The New Commandment [April 28, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [April 28, 2013]

John 13:31-33, 34-35

31When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32[If God is glorified in him,] God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. 33My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. 34I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. 35This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Reflection

Frederico Fellini’s film La Strada opened in 1954 and became a classic. In one unforgettable scene a clown is talking to a young woman. She has grown weary of trying to love unlovable and unloving people, and she wants nothing more to do with them. As the conversation ends and the young woman turns to leave, the clown says to her, “But if you don’t love these people, who will love them?”

The clown’s words to the young woman and Jesus’ words to his disciples  invite me to inventory how ready I am to take to heart what thy say.

“To love the world is no big chore. It’s that miserable person next door who is the problem.” ~ Anonymous

Reflection Credits: Fr. Mark Link, SJ; Daly Homilies

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

Beloved daughter of My Heart, you are My solace amidst terrible torments

[Diary 1058]

 + At three o'clock, I prayed prostrate, in the form of a cross, for the whole world. Jesus' mortal life was coming to an end. I heard His seven words; then He looked at me and said, Beloved daughter of My Heart, you are My solace amidst terrible torments.

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".

I give my sheep eternal life [Good Shepherd Sunday - April 21, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [Good Shepherd Sunday - April 21, 2013]

John 10:27-30

27My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30The Father and I are one.”

Reflection

Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for us, knows each one of us by name, and gathers the lost even as he brings new members into the flock.

Where the flock is, there is the Shepherd. The flock may be in difficult terrain, experiencing terrible storms or be attacked by predators. Still the Good shepherd is with them. If we know of someone who is looking for the Good shepherd, invite him or her to the flock, to the Church. Here they will find restful waters and refreshment for the soul. Whether they are on a cliff or in a valley, here they will find the Lord’s rod and staff to give them courage. Here they will find the table of the Lord and the anointing of the Spirit. Here they will find the entry way to dwelling in the Lord’s house forever.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has bound himself to his flock forever. Join the flock and the Shepherd will embrace you. Embrace the Shepherd and you will join the flock. The flock and the Shepherd, the Lord and his Church are one for good!

Reflection Credits: Rev. S. Joseph Krempa, Captured Fire, excerpts

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

This work (The Divine Mercy) will snatch a great number of souls from him (satan)

[Diary 1659]

Still, in order to write anything at all, I must make use of words, though they cannot render all of what my soul enjoyed on seeing the glory of God's mercy. The glory of the Divine Mercy is resounding, even now, in spite of the efforts of its enemies and of Satan himself, who has a great hatred for God's mercy. This work will snatch a great number of souls from him, and that is why the spirit of darkness sometimes tempts good people violently, so that they may hinder the work. But I have clearly seen that the will of God is already being carried out, and that it will be accomplished to the very last detail. The enemy's greatest efforts will not thwart the smallest detail of what the Lord has decreed. No matter if there are times when the work seems to be completely destroyed; it is then that the work is being all the more consolidated.

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 appearance to seven disciples [April 14, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [April 14, 2013]

John 21:1-19

1After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord.13Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”16He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Amen, amen, I say to you,j when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”19He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection

The gospel of John has not ended. This chapter seems like an epilogue and was probably added later. The disciples appear to be no longer interested in their mission of continuing the ministry of Jesus and decide to go fishing instead. With the help of Jesus they catch a large number of fish. The beloved disciple recognizes Jesus; Peter acts impetuously and they all have breakfast.

Why the second ending of the gospel? Peter and the beloved disciple again seem to be in contrast. What is your image of Peter throughout the gospel? How does this compare with the image of Peter presented in Matthew?

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

Holy water is indeed of great help to the dying

[Diary 601]

Once, when one of our sisters became fatally ill and all the community was gathered together, there was also a priest there who gave the sister absolution. Suddenly, I saw many spirits of darkness. Then, forgetting that I was with the sisters, I seized the holy water sprinkler and sprinkled the spirits, and they disappeared at once. However, when the sisters came to the refectory, Mother Superior [Borgia] remarked that I should not have sprinkled the sick sister in the presence of the priest, as this was his duty. I accepted the admonition in the spirit of penance, but holy water is indeed of great help to the dying.

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".

Appearance to the Disciples [Divine Mercy Sunday - April 7, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [Divine Mercy Sunday - April 7, 2013]

 John 20:19-31

19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  21[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

24Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. 31But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Reflection

“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” ~ Jesus in v. 29

Let us begin our reflection by asking a simple question. Why does Jesus tell Thomas to put his finger into the wounds in his hands, and to put his hand into his side? Would it not be sufficient for Thomas just to see Jesus? No, I don’t think it would be. Thomas must realize deep in his heart how much Jesus suffered. And the only way to know this was to sensibly feel the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side. It is the only way by which his futile dream of a triumphant Messiah could be corrected.

I think it is not too difficult for us to understand Thomas’s doubt. It is not difficult because we all experience the very same phenomenon many times in our own life. When everything is progressing smoothly we are happy and at peace. However, is it not true that when a problem occurs, we often become anxious, if not discouraged? Why do we feel down? We feel that way because we forget God’s loving presence in our heart.

This is why it is so important for us to continuously focus our attention on Jesus. He had problems just like us, indeed, many more serious problems. But he was always able to overcome them. How? He overcame everything through his love for the Father and his realization that the Father loved him and was always with him. And so we see Jesus continuously turning to the Father for guidance and help. Sometimes he prayed with tears, begging God to listen to his prayers. It is because of this, his close relationship to the Father in prayer, that Jesus was able to overcome everything.

In the later part of the Gospel, when Jesus says, “Peace be with you,“ he is also speaking to us. He is telling us, yes, you will have problems. Don’t expect life to be different. But you can conquer as I did. You can conquer by keeping in your heart the conviction that God knows everything you are experiencing and is always eager to help you. Just ask Him for this.

Prayer Response

May God’s will be done in our life. And may He be glorified by our acceptance of all that He deigns to give us.

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

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

The greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy

[Diary 1182]

+ Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, My pleasure and delight, nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls-no one have I excluded!

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".