“Cup” Instead of “Chalice” And More on Crucifixes
CUP instead of Chalice
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: Why does the second response to the celebrant’s invitation, “The mystery of faith” retain the term “cup” instead of “chalice” as contained in the words of consecration? Is this an error in translation or is it correct? — T.A., Makurdi, Nigeria
A: I was not involved in the translation so, to be quite honest, anything I say will be speculative at best.
The text says: “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.”
It is unlikely to have been a simple oversight or a cut-and-paste job because the acclamation has been changed. The former translation said: “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.”
The new translation of this text is generally more accurate even though in this case the Latin calicem is translated “cup” instead of “chalice” as is done elsewhere in the missal.
By keeping the word “cup,” it is probable that the translator wanted to follow as close as possible the original inspiration for this acclamation in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28:
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup.”
Practically all English-language Bibles translate the Greek poterion as “cup” rather than chalice, as current English attributes a technical meaning to this word which it did not have in the original. In a similar vein the word calicem in Latin can refer to many drinking and cooking vessels and not just those reserved for liturgical use.
These memorial acclamations constitute a novelty within the Latin rite, and they were only introduced with the liturgical reform. With the removal of the acclamation “Christ has died …,” which was found only in the English missal, the remaining three are basically scriptural quotes.
For this reason I think the translator is justified in following here the commonly accepted biblical translation while translating the same word as “chalice” in the texts that manifest the Church’s 2,000-year development of her liturgical traditions.
Although respecting the biblical text is probably the principal reason for retaining “cup,” the translator may also have been influenced by a desire to allow continued use of melodies already well-known by the faithful who often sing this part of the Mass. The addition of an extra syllable would likely make this particular text a bit more difficult to manage.
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Follow-up: Covering the Crucifix
There were several inquiries regarding the crucifix (see Dec. 20). A reader from Zambia asked which direction the figure of Christ should face when the cross is placed upon the altar itself or when the processional cross is used as the altar cross. Answer: In both cases the figure of Christ should face toward the celebrant. This is the current practice for papal Masses in Rome.
When there is a large crucifix present behind or suspended above the altar, there is no need for other crosses to be placed upon or near the altar itself.
A figure of the Risen Lord or any other similar image of Christ does not substitute the crucifix.
The crucifix, however, may adopt any of several historical styles. As well as the more common form of a dying or deceased Christ, it is possible to use an image of the Regal Christ. This image has the Savior with arms outstretched on the cross but alive, fully robed and sometimes wearing a kingly crown as the one who reigns from the cross. According to art historians, this form of representing Christ crucified was quite common until the Middle Ages, when the more dramatic images of the dying Christ became more popular in art and devotion.
This question arose with the beginning of Mass facing the people. Beforehand, both people and celebrant always faced toward the crucifix. The source for the answer is a clarification published in Latin in the review Notitiae in 1966. Although Notitiae is hard to find, the website www.ipsissima-verba.org has performed an invaluable service in publishing the most important responses and clarifications issued by this review which is the official organ of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Not all of the replies have the same legal force, and some are outdated, but the fact that the material is available on the web saves a lot time in the library.
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Readers may send questions to liturgy@zenit.org. Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and your state, province or country. Father McNamara can only answer a small selection of the great number of questions that arrive.
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WEEKLY INSULIN (22 January 2012)
22.01.2012
WeeklyINSULIN…
Dear DailyBOOST, BoostFLAKES & WeeklyINSULIN Friends!
Here is our WeeklyINSULIN! We need insulin to burn down the sugar… I am sure we all have some SpiritualSUGAR that prevents us from tasting God’s Sweet Words and from enjoying Jesus in our life!
“O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him”.
PSALM 34, 8.
Here is our WeeklyINSULIN to burn down our SpiritualSUGAR every WEEKend to Strengthen our WEAKends! When we are Weak then we are made Strong through Jesus Christ!
“We can do all things well through Him who strengthens us”.
PHILIPPIANS 4, 13.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading: Jonah 3, 1-5. 10:
The Word of the Lord comes to Jonah the second time to go to Nineveh and proclaim God’s Message. Accordingly he announced to the people of Nineveh that in forty days Nineveh will be destroyed. The people of Nineveh believed God, they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, all of them…
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25, 4-5. 6-7. 8-9
Response: Teach Me Your Ways, O LORD!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7, 29-31:
Paul calls upon his fellow Christians to live prepared as the world is passing away: those who have wives as if they had none, those who mourn as though they were not mourning and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, though who buy as though they had no goods and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it!…
Feast: Sts. Vincent, Vincent Pallotti, Dietlinde and Walter (Birbeck)…
St. Vincent is the protomartyr of Spain. He was martyred during the 3rd century. He was only a deacon then. He did not give up his faith in spite of terrible tortures. St. Augustine has written several sermons about this saint.
Gospel: St. Mark 1, 14-20: The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry of Jesus…
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near and believe in the Gospel. Jesus calls Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee to be his disciples; they follow Jesus for a new venture of catching people instead of fish.
The Call of God to Holiness to all us includes the Call to be Fishers of Persons as Jesus invites us today. Catching people is much harder than that of catching fish. To do so one has to be with the Risen Lord who has promised to be with us all through our lives of strife and turmoil. The first disciples of Jesus were ordinary people and some consider them to be simple and may be even useless. It is not so dear friend! The disciples were trained and competent in their own trade be it a fisherman or tax collector. They were well-off in their own way! No one who is lazy can answer to the Call of the Messiah. Jesus recognizes the talent, zeal and perseverance in such people and calls them. Even the figures in the Bible whom God called to lead His People, the Saints of the Church whom God used as His Worthy Instruments to reform the Church were so. The disciples left their old ways and followed Jesus to be with Him and to be sent out for their new endeavour in carrying out and fulfilling God’s Mission. We are now in the rung to leave our old ways and continue His Mission. Let us read, reflect, assimilate and execute God’s Will and Plan in our day to day life situation. We need to be with Him in order to fulfill His Mission. We need to be with the Word of God, knowing, loving and witnessing to the Truth amidst this worldly distractions and temptations. He is with us! With Jesus in our boats we can smile at the storm! Rather, we need to allow Him to enter our lives, our being when every time we receive Him through the Eucharist when He comes into us through His Body and Blood. Allow Him not to become ourselves but Allow ourselves to become Him, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour in order to be Jesus to others and see Jesus in others. This is the True Christian Life and Calling! Here we need to say like St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me…(St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 2, 20). Now we are ready to be FISHERS OF PERSONS!
Let us take a verse for a day and reflect on our lives for the coming week:
- 1. John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel…(v.14)
Jesus did not preach until His time had come. He prepared Himself for this time, the Will and Plan of God. When John was arrested He knew that His time had come and to continue God Mission from John to prepare His People to Respond to God’s Call to Holiness. He comes into Galilee preaching the Gospel… Do we understand God’s Will, Plan and Time in our life? Are we ready to continue God’s Mission which the Saints served in their own little way?
- 2. Time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and Believe in the Gospel…(v.15)
Jesus knew that the time has come for the Salvation of Many and invites others to participate in this Salvation. To be part of this Mission one has to repent and believe in the Gospel which is Jesus Himself … Are we aware that Jesus is the True Gospel to be accepted and to be preached? Are we ready to taste Him and let others know how ‘Good’ the Lord is?
- 3. Passing by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon & Andrew… casting a net… for they were fishermen…(v.16)
Jesus was passing by and not sitting or waiting for someone to come to Him. He went in search! Simon & Andrew were casting a net and were in activity. They were not lazy or wiling away their time! They did their duty in life what they were made for and trained in. They were fully alive and active!… Are we fully alive and active in whatever we undertake? Do we play a mediocre role and shun our duties and responsibilities?
- 4. Follow Me and I will make you become Fishers of Men(People)…(v.17)
As we see in the introduction, it is difficult to follow Jesus or to become fishers of People. But He promises to be with us and being with the Master we can learn to be like Him in fulfilling God’s Commandment of Love… Are we prepared to leave our old ways and follow Him and be like Him? Are we ready to lead others to God and to enjoy the True Salvation?
- 5. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him…(v.18)
No Master would expect a disciple to follow him immediately; one gives time for a disciple to decide or even rejects the unworthy ones from following. Jesus calls and they left everything that gave a livelihood and followed Him. This is True Discipleship! … Do we bargain with God’s Call or do we forget our own selfish ways and follow Him fully, knowingly and willingly?
- 6. Going on a little farther, he saw James & John…. in their boat mending their nets…(v.19)
Jesus does not stop with Simon and Andrew. He goes in search! Finding James and John, He calls them too. He is not satisfied with the little. He wants more labourers into the Vineyard of God, the Father and this is why He asks us to the pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more labourers! (Matthew 9, 37) Not just quantity! He finds them busy mending their nets. He wants quality people!… Are we satisfied with little or do we always aim for things beyond? Are we quality people having self-worth and confidence to carry out the tasks entrusted to us in the best way possible making the maximum efforts to achieve our goal?
- 7. Immediately He called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him…(v.20)
Jesus never waits but calls them immediately and they too respond without a second word! Probably, they know him as one of their relatives or as a Man of God but still it is noteworthy of their total surrender! They were busy but still left their work and even their father with the hired servants and followed Him. This also shows their power and status in life of having some people under them, where such a call can always be held on for some time or be rejected. Here, we see also the goodness of the disciples, in not just leaving their dad alone but with some hired servants who could probably replace them in helping their dad and the work to be accomplished… Are we able to make the right decisions without delay? Are we concerned about our loved ones? Do we make alternative arrangements when we are not able to attend to some of our responsibilities or do we shirk and neglect?
Dear Friend,
We see all around us, in the world today, many Developments & Progress in one angle and the other towards destruction & decline! Who is responsible? We do not know! All we know is only that we can intercede for the salvation of many. This is a time, when God wants each one of us to make reparation for our own sins and that of the world. In particular, Jesus has chosen St. Faustina Kowalska, to lead the world into His Divine Mercy. This Devotion to the Divine Mercy is spreading everywhere, bringing the faithful people of God, to pray for God’s Mercy for oneself and for that of the other fellow-humans of the world. Why then, we need to remain dormant. Let us join hands with such people, come to know more about this special devotion, and pray to the Abba Father, through his Son Jesus, the Lord of the Divine Mercy, in the Holy Spirit, for each one of us & for the whole world!
the Life of Faustina Kowalska
by Sr. Sophia Michalenko CMGT.
Continuation… Coming soon in February 2012… The Early Years (1905-1925)… Housemaid… The Call…
MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA
“Come, Come, Save – Bring Us To Jesus!”
The Life of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta…
Mother Teresa was born on 26th August 1910 in the city of Skopje, which today is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Her parents, Nikola and Drana Bojaxhiu, were fervent Catholics from Albania. They had her baptized the day after she was born and gave her the name Gonxha Agnes. Gonxha means “flower bud” in the Albanian language. She was the youngest of the five children. Her eldest sister’s age was seven at that time, and her brother Lazar was two years old. The two other children had died as infants.
The life was pleasant for the Bojaxhiu children. Their father was a merchant and owned a shop not far from their home. He was also a respected member of the town council. Their mother, whom they affectionately called “Nane Loke”, meaning “mother of my soul” in Albanian, was truly the soul of the Bojaxhiu home. She was a devout women who taught her children to pray to God from their earliest years and to know and love Him. They also learned from her what it means to love one’s neighbor: anyone who came to her for help was never turned away. Nane Loke was strict with her children because she loved them and wanted them to be good and upright. She did not allow them to speak badly about others. She taught them not to waste things or time, never to tell lies and to be careful to choose good friends.
To be Continued…
Carry Jesus to them (The Poor) – Fear not. Teach them to pray the Rosary – the family Rosary – and all will be well. Fear not – Jesus and I will be with you and your children!
MY NEW SONG COMPOSITION ACCORDING TO OUR REFLECTIONS TODAY…
To Know the Lord Jesus Christ
To Know Him and to Love Him – (2)
We are the Witness of Jesus Christ
We ought to Know Him and Love Him – (2) (To Know the Lord…)
John 3, 16… God so loved the world
That He sent His Only Begotten Son – (2)
John 10, 10… Jesus came to give us Life to the Full… (To Know the Lord…)
Prayer Requests:
I thank you for your continual prayers offered for me! Kindly, send in your prayer requests, which I can place here, & make many people who receive this mail, to pray for you & your intentions.
Kindly, continue to pray for me, as I am the Youth Director of the Port Blair Diocese of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. May the Lord use me as His worthy instrument in whatever way possible to make the Beatitudes come true in the lives of many young people and help them to respond to God’s Call to Holiness. Praise the LORD!
Kindly, pray for Our Beloved Bp. Alex Dias sfx. Who celebrates his Anniversary of Episcopal Consecration & Ordination (20th January 2012) having served as a Shepherd of the Port Blair Diocese of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for 27 fruit-filled years. Pray for the Diocese and the Cathedral of Port Blair ‘STELLA MARIS’ which celebrates its 25 years SLIVER JUBILEE of its foundation. The Apostolic Nuncio to India His Excellency Archbishop Most Rev. SALVATORE PENNACCHIO presides over the celebrations with the Archbishop of Ranchi His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo and the other Bishops of Gumla & Ranchi. Pray that the Lord may bless His Church with more Labourers in His Vineyard, in particular the Diocese of Port Blair at this juncture.
Let us pray for the following confrere’ of the Salesian Congregation who celebrate their birthdays this week:
January 21: Fr. BOSCO Francis SDB.
Fr. XAVIER Satheesh SDB.
January 22: N. GNANASEKAR Nithiyan SDB.
January 23: Fr. KENNEDY John SDB.
Bro. FRANCIS Arokiadoss SDB.
January 25: Fr. LOURDUSAMY Arokiadoss SDB.
January 29: Fr. SAVARINATHAN John Britto SDB.
Bro. JAYARAJ Arulappan SDB.
Praise the LORD!
Praying For You!
Yours Affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. X. Peter Francis SDB
+91 95318 47247
Sms to me to receive DailyBOOST & BoostFLAKES…
Kindly, forward the numbers & email ids of your friends who wish to receive the same…
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4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
29 January 2012
The Readings:
Deut 18:15-20
Ps 95:1-2, 6-9
1 Cor 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28
The Authority of CHRIST
This Sunday’s Gospel reading illustrates the authority of Jesus. If we truly accept and understand his authority over our lives, we can rejoice in the Lord even when life hands us hardships.
Why? Because we know that Christ’s authority is supreme, which means that everything we’ve placed under his authority will produce good fruits. Even bad situations will be transformed into blessings. Tragedies will be changed into triumphs. Sorrows will be transfigured into joy. Frustrations will lay the groundwork for new growth, new knowledge, and a greater ability to minister to others.
However, if we reject Christ’s authority by acting as if we’re the ones in charge, deciding for ourselves how to end a problem or how and when to escape from a hardship, our problems will only get worse. This is called “moral relativism.” Pope Benedict often speaks up against it: He defines relativism as “allowing oneself to be carried about with every wind of ‘doctrine’…” (April 19, 2005).
The path to joy has been forged by the footsteps of Jesus. To benefit from his authority over evil and over human sufferings, we have to follow his example and obey his teachings. This means choosing to trust him, realizing that his ways are the best ways even when they’re unpleasant ways. It means that we’re willing to reach resurrection glory by going through the cross with Jesus.
There are no successful shortcuts to the triumphant victory that awaits us. There is no easy way to overcome evil. If this were not true, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die on a cross.
The good news – the reason why we can rejoice – is that the most loving, most powerful, most wise One in the universe is using his supreme authority on our behalf. The question is: Will we submit to it?
Questions for Personal Reflection:
In what ways are you still rejecting Christ’s authority by trying to do things your own way? Which Church teachings have you been rejecting because you’ve decided to live by your own rules? Are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit to change your mind on these matters and teach you the value of Christ’s ways?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
In what ways do Christians often reject Christ’s authority in favor of defining their own rules? Why? What are the apparent risks to living completely under Christ’s strict authority? How can we replace these risks with a sense of safety?
3RD Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
REST with JESUS
22 January 2012
The Readings:
Jonah 3:1-5,10
Ps 25:4-9
1 Cor 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
REST WITH JESUS
This Sunday’s Gospel reading is a call to surrender ourselves fully to God. “NOW is the time of fulfillment” – not just 2000 years ago, not at the Second Coming of Christ, but right now in your life where you need Jesus the most.
“The kingdom of God is at hand” – what you need from the Lord is right here, at hand, ready for you.
“Repent, and believe in the gospel” means “Come follow Me and learn from Me to become like Me.” For the first disciples, it meant dropping whatever they were doing to spend so much time with Jesus that their whole lives were forever affected. And this is what it means for you and for me: We have to put aside our own agendas and overly busy schedules to spend more time following Jesus wherever he leads us.
In the modern world, we have become more dependent on our technological devises than on Jesus. Many of us cannot even go on vacation without remaining accessible to their employers via the cell phone. Somehow, we need to find a way to take a stand against this. It’s one of the social justice teachings of the Church: We are actually called by God to rebel against working on Sundays and other days of rest. Why? Because we need to spend that time with Jesus quietly being restored and re-energized.
Unfortunately, Jesus doesn’t walk through the door and circle dates on our calendar and write “Rest with Jesus” on it so that we can plan ahead. We have to follow his lead at a moment’s notice – every moment. To experience the kingdom of God on the earthly side of heaven, we have to be willing to drop everything to follow Jesus into unfamiliar places at unexpected times. We have to learn to follow his lead even in situations where his way is the surprising way.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What’s on your to-do list? What keeps you busy? What are your goals for the future? What are you dreaming of? If Jesus has a different plan for your day or for your life, how easily could you switch over to new ideas and plans?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
What are some of the nets you’ve abandoned in the past in order to follow Jesus? How difficult was that to do? Are you happy about it now? Why? How was this an experience of the kingdom of God on earth?
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
what are you looking for?
15 January 2012
The Readings:
1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19
Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
John 1:35-42
What are you looking for?
Like Jesus did to Simon Peter in this Sunday’s Gospel passage, he says to you and to each of us: “What are you looking for?” When you pray, and when you look at a crucifix, or when you see a picture of Jesus, WHAT exactly are you looking for?
Jesus says: “Come and see!” Come and see what? His love? His healing power? His supernatural ability to answer our prayers? Whatever we’re looking for, the reason we’re seeking it is because we don’t yet have it.
Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise by God the Father. Jesus is the fullness of love, the provider of mercy, the divine healer, the perfect mediator of all our prayers and concerns, and everything else we truly need. So, why does it feel like something is still missing? Why do our lives feel incomplete? Why do our prayers seem unanswered?
The answer is revealed in what happened after Peter began to follow Jesus. We read about it in Samuel’s response to God’s invitation. We proclaim it in the Responsorial Psalm: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Peter was privileged to witness first-hand the wondrous miracles of Jesus. He personally experienced God’s love through the gentle eyes of Jesus, the tone of kindness in his voice, and the forgiveness that was visible in his smile.
Yet with all of this, Peter did not really find all that he was looking for – remember how easily he felt afraid or confused or uncertain – until he was on the giving end of it. He didn’t discovered the fullness of Jesus until Jesus was no longer present in the flesh and Peter accepted the call to continue Christ’s earthly ministry.
The same is true for us who have never seen Jesus’ actual eyes or heard his actual voice. We find what we’re seeking when we give it to others. Why? Because then we discover that we really had it all along! This is the miracle of “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What do you need from Jesus that he doesn’t seem to be providing yet? At the core of your prayer requests, what is it you’re really seeking? How can you find it by doing the will of God? Contemplate this question until you figure out something to DO. Then do it and see what happens.
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Describe a time when you gave away what you thought you didn’t have. Perhaps it was money or something even more valuable, such as time. Perhaps it was patience or hope or love itself. How were you doing the will of God? What happened to your own needs afterward?
The Baptism of the Lord – B
The BAPTISM of our LORD
8 January 2012
The Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 or Isaiah 55:1-11
Ps 29:1-4,9-10 or Isaiah 12:2-6
Acts 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9
Mark 1:7-11
Why was Jesus baptized? He wasn’t in need of repentance. Why, for that matter, did Jesus do anything at all? Not just to save us from our sins by dying on the cross! There is so much more to Jesus than that.
Jesus united himself to sinners. First he humbled himself to become one of us, a human being living with the same needs we have every day. Then he surrendered himself to the baptismal water so that when we are baptized, he is there in the water with us, raising us up to a new life, the holy life, everlasting life.
Everything that Jesus did shows us by example who we are: what the Father created us to be like and how we are to live as children of God. When Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon him and the Father said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” he showed us by example what happens at every person’s baptism.
The Holy Spirit descended upon YOU and the Father said about YOU: “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased!”
Baptismal water is the womb of God from which we are reborn into his family and his ministry. When we bless ourselves with drops from holy water fonts, making the sign of the cross, we renew our baptisms.
In the Jordan River, Jesus was reborn from ordinary life to a life of ministry. Baptism does that for us, too. Is there some repentance you need to do so that you can be reborn more fully into what the Father created you to do – your divine purpose, the ministry he has called you to do?
Let us begin the Church Season of Ordinary Time with a renewal of our baptismal purification and commitment, so that we may be renewed as followers of Christ in holiness and in ministry:
Do you reject Satan?
And all his works?
And all his empty promises?
Do you believe in God,
the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Next, use the following prayer (or one of your own):
“Dear God, I am a sinner. I sometimes fail to put You first in my life. Forgive me. Change me. Renew me. To demonstrate that I mean it, that I truly want You to be Lord of my life completely, I will do a special act, just as Jesus put his life fully into the Father’s hands by surrendering to John’s baptism and allowing his own rebirth. The act that I choose to do is __________. Amen!”
And God the Father says of you:
“This is my beloved son/daughter; with him/her I am well pleased!”
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What do you know about your baptism? When was it? Where? Who was there? Was there a party? Think beyond the obvious: Who of the saints and angels were there? What kind of party did they celebrate over your baptism – and why?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Share with your group what you know about the people and place and celebration of your baptism. How did this Sacrament affect your life as the years went by? Why does this mean that the Father is pleased with you?
NEW YEAR 2012 -B
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Of God
1 January2012
The Readings:
Num 6:22-27
Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Gal 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21
BE BLESSED, BE A BLESSING
This Sunday is a very special opportunity to consecrate the new year to the Mother of Christ, opening ourselves to her protection and help, and asking God to make this a year of many blessings.
In the first reading, God teaches Moses how to pass blessings onto others. Today’s responsorial psalm includes a request for God to bless us. The second reading describes the greatest blessing we’ve received: our adoption by God the Father, who has made available to us every blessing under the heavens and in heaven.
The people who heard the testimony of the shepherds in the Gospel reading were amazed. How often are you amazed by the Lord? Awe comes from recognizing the presence of Jesus in everything we see, do, hear, etc. With Jesus, we’re even blessed in situations that feel like curses, because he is guiding us through it.
To experience this, we have to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times. Look past the problems: There is the victorious Jesus already working on your behalf! He was born for your sake and gave up his life for you; of course he is also doing everything else that will provide God’s goodness to you!
Look past your emotional reactions to hardships: There is the peace of Christ! It’s available when you decide to trust in the love and the wisdom of Christ.
Look past the person who is sinning against you: There is Jesus comforting you! He is trying to kiss your wounds and heal your heart. He speaks to you through scripture, through Holy Mass, through perhaps a counselor, and many other ways. This is available when you choose to forgive.
In every situation, keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can see his hand reaching toward you, offering to bless you.
We can learn from Mary how to look past the obvious and see God’s hidden blessings. When Mary looked at the shepherds, did she see scruffy, stinky, unkempt strangers barging in? Of course not. She saw numerous blessings.
Look at the scruffy people in your own life – through Mary’s eyes. How many blessings do you see?
Mary the Mother of God our Savior is also our Mother now, and she wants to be part of your life to show you the countless blessings that come from knowing her Son: blessings that await you as you follow Jesus, and blessings you already have because Jesus is at your side right now. Ask for Mary’s help in keeping your focus on Jesus throughout the new year.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
Count your blessings. Make a list of everything that’s good in your life, including past blessings that give you warm, happy memories. The Lord has done great things for you. How does this reassure you today? What will you do this year to become more aware of God’s blessings?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Name the blessings of the Christmas Season. In what ways has Mary revealed Jesus to you?
MAMA MARY LOVES YOU
Christmas – The Nativity of the Lord – B [2011]
The GOOD NEWS
25 December 2011
Readings for Mass at Midnight
Isaiah 9:1-6
Ps 96:1-3, 11-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
Readings for Mass at Dawn
Isaiah 62:11-12
Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
Readings for Mass During the Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Ps 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
THE GOOD NEWS
This Sunday is Christmas. As we make our final preparations for it, let’s reflect on what it means to be part of the ministry of sharing the good news. Sharing the good news NOW specially to our beloved brothers and sisters who are suffering from the devastation of typhoon sendong is indeed a great challenge specially for those who receive the good news personally. Sharing the good news to our divided and confused country is another call for us to heed. It would be of great help if we ourselves experience GOD’S INCARNATION concretely and not just theoretically.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bear good news, announcing the way of salvation and saying, “Your God is King!” That’s how the scripture readings begin in the Mass for Christmas Day.
Midnight Mass tells us in the Gospel reading that angels passed the good news of Christ’s birth to nearby shepherds. In the Gospel reading for the Mass of Christmas Dawn, we see what the shepherds did after visiting the baby Jesus: They told others about him, and “all who heard were amazed.”
Today you are hearing the good news. It’s your turn to have the beautiful feet. The scriptures from Saturday’s Vigil Mass start with “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent … until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch.” And the responsorial Psalm has us declaring: “Forever I will sing of the goodness of the Lord.”
Who do you know personally that’s like Zion: someone who is suffering and needs vindication and victory? Perhaps it is you yourself! We must first receive the good news and understand what Jesus has done for us and is doing for us in today’s circumstances. Only then can we successfully help others.
What has amazed you about Jesus? Share that with those who need to be reassured that Jesus is amazing. Do you need that reassurance yourself? Open yourself to opportunities for connecting more closely to Jesus and his amazing love for you.
Here’s the good news: Jesus was born not only to save you from the destructive power of sin; he was born because he loves you and wants to heal your heartbreaks and guide you into a life full of victories.
The amazing presence of Christ comes to us at every Mass in the Eucharist. Although the little wafer of bread does not look like it contains the full presence of Jesus with all of his love for you, it is the Christmas gift that he wants to give you all year long. He is here for you.
Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist and in the words read at Mass, in the hymns, in gathering of the people, and in the teachings of the Church, because he is the good news, the way of salvation, the vindication we need and the goodness we long for. He is here for you!
Everyone longs for a savior, someone to rescue them and help them experience peace and healing and victory. The Eucharist unites us to Jesus so that we can receive him and share him. Now go out and spread that good news so that others can be amazed by Christ, too.
Read more...
4th Sunday of Advent – B
YES, LORD!
The Readings:
2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29
Rom 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38 YES, LORD!!! In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we’re shown how the mission of Christ affected the Virgin Mary even before Jesus was conceived in her womb. Three decades later, Jesus would become the Savior of the world. However, that is not when his salvation plan began. Jesus is God; he has always existed. He is the uncreated Divine Son, the Person of the Holy Trinity who, as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed during every Mass, was “born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.” His salvation plan could – and did – impact Mary since the moment of her own conception. In order for God to come into our world in the flesh, “for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” In other words, his Spirit totally bathed Mary in his pure, holy presence. Therefore, even though she could not understand how the promised Messiah could possibly be conceived within her, since she’d had no sexual relations, by the grace of God’s Spirit she could know that God was the one who was asking for it and God was the one who was doing it. That’s all she needed. All of us are called by God to carry the presence of Christ and birth him more fully into the world. What are you doing about it? How much are you fulfilling your divine destiny? Remember, he always empowers us to accomplish whatever he asks us to do. God knows what he’s doing when he calls us to continue what Mary began, and he is always trustworthy and dependable. There is nothing to fear, no reason to hold back from fulfilling our true destiny. Everything that God does is always good, even when his plan for our mission requires a journey through the cross. If we follow Christ, sooner or later we hang with him on the cross, because this is the best, the most effective way to achieve a victorious accomplishment that will make an eternal difference in the lives of many. With this in mind, when he asks us to do something for his kingdom, of course our answer is yes, right? Why wouldn’t it be? Of course we want to cooperate with his plan, and we say yes to his plan even when we don’t understand it nor see how God could possibly do what he says he’ll do. Often, we don’t feel like he can do what he’s planning to do through us, because we know we are weak, sinful, and unqualified. Don’t trust your feelings about it; trust God. Questions for Personal Reflection:
When was the last time you said to God, “But how can this be? You want me to do WHAT? I don’t understand why!” What were you afraid of? How strong was your trust in God? Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
When God chooses you for a task or responsibility, what helps you move from uncertainty or confusion or reluctance into saying “yes”? When the plans of God don’t make sense or they seem unpleasant, how do you overcome your reluctance? Read more...
3rd Sunday of Advent – B
TO TESTIFY TO THE LIGHT
11 December 2011
The Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54 (with Isaiah 61:10b)
1 Thes 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
A WITNESS
This Sunday’s Gospel reading tells us that John the Baptist came to “testify to the light.” What does this mean?
We know that Jesus is the Light of Truth that shines in the darkness to draw us to eternal life. And we know that his Spirit enlightens us in the truth so that we can be saved from our sinfulness and follow our Savior to heaven. But what was the testimony given by John? How did he testify to the light? And how does this affect our lives today?
John’s testimony was: “I am not the Christ. I am a voice. A voice in the wilderness. A voice in the desert.” And his testimony brings us to the Light of Christ by challenging us with: “Where is your life arid and dry? Listen! Christ is coming to meet you there! Make a bee-line to him! Stop wandering around! Repent, change, do whatever is necessary to look for Jesus so that you can find him. He is coming to you!”
We’ve all experienced times when Jesus seems distant, unavailable, not present to us when we need him. What has opened your eyes to his presence? Whose voice has turned you back to God? It’s time to do the same for others, to bring glad tidings to the poor (as it says in the reading from Isaiah), to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those who are held captive in their sins, and to announce how to be blessed by a close friendship with the Lord.
We all have the same testimony and the same calling as John had: We are all supposed to be voices crying out loud enough to be heard above the din of the world. Many souls are lost in the wilderness of confusion, hopelessness, pain, heartache, and despair, not to mention sinfulness. Can we rightfully ignore their needs? Is it loving to be so quiet that they cannot hear the truth? Certainly not! Someday we will have to explain to Jesus why we ignored our baptismal calling to be the voice that could have helped others find him.
What kind of a voice do you have? Because we have Christ within us, our very lives are the voice. How we handle trials, revealing our faith in Jesus, is a voice that’s audible to those who are lost in the wilderness. The more peace we have and the more love that we give, the louder is our cry.
Even if our vocal chords do not utter a single word, the way we live in the light is how we speak the truth of the light. The better we live the truth, the louder and clearer is our message.
What people choose to do with our message is up to them, but it’s up to us to speak it so that they’re given that choice.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
How has your life been changed by your faith in Jesus? What evil has been conquered, what darkness has been overcome? This is your testimony! Write a couple of pages about it to become more familiar with it. This will prepare you so that you can explain it to others when they ask you why you have faith.
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
How has the Spirit of the Lord anointed you? What gifts do you have that enable you to give to the poor (i.e., the financially poor or the emotionally starving or the spiritually hungry) or to heal the brokenhearted? How has God used you to provide liberty to captives and release to prisoners? How are these good deeds a testimony that teaches others about Jesus?
“Cup” Instead of “Chalice” And More on Crucifixes
CUP instead of Chalice
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: Why does the second response to the celebrant’s invitation, “The mystery of faith” retain the term “cup” instead of “chalice” as contained in the words of consecration? Is this an error in translation or is it correct? — T.A., Makurdi, Nigeria
A: I was not involved in the translation so, to be quite honest, anything I say will be speculative at best.
The text says: “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.”
It is unlikely to have been a simple oversight or a cut-and-paste job because the acclamation has been changed. The former translation said: “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.”
The new translation of this text is generally more accurate even though in this case the Latin calicem is translated “cup” instead of “chalice” as is done elsewhere in the missal.
By keeping the word “cup,” it is probable that the translator wanted to follow as close as possible the original inspiration for this acclamation in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28:
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup.”
Practically all English-language Bibles translate the Greek poterion as “cup” rather than chalice, as current English attributes a technical meaning to this word which it did not have in the original. In a similar vein the word calicem in Latin can refer to many drinking and cooking vessels and not just those reserved for liturgical use.
These memorial acclamations constitute a novelty within the Latin rite, and they were only introduced with the liturgical reform. With the removal of the acclamation “Christ has died …,” which was found only in the English missal, the remaining three are basically scriptural quotes.
For this reason I think the translator is justified in following here the commonly accepted biblical translation while translating the same word as “chalice” in the texts that manifest the Church’s 2,000-year development of her liturgical traditions.
Although respecting the biblical text is probably the principal reason for retaining “cup,” the translator may also have been influenced by a desire to allow continued use of melodies already well-known by the faithful who often sing this part of the Mass. The addition of an extra syllable would likely make this particular text a bit more difficult to manage.
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Follow-up: Covering the Crucifix
There were several inquiries regarding the crucifix (see Dec. 20). A reader from Zambia asked which direction the figure of Christ should face when the cross is placed upon the altar itself or when the processional cross is used as the altar cross. Answer: In both cases the figure of Christ should face toward the celebrant. This is the current practice for papal Masses in Rome.
When there is a large crucifix present behind or suspended above the altar, there is no need for other crosses to be placed upon or near the altar itself.
A figure of the Risen Lord or any other similar image of Christ does not substitute the crucifix.
The crucifix, however, may adopt any of several historical styles. As well as the more common form of a dying or deceased Christ, it is possible to use an image of the Regal Christ. This image has the Savior with arms outstretched on the cross but alive, fully robed and sometimes wearing a kingly crown as the one who reigns from the cross. According to art historians, this form of representing Christ crucified was quite common until the Middle Ages, when the more dramatic images of the dying Christ became more popular in art and devotion.
This question arose with the beginning of Mass facing the people. Beforehand, both people and celebrant always faced toward the crucifix. The source for the answer is a clarification published in Latin in the review Notitiae in 1966. Although Notitiae is hard to find, the website www.ipsissima-verba.org has performed an invaluable service in publishing the most important responses and clarifications issued by this review which is the official organ of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Not all of the replies have the same legal force, and some are outdated, but the fact that the material is available on the web saves a lot time in the library.
* * *
Readers may send questions to liturgy@zenit.org. Please put the word “Liturgy” in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and your state, province or country. Father McNamara can only answer a small selection of the great number of questions that arrive.
WEEKLY INSULIN (22 January 2012)
22.01.2012
WeeklyINSULIN…
Dear DailyBOOST, BoostFLAKES & WeeklyINSULIN Friends!
Here is our WeeklyINSULIN! We need insulin to burn down the sugar… I am sure we all have some SpiritualSUGAR that prevents us from tasting God’s Sweet Words and from enjoying Jesus in our life!
“O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him”.
PSALM 34, 8.
Here is our WeeklyINSULIN to burn down our SpiritualSUGAR every WEEKend to Strengthen our WEAKends! When we are Weak then we are made Strong through Jesus Christ!
“We can do all things well through Him who strengthens us”.
PHILIPPIANS 4, 13.
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading: Jonah 3, 1-5. 10:
The Word of the Lord comes to Jonah the second time to go to Nineveh and proclaim God’s Message. Accordingly he announced to the people of Nineveh that in forty days Nineveh will be destroyed. The people of Nineveh believed God, they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, all of them…
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25, 4-5. 6-7. 8-9
Response: Teach Me Your Ways, O LORD!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7, 29-31:
Paul calls upon his fellow Christians to live prepared as the world is passing away: those who have wives as if they had none, those who mourn as though they were not mourning and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, though who buy as though they had no goods and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it!…
Feast: Sts. Vincent, Vincent Pallotti, Dietlinde and Walter (Birbeck)…
St. Vincent is the protomartyr of Spain. He was martyred during the 3rd century. He was only a deacon then. He did not give up his faith in spite of terrible tortures. St. Augustine has written several sermons about this saint.
Gospel: St. Mark 1, 14-20: The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry of Jesus…
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near and believe in the Gospel. Jesus calls Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee to be his disciples; they follow Jesus for a new venture of catching people instead of fish.
The Call of God to Holiness to all us includes the Call to be Fishers of Persons as Jesus invites us today. Catching people is much harder than that of catching fish. To do so one has to be with the Risen Lord who has promised to be with us all through our lives of strife and turmoil. The first disciples of Jesus were ordinary people and some consider them to be simple and may be even useless. It is not so dear friend! The disciples were trained and competent in their own trade be it a fisherman or tax collector. They were well-off in their own way! No one who is lazy can answer to the Call of the Messiah. Jesus recognizes the talent, zeal and perseverance in such people and calls them. Even the figures in the Bible whom God called to lead His People, the Saints of the Church whom God used as His Worthy Instruments to reform the Church were so. The disciples left their old ways and followed Jesus to be with Him and to be sent out for their new endeavour in carrying out and fulfilling God’s Mission. We are now in the rung to leave our old ways and continue His Mission. Let us read, reflect, assimilate and execute God’s Will and Plan in our day to day life situation. We need to be with Him in order to fulfill His Mission. We need to be with the Word of God, knowing, loving and witnessing to the Truth amidst this worldly distractions and temptations. He is with us! With Jesus in our boats we can smile at the storm! Rather, we need to allow Him to enter our lives, our being when every time we receive Him through the Eucharist when He comes into us through His Body and Blood. Allow Him not to become ourselves but Allow ourselves to become Him, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour in order to be Jesus to others and see Jesus in others. This is the True Christian Life and Calling! Here we need to say like St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me…(St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 2, 20). Now we are ready to be FISHERS OF PERSONS!
Let us take a verse for a day and reflect on our lives for the coming week:
- 1. John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel…(v.14)
Jesus did not preach until His time had come. He prepared Himself for this time, the Will and Plan of God. When John was arrested He knew that His time had come and to continue God Mission from John to prepare His People to Respond to God’s Call to Holiness. He comes into Galilee preaching the Gospel… Do we understand God’s Will, Plan and Time in our life? Are we ready to continue God’s Mission which the Saints served in their own little way?
- 2. Time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and Believe in the Gospel…(v.15)
Jesus knew that the time has come for the Salvation of Many and invites others to participate in this Salvation. To be part of this Mission one has to repent and believe in the Gospel which is Jesus Himself … Are we aware that Jesus is the True Gospel to be accepted and to be preached? Are we ready to taste Him and let others know how ‘Good’ the Lord is?
- 3. Passing by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon & Andrew… casting a net… for they were fishermen…(v.16)
Jesus was passing by and not sitting or waiting for someone to come to Him. He went in search! Simon & Andrew were casting a net and were in activity. They were not lazy or wiling away their time! They did their duty in life what they were made for and trained in. They were fully alive and active!… Are we fully alive and active in whatever we undertake? Do we play a mediocre role and shun our duties and responsibilities?
- 4. Follow Me and I will make you become Fishers of Men(People)…(v.17)
As we see in the introduction, it is difficult to follow Jesus or to become fishers of People. But He promises to be with us and being with the Master we can learn to be like Him in fulfilling God’s Commandment of Love… Are we prepared to leave our old ways and follow Him and be like Him? Are we ready to lead others to God and to enjoy the True Salvation?
- 5. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him…(v.18)
No Master would expect a disciple to follow him immediately; one gives time for a disciple to decide or even rejects the unworthy ones from following. Jesus calls and they left everything that gave a livelihood and followed Him. This is True Discipleship! … Do we bargain with God’s Call or do we forget our own selfish ways and follow Him fully, knowingly and willingly?
- 6. Going on a little farther, he saw James & John…. in their boat mending their nets…(v.19)
Jesus does not stop with Simon and Andrew. He goes in search! Finding James and John, He calls them too. He is not satisfied with the little. He wants more labourers into the Vineyard of God, the Father and this is why He asks us to the pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more labourers! (Matthew 9, 37) Not just quantity! He finds them busy mending their nets. He wants quality people!… Are we satisfied with little or do we always aim for things beyond? Are we quality people having self-worth and confidence to carry out the tasks entrusted to us in the best way possible making the maximum efforts to achieve our goal?
- 7. Immediately He called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him…(v.20)
Jesus never waits but calls them immediately and they too respond without a second word! Probably, they know him as one of their relatives or as a Man of God but still it is noteworthy of their total surrender! They were busy but still left their work and even their father with the hired servants and followed Him. This also shows their power and status in life of having some people under them, where such a call can always be held on for some time or be rejected. Here, we see also the goodness of the disciples, in not just leaving their dad alone but with some hired servants who could probably replace them in helping their dad and the work to be accomplished… Are we able to make the right decisions without delay? Are we concerned about our loved ones? Do we make alternative arrangements when we are not able to attend to some of our responsibilities or do we shirk and neglect?
Dear Friend,
We see all around us, in the world today, many Developments & Progress in one angle and the other towards destruction & decline! Who is responsible? We do not know! All we know is only that we can intercede for the salvation of many. This is a time, when God wants each one of us to make reparation for our own sins and that of the world. In particular, Jesus has chosen St. Faustina Kowalska, to lead the world into His Divine Mercy. This Devotion to the Divine Mercy is spreading everywhere, bringing the faithful people of God, to pray for God’s Mercy for oneself and for that of the other fellow-humans of the world. Why then, we need to remain dormant. Let us join hands with such people, come to know more about this special devotion, and pray to the Abba Father, through his Son Jesus, the Lord of the Divine Mercy, in the Holy Spirit, for each one of us & for the whole world!
the Life of Faustina Kowalska
by Sr. Sophia Michalenko CMGT.
Continuation… Coming soon in February 2012… The Early Years (1905-1925)… Housemaid… The Call…
MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA
“Come, Come, Save – Bring Us To Jesus!”
The Life of Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta…
Mother Teresa was born on 26th August 1910 in the city of Skopje, which today is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Her parents, Nikola and Drana Bojaxhiu, were fervent Catholics from Albania. They had her baptized the day after she was born and gave her the name Gonxha Agnes. Gonxha means “flower bud” in the Albanian language. She was the youngest of the five children. Her eldest sister’s age was seven at that time, and her brother Lazar was two years old. The two other children had died as infants.
The life was pleasant for the Bojaxhiu children. Their father was a merchant and owned a shop not far from their home. He was also a respected member of the town council. Their mother, whom they affectionately called “Nane Loke”, meaning “mother of my soul” in Albanian, was truly the soul of the Bojaxhiu home. She was a devout women who taught her children to pray to God from their earliest years and to know and love Him. They also learned from her what it means to love one’s neighbor: anyone who came to her for help was never turned away. Nane Loke was strict with her children because she loved them and wanted them to be good and upright. She did not allow them to speak badly about others. She taught them not to waste things or time, never to tell lies and to be careful to choose good friends.
To be Continued…
Carry Jesus to them (The Poor) – Fear not. Teach them to pray the Rosary – the family Rosary – and all will be well. Fear not – Jesus and I will be with you and your children!
MY NEW SONG COMPOSITION ACCORDING TO OUR REFLECTIONS TODAY…
To Know the Lord Jesus Christ
To Know Him and to Love Him – (2)
We are the Witness of Jesus Christ
We ought to Know Him and Love Him – (2) (To Know the Lord…)
John 3, 16… God so loved the world
That He sent His Only Begotten Son – (2)
John 10, 10… Jesus came to give us Life to the Full… (To Know the Lord…)
Prayer Requests:
I thank you for your continual prayers offered for me! Kindly, send in your prayer requests, which I can place here, & make many people who receive this mail, to pray for you & your intentions.
Kindly, continue to pray for me, as I am the Youth Director of the Port Blair Diocese of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. May the Lord use me as His worthy instrument in whatever way possible to make the Beatitudes come true in the lives of many young people and help them to respond to God’s Call to Holiness. Praise the LORD!
Kindly, pray for Our Beloved Bp. Alex Dias sfx. Who celebrates his Anniversary of Episcopal Consecration & Ordination (20th January 2012) having served as a Shepherd of the Port Blair Diocese of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for 27 fruit-filled years. Pray for the Diocese and the Cathedral of Port Blair ‘STELLA MARIS’ which celebrates its 25 years SLIVER JUBILEE of its foundation. The Apostolic Nuncio to India His Excellency Archbishop Most Rev. SALVATORE PENNACCHIO presides over the celebrations with the Archbishop of Ranchi His Eminence Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo and the other Bishops of Gumla & Ranchi. Pray that the Lord may bless His Church with more Labourers in His Vineyard, in particular the Diocese of Port Blair at this juncture.
Let us pray for the following confrere’ of the Salesian Congregation who celebrate their birthdays this week:
January 21: Fr. BOSCO Francis SDB.
Fr. XAVIER Satheesh SDB.
January 22: N. GNANASEKAR Nithiyan SDB.
January 23: Fr. KENNEDY John SDB.
Bro. FRANCIS Arokiadoss SDB.
January 25: Fr. LOURDUSAMY Arokiadoss SDB.
January 29: Fr. SAVARINATHAN John Britto SDB.
Bro. JAYARAJ Arulappan SDB.
Praise the LORD!
Praying For You!
Yours Affectionately in Jesus Christ,
Fr. X. Peter Francis SDB
+91 95318 47247
Sms to me to receive DailyBOOST & BoostFLAKES…
Kindly, forward the numbers & email ids of your friends who wish to receive the same…
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
29 January 2012
The Readings:
Deut 18:15-20
Ps 95:1-2, 6-9
1 Cor 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28
The Authority of CHRIST
This Sunday’s Gospel reading illustrates the authority of Jesus. If we truly accept and understand his authority over our lives, we can rejoice in the Lord even when life hands us hardships.
Why? Because we know that Christ’s authority is supreme, which means that everything we’ve placed under his authority will produce good fruits. Even bad situations will be transformed into blessings. Tragedies will be changed into triumphs. Sorrows will be transfigured into joy. Frustrations will lay the groundwork for new growth, new knowledge, and a greater ability to minister to others.
However, if we reject Christ’s authority by acting as if we’re the ones in charge, deciding for ourselves how to end a problem or how and when to escape from a hardship, our problems will only get worse. This is called “moral relativism.” Pope Benedict often speaks up against it: He defines relativism as “allowing oneself to be carried about with every wind of ‘doctrine’…” (April 19, 2005).
The path to joy has been forged by the footsteps of Jesus. To benefit from his authority over evil and over human sufferings, we have to follow his example and obey his teachings. This means choosing to trust him, realizing that his ways are the best ways even when they’re unpleasant ways. It means that we’re willing to reach resurrection glory by going through the cross with Jesus.
There are no successful shortcuts to the triumphant victory that awaits us. There is no easy way to overcome evil. If this were not true, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die on a cross.
The good news – the reason why we can rejoice – is that the most loving, most powerful, most wise One in the universe is using his supreme authority on our behalf. The question is: Will we submit to it?
Questions for Personal Reflection:
In what ways are you still rejecting Christ’s authority by trying to do things your own way? Which Church teachings have you been rejecting because you’ve decided to live by your own rules? Are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit to change your mind on these matters and teach you the value of Christ’s ways?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
In what ways do Christians often reject Christ’s authority in favor of defining their own rules? Why? What are the apparent risks to living completely under Christ’s strict authority? How can we replace these risks with a sense of safety?
3RD Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
REST with JESUS
22 January 2012
The Readings:
Jonah 3:1-5,10
Ps 25:4-9
1 Cor 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
REST WITH JESUS
This Sunday’s Gospel reading is a call to surrender ourselves fully to God. “NOW is the time of fulfillment” – not just 2000 years ago, not at the Second Coming of Christ, but right now in your life where you need Jesus the most.
“The kingdom of God is at hand” – what you need from the Lord is right here, at hand, ready for you.
“Repent, and believe in the gospel” means “Come follow Me and learn from Me to become like Me.” For the first disciples, it meant dropping whatever they were doing to spend so much time with Jesus that their whole lives were forever affected. And this is what it means for you and for me: We have to put aside our own agendas and overly busy schedules to spend more time following Jesus wherever he leads us.
In the modern world, we have become more dependent on our technological devises than on Jesus. Many of us cannot even go on vacation without remaining accessible to their employers via the cell phone. Somehow, we need to find a way to take a stand against this. It’s one of the social justice teachings of the Church: We are actually called by God to rebel against working on Sundays and other days of rest. Why? Because we need to spend that time with Jesus quietly being restored and re-energized.
Unfortunately, Jesus doesn’t walk through the door and circle dates on our calendar and write “Rest with Jesus” on it so that we can plan ahead. We have to follow his lead at a moment’s notice – every moment. To experience the kingdom of God on the earthly side of heaven, we have to be willing to drop everything to follow Jesus into unfamiliar places at unexpected times. We have to learn to follow his lead even in situations where his way is the surprising way.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What’s on your to-do list? What keeps you busy? What are your goals for the future? What are you dreaming of? If Jesus has a different plan for your day or for your life, how easily could you switch over to new ideas and plans?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
What are some of the nets you’ve abandoned in the past in order to follow Jesus? How difficult was that to do? Are you happy about it now? Why? How was this an experience of the kingdom of God on earth?
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – B
what are you looking for?
15 January 2012
The Readings:
1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19
Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
John 1:35-42
What are you looking for?
Like Jesus did to Simon Peter in this Sunday’s Gospel passage, he says to you and to each of us: “What are you looking for?” When you pray, and when you look at a crucifix, or when you see a picture of Jesus, WHAT exactly are you looking for?
Jesus says: “Come and see!” Come and see what? His love? His healing power? His supernatural ability to answer our prayers? Whatever we’re looking for, the reason we’re seeking it is because we don’t yet have it.
Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise by God the Father. Jesus is the fullness of love, the provider of mercy, the divine healer, the perfect mediator of all our prayers and concerns, and everything else we truly need. So, why does it feel like something is still missing? Why do our lives feel incomplete? Why do our prayers seem unanswered?
The answer is revealed in what happened after Peter began to follow Jesus. We read about it in Samuel’s response to God’s invitation. We proclaim it in the Responsorial Psalm: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Peter was privileged to witness first-hand the wondrous miracles of Jesus. He personally experienced God’s love through the gentle eyes of Jesus, the tone of kindness in his voice, and the forgiveness that was visible in his smile.
Yet with all of this, Peter did not really find all that he was looking for – remember how easily he felt afraid or confused or uncertain – until he was on the giving end of it. He didn’t discovered the fullness of Jesus until Jesus was no longer present in the flesh and Peter accepted the call to continue Christ’s earthly ministry.
The same is true for us who have never seen Jesus’ actual eyes or heard his actual voice. We find what we’re seeking when we give it to others. Why? Because then we discover that we really had it all along! This is the miracle of “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What do you need from Jesus that he doesn’t seem to be providing yet? At the core of your prayer requests, what is it you’re really seeking? How can you find it by doing the will of God? Contemplate this question until you figure out something to DO. Then do it and see what happens.
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Describe a time when you gave away what you thought you didn’t have. Perhaps it was money or something even more valuable, such as time. Perhaps it was patience or hope or love itself. How were you doing the will of God? What happened to your own needs afterward?
The Baptism of the Lord – B
The BAPTISM of our LORD
8 January 2012
The Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 or Isaiah 55:1-11
Ps 29:1-4,9-10 or Isaiah 12:2-6
Acts 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9
Mark 1:7-11
Why was Jesus baptized? He wasn’t in need of repentance. Why, for that matter, did Jesus do anything at all? Not just to save us from our sins by dying on the cross! There is so much more to Jesus than that.
Jesus united himself to sinners. First he humbled himself to become one of us, a human being living with the same needs we have every day. Then he surrendered himself to the baptismal water so that when we are baptized, he is there in the water with us, raising us up to a new life, the holy life, everlasting life.
Everything that Jesus did shows us by example who we are: what the Father created us to be like and how we are to live as children of God. When Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon him and the Father said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased,” he showed us by example what happens at every person’s baptism.
The Holy Spirit descended upon YOU and the Father said about YOU: “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased!”
Baptismal water is the womb of God from which we are reborn into his family and his ministry. When we bless ourselves with drops from holy water fonts, making the sign of the cross, we renew our baptisms.
In the Jordan River, Jesus was reborn from ordinary life to a life of ministry. Baptism does that for us, too. Is there some repentance you need to do so that you can be reborn more fully into what the Father created you to do – your divine purpose, the ministry he has called you to do?
Let us begin the Church Season of Ordinary Time with a renewal of our baptismal purification and commitment, so that we may be renewed as followers of Christ in holiness and in ministry:
Do you reject Satan?
And all his works?
And all his empty promises?
Do you believe in God,
the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Next, use the following prayer (or one of your own):
“Dear God, I am a sinner. I sometimes fail to put You first in my life. Forgive me. Change me. Renew me. To demonstrate that I mean it, that I truly want You to be Lord of my life completely, I will do a special act, just as Jesus put his life fully into the Father’s hands by surrendering to John’s baptism and allowing his own rebirth. The act that I choose to do is __________. Amen!”
And God the Father says of you:
“This is my beloved son/daughter; with him/her I am well pleased!”
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What do you know about your baptism? When was it? Where? Who was there? Was there a party? Think beyond the obvious: Who of the saints and angels were there? What kind of party did they celebrate over your baptism – and why?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Share with your group what you know about the people and place and celebration of your baptism. How did this Sacrament affect your life as the years went by? Why does this mean that the Father is pleased with you?
NEW YEAR 2012 -B
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Of God
1 January2012
The Readings:
Num 6:22-27
Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Gal 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21
BE BLESSED, BE A BLESSING
This Sunday is a very special opportunity to consecrate the new year to the Mother of Christ, opening ourselves to her protection and help, and asking God to make this a year of many blessings.
In the first reading, God teaches Moses how to pass blessings onto others. Today’s responsorial psalm includes a request for God to bless us. The second reading describes the greatest blessing we’ve received: our adoption by God the Father, who has made available to us every blessing under the heavens and in heaven.
The people who heard the testimony of the shepherds in the Gospel reading were amazed. How often are you amazed by the Lord? Awe comes from recognizing the presence of Jesus in everything we see, do, hear, etc. With Jesus, we’re even blessed in situations that feel like curses, because he is guiding us through it.
To experience this, we have to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times. Look past the problems: There is the victorious Jesus already working on your behalf! He was born for your sake and gave up his life for you; of course he is also doing everything else that will provide God’s goodness to you!
Look past your emotional reactions to hardships: There is the peace of Christ! It’s available when you decide to trust in the love and the wisdom of Christ.
Look past the person who is sinning against you: There is Jesus comforting you! He is trying to kiss your wounds and heal your heart. He speaks to you through scripture, through Holy Mass, through perhaps a counselor, and many other ways. This is available when you choose to forgive.
In every situation, keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can see his hand reaching toward you, offering to bless you.
We can learn from Mary how to look past the obvious and see God’s hidden blessings. When Mary looked at the shepherds, did she see scruffy, stinky, unkempt strangers barging in? Of course not. She saw numerous blessings.
Look at the scruffy people in your own life – through Mary’s eyes. How many blessings do you see?
Mary the Mother of God our Savior is also our Mother now, and she wants to be part of your life to show you the countless blessings that come from knowing her Son: blessings that await you as you follow Jesus, and blessings you already have because Jesus is at your side right now. Ask for Mary’s help in keeping your focus on Jesus throughout the new year.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
Count your blessings. Make a list of everything that’s good in your life, including past blessings that give you warm, happy memories. The Lord has done great things for you. How does this reassure you today? What will you do this year to become more aware of God’s blessings?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Name the blessings of the Christmas Season. In what ways has Mary revealed Jesus to you?
MAMA MARY LOVES YOU
Christmas – The Nativity of the Lord – B [2011]
The GOOD NEWS
25 December 2011
Readings for Mass at Midnight
Isaiah 9:1-6
Ps 96:1-3, 11-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
Readings for Mass at Dawn
Isaiah 62:11-12
Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
Readings for Mass During the Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Ps 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
THE GOOD NEWS
This Sunday is Christmas. As we make our final preparations for it, let’s reflect on what it means to be part of the ministry of sharing the good news. Sharing the good news NOW specially to our beloved brothers and sisters who are suffering from the devastation of typhoon sendong is indeed a great challenge specially for those who receive the good news personally. Sharing the good news to our divided and confused country is another call for us to heed. It would be of great help if we ourselves experience GOD’S INCARNATION concretely and not just theoretically.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bear good news, announcing the way of salvation and saying, “Your God is King!” That’s how the scripture readings begin in the Mass for Christmas Day.
Midnight Mass tells us in the Gospel reading that angels passed the good news of Christ’s birth to nearby shepherds. In the Gospel reading for the Mass of Christmas Dawn, we see what the shepherds did after visiting the baby Jesus: They told others about him, and “all who heard were amazed.”
Today you are hearing the good news. It’s your turn to have the beautiful feet. The scriptures from Saturday’s Vigil Mass start with “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent … until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch.” And the responsorial Psalm has us declaring: “Forever I will sing of the goodness of the Lord.”
Who do you know personally that’s like Zion: someone who is suffering and needs vindication and victory? Perhaps it is you yourself! We must first receive the good news and understand what Jesus has done for us and is doing for us in today’s circumstances. Only then can we successfully help others.
What has amazed you about Jesus? Share that with those who need to be reassured that Jesus is amazing. Do you need that reassurance yourself? Open yourself to opportunities for connecting more closely to Jesus and his amazing love for you.
Here’s the good news: Jesus was born not only to save you from the destructive power of sin; he was born because he loves you and wants to heal your heartbreaks and guide you into a life full of victories.
The amazing presence of Christ comes to us at every Mass in the Eucharist. Although the little wafer of bread does not look like it contains the full presence of Jesus with all of his love for you, it is the Christmas gift that he wants to give you all year long. He is here for you.
Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist and in the words read at Mass, in the hymns, in gathering of the people, and in the teachings of the Church, because he is the good news, the way of salvation, the vindication we need and the goodness we long for. He is here for you!
Everyone longs for a savior, someone to rescue them and help them experience peace and healing and victory. The Eucharist unites us to Jesus so that we can receive him and share him. Now go out and spread that good news so that others can be amazed by Christ, too.
4th Sunday of Advent – B
YES, LORD!
The Readings:
2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29
Rom 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38 YES, LORD!!! In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we’re shown how the mission of Christ affected the Virgin Mary even before Jesus was conceived in her womb. Three decades later, Jesus would become the Savior of the world. However, that is not when his salvation plan began. Jesus is God; he has always existed. He is the uncreated Divine Son, the Person of the Holy Trinity who, as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed during every Mass, was “born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.” His salvation plan could – and did – impact Mary since the moment of her own conception. In order for God to come into our world in the flesh, “for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” In other words, his Spirit totally bathed Mary in his pure, holy presence. Therefore, even though she could not understand how the promised Messiah could possibly be conceived within her, since she’d had no sexual relations, by the grace of God’s Spirit she could know that God was the one who was asking for it and God was the one who was doing it. That’s all she needed. All of us are called by God to carry the presence of Christ and birth him more fully into the world. What are you doing about it? How much are you fulfilling your divine destiny? Remember, he always empowers us to accomplish whatever he asks us to do. God knows what he’s doing when he calls us to continue what Mary began, and he is always trustworthy and dependable. There is nothing to fear, no reason to hold back from fulfilling our true destiny. Everything that God does is always good, even when his plan for our mission requires a journey through the cross. If we follow Christ, sooner or later we hang with him on the cross, because this is the best, the most effective way to achieve a victorious accomplishment that will make an eternal difference in the lives of many. With this in mind, when he asks us to do something for his kingdom, of course our answer is yes, right? Why wouldn’t it be? Of course we want to cooperate with his plan, and we say yes to his plan even when we don’t understand it nor see how God could possibly do what he says he’ll do. Often, we don’t feel like he can do what he’s planning to do through us, because we know we are weak, sinful, and unqualified. Don’t trust your feelings about it; trust God. Questions for Personal Reflection:
When was the last time you said to God, “But how can this be? You want me to do WHAT? I don’t understand why!” What were you afraid of? How strong was your trust in God? Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
When God chooses you for a task or responsibility, what helps you move from uncertainty or confusion or reluctance into saying “yes”? When the plans of God don’t make sense or they seem unpleasant, how do you overcome your reluctance?
3rd Sunday of Advent – B
TO TESTIFY TO THE LIGHT
11 December 2011
The Readings:
Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54 (with Isaiah 61:10b)
1 Thes 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
A WITNESS
This Sunday’s Gospel reading tells us that John the Baptist came to “testify to the light.” What does this mean?
We know that Jesus is the Light of Truth that shines in the darkness to draw us to eternal life. And we know that his Spirit enlightens us in the truth so that we can be saved from our sinfulness and follow our Savior to heaven. But what was the testimony given by John? How did he testify to the light? And how does this affect our lives today?
John’s testimony was: “I am not the Christ. I am a voice. A voice in the wilderness. A voice in the desert.” And his testimony brings us to the Light of Christ by challenging us with: “Where is your life arid and dry? Listen! Christ is coming to meet you there! Make a bee-line to him! Stop wandering around! Repent, change, do whatever is necessary to look for Jesus so that you can find him. He is coming to you!”
We’ve all experienced times when Jesus seems distant, unavailable, not present to us when we need him. What has opened your eyes to his presence? Whose voice has turned you back to God? It’s time to do the same for others, to bring glad tidings to the poor (as it says in the reading from Isaiah), to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those who are held captive in their sins, and to announce how to be blessed by a close friendship with the Lord.
We all have the same testimony and the same calling as John had: We are all supposed to be voices crying out loud enough to be heard above the din of the world. Many souls are lost in the wilderness of confusion, hopelessness, pain, heartache, and despair, not to mention sinfulness. Can we rightfully ignore their needs? Is it loving to be so quiet that they cannot hear the truth? Certainly not! Someday we will have to explain to Jesus why we ignored our baptismal calling to be the voice that could have helped others find him.
What kind of a voice do you have? Because we have Christ within us, our very lives are the voice. How we handle trials, revealing our faith in Jesus, is a voice that’s audible to those who are lost in the wilderness. The more peace we have and the more love that we give, the louder is our cry.
Even if our vocal chords do not utter a single word, the way we live in the light is how we speak the truth of the light. The better we live the truth, the louder and clearer is our message.
What people choose to do with our message is up to them, but it’s up to us to speak it so that they’re given that choice.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
How has your life been changed by your faith in Jesus? What evil has been conquered, what darkness has been overcome? This is your testimony! Write a couple of pages about it to become more familiar with it. This will prepare you so that you can explain it to others when they ask you why you have faith.
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
How has the Spirit of the Lord anointed you? What gifts do you have that enable you to give to the poor (i.e., the financially poor or the emotionally starving or the spiritually hungry) or to heal the brokenhearted? How has God used you to provide liberty to captives and release to prisoners? How are these good deeds a testimony that teaches others about Jesus?
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