Monthly Archives: February 2014

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

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Monday, 24th February – Monday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: Mark 9: 14-29

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Over and over again, the Bible makes us understand that nothing is impossible with God (Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26). God is our almighty Father, who created the heavens and earth and in whom all things exist. This realization is one that many Christians have as they have seen God act in marveling ways, defying any human explanation.

Today however, Jesus gives us another dimension to this age old truth: everything is possible to him who has faith (Mark 9:23). Although this is very much like the earlier expression, there is a difference. While the earlier expression puts the possibility in the hands of God, where it indeed rightfully belongs; the latter expression puts the actualization of this truth in the hands of men like you and I. This implies that although God has all the power in His hands, we would not benefit from His immense power if we do not put our faith and trust absolutely in Him. The father of the child in today’s reading asked Jesus to heal his son if he could. The boy’s problem has been on for years and the father sincerely desired a solution but was not absolutely sure Jesus could heal his son. Jesus’ response showed that God’s power is constant but the man’s faith was needed to activate God’s power to heal the boy.

Dear friend, what is that “impossible” situation you are tackling? What is that earnest desire of yours that seems unattainable due to the circumstances around you? Today, Jesus calls you to simply have faith in Him. He invites you to call out to Him in prayer with complete confidence (Mark 9:29) and with the expectation of an answer (James 1: 7-8, Matthew 7:7). When we pray, but still have doubts rising in our minds, like the boy’s father in our reading, let us ask Jesus to help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). Only then will we really experience the truth that everything is possible to him who has faith.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I trust in your infinite power. Please help me to approach you in faith when I face difficult situations. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2610 – Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives thanks before receiving his gifts, so he teaches us filial boldness. “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will.” Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: “all things are possible to him who believes.” Jesus is as saddened by the “lack of faith” of his own neighbours and the “little faith” of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will” Mark 11:24 RSV-CE

Readings for today: James 3: 13-18; Psalm 19: 8-10, 15; Mark 9: 14-29

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BE HOLY!

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Sunday, 23rd February – 7th Sunday of the year

Reflection: Leviticus 19: 1-2; 17-18

BE HOLY!

“Holiness” is a word that many of us, young people do not really want to be associated with. For us, it as an old fashioned word that describes a way of life which denies us of the pleasures of our youth. However, holiness is in fact, what we are called to as Christians. The first reading gives us God’s injunction to His children: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Holiness is an attribute of our Father in Heaven whom we must resemble just as we resemble our earthly parents in various ways. Dear friends, rather than dampening the joy and excitement of our youthful age, holiness helps us to know and enjoy this joy and excitement in a way that pleases our Heavenly Father who loves us so much and in whose hands lies our future.

Holiness means keeping ourselves free from all sinful affections. It demands a conscious desire and effort on our part to live in the righteousness that we have received at our Baptism. Hence, though we are saved through God’s grace and not by any effort on our part (Ephesians 2: 8-9), we must walk in holiness if we are to persevere in that grace we have received at Baptism and ultimately be united with our Father eternally. Leviticus 19: 17-18 gives us an example of what holiness entails – a life of love and forgiveness towards our neighbor (Leviticus 19: 17). In addition, we, as baptized Catholics are the temple of God, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. It is our duty to keep this temple holy otherwise, we bring destruction upon ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:17).

Dear friends, let us today, make a decision to be holy. All God demands is our sincere desire for holiness and then He will supply all the grace we need to be Holy. Let us approach Him in confession when we fall and receive the sanctifying grace He gives in the Holy Eucharist. Then, you and I can indeed “be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) “Holiness is not the luxury of a few people, but a simple duty for you and me”

BL. TERESA OF CALCUTTA (1910-1997)

PRAYER: Loving Father, Please help me to daily desire to please you and fill me with the grace that I may not be contaminated by the evil that surrounds me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 342 – Are we all supposed to become “saints”?

Yes. The purpose of our life is to be united with God in love and to correspond entirely to God’s wishes. We should allow God “to live his life in us” (Mother Teresa). That is what it means to be holy: a “saint”.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Strive for peace with all men and strive to be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord” Hebrews 12:14 CCB

Readings for today: Leviticus 19: 1-2; 17-18; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-13; 1 Corinthians 3: 16-23

PROUD TO BE CATHOLICS!

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Saturday, 22nd February – Feast of Saint Peter’s Chair

Reflection: Matthew 16: 13-19

PROUD TO BE CATHOLICS!

Today’s feast, the Feast of Saint Peter’s Chair is one that should bring us great joy and a sense of pride as Catholics. It reminds us that we are members of the one Church established by Christ Himself and built on the foundation of the Apostles. While you may know several Church founders and see invitations for “Church anniversaries” in your locality; your own Church founder is Christ Himself and her anniversary is celebrated each year too. When? At the Feast of Pentecost!

In today’s reading, Christ promises to build his Church on Peter. The name “Peter” in Greek or “Cephas” in Aramaic means “rock”. While the Apostle’s original name was Simon, Jesus gave him this new name “Peter” on the very first day He saw him (John 1:42), symbolizing his role as the head of the Church. This leadership role is seen in Jesus actions on different occasions and in the early Church (Mark 16:7; John 21:15-17; Acts 2:14-42; Acts 10). This leadership role and the authority to bind and loose (Matthew 16: 18-19) has been passed down through the generations in an unbroken succession to the present pope, Pope Francis.

Dear friends, we are indeed privileged to be Catholics. But how much you and I enjoy this privilege depends on how much we avail ourselves of the opportunity to benefit from the great treasures the Church offers us. Take time to study your Bible, study the Church’s teachings, read good Catholic literature, attend Masses often and partake in the Sacraments wholeheartedly. Deepen your friendship with God and ask Him to make you a better Catholic Christian. You cannot KNOW the Catholic Church and LEAVE the Catholic Church. Know your faith and live your faith, only then can the privilege of being Catholic be truly rewarding.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the privilege to belong to your one holy Church. Please help me to deepen my love for you and my knowledge and faith in your Church so that I may not miss out on the graces you offer me daily. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 141 – What is the Pope’s responsibility?

As successor of St. Peter and head of the college of bishops, the POPE is the source and guarantor of the CHURCH’S unity. He has the supreme pastoral authority and the final authority in doctrinal and disciplinary decisions.

HIDE A TREASURE: “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20 RSV-CE

Readings for today: 1Peter 5: 1-4; Psalm 23: 1-6; Matthew 16: 13-19

FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS

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Friday, 21st February – Friday of week 6 of the year

Reflection: James 2:14-24, 26

FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS

By faith man completely submits his intellect and will to God. This is called “the Obedience of Faith”. To obey in faith is to submit freely to the Word that has been heard, because its truth can be guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. By faith, Abraham set out for a country that would be given to him as an inheritance, even without knowing where he was going, but rest assured that God is faithful. By faith, Abraham went out to offer Isaac, though he had received the promise that: Isaac’s descendants will bear your name… (Hebrews 11: 8, 17-19). Thus, faith is not hearing alone or limited to the heart alone, rather, it spurs the receiver into action. For faith is alive and active.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Our faith grows in the proportion with which we dwell in God’s word. The more we know about God’s promises, the more we can base our faith on them. However, our faith does not end on hearing the word alone, this word should move us into action (Matthew 7:24-27). Since faith is a gift of God, (Matthew 16:17) man needs the interior help of the Holy Spirit in order to believe. We cannot claim to have faith in God with no good work to show our faith. Our fathers in faith, in the Bible and Church history, have shown us their faith by their life.

Today, Christ calls us to examine ourselves; how well have I developed my faith in God by prayers and studying His word? How well have I stood for righteousness even when it costs me a lot? How well have I put my faith into action in my life, my studies, my work, or the challenges that comes my way? Having examined ourselves, let us pray for the grace to live out our faith.

PRAYER: Lord, please increase my faith in you and help me to daily live my faith. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 142: MAN’S RESPONSE TO GOD

By His revelation, “the invisible God, from the fullness of his love, addresses men as his friends, and moves among them, in order to invite and receive them into his own company.” The adequate response to this invitation is Faith.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Remember what happened to your ancestors. Who has ever trusted in the Lord and been confounded? Who has persevered in fear of the Lord and been abandoned? Who has called upon Him and not been heard?” Sirach 2:10 CCB

Readings for today: James 2:14-24, 26, Psalm 112:1-6, Mark 8:34-9:1