“When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you, arise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.” (LK 7: 13-15)
Our Lord came to us as a Redeemer and Savior. He takes care of us and our relationships. When we give our lives to Him, we can expect from Him a renewal of our relationships—“Jesus gave him to his mother.”
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” (1 COR 11: 23-25)
Our Lord gave us His Body and Blood to protect us and to keep us strong in our faith; It is not only a “remembrance” but also a re-presentation of His appearance among us and within us. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we are close to Him and united with Him.
“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 TM 1: 14-15)
We can listen to this saying again and again and will never tire of it—“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He came not to blame sinners, not to punish them, and not to condemn them, but to save them—“this saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.” We are not only saved but also chosen to be His children. “Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant.”
“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one Body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” (1 COR 10: 16-17)
There are many reasons to be united with others: because we are family members, organization members, or Church members. The other reason is that without building a community of persons, we can’t grow as person. But there is also one more—we “participate in the Blood of Christ,” and it makes us His kin with everyone else who comes to the Altar to receive Holy Communion.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” (LK 6: 39-40)
The only way we can go to Heaven is to follow a good guide. There is only one guide—Our Lord Who came from Heaven and knows how to lead us there. The Bible is the light, and Our Lord is the Teacher Who wants us to be “fully trained” and to “be like his teacher.” It is a lifelong process but very important—what are we doing to become fully qualified in our knowledge of the faith?
“Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (1 MIC 5: 1)
God’s point of view is totally different from ours. He is not looking for the best, the outstanding, the extraordinary, etc., but for someone small, humble, and ordinary. Perfection comes from Him and is His gift for us.
“Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“So this is what I think best because of the present distress: that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.” (1 COR 7: 26-27)
Paul urges us to be less concerned with changing our states of life than with answering God’s call where it finds us. We do not change others, we change ourselves. Every situation brings new opportunity, so when we look for what to change in ourselves to be closer to God and more faithful to Him we will stop blaming situations (to say nothing about blaming other persons).
“Rejoice and leap for joy! Your reward will be great in heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles…” (LK 6: 12-13)
Important events were prepared for by Our Lord with prayer—like calling His apostles or facing His arrest and death. Prayer is for being with God, looking for His point of view, seeking strength and support, and seeing my role in the world from the right perspective.
“I chose you from the world, that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 COR 5: 8)
We build all our first three Programs on the same structure: honesty, fidelity and love. The first step is always the same—honesty or sincerity. When we can honestly say who we are and what our condition is, we can change ourselves for the better because we build on truth. In the opposite way, “malice and wickedness” will destroy any relationship.
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.” (LK 14: 33)
Being a disciple is based on who we are not what we have, so Our Lord expects us to “renounce all our possessions.” It is much easier for people to build their authority on possessions rather than on the real value of their dignity—being God’s children, being loved and loving others. We are human beings and grow when we are with others and love each other.
“Let your face shine upon your servant; and teach me your laws.” (Gospel Acclamation)
