Jesus Foretells his Death and Resurrection

The Sunday Gospel [August 28, 2011]

Matthew 16:21-27

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he* must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22* Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

The Conditions of Discipleship.

 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,* take up his cross, and follow me.25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.

Reflection

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” ~ Jesus in v. 24

Today’s Gospel instructs us in the way to handle the cross that comes with life. Jesus indicates that the way to become his disciples involves forgetting self, carrying the cross, and following him. He encourages us to have the determination and strength to pick up the cross and fight to the finish. When Jesus tells us, “Fight!” he knows what it means. When we say the Resurrection is Christ’s victory, we know that it is only because he fought for it.

The problem with many of us is that instead of Fight, our favorite word is Flight. When we realize the enormity of the challenges before us, we do not pick up the cross. When there are problems between couples within the family or workplace, isn’t it that many people would rather flee, keep quiet, seek liquor or drugs, hang out with friends, than courageously face the issues?

That explains why many people are unfulfilled, full of regrets, sad, and depressed. A life of constant running from our responsibilities and our possibilities deplete our energy and strength. It moves us away from the destiny planned by God, our own “resurrection.”

Jesus points to us the cross not as a sign of pain but as a symbol of hope, a path of victory. If we ignore the cross of life, we will never grow, mature, or develop beyond our comfort zones. We need to take up the cross and experience “creative suffering” – the necessary task of identifying our problems, confronting them, and overcoming them. This is the path of the strong, the hero, and the saint. They were blessed because they chose “fight” over “flight.”

Credits: Fr. Ramil R. Marcos, MA, STL; I am with you always, reflections on the Sunday Gospels

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

Fulfilling a Promise made to God

[Diary 396]

My traveling companions were very kind; several women of the Sodality of Mary were in the same compartment with me. I sensed that one of them was suffering greatly and fighting a difficult battle in her soul. l began to pray in spirit for this soul. At eleven o'clock these women went to another compartment for a chat, leaving only the two of us behind in the carriage. I could feel that my prayer was causing this soul's struggle to become even fiercer. I did not console her, but prayed all the more fervently. Finally, the lady turned to me and asked if she was obliged to fulfill a certain promise which she had made to God. At that moment, I received inner knowledge of the promise and replied, "You are absolutely obliged to keep it, or else you will be miserable for the rest of your life. This thought will pursue you everywhere and give you no peace." Surprised at my answer, she opened her soul to me.

She was a schoolteacher. When she was about to take her examinations, she had promised God that if she did well in her examinations she would devote herself to His service; that is, enter a religious congregation. She passed the examinations very well. "But," she said, "when I entered into the hustle and bustle of the world, I no longer wanted to enter a convent. However, my conscience has given me no peace, and despite amusements I am always unhappy."

After a lengthy conversation, she was completely changed and told me that she would immediately take steps to enter a convent. She asked me to pray for her, and I felt that God would be generous with His grace.


Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

Peter’s Declaration About Jesus

The Sunday Gospel [August 21, 2011]

Matthew 16:13-20

13. Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14.They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16. Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17.Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.18. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.18.I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 19. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20. Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Reflection

God is always with us and in us. We can explore the thoughts of the eternal, immortal, invisible, Almighty Creator!

Today’s Gospel illustrates this point when Peter calls Jesus the Messiah. Immediately, Jesus praises him – but not for his powers of deduction. “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 16:17). Jesus knew that Peter had to have this gift from God!

That is the key word: receive. Revelation is a gift. It isn’t something we can produce on our own. It’s a gift that God wants us to receive with our open hearts and quiet minds. It’s God’s words coming alive in our hearts and filling us with his wisdom, his insights, and his peace.

Today at Mass, try to focus your heart on Jesus. Quiet your mind and tell Jesus that you want to receive whatever he wants to give you. Put your worries and cares aside and simply listen. You’ll know that what you heard is from God when your own heart starts echoing Paul’s prayer: To God be glory forever!

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

The mercy of the Lord I will sing forever

[Diary 522]

+The mercy of the Lord I will sing forever,
Before all the people will I sing it,
For it is God's greatest attribute
And for us an unending miracle.

You gush forth from the Divine Trinity,
But from one single womb filled with love.
The mercy of the Lord will be revealed in the soul
In all its fullness, when the veil falls.

From the fountain of Your mercy, O Lord,
Flows all happiness and life,
And thus, all creatures and the whole of creation
Sing out in ecstasy a song of mercy.

The bowels of God's mercy are opened for us
Through the life of Jesus, stretched on the Cross.
O sinner, you must not doubt or despair,
But trust in mercy, for you also can become holy.

Two streams in the form of rays
Have gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus,
Not for Angels, nor Cherubim, nor Seraphim,
But for the salvation of sinful man.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

The Sunday Gospel [August 14, 2011]

Matthew 15:21-28

21 Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." 24 He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." 28 Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Reflection

“Lord, help me. Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” ~ Canaanite woman in v. 25, 27

When is prayer powerful? Is it effective when it comes with offerings of eggs, as we normally do when we ask the Poor Clare nuns to pray for our intentions? Is prayer guaranteed with positive answer when it is accomplished by sacrifice, like self-punishment or personal torture? Will prayer be granted if we promise something to God in return for his favor? There are many occasions we look at prayer as a business deal or negotiation, as if God’s goodness can be bought.

The gospel describes to us the secret of powerful prayer – one that guarantees favorable results. A woman, who was a Gentile, living outside the Jewish circles of Jesus’ time, approached the Lord to ask him for the healing of his daughter. Jesus, at first, seemed to put her off. But in the end, she got her miracle. Her daughter was healed. How did she emerge victorious in her difficult dialogue with Jesus?

Well, the woman knew how to love. She was not begging for herself, her comfort, or her welfare. She came to seek healing and deliverance of someone she loved. The Lord is not drawn to selfish prayers. Selfish prayers will not be heard. But if our prayers are for the good of others, made out of love, then the Lord listens and takes action. The response of the Lord may not be the same response we expect, but he will surely do something, do the best thing for our petition.

The woman loved deeply and that was why she knew how to persevere. When at first she did not seem to get proper attention from the Lord, she did not get discouraged. She cheerfully continued to ask, to bargain, to press on with her request. She had such genuine love for her daughter that she was willing to draw all her energy so that she can obtain her heart’s desire. She made her daughter’s misery her own. She was willing to suffer like her, for her. Jesus, whose heart overflows with the same compassion for others, found in the woman’s love a resemblance to his own heart.

Credits: Fr. Ramil R. Marcos, MA, STL; I am with you always, excerpts

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

Grace of Conversion

[Diary 961]

+ This morning after completing my spiritual exercises, I began at once to crochet. I sensed a stillness in my heart; I sensed that Jesus was resting in it. That deep and sweet consciousness of God's presence prompted me to say to the Lord, "O Most Holy Trinity dwelling in my heart, I beg You: grant the grace of conversion to as many souls as the [number of] stitches that I will make today with this crochet hook." Then I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, too great are your demands. "Jesus, You know that for You it is easier to grant much rather than a little." That is so, it is less difficult for Me to grant a soul much rather than a little, but every conversion of a sinful soul demands sacrifice. "Well, Jesus, I offer You this whole-hearted work of mine; this offering does not seem to me to be too small for such a large number of souls; You know, Jesus, that for thirty years You were saving souls by just this kind of work. And since holy obedience forbids me to perform great penances and mortifications, therefore I ask You, Lord: accept these mere nothings stamped with the seal of obedience as great things." Then I heard a voice in my soul: My dear daughter, I comply with your request.



Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

Jesus Walks on the Water

The Sunday Gospel [August 7, 2011]

Matthew 14:22-33

22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night,   he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."

Reflection

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ~ Jesus in v. 31

What, precisely, does faith consist of? How can we define it? Well, is it not true that faith is related both to God and to our own self? The words of Jesus seem to indicate that this is so. He says to Peter, “How little faith you have!” Then he adds, “Why did you doubt?” The answer to Jesus’ question would be, of course, that Peter did not have faith in Jesus. This is obvious. But can it not also be said that Peter did not have enough faith in himself?

Faith, of course, means that we believe in God. But when we believe in God, do we not also, at least to a certain extent, also believe in our own self? If our faith in God is strong, it means that at the same time our faith to our self is strong: we believe in and accept our self; we have the ability to say, “I am a good person. I have certain talents and gifts that God has given to me; I am precious in the sight of God.” We can say this, precisely because of our faith in God. We might say that this is the first step. But as our faith develops, our faith in God becomes intermingled with our faith in our self. In other words, we might say that our self-confidence and our belief in our self are based on our faith in God. Thus God is always first and foremost in our heart, although in the practical working out of our daily lives, the two – faith in God and faith in one’s self – become intermingled.

As a final reflection, let us ask ourselves a few questions. How often do we put ourselves in Peter’s position? We start of strongly, but then, forgetting the presence of God in our heart, we weaken, become fearful, and draw back from a full commitment to some task. How often do we limit ourselves because we are too self-conscious, or too self-critical, or to afraid? Such attitudes, as we are aware, restrict and limit us from developing our full potential.

Let us thank God for creating us as we are and for the gifts He has given to each of us. And let us ask Him to help us to be bold in our life, to overcome all our fears because we realize that He is always with us.

Credits: Fr. John Seland, SVD; New Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, excerpts

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).

You will prepare the world for My final coming

[Diary 429]

When I became aware of God's great plans for me, I was frightened at their greatness and felt myself quite incapable of fulfilling them, and I began to avoid interior conversations with Him, filling up the time with vocal prayer. I did this out of humility, but I soon recognized it was not true humility, but rather a great temptation from the devil. When, on one occasion, instead of interior prayer, I took up a book of spiritual reading, I heard these words spoken distinctly and forcefully within my soul, You will prepare the world for My final coming. These words moved me deeply, and although I pretended not to hear them, 1 understood them very well and had no doubt about them. Once, being tired out from this battle of love with God, and making constant excuses on the grounds that I was unable to carry out this task, I wanted to leave the chapel, but some force held me back and I found myself powerless. Then I heard these words, You intend to leave the chapel, but you shall not get away from Me, for I am everywhere. You cannot do anything of yourself, but with me you can do all things.


Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".