Jesus Taught with Authority

The Sunday Gospel [January 29, 2012]

Mark 1:21-28

21Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 23In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 24 he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” 26The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. 27All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” 28His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Reflection

What emerges from this narrative of exorcism is a man whose power amazes everybody but who remains a “stranger” because nobody can quite explain where his authority comes from. Examining the Gospel of Mark, biblical scholars have realized that the evangelist pictures the crowd and even Jesus’ disciples as often “not understanding” Jesus. Jesus does not fully reveal his identity (as the Messiah) because they are not prepared to accept the kind of Messiah that he is: indeed, one with authority to teach and work miracles, but one who has to undergo humiliation, suffering and death. The people are waiting instead for a glorious political leader.

Jesus’ presence continues to disturb, for he challenges us to a new way of thinking. He is a “revolutionary,” not quite in the mold we make of him. When justice seems to be served by vengeance (“a tooth for a tooth), he teaches that greater justice is to conquer one’s enemy with goodness. When he can destroy his tormentors on Calvary, he chooses to hang on the cross.

Jesus’ “new authority” summons us to a higher kind of morality and spirituality. By that authority we are called to become holy and struggle for perfection, at the same time to challenge the ways of the satisfied and the complacent.

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/).

Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully

[Diary 1076]   

Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother's womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully.

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 Call of the First Disciples [January 22, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [January 22, 2012]

Mark 1:14-20

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.”

16As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.17Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.19He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection

“They left their nets and followed him.” ~ v. 18

The almighty Creator reached down and called finite, fallen people to follow him – and it touched them to the depths of their hearts. We shouldn’t be surprised at this. In fact, we should expect God’s intervention to cause some sort of disturbance. Jonah was challenged to move beyond what he thought were capabilities. The disciples also struggled for a long time to understand Jesus and his calling. Yet in both situations, God formed them into true servants.

Our Father wants each of us to be witnesses to his gospel and servants of his kingdom. No matter how well-educated or how dedicated we may be, God’s call will inspire us to go further. It may not be as dramatic as it was for the disciples or for Jonah. It may occur over the course of many months, or even years. But it will happen. One by one, our ideas will change to match Jesus’ ideas.

This process of transformation may not always be enjoyable, but it will be fruitful. If we try our best to be faithful in the little things God ask of each day, we will be changed over time. God will form us into disciples capable of making a difference in the world, just as the apostles and prophets did. All he’s looking for are humble, open hearts.

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

The Lord's Promise

[Diary 754]

+The Lord's Promise: The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.


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 Blesses the Children [Feast of the Sto.Nino in the Philippines]

Feast of the Sto.Nino [January 15, 2012]

Mark 10:13-16

13And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.15Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflection

Ferdinand Magellan is credited with bringing the devotion to the Santo Nino in the Philippines. When he came to the country in 1521, he had with him an image of the  Child Jesus. Magellan gave this to Queen Juana of Cebu when she was baptized. In 1565 Spanish troops led by Miguel Lopez Legazpi returned to retake the country and Cebu. The troops razed Cebu to the ground. In one large house that was gutted, the soldiers found the image of the Child Jesus that Ferdinand Magellan had given to Queen Juana. For some reason, the image was miraculously spared from the fire. Our devotion to the Santo Nino began with this miracle.

According to the 1981 paper of National Artist Nick Joaquin, the Santo Nino has become a symbol of Philippine history “because it came with Magellan, became a native pagan idol, was reestablished as a Christian icon by Legazpi, and has become so Filipino that native legends annul its European origin by declaring it to have arisen in this land and to have been of this land since time immemorial.”

Today, Cebuanos continue to lead the devotion to the Santo Nino. At the Basilica in Cebu City, which houses the image of the Santo Nino brought by Magellan, devotees venerate the image day and night. Hundreds of miracles have been attributed to the Santo Nino. A voluminous book would be required to record all these miracles.

Like Queen Juana and our ancestors, our Mother Mary and her husband Joseph, let us love the Child Jesus. Let us also love all children. Let us also learn to appreciate the humility, and the genuine and unconditional love of children.

Love all children. Love the Child Jesus. Love the Lord Jesus, and you will be richly blessed.

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

The father of lies (satan)

[Diary 1405] 

November 30, 1937. When I was going upstairs this evening, a strange dislike for everything having to do with God suddenly came over me. At that, I heard Satan who said to me, "Think no more about this work. God is not as merciful as you say He is. Do not pray for sinners, because they will be damned all the same, and by this work of mercy you expose your own self to damnation. Talk no more about this mercy of God with your confessor and especially not with Father Sopocko and Father Andrasz." At this point, the voice took the appearance of my Guardian Angel, and at that moment I replied, "I know who you are: the father of lies [cf. Jn. 8:44]." I made the sign of the cross, and the angel vanished with great racket and fury.

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 Visit of the Magi [Solemnity of the Epiphany - January 8, 2012]

Solemnity of the Epiphany - January 8, 2012

Matthew 2:1-12

1When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 9After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.10They were overjoyed at seeing the star,11and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection

Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” v. 1-2

The Epiphany is not just about the visit by these exotic travelers to Jerusalem centuries ago. It is a revelation of deep truths that apply to all of us today.

For unbelievers, the Epiphany reveals that God gives every person on earth, every person, a sign of HIS presence.

For people of faith, the Epiphany reveals that Christ’s embrace is for everyone: shepherd and king, rich and poor, male and female, Jew and Gentile. His embrace is for everyone and the Epiphany calls us to widen our embraces too. As members of a universal Church, the Epiphany calls us to make our embrace as wide as the embrace of the Church should be.

For believers who are drifting, the Epiphany reveals that there is a sign, a very personal sign in their lives that will be a guide back to the Church and to Christ.

The message of the Epiphany, of these magi traveling through the night guided only by a star, is that whatever our darkness, however deep the night, God’s light is also there. Even if we are not fully aware of it, His light is there to guide us to that perfect light which is Jesus Christ.

One important meaning of the Epiphany, of these magi traveling by night looking toward the sky, is that God is not a complete stranger to anybody’s life.

Credits: Fr. S. Joseph Krempa, Captured Fire, excerpts

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

Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet

[Diary 848]   

While I was saying the chaplet, I heard a voice which said, Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. Write down these words, My daughter. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth for them.

O human souls, where are you going to hide on the day of God's anger? Take refuge now in the fount of God's mercy. O what a great multitude of souls I see! They worshiped the Divine Mercy and will be singing the hymn of praise for all eternity.

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 Visit of the Shepherds [Solemnity of Mary Mother of God - January 1, 2012]

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God [January 1, 2012]

Luke 2:16-21

16So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.17When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.18All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.19And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman… so that we might receive adoption.” ~ St. Paul in Galatians 4:4-5, 2nd Reading

Most of us have already heard this truth, but does it sustain us in our daily lives? Has it become the central guiding principle of our lives? To answer that question, it may help to explore what it means to be a child of the heavenly Father.

First and foremost, being children of God means that we aren’t orphans; left alone in this world to fend for ourselves. No. God loves us and treasures us more than we can ever comprehend. He has called us his own, and he will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Second, being a child of God means that we carry the “family name.” This is our identity. Not only does it define who we are, it also tells us what we can become as we learn to cooperate with God’s grace. It even tells us that we can come to bear a resemblance to our heavenly Father because we are sharing in his very nature (2 Peter 1:4).

So while you’re formulating your New Year’s resolution today, ask Mary to guide you. Each day of this coming year, make it a point to remind yourself of who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Live as the son or daughter that you are. It will make your Mother very happy!

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