The Temptation of Jesus [February 26, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [February 26, 2012]

Mark 1:12-15

12At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, 13and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.14After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Reflection

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” ~ Jesus in v. 15

In contrast with Matthew and Luke, Mark has a short account of the temptations: Jesus is in the desert, he is among wild beasts, and angels minister to him. Mark clearly parallels Jesus with Adam, the desert with the Garden of Eden. The first man – Adam- wanted to be “like God” and ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He ended up seeing he was “naked” and was thrown out of paradise. Nature – earth’s vegetation and animals – turned against him.

The second Adam – Jesus – does not cling to his equality with God: rather he embraces the low state of humanity. But in so doing, he achieves reconciliation and peace with God and creatures. The desert – the opposite image of the garden – becomes a place of reconciliation and healing. Wild beasts which concretize the threat of creation to man turn friendly to Jesus, becoming man’s friends. Man and beast become friends once more; once again they are in Paradise. The peace which Isaiah prophesied for the messianic age finds fulfillment: “the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them” (Isaiah 11:6). Creation’s fate is tied up with human beings. When man’s harmony with God is restored, creation once more becomes the dwelling place of peace. Until such time when mankind is taken up by Christ to God, “creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God” (Romans 8:19).

The temptation of Jesus is also our very own. Jesus has entered into the “perils” of our humanity and has come out victorious precisely because he relied on God, on God’s word. The devil does not tempt us to abandon God and to believe in him – that is too ghastly a thought. The devil tells us that we need not prioritize God; we can accomplish our purpose through the reasonable and organized ways of the world. And we can rely on ourselves.

Reflection Credits: Fr. Gil A. Alinsangan, SSP; On the Way of the Cross, excerpts

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

I am very much at home in his heart

[Diary 879]

I saw Father Andrasz as he was saying Holy Mass today. Before the Elevation, I saw the Infant Jesus with His hands spread out, and He was very joyous; then, after a moment, I saw nothing more. I was in my room and I continued making my thanksgiving. But later on, I thought to myself, "Why was the Infant Jesus so merry? After all, He is not always so merry when I see Him." Then I heard these words interiorly: Because I am very much at home in his heart. And I was not at all surprised at this, because I know he loves Jesus very much.

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 Healing of a Paralytic [February 19, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [February 19, 2012]

Mark 2:1-12

1When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. 2Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. 3They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4Unable 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. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, 7“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 8Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—11he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”12He 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.”

Reflection

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child your sins are forgiven.” ~ v. 5

Did you catch that? Jesus forgave this man and healed his paralysis because he saw the faith of his friends! It wasn’t the paralyzed man’s faith that moved him; it was his friends’ faith. These four men stood with their friend and were convinced that if they could just get him to Jesus, he could be healed. Even if it meant tearing up the roof, they loved their friend enough – and they believed in Jesus enough – to do it.

What a moving illustration of true brotherhood! While the paralyzed man doubtless had faith himself, it was his four friends who actually got him to Jesus. If it weren’t for them, he never would have been able to walk – or known Jesus’ forgiveness.

Jesus never intended the Christian life to be a solitary journey. On the contrary, we are stronger when we are surrounded and supported by brothers and sisters in faith. Where the world tells us to be independent and self-reliant, Jesus tells us to lean on each other – and to let others lean on us. That’s probably why he sent his disciples to preach two by two. He knew they needed to balance each other out, with one helping the other in moments of weakness and tiredness. He knew they needed each other so that they would not fall to temptations of pride, or give up in the face of opposition or hardship.

What about you? Do you have brothers and sisters to help bring you to Jesus? Are there people whom you would go out of your way to help in their faith? It’s always a good idea to reach out to one or two people in your parish and try to build friendship with them based on your faith. God wants to give us companions along the way. May we all be open to so generous a gift, the gift of one another.

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

Great Mercy at the Hour of Death

[Diary 687]

Once, as I was going down the hall to the kitchen, I heard these words in my soul: Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.

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 Cleansing of a Leper[February 12, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [February 12, 2012]

Mark 1:40-45

40A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Reflection

A leper came to Jesus [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” ~ v. 40

Today’s gospel is a lesson in optimism. Too often, we have a distorted view of God. Some people believe that God is the author of their misery or that God wants them to suffer and languish in poverty, sickness, and bad fate. They suspect that God oppresses them or that he does not care.

When we come to the Lord, we need to start with a positive mind set like the leper. We must declare that our God is a God of all good things. And his desire is only our good. The request of the leper is instructive: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” In his heart the leper knew that it was Jesus’ wish to heal and restore him. And he claimed that miracle in his heart before Jesus even healed him.

God wants only the best for you and me. God desires only that which is constructive and uplifting for our lives. But how do we explain the sickness, the pain, and the sufferings of this life? Where do all these come from? Certainly, not from the hands of the Lord. The original plan of God was for the good of his creation. The plan and the promise still hold. It has not changed.

If we analyze the evils around us, we will realize that most of them come from selfishness and neglect. God allows these things to happen because he respects human freedom. In some cases, bad things happen so that we can learn from our mistakes. Negative experiences can also make us return to the Lord and his plans.

Today the Lord wants to reassure us of his love and concern for us. When we pray, when we act, let us not start with doubts. Rather, let us begin with a strong belief in the promise of our Lord and his goodness. Miracles of healing and restoration will take place when we begin to see God as one who loves us sincerely.

Credits: Fr. Ramil R. Marcos, MA, STL; Proclaim! Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, excerpts, slightly adapted.

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

Complete Trust

[Diary 453]

On one occasion, the Lord said to me, Why are you fearful and why do you tremble when you are united to Me? I am displeased when a soul yields to vain terror. Who will dare to touch you when you are with Me? Most dear to Me is the soul that strongly believes in My goodness and has complete trust in Me. I heap My confidence upon it and give it all it asks.

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".

A Typical Day in the Life of Jesus [February 5, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [February 5, 2012]

Mark 1:29-39

29On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

32When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33The whole town was gathered at the door. 34He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

35Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Reflection

“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” ~ v. 35

Jesus certainly had a full day. With his first four chosen disciples in tow, he went into the synagogue and not only taught but cast out an unclean sprit. He next slipped away and healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Then, as soon as sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, a horde of people crowded around the doorstep begging Jesus to heal and deliver them. He extended himself to the whole crowd, touching each person with the power of God. Surely this exhausting ministry lasted beyond a normal bedtime.

We could certainly understand if Jesus burrowed under the covers the next morning. Instead, Mark tells us that Jesus rose in the wee hours and headed out to a deserted spot to spend time with his Father. Instead of assuming he knew what God wanted and how to accomplish it, he stopped and listened for God’s guidance. Out of that profound communion emerged clarity about his next step: It was time to preach to other villages.

That’s the way it was with the Lord: never a dull moment! Jesus was constantly on the move. Even his prayer was dynamic. He didn’t get up early just to enjoy a good sunrise and recite a few prayers. No, he was asking, seeking, and knocking. He was determined to discover his Father’s plan, and he was ready to make any adjustments he needed in order to stick to that plan.

Make no mistake. Jesus was active, not just busy. Like a runner crouched at the starting block, his prayer was one of active waiting, not passive wandering. That’s what God wants for us as well. There’s a kingdom to be built. There are people to evangelize and ministries to advance. The hungry need feeding, the wounded need comfort, and the confused need direction. What part does God want you to play? Seek him in prayer and you’ll find out.

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

At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory...

[Diary 811]    

When I entered my solitude, I heard these words: At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person, God's anger is placated, unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved for the sake of the sorrowful Passion of My Son.

Oh, if only everyone realized how great the Lord's mercy is and how much we all need that mercy, especially at that crucial hour!

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".