthew. In both the parables the
one who finds, goes and sells all he has for the sake of what he has found.
However, the one who finds the treasure in the field finds it by accident and is
not actively looking for it, whereas the merchant is in search of fine pearls.
This is probably why the one in the field is filled with joy whereas the
merchant knowing that he has found what he is looking for is not filled with
joy, but is willing to give up everything for the sake of the pearl that he has
found.
Though some may find the action of the man in the field who hides the
treasure questionable, it must be noted that the parable does not legitimise
the man’s action of hiding, but focuses on his action of selling all that he
had. The point of the parables seems to be that the dawning of the kingdom
calls for reflection on one’s values and leads to action that brings on a new
set of values.
We might become so used to doing things in a particular way that
we are unwilling to change even if someone shows us a better way of doing the
same thing. These parables are calling us to Newness and to sacrifice what we
are for what we can become.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - Jer 15:10,16-21; Mt 13:44-46
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - Jer 15:10,16-21; Mt 13:44-46
Monday, 30 July 2018
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - St. Ignatius of Loyola - Will you like Ignatius be one-pointed in your love for Jesus?
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 20:7-9;1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Lk 14:25-33
If
St. Francis Xavier is known as “A Saint in a hurry” and one who wanted to set
the world on fire with the love of God, St. Ignatius of Loyola may be seen as
the one who sparked in Francis Xavier that flame and caused that hurry. In more
ways than one Ignatius influenced the life of Francis Xavier and numerous
Jesuits after him to make a difference in the world, to be that “fire that
kindles other fires.”
While
the conversion of Ignatius from soldier to saint has been attributed largely to
the profound experience when lying in his convalescent bed after the canon ball
struck his leg and injured it, there are other experiences that Ignatius had
after his convalescence that are also important and which set the tone for this
transformation.
Three
of these experiences may be highlighted. The first of these was the experience
in a cave in the city of Manresa. In a monastery in Manresa, he practised the
most rigorous asceticism with frequent confessions and masses and the
performance of the most disagreeable and menial tasks. It was here that the
phrase “Quid hoc ad aeternitatem”, which asks "How does this compare to
eternity?" led to experience of the discernment of spirits. Ignatius experienced
here a conversion from aggressiveness to assertiveness and from impulsiveness
to discernment. This experience also led to the transformation of the recluse
and ascetic into an apostle and missionary.
It was in Manresa that he produced the now famous “Spiritual Exercises”
which were to exert a potent influence on numerous people all over the world
and which continues to inspire and influence people even today.
The
second experience that Ignatius had was on the banks of the river Cardoner.
Here he had a vision which is regarded as the most significant in his life. The
vision was more of a kind of enlightenment, about which he later said that he
learned more on that one occasion than he did in the rest of his life. Ignatius
never revealed exactly what the vision was, but it seems to have been an
encounter with God as God really is so that he was able to see all of creation
in a new light. It acquired a new meaning and relevance which translated into
an experience that enabled Ignatius to find God in all things and all things in
God.
What
God impressed upon his heart and mind we do not know, but God branded him as if
with a red-hot iron, because after even these visions had ceased, their effects
lasted. The vision strengthened him so much and gave him such conviction that
he would later say that even if there were no scriptures to teach us in matters
of faith, he would be resolved to die for his faith because of what he had
seen. This clarity was so great that in the whole course in his life, that he would
often say that even if he were to gather all the help he had received from God
and all the many things he knew, and added them altogether, he does not think
that they would equal what he received at that one time. And thus, his
understanding became enlightened in so great a manner that it seemed to him
that he was a different man and that he had a different intellect from the one
he had had before.
The
third experience that led to the deep transformation was at La Storta. Here he
seemed to see the Eternal Father associating him with Jesus, who spoke the
words: Ego vobis Romaepropitiusero (“I will be favourable to you in Rome”).
Though many interpreted this promise to mean the subsequent success of the
Society of Jesus in Rome, Ignatius' own interpretation was characteristic:
"I do not know whether we shall be crucified in Rome; but Jesus will be
propitious."
What
is the significance of these experiences for us today?
The
experience of Manresa points to the fact that the world in which we live is
temporary and passing. This is precisely why we must live each day as if it
were our last. In doing so we must avoid giving into the negative which has the
tendency to drag us down and look at every person, thing and situation as
positively as we can. We must realize that “there is nothing in all creation
that is only profane for those who know how to look”. (Teilhard de Chardin)
From
the Cardoner experience we learn that God is present in each and every
situation and at each and every moment of our lives. This presence is not a
hidden presence but a very visible presence if only we open our eyes and hearts
to see. This experience also invites us to look at the newness that each day
brings and to impress on us that the past is over and gone and cannot be changed.
All the wrongs have been forgotten and erased and we must start anew and
afresh.
Finally
the constant presence of God in the world and in our lives does not mean that
things will go the way we want them to go. As a matter of fact though Ignatius
heard that Jesus would be favourable to him in Rome, he had most of his
problems in Rome. The point, however, is that despite these numerous problems
Ignatius continued to believe that God was working in his life. Thus even when
all our plans go awry and we find it difficult to find the hand of God or feel
God’s presence, the fact of the matter is that God is always there.
The
Gospel text for the feast is from Jesus’ words to the crowds that accompany him
on his journey. They set forth three conditions of discipleship, uncompromising
demands made of those who would follow him: the willingness to leave family
ties, the willingness to face radical self-denial, and the willingness to give
up one’s material possessions. In addition, he casts these conditions of discipleship
in a demand for serious consideration and no-nonsense, prior deliberation about
the costs of such following. The engagement is not to be undertaken lightly.
The
first condition (v. 26) calls for a willingness to put parents, family,
relatives, even one’s own life, in subordination to discipleship. In effect, it
asks the Christian disciple how much he/she esteems Jesus to whom allegiance is
being given. All human and natural relations must be set behind the connection
with Jesus.
The
second condition (v. 27) calls for the disciple to carry his/her cross and walk
behind Jesus. The Lucan Jesus here makes it one of the three conditions. In its
own way it clarifies Luke’s addition to the first condition, the hating of
one’s “own life,” for it may even lead to a destiny similar to that which Jesus
will face. The carrying of one’s cross without regarding it as a burden is
possible only if the first condition is met. A person who regards him/herself
as nothing is the one who will be able to persevere in carrying the cross.
The
third condition (v. 33) calls for a radical renunciation of all one’s material
possessions. It needs no explanation, but one should recall the Lucan theme
into which it fits.
The
seriousness demanded by the three conditions is then presented in the twin
parables (vv. 28–32) that follow. Jesus counsels his followers not to decide on
discipleship without advance, mature self-probing. One must consider not only
the demands to be made but also the consequences of what may only be begun and
be left half-done because of a lack of follow-through and perseverance.
Ridicule or surrender to unconditional terms should deter one from rash and
unreflective decisions.
In
these parables Jesus counsels the disciple to consider seriously what forces
and resources the would-be disciple has. But the added condition in 14:33
counsels renunciation of all the material possessions that one has.
Ignatius
clearly lived out the demands made by the Lucan Jesus in these verses. Once he
had decided to follow Jesus, he was willing to give up everything and
persevere. He had found the pearl of great price and was willing to go to any
lengths to acquire it.
St. Ignatius of Loyola - Jer 20:7-9; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Lk 14:25-33
July 31, 2018 - St. Ignatius of Loyola - Jer 20:7-9; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Lk 14:25-33
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day Nine - July 30, 2018
Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. For the last eight days, we have been praying that through his intercession we might obtain various graces to live more fully our own lives as individuals and as a community. Today, on the last day of the Novena, we make our own, the last meditation of the Spiritual Exercises which is titled The Contemplation to Obtain love.
In this meditation we are encouraged to see and witness God working for us and for our good, indeed for the good of all creation. We are exhorted therefore to find God in all things and all things in God. It is easy to see God’s hand when things go the way we want them to go, but when our plans go awry and our world in turned upside down, God is present in that situation as well.
Through the intercession of St. Ignatius, we pray for the grace know this. Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Sunday, 29 July 2018
Audio Reflections of Monday, July 30, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Monday, July 30, 2018 click HERE
Monday, July 30, 2018 - Small beginnings will have great endings. Well begun is half-done.
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 13:1-11; Mt 13:31-35
There are three parts to the text of today. The first is the
parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32) then is the parable of the yeast (13:33)
and finally the reason why Jesus speaks in parables (13:34-35).
While the parable of the Mustard seed is found also in Mark
4:30-32, Matthew follows the Q version more closely. While in Mark, the mustard
seed becomes more correctly a shrub which puts forth large branches (Mk 4:32)
and the birds of the air make nests in the shade of the shrub (Mk 4:32), in
Matthew, the mustard seed becomes a tree (13:32) and the birds of the air makes
nests in its branches (13:32). The tree motif probably has references to the
symbol of the imperial tree mentioned in Ezekiel 17:23 and 31:6. The point,
however seems to be to contrast the present lowliness of the kingdom with its
ultimate greatness.
In the parable of the yeast, we are told about the act of a
specific woman in hiding the yeast in three measures of flour, just as the
mustard seed had spoken about the act of a specific man in sowing the
seed. Yeast, here is used in the positive sense, whereas generally it has
negative overtones. The reason for the use of yeast as a symbol for the kingdom
is to probably shock the listeners. The quantity of flour into which the yeast
is hid is three measures, which would produce enough bread to feed about 150
people, and is indeed a large amount, brings out the aspects abundance and
extravagance. The kingdom at present seems small and insignificant, as is the
yeast, but it will be revealed in its fullness later.
Though Mt 13:34 parallels the conclusion of Mark’s parable
discourse (Mk 4:33-34), which states that Jesus spoke to the crowds only in
parables, Matthew has added in 13:35 the eighth of his formula or fulfilment
quotations. The quotation is from Ps 78:2 and Matthew probably uses it because
of the word “parable” found in it, though the context in the Psalm is not about
hiding but about revelation.
We might tend to get discouraged sometimes when we cannot see
clearly the results of our actions. We have striven hard and at times all that
we have to show for our hard work seems negligible in comparison. The parables
of the mustard seed and yeast are calling us to continue to sow and mix or in
other words to do what is required of us to the best of our ability.
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day Eight - July 29, 2018
Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
EVER SEARCHING FOR THE MAGIS: The entire life of St. Ignatius was a pilgrim search for the Magis, the ever-greater glory of God, the ever-fuller service of men and women, the more universal good, the more effective apostolic means. The Magis was not simply one among others in a list of the qualities of St. Ignatius - it permeated them all.
God of all creation, we often tend to let things slide and so become complacent and self-satisfied. We give in to the sin of mediocrity and are content with the status quo. We prefer the tried and tested ways and are afraid to try the new. We are afraid to make changes because of the fear of change. Give us the grace to strive always to make the good, better; the better, better still and the better still, still better. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Saturday, 28 July 2018
Sunday, July 29, 2018 - From little to much
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Kings4:42-44; Eph4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15
The miracle
of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish in which
twelve baskets are gathered and which is the Gospel text of today is the only
miracle that Jesus worked that is found in all four Gospels (Mt 14:13-21; Mk
6:35-44; Lk 9:10-17). While each evangelist narrates it slightly different from
the others, the numbers that are used are the same in all four Gospels.
A variety
of explanations have been offered as to what really happened. While some think
that there was a miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish, though it
cannot be explained how, others think that when people saw Jesus and disciples
sharing the little they had, they were also motivated to share their own food
with others. Still others give a sacramental explanation to the miracle. There
is no need to deny the historicity of the miracle, simply because we have never
witnessed a miraculous multiplication of food. At the same time, however, the
literal, historical miracle of Jesus on this occasion is full of ongoing and
important significance for John’s community and for us, and thus it is
necessary to go beyond what happened to understand the import and meaning of
the miracle.
There are
several aspects of the miracle that are exclusive to John and these serve to
bring out clearly the meaning as John may have intended. It is only in the
Gospel of John that there is a reference to the Passover and this serves to
bring to mind the Exodus. This is made even more explicit when Jesus instructs
his disciples to gather up the fragments so that nothing may be lost, much like
Moses asked the people not to leave any manna around after they had eaten.
While in the Synoptic Gospels Jesus says the blessing over the bread; in John
he “gives thanks”. This serves to emphasize the Eucharistic element of the
miracle and the discourse on the Bread of Life that follows.
Although it
may be seen as the supernatural provision for the physical hunger of a large
crowd on a specific occasion, the miracle is much more than just that. Indeed,
it is a deed filled with symbolism at more than one level. The primary
symbolism is that of messianic provision, which both points to the reality of
present fulfillment and foreshadows the blessings that will continue to flow in
the future. This provision takes place in the wilderness, just as manna was
provided in the wilderness. Jesus is the messianic provider. He is the Bread of
Life. People go away from his presence healed and filled. The miracle typifies
the full and complete blessing of humanity in the meeting of human need and the
experience of ultimate well-being, universal shalom or wholeness.
The feeding
of the multitude is thus the harbinger of good news for people of every era.
God is not far away and aloof from us. God is not simply a God up there in
heaven. Jesus shows us that God is right here with us, beside us in our broken
and troubled and suffering world. It is an indication to all peoples who dare
to see and experience that the Messiah is in their midst.
Not only
will God offer bread but also the choicest of gifts and these will be given
freely and gratuitously. These will be in abundance just as at the feeding of
the five thousand. There will be enough and more. God gives them freely because
of his unconditional love, shown in a variety of ways to the people of Israel.
As he provided manna to them in the desert, he also provided bread to them
through the prophets as narrated in the first reading of today. However, this
love was shown in the most perfect way in and through the sending of his Son,
Jesus Christ. In doing so he provided not only for their physical needs, but
ensured that every human need was sated in Jesus Christ.
This does
not mean, of course, that those who believe in Jesus will have no problems or
needs. But it does mean that God will give us the grace and aid to bear
whatever load may befall us. Ours is not a faith of easy answers and
unrealistic solutions, but Jesus lived and died for us, showing us that in
whatever we experience, in whatever may trouble us, in whatever distress or
threat we feel, we need not fear, because God is in it with us. God will give
us what we need to make it through.
This is the
perseverance and courage to which the second reading of today calls the
Ephesians and us. Like the disciples of Jesus we sometimes find that our care
and compassion is limited to prayer and good wishes. Like the disciples we wish
people well but have no intention of taking positive action to actually help
them. And, again like the disciples, what prevents us from taking positive
action is often the realistic assessment that the little we are able to do is
not really going to make any big difference.
But in the
gospel we are challenged to see that when we translate our care and compassion
into positive action, the little we are able to do is multiplied by God’s grace
in such a way that it becomes more than sufficient for the need. In whatever
crisis or issue we face in life, in whatever trouble may come our way, the
power of God’s love will provide what we need.
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day seven - July 28, 2018
Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
IGNATIAN INDIFFERENCE: For Ignatius, indifference was a means to reach the higher goal or the greater good, and so Ignatius would be indifferent to success or failure, riches or poverty, good health or sickness in order to achieve the greater good, which was always the greater glory of God.
Father, we often get disappointed when things do not go our way. We sometimes give in to despair and lose hope. Gift us with the gift of Ignatian indifference so that we may be able to accept everything that happens to us as your will in our lives. Let us learn to be content in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of our lives. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Friday, 27 July 2018
Audio Reflections of Saturday, July 28, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Saturday, July 28, 2018 click HERE
Saturday, July 28, 2018 - Are there some whom you deliberately exclude from your circle of friends? Why?
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 7:1-11; Mt 13:24-30
This is a parable found exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew. It
is not clear whether this parable existed independently as a parable or whether
it was conceived as an allegory from the beginning. Those who think that the
parable existed independently interpret the parable to mean a statement against
building of boundaries and so excluding some. The building of boundaries and
forming exclusive communities is not the business of human beings, but is God’s
task.
The point seems to be that even though the kingdom of God has
been “sown,” evil continues to be real and effective, and it attempts to understand
the interim period with its challenges on the basis of the beginning and especially
the completion of the kingdom. In other words, the sowing is all important.
Once the seed (wheat) is sown, no matter what the obstacles, there will be
growth. The task of the disciple is therefore not to concentrate too much on
the darnel (though they are aware of its presence), but to rest firm in the
knowledge that since the sowing has been done, the gathering is assured.
Like the field in the parable there is good seed and there are
weeds even in the world in which we live. There is both good and evil. We are
called to take only what is good and not focus too much on the evil or bad.
This does not mean passivity in the face of evil but a call for a discerning
mind and heart.
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day six - July 27, 2018
Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: “Laudato Si” of Pope Francis has made us aware that our mother earth is very much in need of healing. Each one of us is as responsible as the other for the care of our world. There is too much of waste all around us and we are as responsible for it as anyone. Let us resolve to use less of everything. It is amazing to note that if we reflect and try we can make-do with less than half the things that we normally use. This is true of water, soap, paper, electricity, food, clothes and so many other things.
Father, Son and Spirit, when you first created our world you wanted that all creation live in harmony. Our selfishness has resulted in in abuse of our mother. Give us the grace to use what we need as true trustees of your gift of Creation. We ask this of you our Triune God, Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Audio reflections of Friday, July 27, 2018
To hear the Audio reflections of Friday, July 27, 2018 click HERE
Friday, July 27, 2018 - What prevents you from listening to what God is calling you to do? What will you do about it today?
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 3:14-17; Mt 13:18-23
These verses contain what is known as the allegory of the
parable of 13:10-17. Unlike Mark who does not give it a name, Matthew
names it the Parable of the Sower (13:18), and in doing so concentrates
attention on the Sower.
While in the Marcan interpretation there is confusion
as to whether the seed is the word (as in Mark 4:14) or the hearers (as in Mark
4:16,18,20), Matthew rewrites Mark to avoid this confusion but does not
succeed fully in this endeavour. Matthew also specifies that the word that is
sown is the word of the kingdom. While in Mark collective nouns are used
focussing on a group of people, Matthew emphasises individual responsibility by
changing the nouns to the singular. Despite these changes, Matthew essentially
adopts the interpretation of the Parable as in Mark 4:13-20 where it is
understood as the Church’s reflection on its bearing witness to the Gospel that
Christ inaugurated.
Christianity is both an individual and communitarian religion. Each
sacrament has both the individual and communitarian dimensions. This means that
while on the one hand we are each responsible for the other, we are also
responsible for ourselves and need to make our commitment individually. We
cannot disown this responsibility or thrust it on the community.
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day five - July 26, 2018
Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE MOST IN NEED: One of the most painful experiences of the last year was the refugee crisis in many parts of the world. Refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries fled to Europe to escape from conflict and violence. While some countries were welcoming, other closed their doors because they did not want to be disturbed. Pope Francis took the initiative to encourage all to welcome refugees and showed this in action by transporting three families to live in Rome.
God of the poor and marginalised, Mary and Joseph were refugees themselves when they sought a place to bring their child into the world. Jesus was a migrant who had “nowhere to lay his head.” We pray for those in authority all over the world that they be given the grace to open their hearts and minds to the reality of displacement and be generous with accommodating as many as possible. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Audio Reflections of Wednesday, July 25, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Wednesday, July 25, 2018 click HERE
Thursday, July 26, 2018 - Do you consider yourself a disciple or are you an outsider? How does your discipleship show in your life?
To read the texts click on the texts: Jer 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Mt 13:10-17
This text concerns the reason for Jesus’ speaking in parables.
While in Mark (4:10-12) a larger group asks about the parables, in Matthew, it
is the disciples who ask Jesus why he speaks to “them” in parables.
Understanding the parables of Jesus is not simply a matter of using one’s
intellect, but a grace given by God himself. It is given to those who
acknowledge their dependence on God. Only those who have committed themselves
to follow Jesus are given an insight into the mysteries of the kingdom. Since
they have Jesus as their teacher, they will be able to understand all there is
to know. The closed attitude of those who do not wish to follow is what is
responsible for their lack of understanding.
Matthew quotes Isaiah 6:9-10
completely here, and regards the lack of understanding as a fulfilment of
Isaiah’s prophecy. Since the disciples are open and receptive they are indeed
blessed. They are able to see and hear and understand what mere human knowledge
can never hope to understand.
Humanity has taken great strides in the areas of science and
technology, and yet there are many things that we still do not understand. We
can use technology to communicate with someone who is thousands of miles away,
but technology cannot explain to us why we cannot communicate with a neighbour
who lives by our side. This must lead to the realisation that when all is said and
done we will still fall short of understanding all the mysteries there are and
have to depend on God.
Thursday, July 26, 2018 - Jer 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Mt 13:10-17
Thursday, July 26, 2018 - Jer 2:1-3,7-8,12-13; Mt 13:10-17
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day four - July 25, 2018
OPENING PRAYER: Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
THE EUCHARIST, THE SOURCE OF LIFE: St. Ignatius was often moved to tears when he celebrated the Eucharist as he contemplated the great mystery of God’s love. This celebration was for him the primary source of strength. The Eucharist was not merely a ritual but a Sacrament in and through which he experienced the tangible love of the Trinity.
Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit we pray that the unity that you share may be the same unity that we feel. Give us all the grace to know that we are all parts of one body, the Body of Christ. May our concern for others be genuine and our love for the poor tangible. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Audio Reflections of Wednesday, July 25, 2018 the Feast of St. James, Apostle
To hear the Audio Reflections of Wednesday, July 25, 2018 the Feast of St. James, Apostle, click HERE
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 - St. James, Apostle - James was willing to live and die for his Lord. Are you willing to live for Jesus?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt. 20:20-28
St. James
is described as one of the first disciples along with his brother John to join
Jesus (Mk 1:19-20). He was one of the three whom Jesus took with him when he
raised Jairus daughter from the dead (Mk 5:35-43), on the mountain of
transfiguration (Mk 9:2-9) and at Gethsemane (Mk 14:32-42). The Acts of the
Apostles 12:1 records that Herod had James executed by sword. He is the only
apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament.
The Gospel
text chosen for the feast of St. James is from the Gospel of Matthew. In order to spare the disciples, whom Matthew
usually represents as understanding, Matthew replaces the disciples’ own
request with one represented by their mother and does not name the “sons of
Zebedee” here.
The request
for seats at the “right hand and left hand” reflects the rule of the Son of Man
from his throne. In his reply to the request the Matthean Jesus focuses on the
image of the cup which is used as a symbol for suffering, testing, rejection,
judgement and even violent death. Though they express confidence that they are
able to drink the cup, Jesus knows better. However, even martyrdom will not
gain the disciples special places. That is God’s prerogative and grace. Jesus
then takes the disciples to another level and perspective of leadership where
to be a leader is not to dominate or dictate but to serve. Christian leadership
may be defined as service.
James
understood this after the death and resurrection of Jesus as was evident in
his martyrdom. He followed his Lord and Master to the end and did indeed drink
the cup courageously.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 - 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt. 20:20-28
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 - 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt. 20:20-28
Novena to St. Ignatius - Day three - July 24, 2018
OPENING PRAYER: Lord, teach us to be generous. Teach us to love you and serve you as you deserve. To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to look for reward, save that of knowing that we do your most holy will.
LISTENING TO AND WAITING FOR THE LORD: Though Ignatius was in constant and close touch with the Lord, he never presumed to tell the Lord what to do. Rather, like an attentive student before his Master, he was always listening and discerning what the Lord wanted him to do.
Lord, sometimes we get impatient and want today’s answers yesterday and tomorrow’s answers today. You ask us to be patient, because our ways are not your ways and our time is not your time. Gift us with patience and the ability to listen to your voice. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER: Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given them to me, to you I return them. Give me only your love and your grace that is enough for me.
Monday, 23 July 2018
Audio Reflections of Tuesday, July 24, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Tuesday, July 24, 2018 click HERE
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 - Is Jesus pointing to you as his brother/sister? If yes, Why? If no, why not?
To read the texts click on the texts: Micah 7:14-15,18-20; Mt 12:46-50
The text of today contains a pointer as to who make up the true
family of Jesus. Unlike in Mark, where the “crowd” is pointed out to as the
true family of Jesus, in Matthew, it is the community of disciples who make up
the true family.
The point being made in this text is not so much about the
mother or brothers and sisters of Jesus, but about who will be regarded as true
members of Jesus’ family.
The action of stretching out his hand has been used
earlier to portray Jesus as compassionate (8:3) and also an act, which will be
used later to show him as the great deliverer who comes to the aid of his
disciples (14:31). In the concluding statement, the Matthean Jesus makes clear
that discipleship and being a member of his family is not merely a matter of
verbal profession even proclamation, but doing the will of God. This aspect
makes anyone a brother or sister of Jesus.
We may imagine that because we have been baptised into the faith
we can take for granted that we are members of Jesus’ family. This need not be
so, since we need to keep renewing our commitment to Jesus and his cause every
day. While verbal proclamation does have its place, it alone is not enough. We
must show through our deeds whom we believe in.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 - Micah 7:14-15,18-20; Mt 12:46-50
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 - Micah 7:14-15,18-20; Mt 12:46-50
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