Church News

New menu item added

4. May, 2021Church News, Homepage SliderComments Off on New menu item added

Please note the new ‘Media‘ option on the navigation bar above.

Clicking ‘Media‘ will open a page with links to external sites with information for us. The first site to be added is Shalom World with lots of content of interest to us.

Feel free to share any suggestions for additional content that you would like to see.

The Bulletin

31. January, 2021Church News, Homepage SliderComments Off on The Bulletin

Bulletin – Latest Edition now available for download.

This edition of the bulletin is available for download to your digital device.
This is very much a trial of a new method to bring the bulletin to you, and whilst we hope for no teething problems, please do let us know if you encounter any.

It will be great to see this work well as the benefits are many:

  • quicker delivery of the bulletin
  • your digital copy to keep and share with others
  • available to all who visit our website
  • online archive of past editions
  • reduced (or eliminated) printing costs
  • saving our trees

Click or tap on the bulletin image below to get your copy

bulletin

Update: 22/1/21

22. January, 2021Church News, Homepage SliderComments Off on Update: 22/1/21

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After due consultation and proper deliberations, we are set to reopen Our Church of St Mary’s Fernyhalgh on Sunday 24th January 2021. We will have only one daily Mass for the time being. The Mass Times page has been updated with current information.

We are proposing that those who are not confident enough to resume coming to church should stay at home. We really understand the situation and we assure them of our prayers.

Please communicate this vital information to any concerned member of our parish.

Thanks and God bless you.

Fr Ernest

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY: AWESOME POWER OF GOD’S GRACE FOR VICTORY

13. December, 2020Church NewsComments Off on IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY: AWESOME POWER OF GOD’S GRACE FOR VICTORY

“But She was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in Her mind what sort of greeting this might be. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”” (cf. Luke 1:29,38).

Dearly beloved in Christ, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a teaching of the Church founded on Sacred Scripture and tradition. The Church holds and affirms that, it is a mystery revealed by God; and we are called upon to believe it firmly and live it constantly and faithfully. Pius IX wrote in “Ineffabilis Deus”, defining the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and called upon all the faithful to believe it firmly and live it constantly. He wrote, “‘The most Blessed Virgin Mary, was from the very moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.’ “We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine… is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful”” (Ineffabilis Deus: 1854). As such, celebrating the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, calls for a deep reflection upon the profundity of Mary’s faith and humility. The Immaculate Conception of Mary, shows forth how God’s power transcends human finiteness in all ramifications. In Mary’s Immaculate Conception, we see how incomprehensible to the human mind the way God’s power operates; and above all, it affirms the truth that, if God could create the entire universe out of nothing by the power of His Wisdom, His Word (cf. Gen 1:1ff; Prov 3:19; Is 40:26), He can do whatever He wills (cf. Ps 115:3; 135:6). God is ineffable yet, privileges us His unworthy children with the revelation of Himself, a profound manifestation of His love. The revelation of God enunciates and evokes a profound sense of AWE, which leads the one who receives the encounter of the revelation to a profound disposition of worship and confession of faith in God, a recognition of one’s essence – a creature and affirmation of God’s essence – Creator and Sustainer; rather than servile fear that elicits trepidation and withdrawal.

This truth is what we find in the response of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Angel at the Annunciation, “But She was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in Her mind what sort of greeting this might be. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”” (cf. Luke 1:29,38). Some see in the response and question of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “How Will this be, since I am a virgin?” (cf. Luke 1:34), a sense of fear and doubt, paralleled to that of Zechariah (cf. Luke 1:18); but I see a deep sense of awe arising from faith in the revelation of the Mystery of God and, a profound humility in Mary. Mary’s response is a response of a deep and profound sense of Awe at the revelation of God, His Ineffability and the profundity of His love for our salvation. For this, rather than withdraw from the Mystery of God and the message of the Annunciation, the power of God’s ineffability and profundity of His love, made Her marvel at the excellence of God’s wisdom. Mary expressed Who God is – Ineffable Mystery; and confessed who she is in God – a creature ennobled with God’s Excellence and love. For truly, Her name – Mary, means EXCELLENCE (Robert J. Karris, O.F.M: The New Jerome Bible Commentary (Student Edition); Luke 1; Geoffrey Chapman 1997). She could not understand how God, Who is All-powerful and Ineffable Mystery, would deign to choose to make her the mother of His Son, Who is God. Filled with awe, Mary contemplates in deep faith, the gracious gift of Her conception magnified and sanctified by the Conception of the Incarnate Word of God by the power of God’s Spirit. This sense of awe gave her the audacity of faith to believe without doubting what God is revealing and whatever God revealed and reveals (cf. C.C.C #142,199). This awe led to the audacity of faith which moved Her to resign to the will of the Almighty, to Whom nothing is impossible (cf. Luke 1:38), opening Her to the all-encompassing salvation that God is sending to mankind; for indeed, faith is necessary for and leads to salvation (cf. C.C.C #1532). The sense of awe and the audacity of faith led Mary to magnify God from an outburst Heart of praise, a song of joy and worship which expresses Mary’s faith in the nature and Mystery of God’s dealings with mankind (cf. Luke 1:49-55); and Her intense and unfeigned humility (cf. Luke 1:46-48).

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL HER BLESSED AND BE BLESSED: IMITATE HER EXCELLENT VIRTUES FOR CELESTIAL MERITS
Beloved in Christ, we see in the words of greeting by Gabriel at God’s command, the mystery of the glorious Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary shining forth as the prelude of the Mystery of the Incarnation. Excellently, then, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a celebration of the beginnings of man’s restoration and salvation to the calling and glory which man was destined. From the expression of Mary’s awe-audacity of faith and humility, She calls upon us, then, to reflect upon Her Immaculate Conception as a pure gift of God through the power of His Spirit; and holding firmly our faith in this revelation of God, constantly and faithfully live in the power of Her Immaculate Conception, which is the revelation of God’s Power, His Ineffability and enormity of His love. She invites us to live each day in a simple faith; and with intense humility, acknowledge and confess the truth of Who God is and who we are, dear children with Her in God – God’s little excellences after Her name and example. She calls upon us to call Her Blessed with every generation for the marvels the Almighty, Whose name is Holy has done Her (cf. Luke 1:48). You ask, how “do we do this”? Our Blessed Lady loves us, Her dear children with the intensity of God’s Ineffability and Enormity of His love and grace, which She is so full of (cf. Luke 1:28). With such great love, She gave us the Holy Rosary, a powerful weapon for this time against all odds and fears that tend to cower us to trepidation and withdrawal from God. When we pray the Holy Rosary, we hand ourselves over to Our Blessed Lady and the power of Her Immaculate Conception, imploring Her to bestow upon us that awe and audacity of faith and humility of Hers, to worship, magnify and welcome Christ. When Mary resigned in the audacity of faith and deep sense of awe to the revelation and will of God, the Word of God took flesh in Her (Luke 1:38; cf. John 1:14); the Eternal came to dwell in Temporal, Eternity came to dwell in Time; and Him Whom nothing can compel and compass, came to sanctify and make us worthy of Him for our salvation. As such, when we pray the Holy Rosary, we implore our Blessed Lady to grant us the grace that disposes us for the Word of God to truly take flesh in us and to bear fruits of eternal life.

The prayer of the Holy Rosary is such that, at a glance, we try to contemplate the entire Mystery of the revelation of the Ineffability of God’s Mystery and the Enormity and Profundity of His love in the Birth, Life, Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We ask that we may firmly believe in and constantly and faithfully live in humility, the nobility of our Christian calling. Through the prayer of the Holy Rosary, we relive the lowliness of Our Blessed Lady, our lowliness and affirm the might of God, “He has looked upon the lowliness of His handmaid… He who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is His name” (cf. Luke 1:48-49). Here, we confess our unworthiness of God’s love and plead that His grace through the hands of Our Blessed Lady purify and sanctify us in His might; for nothing is impossible to Him (cf. Luke 1:38). This is what God did for Mary for our sakes and for all who fear God (cf. Luke 1:50): considering Her worthy to be the Mother of His Son; and thus, considers us worthy to be brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, heirs of God’s Kingdom (Luke 1:49-50; cf. Rom 8:17; Gal 3:26). Today’s feast is a celebration of Grace covering our nakedness, grace supplanting weakness (cf. 2Cor 12:9-11). When we pray the Holy Rosary with Our Blessed Lady, we plead with Her to intercede for us, that all we have lost both in the physical and spiritual realms as a result of sin, be restored, that once again, grace may cover our nakedness of sin and supplant our weaknesses. We plead with Her that we may relive Her singular Fiat in every aspect of our life, “Be it done to be according to your word” (cf. Luke 1:38). In this way, we cling upon Her faith and humility; and plead that the glory of Her Immaculate Conception may shine forth in our lives and cover us from the hidden snares of the enemy of our salvation. When we pray the Holy Rosary, we plead earnestly that Mary’s Immaculate Heart will triumph and that God’s Kingdom come in earnest, that mankind may once again know the joy and peace of God. Our Blessed Lady’s name is Mary – God’s Excellence. Let us imitate Her excellent virtues which are of celestial merits.

Dear Lord God our Father, we praise you, Who in your great and infinite wisdom and love, preserved the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary from every stain of sin, and so found a worthy, holy and spotless body for Your Son. Grant that following her example of obedience to Your Divine Will, humility, purity and love; and sustained by the strength and grace of the Most sweet Holy Spirit, we may hasten in firm faith on the road of salvation in Christ our King, our Hope and our salvation. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Happy solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK THIRTY-TWO (A)

21. November, 2020Church NewsComments Off on SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK THIRTY-TWO (A)

PRAYER: AN EXERCISE OF FAITH; A GUIDING LIGHTHOUSE IN A DARK TUNNEL

“‘It is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers’ (cf. 3John 1:5). ‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?'” (cf. Luke 18:6-8).

Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s Scriptural texts for our Liturgy touch on a vital part of the Christian life, on exercise of Faith. It touches on Prayer of faith made in perseverance and accompanied by service of love. It is no doubt, but truth of life about the certainty of God’s loving faithfulness. But do we constantly see the need to approach God with an expectant faith through prayer accompanied by sincere and honest loving service to our neighbours? We often misconstrue prayer to be “I-Thou” rather than “Thou-I” relationship. I see the “I-Thou” concept of prayer as, that in which the human person, the “I”, takes the scene of demanding God to listen while we mutter and chatter about wants, not needs; while the “Thou-I” concept as, that in which the human person allows God – the “Thou” to take the lead, leaving himself/herself in the loving embrace of God’s loving will and getting lost in the embrace of God’s loving faithfulness. Prayer is an exercise of faith. In the Christian life, Faith demands exercise through Prayer and Service to others. Both cannot be separated, for it is in the realm of faith. Prayer is “both a gift of grace and determined response on our part” (cf. C.C.C #2725).

In the Gospel passage, Jesus teaches on this important aspect of exercise of faith: the certainty of God’s faithfulness and Faith-filled Prayer, with insistent emphasis on persistent consistency of expectant faith – praying without losing heart (cf. Luke 18:1-8). To pray without losing heart (cf. Luke 18:1), is to remain in endless praise of thanksgiving to God for favours received and yet to be received. In thanksgiving, we recall God’s past blessings to us, while recognising “most immediately that God is God”, lauding Him for His own sake and giving Him glory “quite beyond what He does, but simply because He is” (cf. C.C.C ## 2638-39). It is to appreciate and trust fully in His faithfulness. For God is always faithful and comes swiftly to the rescue of those who call on Him with expectant faith and unflinching trust and hope (Luke 18:6-8; cf. Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9).

God’s faithfulness is manifested in using creation to preserve His people from danger and delivering them with the might of His strength through marvellous wonders (cf. Wis 9:7-8). This is the certainty Jesus gives us. With this parable of the widow and wicked judge, Jesus wishes us to see prayer, not as an interlocutory magical dialogue box but a journey of relationship of love and trust. Prayer is a dialogue with the Eternal loving Father-God through the Son in union with the Holy Spirit. It is a communion of love with the Community of Love – the Most Blessed Trinity. Jesus in this parable implicitly asserts the principle of Christian Prayer: “A co-operation with [God’s] providence, His plan of love for men” (cf. C.C.C #2738). It is man’s answer to God’s call, a precondition for obeying God’s commandments in faith, in filial boldness, and in union with Jesus and the Holy Spirit (cf. C.C.C ##2098,2560-62, 2609-2610,2615). In this parable also, we learn that prayer is the Lighthouse that beams guiding floodlights on hope in a dark-turbulent tunnel, keeping its destination in focus – God; while giving boost. As such, Prayer is that guiding lighthouse in the darkness of uncertainties of life and challenges to faith that gives us the needed boost, while the rest lies in our determination to push on patiently and persistently till something happens. What is your notion of prayer? How do you exercise your faith and keep prayer alive?

PUSH ON AND ACT WITH LOVE
Beloved in Christ, the widow in the parable is a symbol of our powerlessness and vulnerability. Her request was not granted at once, but her persistence became a force to pierce the heart of injustice and the unjust judge. This is not to say that, our prayers forces God to our will, but expresses our utter dependence on His merciful love. For the widow’s persistence expressed her utter dependence for justice at the hands of the judge. The purpose of this parable is to teach us how much God is concerned about us; and to urge us unto perseverance in prayer (cf. Luke 18:3-5). For if an unjust human judge could respond to a persistent request of the vulnerable, God is even much more compassionate; and would swiftly come to the aid of those who persevere in prayer (Luke 18:6-7; cf. Sir 35:12-17). However, Jesus asks the obvious question: “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (cf. Luke 18:8).

Do we have this persevering faith? There is more to the question of Jesus: “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (cf. Luke 18:8), than we can imagine. Jesus is not just talking about the need to pray persistently with faith, but accompanying persistent prayer of faith with persistent and insistent exercise of prayer: remaining firm in doing good to service prayer and keep it alive. St. James clearly understood this and beautifully asserted of the need to accompany our exercise of faith with good works (cf. Jas 2:17-25). Here, Jesus is simply asking if our exercise of faith would sustain the test of time through services of love. Consequently, St John in the First Reading makes this truth clear as he praises the good and loving consistent services of Gaius to the brethren, especially the strangers (cf. 3John 1:5-8). John notes strongly that loving support to the brethren and strangers endears us to God and makes us co-workers in the proclamation of the truth – God’s faithfulness and love (cf. 3John 1:8).

Here, the teaching of St James shines superb: the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (cf. Jas 5:15-16), if accompanied with loving service or acts (cf. Jas 2:17-26). This is well affirmed by the Psalmist who sings of the blessings of the generous soul from the Lord (cf. Ps 112:1-6). How uncertain, unstable and unreliable we are that, tomorrow we give up on prayer and the good we had begun, relapsing to fear and inactivity rather than falling prey in the hands of persistent exercise of faith through good deeds? We go through life dangling and wavering forth and back in our relationship with God. The problem of life today is not achievement but success, not the amount of energy put in but persistence in what good we do. Of all created beings, man is the only one who hardly persist in this act of persistent-obedient-trust and hope in the Creator-Father-God. To teach us the nobility of persistence in prayer and trust in God’s faithfulness, Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge pitted against a crusty pestering woman (cf. Luke 18:1-8).

Here, Jesus teaches us to learn from our persistence in approaching unjust humans till justice is given course, to approach God who is just and loving with expectant faith and persistent thanksgiving. How expectant in faith and persistent in hope and trust are you in prayer? Striving in the good, one should not tempted to abandon the true way (cf. Mal 3:13 – 4:1). It is true that we obtain the graces we need from God through prayer, but how long do we remain in this act. To persist in prayer, to remain firm in the way of the righteous is to acknowledge our total dependence on God (cf. C.C.C #2613). This persistence, this importunity attracts the heart of God with stupendous love on His side like a magnetic force that draws all metallic elements around it to itself. It is a sign and show of reverent fear of the Lord which the Psalmist calls blessing for the soul that lives thus (cf. Ps 112:1).

Dear Lord God our Father, holy is Your name. It goes well for all who deals generously mercifully and justly for your sake; and are never moved in the face of afflictions. Grant us, through the grace of the Most sweet Holy Spirit, something of Your faithfulness, that we may persistently seek and trust in You, something of Your love that we may abound in love for You and our neighbour, especially strangers. Grant that your light may rise in our darkness; and adorn us with something of Your mercy, that we may persevere in good works without losing faith in Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK TWENTY-TWO (A)

6. September, 2020Church NewsComments Off on SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK TWENTY-TWO (A)

DO NOT BE PUFFED WITH EGOISTIC RIGIDITY; BE ROBED WITH KINDNESS AND HUMILITY

“‘May you learn by me and Apollos not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up’ (cf. 1Cor 4:6). ‘“The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath”’” (cf. Luke 6:5).

Dearly beloved in Christ, today we encounter in the Gospel passage, the egoistic rigidity of the Pharisees and the humility of Christ the true Teacher. The Pharisees promote and take religious rubrics, especially Sabbath observance, to be the heart of Judaism, indeed, a benchmark of faithfulness. In their arrogance and for their selfish-interests, they interpret, reinterpret and misinterpret the Commandments of God, positing their rigid motives as principles for true piety. As such, they accused Jesus’ disciples of infringing the Sabbath laws (cf. Luke 6:2). In defence of the disciples, Jesus challenges their egoistic rigidity and arrogant ignorance, pointing out to them that, true piety, the true meaning of the Sabbath, the true meaning of following God lies in the relieving of the suffering (Luke 6:3-5).

Insisting on the Torah, which the Pharisees alluded to as ground of authority, Jesus asserted that, the law makes no meaning if in the bid for its legal righteousness it disregards the plight of the weak and the hunger of the poor. For the Torah bends to meet a pressing need (Luke 6:4-5; cf. 1Sam 21:1-6); rather than stand to crush a smouldering plant (cf. Is 42:3; Mt 12:20). In other words, Jesus is simply saying that, God requires mercy more than legal righteousness, personal humility rather than arrogant rigidity. For He, Jesus, is the fulfilment of the law (cf. Mt 5:17); and following after the example of His humility, true piety. Here, Jesus opens to and offers us the knowledge of true piety, such that if our interpretation of the Sunday obligation falls short of the heart of Jesus’ preaching – love and mercy; we would have been preaching ourselves and not the Gospel.

Many today take for their help to salvation the keeping of the Sunday obligation and correct observance of liturgical rubrics, become grown and puffed up with egoistic rigidity in the name of practising the faith. In this way, they become oblivious of personal humility defined in Sacred, become arrogance incarnated and abandon the command of the Sunday Obligation as implied in the closing words of the Eucharistic celebration: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” They find fault with everyone about faithfulness to Christian discipleship. For them, the message of Paul that the strong should bear with the weak (cf. Rom 15:1), finds no place. Many Christians today are more or less “self-acclaimed righteous” Christians. These do not take Christ for model, but themselves do they present as models; and their way of life as yardstick for measuring true piety, authenticity in and faithfulness to the Christian life and discipleship. Jesus calls us to know that, the credibility of faith today, and as of old, does not lie in mere lips or mouth-preaching the Gospel, but in preaching with one’s life of humility, preaching with hands and actions – kindness and tenderness.

This is what the Pharisees in today’s Gospel failed to understand. In your bid to preach the Gospel to others, do you seek to follow the paternal Heart of Jesus or to promote man-made principles that are bereft of mercy and charity of Christ, Who is the Good News of God” (cf. Mk 1:1; Acts 5:42; 1Cor 15:1ff)? On whom do you rely – material possessions and influence and puffed up personality? What principles do you adopt in spreading the Gospel? By their insistence on their own interpretation of the Gospel principles, they stiffen Christian life and make it impassable and unbearable. In this way, they become obstinate, judgemental of others, and have no place for personal humility, mercy and Christian charity in their relationship with people. In this way, their rigid piety and ulterior motives, empty the reconciliation wrought by God through the death of Jesus Christ. Their mark is “preach-by-words-and-lips, with flamboyant display of wealth and power influence; and not with-hands-and-actions – charity, tenderness and kindness.

PREACH WITH PATERNAL LOVE; LIVE HUMBLY MOTIVATED AND NOT RIGIDLY BUFFETED

Beloved in Christ, from the foregoing, it becomes obvious that the Christian faithful – priests and lay faithful, are called to live the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ in charity to each other; and not cling to egoistic rigidity and empty the Cross of Christ that reveals the love of the Eternal Father. Jesus calls us all – Priests and faithful people – to examine our living the Christian discipleship. Are we motivated by His kindness and humility or by our egoistic rigidity and motives? As priests, do we relate to the faithful with the paternal care, love and concern of Christ for His flock? As faithful people of Christ, do we relate to our spiritual fathers – the priests with loving obedience and genuine concern for their wellbeing or do we make their ministry a heck of burdensome duty? The First Reading presents us a good ground to do this. Here, we see at play the arrogance of the Pharisees, in those who boast as to calumniate and humiliate the apostles; and the paternal care, humility, kindness and charity of Christ in Paul and the apostles, who pastorally call them back to true piety and Christian discipleship (cf. 1Cor 4:6-15).

In calling them to learn from him and the other apostles, call paternally acts to halt in them the destroying effects of arrogance and egoistic rigidity. It is true that we all seek for some good, but in doing this we often posit our wills, cling to egotism and unfair criticisms; rather than live the will of God from Whom we receive every good gift – material or spiritual (cf. 1Cor 4:7). In the ironic comparisons he makes, Paul unveils how ignorant and impoverished we could become in our arrogance and egoistic rigidity as to take Christ’s humility as foolishness (cf. 1Cor 4:8-13). Here, Paul fulfils the example of Jesus Christ as a true teacher and shepherd, who begot them in Jesus Christ, with a string of paternal love (cf. 1Cor 4:15). The above example which Paul exhibits – paternally correcting the faithful, became the ground for the Church to teach the faithful – Priests and lay faithful – of the Sacred office of the priests and the loving call of obedience from the faithful to their priests: “Priests are preeminently the fathers and teachers of God’s people” (Presbyterorum Ordinis #9). This confirms the teaching of Jesus in rebuking the Pharisees as seen in the Gospel passage (cf. Luke 6:1-5).

Here, we should learn that, it behoves us to take Christ as model and help through relying, not on ourselves, but following after the credible example of integrity of life our fathers in the faith – those placed in charge of our spiritual life and welfare. In other words, Paul calls us to continue in the faith, remaining stable and steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel (cf. Col 1:21-23). Paul reminds them of his duty of correcting, teaching and guiding them as their spiritual father who gave them new life through the Gospel he preached. As such, he opens their eyes to the duty and truth of spiritual fathers’ paternal care, which they must with humility help them to be true to the Lord in their daily duty. Do you by your pride, material possession and influence make the paternal care and duty of the priests difficult for them?

Sacred Scripture calls us today – priests and faithful, to not be puffed up with egoistic rigidity and self-righteousness as to make the life of the Gospel unbearable for the flock like the Pharisees do; nor should we be so puffed up with worldly possessions, power and fame as to make difficult the work of paternal pastoral care, a sacred duty of the priests. Rather, we are called to be buffeted in mind and heart with the commandments of God, robing ourselves with the kindness and humility of Jesus Christ, that we may not make nonsense of the Gospel message. Indeed, we are invited to become arrogance incarnated, but to be kindness and humility reborn in Christ Jesus. One who really continues in the faith, following submitting in total humility to guiding of the shepherds – our priests – fathers who beget us in Christ Jesus, is one who like the Psalmist avows, “I have God for my help” (cf. Ps 54:6); He the Lord is my Shepherd (cf. Ps 23:1). It is simply affirming and deciding to take God’s commandments as guiding principles of life, rather than posit one’s style of life as yardstick for righteousness. It is a call, then, for us all to transform our hearts. St. mother Teresa of Calcutta teaches us how: “‘Repent and believe,” Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor – He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”

Dear Lord God our Father, we praise you, Who are just in all your ways and holy in all your deeds. You are close to all who call on you in truth. Be close to us, who in humility ask your forgiveness for the times we have been puffed up by our wills and for the times we have failed to embrace the kindness, tenderness and humility of the Heart of Jesus. Fulfil our desires for true piety and holiness; and by the light and grace of the most sweet Holy Spirit, keep watch over us who love you. Save us from pride that empties the Cross; and hear our cries in Jesus Christ. Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Happy feast of St. mother Teresa of Calcutta.

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

30. August, 2020Church NewsComments Off on SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

MARY: SURE SIGN OF SURE HOPE FOR RESTORATION AND SALVATION

“‘God’s temple in heaven was opened. And a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve stars’ (cf. Rev 11:19). ‘Henceforth, all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His Name’” (cf. Luke 1:49).

Dearly beloved in Christ, in union with the whole Church, we celebrate once again the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon due consultation, Pope Pius XII, on 1st November 1950, declared the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary a dogma of faith (truth of faith). God created us for Himself; and from all eternity destined us to share in His glory. This is seen from the promise He made of One Who would restore us to the lost glory in Adam (cf. Gen 3:1-15); and desires that we be configured to the image of the Person of Christ (cf. Rom 8:29). Writing in his Apostolic Constitution, Pope Pius XII acknowledged the fact that, God is a Mystery and He chooses to bring to the knowledge of humans, truths beyond human speculations as it pleases Him and in the manner, most pleasing to Him. He articulates: “The most bountiful God, Who is almighty, the plan of Whose providence rests upon wisdom and love, tempers, in the secret purpose of His own mind, the sorrows of peoples and of individual men by means of joys that He interposes in their lives from time to time, in such a way that, under different conditions and in different ways, all things may work together unto good for those who love him” (Munificentissimus #1; Rom 8:28). As such, the manner of our union with Him, following the end of our sojourn on earth, belongs solely to His prerogatives; and each would attain this in his own order (cf. 1Cor 15:23).

In the promise and desire of God for our restoration and configuration to the image and pattern of Christ, we see God, according to the manner it pleases Him, give humanity the promise of a sure sign and sure hope of restoration and salvation. To assure us of this hope, Jesus before He suffered, did promise His disciples He would go to prepare them a place, so that where He is, those who belong to Him would be also (cf. John 14:3). Is it possible that God would have left Mary out of this promise? No!! Never!!! As mentioned earlier, God desires us all to be configured to the pattern of Christ, but this would take place, each in his own order (cf. 1Cor 23). Therefore, God chose to unite Mary, the Ever-Blessed Virgin to Her Son, Jesus, at the end of Her sojourn on earth in a manner beyond human speculations. The Church, therefore, teaches: “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular participation in Her Son’s Resurrection and anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (cf. C.C.C #966). For the body that bore the Son of God, God made man, “preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of Her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory” (cf. C.C.C #966). This is possible, because God is beyond humans and nothing is impossible to Him (cf. Luke 1:37; Mt 19:26). Mary is one of the first fruits of that configuration, one of the first fruits of those who belong to Christ (cf. 1Cor 15:24).

MARY: NEW ARK OF GOD
Beloved in Christ, the Old Testament testifies that, the Ark of the Covenant is the sign and assurance of the presence of God among the people; and this gave them sure hope in their escapades and battles (cf. Josh 3:1-4:24; 1Sam 4:3; 7:1; 1Chron 15:3-4, 15-16;16:1-2). The Ark is always in the temple of God (cf. 1Sam 3:3; 1Chron 28:2; 1Kgs 6:19; 8:1,6), bore the presence of God; and it is seen as the source of strength, a sure sign of hope. This is clearly seen from the song of the Psalmist, inviting the Lord to go up to the place of His rest, with the Ark of His strength (cf. Ps 132:14). This Psalm alludes to the Ascension of Jesus in the New Testament. Jesus, indeed, did ascend to the place of His rest, to His Father and our Father (cf. Luke 24:31; John 20:17; Acts 1:1-11). Is it possible that Jesus would ascend to the place of His rest leaving behind the Ark of the New Covenant? I wouldn’t imagine so. For His Ascension fulfils the Psalmist’s song: “Go up Lord to the place of Your rest, You and the Ark of Your strength” (cf. Ps 132:14).

The Living Ark of Jesus’ rest here on earth was Mary, from whom He took flesh, “The Word was made flesh [in the womb of Blessed Virgin Mary]; and dwelt among us” (cf. John 1:14). As the Ark of the Covenant is found in the temple, and bears the presence of God in the Old Testament, so is Mary to be seen in today’s First Reading as the Ark seen in God’s temple in heaven (cf. Rev 11:19). She shines forth as the Ark Who bore the New Covenant and Administrator of God’s promises – Jesus (cf. Heb 8:1-9:15). The truth of Jesus going to the place of His rest with the Ark of the New Covenant is what the First Reading speaks of and testifies to, accounting for the birth of Jesus as King; and the crowning of Mary as Queen and Ark of the New Covenant (cf. Rev 11:19;12:1-6,10). The crowning which brought about great joy in heaven over the advent and establishment of God’s reign and Kingdom (cf. Rev 11:19; 12:1-6,10), would not be so spoken of if Mary had not been assumed body and soul to the glory of Christ.

From the foregoing, it is to be seen that God, indeed, specially chose, and prepared Mary as the sure sign of Sure Hope of Salvation; and delighted to crown Her Queen of heaven and earth. This is further sung by the Psalmist, alluding to God and Mary her chosen and well-beloved daughter: “On your right stands the queen in gold of queen in gold of Ophir” (cf. Ps 45:10-12,16). With Her consenting to the message of the Angel, which brought about the Incarnation of Word (cf. Luke 1:38) – “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (cf. John 1:14), the journey to the fulfilment of the promise of Hope and salvation began.

From this and from the very act of Her consenting to the demand of God through the Angel, Mary shines as the sure sign of the Sure Hope of salvation. Mary, thus, shines forth as the beginning of the fulfilment of the Proto-Evangelium – the fulfilment of the promise of a sure sign of hope of restoration and salvation. This is well expressed by the Church in her teaching at Vatican II, in the document: “Lumen Gentium” (cf. LG #68). Mary is the sure sign of the Sure Hope of salvation, who gave the world the Hope of and Salvation Himself – Jesus, Who indeed fulfils all the promises of God (cf. 2Cor 1:20). Do you see Mary as the sure sign of Sure Hope of your restoration, and salvation? Do you follow the Scripture and call Her Blessed who is called Blessed and favoured with all of God’s graces (cf. Luke 1:28,49)? Come one; come all; let us rejoice on the glorious assumption of Her, Who is the Blessed Daughter of the Eternally Blessed Father! Come one; come all; let us jubilate on the solemn assumption of Her Who is the Mother of the Eternally Begotten Son! Come one; come all; let us glory and triumph on and in the triumphal assumption of Her Who is the most chaste spouse of the Eternal Love of the Father and the Son, the most sweet Holy Spirit!

Dear Lord God our Father, we praise You, Who in your bounty, goodness and tender mercy, will the salvation of your people. You honoured Mary, and filled Her to the brim with Your graces, and, want all generation to call Her blessed. By the strength and grace of the most sweet Holy Spirit, Who overshadowed Her, help us to be true imitators of Her virtues of faith, hope and charity; that through Her merits and prayers, we may attain to the joys of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Happy Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary.

FEAST OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

30. August, 2020Church NewsComments Off on FEAST OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

GLORIOUS CROWN AWAITS THOSE WHO TRUST GOD


“‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For to us a child is born. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this’ (cf. Is 9:2,6-7). ‘“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word”’” (cf. Luke 1:38).

Dearly beloved in Christ, we celebrate today the Queenship of Mary, a feast instituted by Pope Pius XII on 11th October 1954, in his Encyclical “Ad Caeli Reginam”, to mark the end of the Marian Year. The purpose is to celebrate Mary as Queen of the world, of Angels and of Heaven. The entrenchment of this feast into the Liturgical celebrations of the Church, was orchestrated by the petitions of the Faithful all over the world, to promote increased devotion to Mary as Queen of the world (cf. Ad Caeli Reginam ##3-5). Mary’s Coronation as Queen by the Blessed Trinity, is intimately linked to Her Assumption, as Sacred Scripture has it from the Revelations to St John (cf. Rev 11:19; 12:1-6,10); and as alluded in the Psalms (cf. Ps 132:14). In the Sacred Scripture, it is accounted that God set His glory in heaven, and from His throne of glory considers mankind as to consider us (cf. Ps 8:1-4), with the promise that those who trust in and acknowledge Him as God, would be adorned with favours and crowned with glory (cf. Ps 5:12; 8:5; 33:12; Prov 3:36; Is 28:5; Jer 17:7-17; Rom 10:11; 2Tim 4:8). God is always faithful to His promises (cf. Deut 32:4; Lam 3:22-23; 1Cor 1:9; Rom 4:21; 1Thess 5:24; 2Tim 2:13). How is this promise fulfilled in Mary, the Blessed Ever-Virgin?

GOD’S LOVING FAITHFULNESS CROWNS US

Beloved in Christ, Jesus in the Gospel called blessed those who do God’s will (cf. Luke 11:28). Mary comes prime in the list of those who are called blessed, who heard God’s word and kept it to the letter. Listen to how this is true. We hear of God’s promise in Genesis of a Messiah (cf. Gen 3:15), which is reiterated firmly in what forms our First Reading from Isaiah’s prophecy, of the Messiah King, Who shall come to rule in integrity and restore the lost glory of God’s people (cf. Is 9:2-6). In this prophecy, Isaiah makes it clear that, the promise of the Messiah shall be fulfilled by the zeal of the Lord (cf. Is 9:7). This calls for trust in the One Who makes the promise. Similarly and in a more fulfilling manner, in the Gospel passage, the Angel Gabriel is sent by God to deliver the message of His intent to fulfil now the promise made ages past in the Old Testament to and through Mary (cf. Luke 1:26-38).

When a superior stoops down to treat his subject with unmerited favours and promises, the subject melts in wonderment and enthralment. Mary was startled at the Angels greetings and what the whole message meant. She considered her lowly estate: Virgin and poor, and inquired trustfully of the Angel what this is all about. The Angel reiterated to Mary what we heard in the First Reading: “The zeal of the Lord will do this” (cf. Is 9:7); that she may be firm in her trust and faith: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and power of the Most High will overshadow you” (cf. Luke 1:35). Mary is a woman of great faith and trust in God’s promises. Therefore, She avows her faith and total trust in God: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (cf. Luke 1:38). What other proof do you need to convince you of the reason why the Blessed Trinity, the Godhead in His faithfulness chose to fulfil His promise for those who have faith, trust and acknowledge Him as God?

The Psalmist sings the praise of God’s loving faithfulness that crowns us with His glory. For God chooses the poor, fills them with His favours, raising them from their lowly estate to share in the company of princes (cf. Ps 113:1-8). Mary had faith and trusted that God’s faithfulness is sure and would always crown with glory those who live in such faith and trust. She believed that God’s zeal (cf. Is 9:7), the power of the Most High will accomplish all things (cf. Luke 1:35,38); and on Her side, all She needs is to live faith and trust. A clear thing about this kind of attitude towards God is what the Angel Gabriel spoke to Her: “You are full of grace, Mary, for you have found favour with God” (cf. Luke 1:28). Mary is crowned by the Holy Trinity as Queen, because She had faith and trust in God, Whose zeal and power accomplishes all things for those who trust in Him; and hold firm that, nothing is impossible to Him (cf. Mt 19:26; Luke 1:37).

Her Queenship is a fulfilment of the words of Sacred Scripture: “The Lord crowns the poor with glory” (cf. Ps 149:4). For as St James teaches, God chooses the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom (cf. Jas 2:5). Indeed, in Mary, we see how God’s loving faithfulness crowns with glory, those who have faith and trust in, and acknowledge Him as God, God Whose zeal and power accomplishes all things (Is 9:7; cf. Luke 1:35), God to Whom nothing is impossible (cf. Mt 19:26; Luke 1:37). She was “exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and Conqueror of sin and death” (C.C.C #966. cf. LG 59; cf. Rev 19:16), because great was Her love, Her faith and Her trust. Do you wish to share in the joy and glory of Blessed Virgin Mary and of the Saints?

REJOICE WITH MARY WHO REJOICES IN GOD HER SAVIOUR AND EXPERIENCE HER GLORY

Dearest friend in Christ, one of the truths of life is that, when we sympathise as well as rejoice with those who suffer or rejoice, we share more intimately with their experience. This proves true. St Paul knows the truth of this and writes: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (cf. Rom 12:15). To share in the glory of Jesus, Mary first shared in His humiliating Cross. In the same way, if we desire to share in the glory of the Saints, Mary teaches us that we must first share in the humiliating Cross of Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 8:17; 1Pt 4:13), and in Her sorrows. This implies living Her virtues of love, humility, faith and trust. The Saints did this and today share in Her glory. Therefore, She invites us, specially today, to sing with Her in Her glory, rendering glory to Whom glory is due: “May the name of the Lord be blest for evermore” (cf. Ps 113:1). With all humility, She invites us to rejoice and share with Her in Her joy and glory on this day we commemorate Her glorious Coronation. You ask why you should rejoice amidst the miseries and challenges of our present time? Listen, then, to what the Scriptures say.

We learn that when we come to serve God, we have to prepare for ordeals (cf. Sir 2:1). We have nothing to fear as same Sacred Scripture assures us that, when God chooses anyone to accomplish a great escapade that would redound to His glory and the good of humans who bear “His image and likeness” (cf. Gen 1:26-27), He equips such individual. God equips all those He calls with His grace, a mark of His glorious presence that casts out all fear and accompanies the individual to the fulfilment of the mission so intended (cf. Luke 1:26-46). This is fulfilled in Mary and, She as Queen worthy of trust, invites us to march on in the zeal and dominion of the Most High Whose power overshadows those who trust in Him. If you trust Her and if She walks with you, you have nothing to fear. For She is full of grace (cf. Luke 1:26-28; C.C.C #968-70), and would obtain all graces for you. She is mediator of God’s graces (cf. C.C.C #970), She would mediate joy and glory to you in your misery and isolation. If we cooperate with Her fully and wholly in God’s will, She sure will be our Mother and Queen who works for our good.

Dear Lord God our Father, You chose and raised the lowly and poor Mary, and crowned Her with glory, because her love, faith and trust in and for You was great. She rejoiced to share the humiliating suffering and now rejoice in the glory of Christ. Help us with Her prayers; and overshadow us with Your zeal and the grace of the most sweet Holy Spirit, that our love, faith and trust for and in You will never waver. Raise us from our ash heaps. May Your zeal accomplish all things for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen.

Happy feast of the Queenship of Our Blessed Lady.

MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

30. August, 2020Church NewsComments Off on MEMORIAL OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

DO NOT BE DISMAYED FOR TRUTH OR TRUTH WILL DISMAY YOU BEFORE THE WORLD

“‘’Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them’ (cf. Jer 1:17). “Herod sent and seized John, and bound him in prison, for John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife'” (cf. Mk 6:17-18).

Dearly beloved in Christ, the First Reading accounts for the call of Jeremiah; and what instructions he must follow to declare God’s message to the people (cf. Jer 1:17-19). Here, it is made clear that anyone who is called by God to be His people: “a royal priesthood, a chosen nation, a people set apart” (cf. Deut 14:2; 1Pt 2:9), is chosen to declare the the truth and glory of God. As such, the individual is to do so with utmost fear and utter dependency on the providence of God. The entire counsel of God, must be declared without fear of men; for the fear of God is the antidote to the fear of men and the world, which belong to Hod (cf. Ps 24:1-2). Quite often, we are tempted in matters of truth to give precedence to human respect, their positions or offices; and to not to give offence, fail to declare the whole counsel of God. This is the death causer of the values and fabrics of the society – failure to stand up and declare without fear of favour of men, truth and justice. From the instructions Jeremiah received, it is clear that when we become ashamed, when we are dismayed for truth and justice before men and the world, when we fail to stand up for truth and justice, truth and justice would dismay us before men and the world (cf. Jer 1:18). The fear we sometimes exercise before men, quite often destroys us. Therefore, the Lord declares that, although we may face fierce opposition and persecution from men for the sake of truth, truth would always set us free (Jer 1:19; cf. John 8:32). In all honesty, it is not as though God, Who is Truth, needs any defence from men. It is to this fact that St. Augustine opined: “Truth is like a lion, you don’t have to defend it. Let it lose, it will defend itself. As such, standing up for the Truth is not to defend it, rather Truth is the defence of men. We celebrate today the feast of the passion of one who laboured night and day; and would stop at nothing to hinder the spread of evil, one at whose birth many marvelled at the truth of God’s power (cf. Luke 1:64-66), and at his death revered the authenticity of his witness to the truth (cf. Mk 6:20) – John the Baptist.

The Gospel passage (cf. Mk 6:17-29), presents us with great joy the account of the passion of him whose greatness “The Truth” (cf. John 8:32) testified as ranks greatest among those born of women (cf. Luke 7:28), one who in his bid to salvage the society whose leader’s mind and heart went savage with idleness paid the price with his life. John fearlessly confronted Herod who was badly infesting and corrupting the fabrics of the society. He fearlessly laboured night and day to feed the idle-minded Herod with the food of truth and justice, confronting him with his crime and evil, caring less of the temporal cost of it (cf. Mk 6:17-29). John was a precursor to Christ both in his birth (cf. John 1:23) and death (cf. Mt 14:13), a fearless preacher of truth and justice, who sealed his witness to truth and justice with his life-blood. Do you labour night and day for the food of your soul? Are you labouring fearlessly to hinder the spread of evil, to feed many idle-minds with sane thoughts and food of truth and justice? St. Catherine of Siena ventures to urge us: “Preach the Truth as if you had a million voices. It is silence that kills the world.” God needs courageous Christians who would speak the truth in love (cf. Eph 4:15), stand up for justice and purity, and in defence of family, which the world by its “culture of death” is trying to maim. Urgent is the need for mature Christians, not “infants in Christ” (cf. 1Cor 3:1) “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (cf. Eph 4:14). There is no wrong time or place to preach truth and justice (2Tim 4:2), for “to the servant of God, every place is the right place, and every time is the right time”, says St. Catherine of Siena.

FEARLESSLY FEED YOURSELF AND FEED THE SOCIETY
Beloved in Christ, the greatest hunger of our world today is its hunger for justice and truth. When evil is not condemned and confronted quickly, it grows and corrupts the society; while justice and truth suffer martyrdom. In matters of priority for truth and justice, which comes and counts first: respect to man or to God? Hypocrisy is such a dangerous vice that it makes the creature consider glory and respect to man over above that of the Creator, thus treating trivial that which counts utmost and consequential. This is what we see in Herod. Herod was hypocritical to the point that, he considered not breaking his word to Herodia’s daughter, Salome over above breaking his the covenant of God as he was a Jew. His hypocrisy and greed for power, fame, influence and wealth led him to betray truth of conscience, giving the glory and honour that should redound to God to a mere creature. Today’s feast challenge us to be yet another genuine and fearless harbingers of truth and justice as was John the Baptist. We must stand firm, be quick and not be dismayed by the world in confronting and hindering the spread of evil, injustice and maiming of truth, lest truth be swift to dismay us before the world we try to please that never considers pleasing us. Like John the Baptist, we must not “curry favour with men” (cf. Gal 1:10; 2Cor 5:11) in standing up for justice and truth. If we, for the allurements of worldly pleasures, stand in the way of justice and truth. Failing in this means aiding and abetting injustice; and even charity would not be a substitute to remedy justice withheld, as St Augustine would let us know. John the Baptist and many Old Prophets and Saints, we are called to gird up our loins; to arise, and say to the our world that is infested with the evil of “Culture of Death” in its deadly fascinating various facets that maim truth and martyr justice, everything that we have received from the Lord (cf. 2Thess 3:6). We are called to live, challenging with our lives the evils going on in our society, especially those that has to do with injustice and maiming of truth, all that the Lord commands us and not be dismayed by them, lest he dismay us before them” (cf. Jer 1:17); and like John the Baptist be undaunted and courageous in proclaiming truth and justice.

We see and learn from John the Baptist, as it is quite often the case that, when courage sees one confronting evil, martyrdom awaits such a person, but at the end justice and truth gloriously triumph to sanitise and purify the society. For fear of temporal suffering, many choose to toe the path of stupid silence in the face of maiming of truth and sacrificing of justice at the altar of tyranny. Today, the feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist challenges us anew, to be the voice crying in the wilderness of a world ferociously attacked by the cancerous poisons of injustice, maiming of truth, idle-mindedness, sex addiction, drug addiction, infidelity in married and religious life and so on, that people should prepare the way of Truth and Justice (Luke 3:4; cf. Is 40:3). We are called today to not only work for the food of truth and justice, but to keep away from anyone who would not join in hindering the spread of evil – anyone who would not work (cf. 2Thess 3:6). There is no need to fear as our courage would come, not from ourselves but from God, on Whom many like John leaned from birth (cf. Ps 71:15&17). If we trust and take God for refuge, and toe the path of justice and truth, justice and truth will vindicate us even at death. We should and must like John prefer to obey the voice of God, damn the consequences of not being a “Bootlicker” prophet than risk the punishment of betraying justice and truth. For, indeed, “blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways” (cf. Ps 128:1-2,4-5). It is only in this way of courageous faith-witnessing shall God be our peace and give us peace all the time and in every way (cf. 2Thess 3:18). Let us not for the fear of the present fiery challenges to faith lose the beauty and glamour of the future glory, for “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18; cf. 2Cor 4:17).

Dear Lord God our Father, we praise You, for You are our Rock, our constant refuge and our stronghold. You called and filled John the Baptist with Your Spirit and power to be a fearless harbinger of truth and justice. May our mouth tell of the truth of your salvation for mankind wrought by Jesus Christ. Help us with the grace of the same Sweet Holy Spirit to be quick, courageous and undaunted in confronting evil; and working night and day for justice and truth. Save us from the hand of the wicked, for You are our hope and our trust since our youth. Incline your ear to us, save and bless us with the peace of Christ. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Happy feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist.

SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK EIGHTEEN (A)

8. August, 2020Church NewsComments Off on SATURDAY HOMILY: WEEK EIGHTEEN (A)

Memorial of St. Dominic de Guzman

THIS TIME CALLS FOR LIVING-FAITH AND FAITH-LIVING

“‘The vision awaits its time; it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it. The righteous shall live by faith’ (cf. Habb 2:3). ‘If you have faith, nothing will be impossible for you’ (cf. Mt 17:20).

Dearly beloved in Christ, at one time or the other, we experience certain setbacks, hardships, unsettling confusions and disappointments. The evidence of injustice and oppression in our society today tend to pose a challenging question on all the “Omni” attributes of God. That is about God’s omnibenevolence, omnipresence, omniscience and, His omnipotence, His power to deal out justice to the oppressed and rule with equity. Be that as it may, the fact that the blind man does not see the blue sky, does not in any way or by any means make the sky any less blue. That the wicked prospers in his escapades (cf. Jer 12:1), keeps being wicked and dealing oppression and injustice against the poor and the weak; and growing even more wickedly, does not in any way obscure the truth that God is a just God and rules with equity (cf. Ps 9:9). We can observe that the situation of the world today is such that, the wicked grows wickedly, while those who trust and serve God suffer grievously at the hands of the wicked. For the wicked prosper in his escapade of wickedness and injustice, and unhesitatingly grow in wealth. The Readings of today show how this situation is not new, and more importantly, that such issue is frequently addressed in Sacred Scripture (cf. Ps 73); and how God deals with the wicked, serving His purpose for the good of and in answer to the cries of the poor and the oppressed; only the latter must trust faithfully and faithfully live by faith (cf. Habb 1:12-2:4). The purpose of this is to encourage the poor and oppressed to have faith and trust in God. The Psalmist sings beautifully of God as the Just Judge, Who deals out justice for the oppressed of His people to Whom He is a stronghold (cf. Ps 9:8-9). Further, he affirms confidence in God’s inability to forget or forsake the people called by His name; and invites us who know God’s name to trust and praise Him, telling His mighty deeds of deliverance, justice and equity (cf. Ps 9:10-13; cf. Jer 14:9).

The sum of all that the Psalmist sings, is a call for the oppressed to live by faith. Living by faith, here, entails totally trusting in God and in His power to deal out justice and equity and save the oppressed. It is to completely leave one’s cause to the Lord. This entails the ability to wait on God (cf. Habb 2:3). Living by faith, indeed, changes the tune and pain of suffering at the hands of the wicked. The truth of this is what we learn in the First Reading with Prophet Habakkuk, who cried to God on behalf of the people in their great suffering of injustice and oppression at the hands of the Chaldeans and their king (cf. Habb 1:12-2:4). The prophet lamented of the gravity of the people’s suffering, and the similitude that God has forsaken His people (cf. Habb 1:12-17). In His cry, he upholds God as the Only and Holy One, Who allows the wicked to chastise His people for His own kind purposes – His glory and the merit of His people who confidently cry to Him. The answer he got is a confirmation of God’s faithfulness. But more to this, he and the people are given the secret to God’s heart: living by faith (cf. Habb 2:4). Although it may seem delayed to the suffering poor and oppressed, the promise of God not to forsake His people is sure; and He can be trusted, and would fulfil His promises to the letter (cf. Habb 2:2-4). In the face of seeming and extreme oppression, where does your strength lie? Do you have trust and honest love for the source of your strength, an expression of the expectant faith in God that answers the wicked?

FAITH NOT PROWESS; TRUST NOT TOUGHNESS: CRY IN PAIN, WAIT IN FAITH
Beloved in Christ, you may as well take the position of the prophet and the suffering people of Israel, claim their words of lamentations, but I will add, claim also their trust and faith in God’s justice and equity to live by faith. It is not enough for us to cry and lament to God over the injustices and inequalities we suffer, we should also wait on the faithfulness and promise of God – live by faith. Often time, suffering, especially that dealt to us by the hands of the wicked through injustice and oppression, stares us in the face asking us: “where is your God?” (cf. Ps 42:3). Our response should come from the confidence of faith. We should cry out in pain, by live life in faith. Living by faith also entails loving God. For loving God is same thing as having faith in Him, as no one trusts a person one does not love. Do we? God is to be loved with all we have and are (cf. Deut 6:4-13). The Psalmist tells us that, God is the strength of His people and therefore should be loved (cf. Ps 18:2-4). As mentioned earlier, living by faith, indeed, changes the tune and pain of suffering at the hands of the wicked. For faith in God attracts His power to make possible what might seem impossible in the eyes of the world.

The Gospel passage of today evokes faith and not individual prowess. We hear of the disciples’ inability to cast out the devil. This Jesus recognised as coming from lack of faith (cf. Mt 17:14-20). Faith is an assent to God and not to individual prowess. The disciples relied in their own cleverness or prowess and were not able to cast out the devil. Faithlessness is: relying on one’s prowess rather than on God as the source of one’s gifts and strength. To exercise Faith is to affirm our nothingness and to acknowledge God as our source, but to rely on oneself is to profess Prowess. This is an evidence of lack of love. If we love, we acknowledge who we love. When we acknowledge God in faith as our strength, God’s love comes to its perfection (cf. 1John 4:12,17); and we accomplish great things. When we live by faith, an affirmation of our love for God, God shapes us through the sufferings we experience into what He desires us to be. Thus, St Clare writes: “We become what we love, and Who we love shapes what we become.” To trust in oneself or in humans is to wear the most unfitting and shameful clothe. Therefore, St. Dominic admonishes that we should wear the clothe of prayer and humility at all times, arming ourselves with faith: “Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes. St. Dominic, St. Clare; and indeed, all the Saints, knew the shame and pain of suffering and from their humiliation and suffering, learned to humble themselves, love and trust God the more to live happily. Do you acknowledge God or your prowess as your source of strength and accomplishment?

Dear Lord God our Father, You are just and holy. You alone are our God. We praise you, Who never forsake those who seek you. Listen to the cries of Your people who confidently cry to You of their pain of injustice and oppression at the hands of the wicked. You do not forsake those who trust in You and acclaim You as their Only and Holy God. Be our stronghold, and by the power and grace of the most sweet Holy Spirit, deliver us from the wicked who assail, assault and oppress us. Do not forget the cry of your poor; but in your tender mercy save us with the salvation you have for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen. Happy feast of St. Dominic.

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