the people of Nineveh believed God

January 21, 2018 6:00 am

“Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, ‘Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,’ when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” (JON 3: 4-5)

From “I believe in God” to “believed God” there is a distance, there is a journey. When couples start their marriage in the Church, they believe in God and in the sacrament of marriage. But when they start believing that God is not only in the Church, but lives in their hearts, is a part of their marriage and always wants for them all the best, they can learn how different is believing God compared to belief in God. 

“The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

His relatives

January 20, 2018 6:00 am

“Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,  for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” (MK 3: 20-21) 

Our Lord’s relatives didn’t accept His mission: “they set out to seize him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind.’” How often even our relatives, unfortunately, don’t understand us when we go to the Programs. They called us selfish because we “prefer” to spend time alone, without our children. But we know how important our mission is. We can’t be good parents and good citizens when we are not good couples. First things first. 

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Those whom he wanted

January 19, 2018 6:00 am

“Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” 

Our Lord chose “those whom he wanted,” first of all “that they might be with him.” This is the very first responsibility of His disciples—to be with Him. All others activities are based on this. 

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

were pressing upon him to touch him

January 18, 2018 6:00 am

“He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.” (MK 3: 9-10)

We also can bring our wounds and our diseases to Him. He is the same–He loves us and takes care of us. We can even touch Him by receiving Holy Communion or taking out our Bible. He is closer to us than we can imagine. 

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil?

January 17, 2018 6:00 am

“Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Come up here before us.’ Then he said to the Pharisees, ‘Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?’” (MK 3: 1-4) 

It is so natural for us to understand that it is never good “to do evil,” and it doesn’t matter whether it is “on the sabbath” or during the week. But is it also so natural for us to understand that it is always good to “to do good”? Because “to do good,” we need to have open eyes to see if our brother is in need. It could be a good word, a telephone call or some kind of help. 

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)  

But the LORD looks into the heart

January 16, 2018 6:00 am

“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” (1 SM 16: 7)

We see only “the appearance [,] but the Lord looks into the heart.” He knows us from our beginning; He created us and redeemed us and  always is with us in our hearts. When we—like He—will use “the eyes of our hearts,” like His enlightened eyes, we will see more clearly.

“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The one who is coming after me

January 2, 2018 6:00 am

“I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” (JN 1: 26-27) 

Our Lord, “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie” and John the Baptist, His predecessor: his role was so important—to prepare people for His/Our Lord’s coming. Fully aware of who he was and fully involved in “the one who is coming:” everything was for Jesus, nothing was for him. 

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Dear Friends, traditionally, in these days, we will have a break. It is time for my annual hermitage retreat. I will be back on the 15 of January. Please keep me in your prayers. I will keep You in mine. 
with blessing 
Fr. Jay