In light of the scandals caused by disobedient clergy in recent years it helps to examine the relevant writings of the Saints, Popes and doctors of the Church. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote:"The Church is never abandoned by God to the point of not having enough capable priests for the needs of the people. It is better to have a few good men than a multitude of bad ones."
One of St. John Eudes (1601-1680) writings is also quite prophetic, if not terrifying for our time: "The most evident mark of God's anger, and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world, is manifest when He permits His people to fall into the hands of a clergy who are more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. They abandon the things of God to devote themselves to the things of the world and, in their saintly calling of holiness, they spend their time in profane and worldly pursuits. When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people and is visiting His most dreadful wrath upon them."
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Pastoral Blog ...
If I don’t say what you want to hear,
you will not listen to
what I have to say ...
The most difficult times can produce the greatest spiritual blessings. God truly knows just what we need at every moment!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Febryary 2, - The presentation of the Lord
My eyes have
seen your salvation
Christ offered in
the temple, according to the Law of Moses becomes -following the words of
Simeon: "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" or, as St. John says
in his Gospel (John 1:9 ) - Christ is "the true light that enlightens
every man that comes into the world". What does it mean this very theological
formulation in my daily life? Does Christ really illuminate something in my
everyday life, in my struggle with problems, diseases, problems in my work, in
the family, in my home, at school? What does it mean that Christ is to be the
light of my life?
The light is not in
order to look at it, because you can go blind, eyes hurt and weep if you look
directly at the light, and after staring at the light man sees nothing. The
light is there to illuminate what is around us, we use it to be able to see
clearly, move, read, and perform our daily activities, live normally. Without
light, we live in darkness and nothing is visible. Even the most beautiful
objects are not perceived, cannot be admired, are lost in gloom and darkness,
where is no light.
The light is to be shed
upon me, so that I can better see my live and make better decisions, so that my
eyes can see sense and meaning of my life and my death, so that I can see that in
the world I'm not alone, that they are also other people around me, my brothers.
But the light is also present so that I can see where from am I, and what the
ultimate meaning and purpose of my life is. The light supposes to be the help so
that in this light, "my eyes can see the salvation." The light has to
dawn on me that I don't live in the dark. Otherwise, I wander in the dark, and
live in the dark.
Is Christ is the
light of my life? Or are there only other flames and sparks, broken lamps and dirty
flashlights, idols and stars, lights and decorations, which don't illuminate anything?
Saturday, January 25, 2014
III Sunday in the Ordinary Time
Whatever you did ...
When Christ came with good news to the earth people actually saw in Him someone who was good, just good, good in every day life, and not so that others saw him and praised. He saw the suffering of the sick, the needs of the poor and hungry, he does not have to be asked, begged or hounded. His eyes were always open to the needs of the people and healing, helping, feeding, doing good to anyone who was in need, do not humiliate anyone and not neglected. Indeed, when he passed through the land, to the people of the country the gloom a light has shone (Matthew 4:16). The Gospel that he preached is indeed good news of salvation, liberation of man. Gospel preached by Him was supported by His deeds, His good action, His kindness and love for man, which was expressed not in words but in deeds. He liberated man, bringing to people the good news, He did it free by simple good deeds.
And how is it with us? Do we proceed through the Master? Sometimes we speak beautiful words about love, preach the Good News to the poor, and we are confident that we imitate Christ. But our actions do not go hand in hand with our words. We are blind to the needs of the poor. We give but we wait to asked and pleaded, we tell others to wait for our goodness and kindness. Sometimes we pretend that we do not see. Sometimes we are really blind and just gazing at each other, we see only our own affairs and interests. Sometimes we neglect bothers and the others. We do not pay attention to their needs, their poverty, because we have so many other things to worry about, because we're so busy, so busy. If we're good, it is often so that to be seen by others and to be praised. If we're good, we do it so ostentatiously as a kind of a show. Jesus went through the land doing good. And he spoke bluntly: Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine you did it to me. But also: Whatever you did not do for one of these least brothers of mine you did not do it to me. Do I go through the life in the footsteps of Christ, doing good? Without asking, without playing "graciousness", without big words and not on to bee seen and applauded?
Do not underestimate a man standing next to you, and sometimes waiting for your help, because you are so busy ... To much concern about YOURSELF?
January 25 - Conversion of St. Paul
Paul’s entire life can be explained in terms of one experience—his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. In an instant, he saw that all the zeal of his dynamic personality was being wasted, like the strength of a boxer swinging wildly. Perhaps he had never seen Jesus, who was only a few years older. But he had acquired a zealot’s hatred of all Jesus stood for, as he began to harass the Church: “...entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment” (Acts 8:3b). Now he himself was “entered,” possessed, all his energy harnessed to one goal—being a slave of Christ in the ministry of reconciliation, an instrument to help others experience the one Savior.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Q @ A
Q: I realize that the love God provides is not the same as "human love" all the feelings stuff. How do we get to know God's love for us?
A:
A:
God so loved us that He gave His Only Begotten Son for our salvation.
The biggest expression of God's love for us is the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
There's is no bigger love than to give someone's life ....
The Holy Spirit is the LOVE OF GOD ...
The next visible sign of God's love is the Eucharist ... the Church, the Sacraments,
We have to see and recognise this LOVE where She is ... in Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, in the Eucharist, in the Sacraments ...
God certainly doesn't love us in an emotional, superficial and whimsy way :-)
Greetings and be sure that God LOVES YOU !!!!
Q @ A
Q: How do we face our own walk up to Calvary our own crucifixion without being overcome with discouragement, despair and desolation? How do we keep going when we are so tired?
A: There is no Calvary without being overcome with discouragement, despair and desolation!
See Jesus crying “ELOI, ELOI, lama sabachthani!!!” My God, My God why have you forsaken me!!??
Calvary is not a shocking or moving film or movie; Calvary is desolation, despair, Calvary is anguish. Calvary finally is death!!!
How to face this? There is only one possible answer. It is what Jesus did when He faced this atrocious reality: "Father, into YOUR hands I commend my spirit" …
The answers are quite easy, the reality is terrible.
Let us pray for each other …
Friday, January 10, 2014
Baptism of the Lord
Washed with the waters of Baptism
I guess we will never be able to fully grasp
the importance and meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism. By receiving this Sacrament
we became children of God. As in the time of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, God
the Father declared: "You
are my beloved child, in you I am well pleased," and from that
moment the meaning and the optic of my life dramatically changed. As a child of
God I am no longer in the slavery of evil and original sin. We have been
involved in the family of the Church, in the family of God and we became full
members of the house of God. From this sacrament flow of, and in it are
anchored all other sacraments and all other graces I receive as a Christian - a
child of God. Through this sacrament cleaning and resurgent "was presented
to us the grace God that brings salvation" - writes St. Paul the Apostle
in the Epistle to Titus. Probably it is never enough to remind and depth of
that Sacrament and contemplate it.
So sometimes
I listen to parents with surprise and disbelief, when seemingly in a logical
way they try to say: "I do not
baptize my child because I do not want to coerce him into something what at a
mature age the child would not have chosen." How is it possible to not
want for a child the grace, the rebirth, the grace to be the child of God? And
how can you be so naive and blind? Why mother bathes and change the diapers for
her child, why is she feeding him with all kinds of nutrients and healthy food,
and is not waiting until the child himself consciously chooses what's best for
him? Why the mother sends her child (sometimes even against his will) to
school, to learn to sing, dance, play the violin, and she is not waiting until
a child alone chooses for him the best type of education? What a stupid reasoning?
What a naive and perverse justification? And it is said by Catholics, by believers,
by those declaring themselves as children of God. Most likely, the parents did
not appreciate, did not understand the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism, and
therefore in such a silly and naive way refuse the grace for their child.
This Sunday of
Baptism of the Lord reminds us and leads us to rethink the fact of our Baptism
and all of its consequences and obligations flowing out this Sacrament. It may
be indeed good to establish some solid and unshakable points of reference in this
morally frenzy world. And one of these solid points is definitely our Baptism -
the Sacrament of the Grace of God, the Sacrament of adoption, the Sacrament of
rebirth and life eternal.
Christian, you have been baptized!
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU?
Does it mean anything...?
Thursday, January 09, 2014
Jesus is talking to you ...
To everyone of us, to me and to you Jesus is addressing very delicate and personal words of encouragement and consolation:
"Follow me to the desert and I will talk to you in silence. You have first to rest and become quiet. And then I will help you to discover the three fundamental truths; about the world I created, about yourself and about Me. After you discover the deepest truths of your live you will be able to reorient your life. You are deeply wounded and I am able to heal you, to restore in you the goodness of the child of God, because I created you good. And only I can restore in you what I gave you at the beginning, I can create you anew."
is the Gospel "all inclusive" ?
Very often we can hear apparently very correct and convincing reasoning that: if God loves everyone and He does not exclude anyone from salvation, so we do not need to speak about sins, and -God forbid- judge someone or to pay attention to someone's mistakes and sins. Since the language of the Gospel is "all inclusive", what rights do I have to point out someone's mistakes and sins? Why do I dare to do it? The Lord Jesus is preaching only the forgiving love and not condemnation or judgment ...
As arguments from the Gospel are quoted for example the words of Christ:
"Judge not, so that you should not be judged" - (Matthew 7:1-5)
"Leave it until the harvest ... " - (Matthew 13:29-30)
Quite strange, convoluted and very dangerous is this reasoning. Because if Jesus is -according to the "permissive exegetes"- so lenient and liberal, allowing all and everything, why is He so strongly fighting against Pharisees, why is He "haunting us" with visions of the final judgment, why -since the beginning of His teaching- He constantly calls to repentance (Mark 1:15), why He forgives so many sins and establishes the Sacrament of Reconciliation?? After all, this is not needed, since God so loves all people - even those who neglect and mock Him!
Is it not so that God really and certainly does not exclude anyone from salvation, but!! allows that if He gave us a real freedom that means, we can exclude ourselves from salvation. And this is something what the "permissive and lenient theologians" do not want to accept at all. In this way they are negating the reality of the greatest gift we received from God, the gift of freedom. Given that, (no matter what I'm doing) God loves us all in "all inclusive way", so He will lead us to salvation forcibly and against our free will. And in this way my freedom is only apparent and dummy.
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
Confusion
We are living not yet in the age of great apostasy. This is still to come, but I will dare to say that we are living in the age of a great confusion, a huge disorientation, disarray and disastrous ambiguity. Unhappily those who suppose to help us to go the straight and sure way are causing even more riddles and puzzles. I fully agree with someone who wrote on one discussion's portal: "When the shepherd is more concerned with the feelings of his sheep than their souls, there is a problem. His primary role is to show us the way to become saints; not to make us happy in this life."
In this situation -I think- the words of Pope John II are prophetic. He said in His Apostolic Exhortation, "Reconciliatio et paenitentia", (nr. 25): "In order to overcome conflicts and to ensure that normal tensions do not prove harmful to the unity of the Church, we must all apply to ourselves the word of God; we must relinquish our own subjective views and seek the truth where it is to be found, namely in the divine word itself and in the authentic interpretation of that word provided by the Magisterium of the Church."
The quest for popularity and political correctness are the very dangerous attitudes, causing much more harm to the Church than the open errors, lies and revolt. This is exactly the situation of the "wolfs disguised in the sheepskin", Jesus is warning us against.
Saturday, January 04, 2014
TO LIVE MEANS TO BE ON THE WAY
In order to meet Christ, to find Him you have to go on the road, on a quest. To meet Christ you must decide to leave the known and friendly situation, you have to leave the beaten path and tracts of your comfortable, convenient -and very often- sinful life and hit the road, through the desert. It is worth noting that God revealed Himself to the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt and decided to hit the road just across the desert. It is worth noting that the great prophets of the Old Testament, also met God in the desert (Ezekiel, Isaiah, Elijah). It is worth noting that St. John the Baptist, was also acquainted with the desert. The Magi in today's Gospel also reached Bethlehem after traveling far and difficult journey through the desert.
There's definitely some regularity, some deeper meaning. God reveals Himself in the desert, where no one and nothing -we do- mind and disturb, where there are no distractions and the "entertainments", where I am alone with the infinite. Desert, especially at night, is a place where I can count on one light in which I can see with great clarity only one aim and one destiny. A "darkness that covers the earth and thick darkness that envelops the peoples" may be lit only by a single star, the star of eternal truth, the star of faith. It can not, however, be only a momentary fascination, or transient, emotional infatuation. Such journey through the desert in quest for Christ practically never ends in our lives. We can never tell that we already arrived. I cannot say: "I have him, I found him". God never really could end His revelation, because He is the Infinite, and only at infinity will I be able to know HIM.
He continually reveals Himself to us (unless we are disposed to this and as far as we left to go to the desert) and constantly the revelation will be continued as long as we do not give up in searching. What is the biggest problem of our time? Is it not just temporary, momentary rapture, instability, lack of patience, lack of perseverance? Why break up the marriages, why so many people give up out of the way of religious vocation or the priesthood? Why are so many things we start and do not bring to an end, why are we so often discouraged? Is not it because the desert and what we discover there scares us? Is it not that why the "star disappears from the horizon?"
We bring together some gifts, but quickly discouraged, we do not see the purpose of our journey, do not come to the purpose, because we messed up the path, because we lost the guiding star, we have lost the sense of our journey, because we are choked and flooded by the troubles of everyday life, because we are scared of the inconveniences and hardships of the journey. That is why we are trying to arrange for us a convenient and comfortable life. And then the road through the desert, and thus the purpose of the road disappear, and the only thing left is temporal struggle for existence and survival.
So, our life is only a trip, it's just the way across the desert in search for the "house of bread" - Bethlehem, where Jesus is, and the table, and the bread, and light, and infinite life. To live means to be constantly on the way. It means to continually seek the star that leads us through the desert to the house of the Father, Who is revealed there, in the desert.
Epiphany - January 6
Feast of the Epiphany not only reminds us of the historical event described in today's Gospel according to St. Matthew. This ceremony draws our attention to the fact much more significant and unusual, namely the fact that God wants to reveal himself to his people. This revelation of God repeatedly described in the Old Testament is final and ultimate in the Incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts it very clearly when he writes: "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). It is a matter of cardinal importance the recognition of the importance of the fact of God's revelation in the Son. God Himself decided that the best and most appropriate way of self-revelation to man is a revelation in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
This self-revelation of God is very often presented in Scripture as the Enlightenment, the coming of light "for enlightenment." Simeon says in the temple at the time of sacrifice: "Now, Master, you may let your servant depart in peace, according to your word. 'because my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32). And St. John writes in the prologue to his Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5). Also, Christ himself says of himself: "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me may not remain in darkness." (John 12:46)
You could even say that this is the most important element of faith. God decided to "enlighten" his people, "enlighten" a man living in the darkness of sin and therefore revealed himself as Jesus Christ - God incarnate. If you negate the fact of the incarnation, if you negate the truth that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Son of God, the self-revelation of God, then all our faith is shattered, because we then deny also that He is the Messiah, the Savior, Redeemer, Liberator. And then there is no salvation, no eternal life, there is no Divine Mercy, and everything is an illusion and misunderstanding.
That is why Christians from the beginning so much defended the truth of the self-revelation of God through the Incarnation. And this is why today this truth is most strongly eradicated by unbelievers and atheists. Satan is constantly trying to convince us that Jesus is NOT the incarnate Son of God and He is only unusual (but only) man, a wise guru, a teacher, an itinerant preacher. If Jesus is not the final word of God spoken to man, if He is not the Light of the World, then we still live in the darkness, and the darkness engulfed us, we still live in the darkness of sin, because there is no Redeemer, no one who by "enlightenment" moves us out of darkness.
But there is one more important element of this divine pedagogy of enlightenment. Namely, that actually to be enlightened one must recognize and accept the One by Whom the enlightenment is performed. Magi from the East in today's Gospel are looking for light, looking for the newly-born Son of God, they recognize and welcome Him, offering Him homage. But not all follow the wise example. As in the second part of the prologue St. Jan writes: "The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew him not. (LIGHT) came to his own, but his own did not receive Him." (John 1:9-11) And that's why so many people continue to live in darkness and hopelessness.
In an interview with Nicodemus, Jesus also says sadly, "... the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). It is unfortunately still true for many of those who have rejected and continue to reject the light, even in our times. This is true of those who loved darkness because their deeds are evil. And because they are afraid of light, afraid of the Incarnate Son of God and the truth that they do not want to accept. So on today's Solemnity of the Epiphany ask yourself this very important question: Can I say that according to the expression of St.. Paul "We are all sons of light and sons of the day", are not rather that we are the sons "of the night and darkness?" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Is the light of Jesus Christ illuminating the darkness of my life? Is it transforming and illuminating? For as long as I live in sin, I reject the truth of the Incarnation of the Son of God, until I give up myself to the sanctifying and purifying action of light, I do not live in light and darkness still envelops me.
Pope Benedict XVI criticized the "cool academic approach" of the Scripture, which leads to the "vivisection secrecy" with "ignoring the dimension of the supernatural". "These were taught, off those whom found the Magi coming from the East to Bethlehem, the Pharisees. They knew where the child was born, but the message has not touched their lives. They could provide information, but it has not contributed to the formation of their own lives, "
Epiphany - January 6
Feast of the Epiphany not only reminds us of the historical event described in today's Gospel according to St. Matthew. This ceremony draws our attention to the fact much more significant and unusual, namely the fact that God wants to reveal himself to his people. This revelation of God repeatedly described in the Old Testament is final and ultimate in the Incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts it very clearly when he writes: "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). It is a matter of cardinal importance the recognition of the importance of the fact of God's revelation in the Son. God Himself decided that the best and most appropriate way of self-revelation to man is a revelation in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
This self-revelation of God is very often presented in Scripture as the Enlightenment, the coming of light "for enlightenment." Simeon says in the temple at the time of sacrifice: "Now, Master, you may let your servant depart in peace, according to your word. 'because my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32). And St. John writes in the prologue to his Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5). Also, Christ himself says of himself: "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me may not remain in darkness." (John 12:46)
You could even say that this is the most important element of faith. God decided to "enlighten" his people, "enlighten" a man living in the darkness of sin and therefore revealed himself as Jesus Christ - God incarnate. If you negate the fact of the incarnation, if you negate the truth that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Son of God, the self-revelation of God, then all our faith is shattered, because we then deny also that He is the Messiah, the Savior, Redeemer, Liberator. And then there is no salvation, no eternal life, there is no Divine Mercy, and everything is an illusion and misunderstanding.
That is why Christians from the beginning so much defended the truth of the self-revelation of God through the Incarnation. And this is why today this truth is most strongly eradicated by unbelievers and atheists. Satan is constantly trying to convince us that Jesus is NOT the incarnate Son of God and He is only unusual (but only) man, a wise guru, a teacher, an itinerant preacher. If Jesus is not the final word of God spoken to man, if He is not the Light of the World, then we still live in the darkness, and the darkness engulfed us, we still live in the darkness of sin, because there is no Redeemer, no one who by "enlightenment" moves us out of darkness.
But there is one more important element of this divine pedagogy of enlightenment. Namely, that actually to be enlightened one must recognize and accept the One by Whom the enlightenment is performed. Magi from the East in today's Gospel are looking for light, looking for the newly-born Son of God, they recognize and welcome Him, offering Him homage. But not all follow the wise example. As in the second part of the prologue St. Jan writes: "The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew him not. (LIGHT) came to his own, but his own did not receive Him." (John 1:9-11) And that's why so many people continue to live in darkness and hopelessness.
In an interview with Nicodemus, Jesus also says sadly, "... the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). It is unfortunately still true for many of those who have rejected and continue to reject the light, even in our times. This is true of those who loved darkness because their deeds are evil. And because they are afraid of light, afraid of the Incarnate Son of God and the truth that they do not want to accept. So on today's Solemnity of the Epiphany ask yourself this very important question: Can I say that according to the expression of St.. Paul "We are all sons of light and sons of the day", are not rather that we are the sons "of the night and darkness?" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Is the light of Jesus Christ illuminating the darkness of my life? Is it transforming and illuminating? For as long as I live in sin, I reject the truth of the Incarnation of the Son of God, until I give up myself to the sanctifying and purifying action of light, I do not live in light and darkness still envelops me.
Pope Benedict XVI criticized the "cool academic approach" of the Scripture, which leads to the "vivisection secrecy" with "ignoring the dimension of the supernatural". "These were taught, off those whom found the Magi coming from the East to Bethlehem, the Pharisees. They knew where the child was born, but the message has not touched their lives. They could provide information, but it has not contributed to the formation of their own lives, "
Feast of the Epiphany not only reminds us of the historical event described in today's Gospel according to St. Matthew. This ceremony draws our attention to the fact much more significant and unusual, namely the fact that God wants to reveal himself to his people. This revelation of God repeatedly described in the Old Testament is final and ultimate in the Incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews puts it very clearly when he writes: "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). It is a matter of cardinal importance the recognition of the importance of the fact of God's revelation in the Son. God Himself decided that the best and most appropriate way of self-revelation to man is a revelation in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.
This self-revelation of God is very often presented in Scripture as the Enlightenment, the coming of light "for enlightenment." Simeon says in the temple at the time of sacrifice: "Now, Master, you may let your servant depart in peace, according to your word. 'because my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32). And St. John writes in the prologue to his Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:1-5). Also, Christ himself says of himself: "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me may not remain in darkness." (John 12:46)
You could even say that this is the most important element of faith. God decided to "enlighten" his people, "enlighten" a man living in the darkness of sin and therefore revealed himself as Jesus Christ - God incarnate. If you negate the fact of the incarnation, if you negate the truth that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Son of God, the self-revelation of God, then all our faith is shattered, because we then deny also that He is the Messiah, the Savior, Redeemer, Liberator. And then there is no salvation, no eternal life, there is no Divine Mercy, and everything is an illusion and misunderstanding.
That is why Christians from the beginning so much defended the truth of the self-revelation of God through the Incarnation. And this is why today this truth is most strongly eradicated by unbelievers and atheists. Satan is constantly trying to convince us that Jesus is NOT the incarnate Son of God and He is only unusual (but only) man, a wise guru, a teacher, an itinerant preacher. If Jesus is not the final word of God spoken to man, if He is not the Light of the World, then we still live in the darkness, and the darkness engulfed us, we still live in the darkness of sin, because there is no Redeemer, no one who by "enlightenment" moves us out of darkness.
But there is one more important element of this divine pedagogy of enlightenment. Namely, that actually to be enlightened one must recognize and accept the One by Whom the enlightenment is performed. Magi from the East in today's Gospel are looking for light, looking for the newly-born Son of God, they recognize and welcome Him, offering Him homage. But not all follow the wise example. As in the second part of the prologue St. Jan writes: "The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew him not. (LIGHT) came to his own, but his own did not receive Him." (John 1:9-11) And that's why so many people continue to live in darkness and hopelessness.
In an interview with Nicodemus, Jesus also says sadly, "... the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). It is unfortunately still true for many of those who have rejected and continue to reject the light, even in our times. This is true of those who loved darkness because their deeds are evil. And because they are afraid of light, afraid of the Incarnate Son of God and the truth that they do not want to accept. So on today's Solemnity of the Epiphany ask yourself this very important question: Can I say that according to the expression of St.. Paul "We are all sons of light and sons of the day", are not rather that we are the sons "of the night and darkness?" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Is the light of Jesus Christ illuminating the darkness of my life? Is it transforming and illuminating? For as long as I live in sin, I reject the truth of the Incarnation of the Son of God, until I give up myself to the sanctifying and purifying action of light, I do not live in light and darkness still envelops me.
Pope Benedict XVI criticized the "cool academic approach" of the Scripture, which leads to the "vivisection secrecy" with "ignoring the dimension of the supernatural". "These were taught, off those whom found the Magi coming from the East to Bethlehem, the Pharisees. They knew where the child was born, but the message has not touched their lives. They could provide information, but it has not contributed to the formation of their own lives, "
January 6 (or second Sunday after Christmas) - Epiphany of the Lord
Glorify the Lord, all the nations of the earth
It seems that they are right, those who speak of imperialism if the Church or Christian imperialism. Church proclaiming Christ to all continents for centuries is certainly causing some mixed and confusing reactions. Some people have also similar feelings after the publication of dogmatic document "Dominus Jesus", which generated so much discussion among theologians and the peoples of Asia as well as among the liberals and dissidents. But is it true that the Church is imperialistic; or rather it is only some kind of "allergy" or aversion of God?
Leaving aside these kind of academic and theological disputes maybe it will be better to look at today's Gospel scene. We see the pagan nations, in the persons of the three wise men (the Magi) coming to not at all an imperialist Christ, to a Child and recognizing in Him the King, Whom they want to worship. Today's Solemnity of the Epiphany shows us the immense truth that man (on each latitude and in every culture) is waiting for the manifestation of God, the Creator. It shows that humanity yearns for Him, and is looking for Him eagerly. It is not the Church or Christianity that is imperialistic; God wants that all nations on the earth may know the truth of His saving Love for man, the truth of His saving Passion, Death and Resurrection.
It is undoubtedly true that often in the history of the Church some institutions have committed an error of imperialism. It is true that some people of the institutional church have had an imperialistic attitude. But this kind of generalized accusation is a misunderstanding if you look at the whole history of salvation and its effects. Church since apostolic times was always aware that it is "The love of Christ impels us". And this awareness, this imperative of God's Love nobody who knows Jesus could resist. Let's not get mad when others accuse us that we are imperialist, because we "impose our way of life", because we command or are forcing to live according to our own, Christian norms and rules. Working in the missions for more than fifteen years I didn't notice anything like that. I also try not to impose anything and do not violate anyone's beliefs. Church rather proposes: "If you want to be saved, if you want your life took on a different and deeper meaning and dimensions of eternity, believe in Christ. Ultimately, however, the choice is absolutely yours. "Thousands of martyrs in Africa, South America and Asia, teen of thousands of missionaries who gave their lives in proclaiming the truth to save the man from his misery are the best proof of this. And those who secretly sell weapons to the Third World countries, those who exploit them economically, who steal natural resources, they can scream and shout loud -for sure- about the imperialism of the Church to cover their own evil and dark machinations. And the Church cannot cease to preach Christ, Jesus Christ crucified. He came as a child, helpless and without power, so to release the man from the powers of evil. And so, evil will always be the loudest in protesting against the revelation of the goodness. And that evil still screams accusing of imperialism the Church of Christ and distorting the truth, just by dressing up itself in the garments of truth and freedom.
Christians - do not be ashamed to be the followers of Christ and showing others the One Who for the salvation of humanity became Man. Even if we are accused of all sorts of imperialism, let us not be ashamed to be the disciples of Christ. Let's not get crazy, discouraged and intimidated. Let's not use force in converting, but let us not be weak and submissive conformists, let us not compromise the Gospel for the sake of political correctness or luxury. Let us live as followers of Christ and in our life let us proclaim the fact that He is the only Savior of man. May His Name – the most Holy name of Jesus- will be known and praised by all who believe in Him, and for those who reject Him, let it be the Name full power and causing fear in their hearts.
Only wicked people may accuse Christ of imperialism. Wise and honorable people -as Patrons' Saints of today- always recognize in Him, in Jesus Christ the Savior and the true King, Who conquers the world and the human heart, but not with weapons and power, but Love which He is revealing to humanity. Only the foolish and perverse political systems are afraid to open the doors for Christ. Only the little people, persevering in their selfishness do not want open the doors of their hearts for Him.
II Sunday of Christmas
Sir 24, 1-2.8-12
Eph 1, 6.15-18
John 1, 1-18
In the beginning was the Word ... He came to His own and His own people
did not accept Him ...
The words of today's Gospel are a
repetition of what we heard on the Christmas Day. It's a great hymn of St. John,
where the author, the youngest apostle of Christ gives us in full the profundity
of the theological truth about Jesus the Son of God - the Word made flesh,
Light, Life and Truth. These words are so beautiful and extremely profound, but
it seems that they are difficult to understand and sometimes, "we let them pass by near or over our heads."
However, I think one needs to grow up in a certain intelligence, to understand
their depth and surrender to their inner strength and power, so that they
become full of meaning and splendor for the listener. You have to let you be absorbed
by its wisdom and taste them slowly and without haste, like poetry, which
reveals its profundity only to experts. Unfortunately, we often cannot afford
that, we are much too busy and too rational.
What John the Apostle wants to tell us, is
primarily a bottomless truth about the mystery of the Incarnation, which
becomes more understandable when you combine it with the mystery of the
Redemption. God became man, lived in the human world, from His fullness He gave
us "grace upon grace". This alone can clarify and justify the coming
of God into the world in human flesh. All that we are and what we will be, all
we have and we can have, absolutely everything, we have from Him and through
Him ...
John in his prologue also highlights
another truth. Sad and frightening truth, the truth that this God, God-Man, Who
came to His creature, by this creature was rejected, unrecognized, neglected,
and even ... negated. It is, as if a product,
furniture, table, car produced by a human ... told the creator: "I do
not know you, you do not exist, I created you, you're just a fabrication
of my sick imagination ..."
Often, that's what happens when kids
wanting a freedom or "emancipation" with some incredibly perverse mentality
reproach and with absurd bitterness turn to their parents, saying: "I am
in the world where I did not ask to be! Why did you give me a birth? I do not
know you and do not I want to know you! And then, what parents can say? How can
they respond to this kind of "wisdom"?
Is it not that I'm resembling this capricious
and spoiled child who wants to "liberate himself from an oppressive
parental care"?
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