The Good Shepherd [April 29, 2012]

 

The Sunday Gospel [April 29, 2012]

John 10:11-18

11I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.13This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.14I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.17This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.This command I have received from my Father.” 

  

Reflection

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.” ~ Jesus in v. 14

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/).

Endless agony of the soul

[Diary 1116]

No one can understand or comprehend, nor can I myself describe, my torments. But there can be no sufferings greater than this. The sufferings of the martyrs are not greater because, at such times, death would be a relief for me. There is nothing to which I can compare these sufferings, this endless agony of the soul.

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 the Disciples in Jerusalem [April 22, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [April 22, 2012]

Luke 24:35-48

35Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43he took it and ate it in front of them. 44He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.

Reflection

“He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” ~ v. 45

We all love to have our minds stretched in new directions. There is nothing more exciting than listening to someone who can open up new horizons in our understanding. This is one way to describe how the apostles must have felt after Jesus appeared and “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” But something more than learning was going on here.
When Jesus opened the apostles’ minds, he lifted up their hearts as well. He gave them spiritual revelation about God’s plan of salvation, opening up for them the mystery of redemption in ways that their own human minds could never have grasped. And this revelation filled their hearts with love.

Because he was preparing his apostles for ministry, he wanted them to be clear. He wanted to impress upon them the fact that his gospel is about power from on high. It is not just moral teaching or a set of intellectual propositions. He wanted them to proclaim that his gospel means letting his Holy Spirit fill them and open their minds.

And it worked! For the rest of their lives, the apostles – and Paul and so many others after them – preached this message. Even today we can receive God’s revelation. Our minds can be opened by the same grace that opened the apostles’ minds – grace from heaven.

Today at Mass is a perfect opportunity to experience God lifting you up. When you receive the Eucharist ask Jesus to open your heart. When you hear the readings, let the Holy Spirit fill your mind. As you kneel and pray after communion, know that Christ is in you, and that he is your hope of glory. God loves to stretch our minds, and what better way to experience it than at the table of the Lord!

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

I desire that you accompany Me when I go to the sick

[Diary 183]

One morning after Holy Communion, I heard this voice, I desire that you accompany Me when I go to the sick. I answered that I was quite willing, but after a moment of reflection I started wondering how I was going to do so; the sisters of the second choir[61] do not accompany the Blessed Sacrament. It is always the sister-directresses who go. I thought to myself: Jesus will find a way. Shortly afterwards, Mother Raphael sent for me and said, "Sister, you will accompany the Lord Jesus when the priest goes to visit the sick." And all through the time of my probation I carried the light, accompanying the Lord and, as a knight of Jesus, 1 always tried to gird myself with an iron belt,[62] for it would not be proper to accompany the King in everyday dress. And I offered this mortification for the sick.

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 [April 15, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [Divine Mercy Sunday - April 15, 2012]

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.

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

The Feast of Mercy: Refuge and shelter for all souls

[Diary 699]

"On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be ale to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of 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 Empty Tomb [April 8, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [Easter Sunday - April 8, 2012]

John 20:1-9

1On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.  2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Reflection

“They did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” ~ v. 9

What a humble statement! Here is John, the beloved apostle, admitting that he hadn’t yet grasped the truth that Jesus would rise from the dead. And not only John but Peter and the other disciples doubted that possibility. Even Mary Magdalene, who saw the empty tomb, supposed that someone had stolen Jesus’ body (John 20:2).

Now, Jesus had told his disciples this would happen (Matthew 16:21). They saw him raise other people from death (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:38-44). They believed in Jesus. They trusted him. They even confessed him as the Son of God. But as you might imagine, the idea of a resurrection is not the easiest thing to believe!

All that changed, however, when they found themselves face-to-face with the risen Lord. Actually seeing Jesus alive convinced them. It filled them with faith and gave them the boldness they needed to build the church.

So here we are celebrating Easter two thousand years later. Unlike the apostles, most of us have not seen Jesus. We have to trust in him based on the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the proclamation of the church, and the teachings we find in Scripture. But we do have one thing that the apostles didn’t have: the witness of their lives! We have the stories of how fully they devoted themselves to Jesus. We have the accounts of their sacrifices for the church, the persecutions they endured, and even the martyrdom that many of them suffered, Would they really go through all of this just to keep a ”myth” alive? Not likely!

Today, as we celebrate Easter, let’s listen to the witness of the apostles. They met Jesus, and they found new boldness and courage to believe. Surely, if it happened to them, it can happen to us!

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

I thirst for the salvation of souls

[Diary 1032] 

+ During Holy Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His Heart. After some time, He said, I thirst. I thirst for the salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners.

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".