Liturgical readings
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54
James 3:16 - 4:3
Mark 9:30-37
"He put His arms around a little child."
World history records kingdoms built on pride, power, and money. This is the order by which world civilizations (guided by what is sinful in our humanity) dominate others - a truth classical teachers call "hubris". Jesus, however, teaches about a kingdom whose values are built on top, and within this order: one ordered towards humility, self-sacrifice and charity. He points to the attitude of a little child (as opposed to the domineering attitudes of his apostles), as a greater value to signify this kingdom. His disciples were arguing about who was the most important among themselves, but the child Jesus presented made them see that children in God's kingdom know that the most important Person of all is the Father. He is the One who provides and cares for all His children. Such a great lesson by a great Teacher. And One who Himself exemplifies humility in all its truth.
The disciples as yet did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was leading them to would have as its pillar their own Master's passion, death and resurrection. Not only did they fail to understand, but they were overwhelmed by the tragic events Jesus had to pass through. And so, when their egos were under attack, they, like abandoned children, fled and sought refuge for fear of the Jews. Only when Jesus rose again from the dead were they comforted and encouraged with a peace that only God as Father can give. In all His resurrection appearances, Jesus greeted all His followers with "Peace". It was God's arms of peace in the Person of His Son Jesus that embraced them and dissipated the fears and anxieties brought about by their Teacher's crucifixion and death.
Relating to God as our Father is part of our Catholic tradition. In Catholic spirituality, this relationship was developed well by St. Therese of the Child Jesus (and also by St. Gabriel Possenti, a Passionist). For those who have read St. Therese's autobiography, it is very easy to understand why her life exemplifies very well the lesson Jesus teaches about childlikeness and humility. If one is able to read her autobiography (The Story of a Soul), you will see that holiness can begin from childlike attitudes that are practiced in any state of life. St. Therese's experience of God's love embracing her soul shows clearly that the kingdom of God is present even in the most humble situations of family, daily work, and living in community with others.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
To judge by God's standards
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 50:4c-9a
Psalm 116
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
"Judge by God's standards, not by man's."
When Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them what this meant - in relation to Himself, and to Peter and his companions. It was a difficult teaching that Peter's limited understanding took hold of him, and made him dissuade Jesus from the terrible fate of the Cross. Jesus, understanding God's will, rebuked Peter, and took occasion to teach everyone within hearing about self-denial, the cross, Christian discipleship, and life itself. All the truths that Christ taught on that occasion is in our Christian faith - often heard during the liturgical season of Lent. These truths that Jesus emphasized become more real for us whenever we find ourselves in a situation of adversity.
Going back to the gospel passage, we will see that Peter appeared to have missed hearing the end of Jesus' explanation: "...and to rise three days later." Suffering, rejection and death from Jesus' first words struck Peter's attention, that he missed listening to what would happen after all that. Humanly speaking, it can happen to us too. Perhaps not in the same way as Peter's but similar, according to how we are overwhelmed by a series of negative, death-related events. Like Peter, we get absorbed by the bad appearance and forget to "listen" to the good God can still do. We must avoid judging on human standards alone.
God became man in Jesus to show us that human suffering and death is not the end. By His resurrection, He showed a path to love, hope and life. We understand all human pain and death from this perspective of Christ conquering death. Jesus has created a new standard above our ordinary way of seeing and understanding. It is a noble standard. We are reminded of this noble standard every time we celebrate the Eucharist. In communion, when we receive the Body of Christ, our lives are elevated to the standard of Christ's Life. This is the reason why we revere much the image of the Crucified Jesus. Although our physical sight sees suffering, by prayer and the gift of faith, we know that God sent His Son Jesus to elevate our human understanding to God's standards.
Isaiah 50:4c-9a
Psalm 116
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
"Judge by God's standards, not by man's."
When Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them what this meant - in relation to Himself, and to Peter and his companions. It was a difficult teaching that Peter's limited understanding took hold of him, and made him dissuade Jesus from the terrible fate of the Cross. Jesus, understanding God's will, rebuked Peter, and took occasion to teach everyone within hearing about self-denial, the cross, Christian discipleship, and life itself. All the truths that Christ taught on that occasion is in our Christian faith - often heard during the liturgical season of Lent. These truths that Jesus emphasized become more real for us whenever we find ourselves in a situation of adversity.
Going back to the gospel passage, we will see that Peter appeared to have missed hearing the end of Jesus' explanation: "...and to rise three days later." Suffering, rejection and death from Jesus' first words struck Peter's attention, that he missed listening to what would happen after all that. Humanly speaking, it can happen to us too. Perhaps not in the same way as Peter's but similar, according to how we are overwhelmed by a series of negative, death-related events. Like Peter, we get absorbed by the bad appearance and forget to "listen" to the good God can still do. We must avoid judging on human standards alone.
God became man in Jesus to show us that human suffering and death is not the end. By His resurrection, He showed a path to love, hope and life. We understand all human pain and death from this perspective of Christ conquering death. Jesus has created a new standard above our ordinary way of seeing and understanding. It is a noble standard. We are reminded of this noble standard every time we celebrate the Eucharist. In communion, when we receive the Body of Christ, our lives are elevated to the standard of Christ's Life. This is the reason why we revere much the image of the Crucified Jesus. Although our physical sight sees suffering, by prayer and the gift of faith, we know that God sent His Son Jesus to elevate our human understanding to God's standards.
Monday, September 10, 2012
"Ephphatha!"
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37
"Ephphatha!"
Healing from Jesus' hands comes about because of an act of humility and a response of faith on the part of the one who seeks healing. This act of humility and and response of faith can also be made by a group of people concerned with their ailing companion. A passage from Mark's gospel is a good example of this act of humility and response of faith. A group of people from the Ten Cities begged Jesus to cure their companion who was both deaf and mute. Some of Jesus' healing miracles involved just a word from Him. But in this healing act, Jesus used extra care: "He put His fingers into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue, then He looked up to heaven and said to the man, 'Ephphatha'!" Ephphatha means be opened.
It is very rare for anyone to be healed apart from family or community. When a member of the family or community is sick, the family or community is also concerned with the person's healing. They give support in terms of prayers, encouraging words or being with the sick person until he is healed. Every family or community is a unity. Like the physical body, when a part of the body like the thumb hurts, or becomes dysfunctional, the whole body suffers and feels the pain. So it is with the family or community. When a member of the family or community is ailing, all other members are affected and concerned.
It is the same with the Body of Christ. When a member of the Body is sick and needs healing, everyone is affected and concerned. Prayers are often offered in the Mass, and the priest or his communion ministers bring the consecrated host for the sick or elderly in their homes. The Sacrament of Anointing is also administered when the sick person needs to recover from a major illness. This service can only be done by the parish priest. For the many who believe, acknowledging God-in-Jesus as the ultimate source of healing, leads not only the sick, but also the entire family or parish community to complete trust and faith in God for the health of everyone.
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-5
Mark 7:31-37
"Ephphatha!"
Healing from Jesus' hands comes about because of an act of humility and a response of faith on the part of the one who seeks healing. This act of humility and and response of faith can also be made by a group of people concerned with their ailing companion. A passage from Mark's gospel is a good example of this act of humility and response of faith. A group of people from the Ten Cities begged Jesus to cure their companion who was both deaf and mute. Some of Jesus' healing miracles involved just a word from Him. But in this healing act, Jesus used extra care: "He put His fingers into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue, then He looked up to heaven and said to the man, 'Ephphatha'!" Ephphatha means be opened.
It is very rare for anyone to be healed apart from family or community. When a member of the family or community is sick, the family or community is also concerned with the person's healing. They give support in terms of prayers, encouraging words or being with the sick person until he is healed. Every family or community is a unity. Like the physical body, when a part of the body like the thumb hurts, or becomes dysfunctional, the whole body suffers and feels the pain. So it is with the family or community. When a member of the family or community is ailing, all other members are affected and concerned.
It is the same with the Body of Christ. When a member of the Body is sick and needs healing, everyone is affected and concerned. Prayers are often offered in the Mass, and the priest or his communion ministers bring the consecrated host for the sick or elderly in their homes. The Sacrament of Anointing is also administered when the sick person needs to recover from a major illness. This service can only be done by the parish priest. For the many who believe, acknowledging God-in-Jesus as the ultimate source of healing, leads not only the sick, but also the entire family or parish community to complete trust and faith in God for the health of everyone.
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