We are sinners

July 4, 2014 11:42 am

“I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mt 9: 13)

Lucky we.

Our creation and vocation is based on truth: truth about God—who is Love, and truth about us—who are sinners. We can’t go to Heaven because we have done something good to deserve Heaven. Heaven is not a reward for good action, a place where the winner is the best doer; it is a place where the winner is the one who loves most. Being sinners doesn’t mean we can’t love. It means that even if we love so much, we still need redemption and guidance. And He takes care of us. He has come to call sinners, to call us. Lucky we.

With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life, and in your light, we see light” (Communion Antiphon)

 

A dwelling place of God

July 3, 2014 11:00 am

“Through Him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph 2: 21-22).

We are “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”. When we meet others, we can worship together. All of us, but especially families who “in him … are being built together.” When He is invited personally to be a part of the family and the family prays together, “through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord.” Believing families determine the future of the world.

“You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Direction – to Heaven

July 2, 2014 10:09 am

“Seek good and not evil, that you may live.” (Am 5: 14)

Our life takes us to eternity; it has the beginning but no end. We will only change place from earth to … heaven or hell. Seek good – this brings us to heaven.

“The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creature.” (Gospel Acclamation)

 

S.O.S.

July 1, 2014 2:52 pm

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25)

When we are in danger, in a very bad emotional state, under huge stress, when “a violent storm came up” on us, so that our life is “being swamped by waves,” we should cry out like the apostles. He is always close to us to help, to rescue and to save us.

“I trust in the Lord, my soul trust in his word.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Wherever you go

June 30, 2014 7:05 am

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” (Mt 8:19)

Declaration which every seminarian understands perfectly: “wherever you go”. We would like to conquer the whole world for Our Lord. Later, the idea slowly moves from “wherever” to determining “where.” The only way to avoid this temptation is to focus on Him; with the accent on “follow you” and only then “wherever you go.” It is more difficult for us, men, to be focused on a person rather than on action, but… it’s crucial.

“O Father, I pray for them, that they may be one in us, that the world may believe that you have sent me, says the Lord.” (Communion Antiphon)

Come to My heart

June 27, 2014 11:55 am

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt 11:28-30)

When Saint John Paul II talked about the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, he said, that in Jesus Christ God the Father loves us in a very human way. Again and again the Gospel reminds us of Our Lord’s concern – we are God’s children, He has come to protect us, to save us, to redeem us. His heart is full of compassion and mercy. Even yoke and burden taken from Him bring peace and light to our hearts.

“The design of his Heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” (Entrance Antiphon)

 

The one who says and the one who does

June 26, 2014 1:07 pm

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 7: 21)

Maybe we don’t do “the will of the Father” because we are afraid of this will. Our Father could expect from us holiness in every moment of our life, more fasting, being calm and nice and who knows what more. But “the will of the Father” is very simple – love one another. All His concern is to love.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation).

as your heavenly Father

June 17, 2014 2:59 pm

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5: 48)

When we think about being perfect we turn to the areas where we are quite good or almost perfect, and our concern is what to do to be better, really perfect. Jesus asks us not to think about ourselves and good things we can do better, but to think about Our Father and how to imitate Him. God’s perfection is not in being wiser, bigger, stronger, etc., but in loving. His love is focused on one simple thing: what He can do for me to make me really happy?

“I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you” (Gospel Acclamation)

I say to you

June 16, 2014 11:16 am

“You have heard that it was said . . . But I say to you . . .” (Mt 5: 38-39)

For several days the Gospel have had the same structure: “you have heard that it was said” and Our Lord’s comment: “but I say to you”. This is the famous Sermon on the Mountain. As the Ten Commandments were given on the mountain, and Moses was the law-giver, now Jesus is a new Moses and as a new law-giver brings new interpretation of the Mosaic law.

When we “have heard that it was said,” we should ask ourselves: what Jesus will say to me about it?

“A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path” (Gospel Acclamation)

Holy Trinity Solemnity

June 15, 2014 7:05 am

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” (2 Cor 13, 13)

The Holy Trinity is focused on me: my Lord comes with His grace, My Father gives me His love and the Holy Spirit invites me to His companion. Three different gifts from three different Persons, but from the same God – the Perfect Unity.

Our lives should be similar. When we are united with others, we help each other (with respect and gentleness), we love each other (as a gift of self) and we love to be together (we protect time for us) – the perfect unity.

“Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.” (Gospel Acclamation)