"Put your sin in the Chalice for the precious blood to wash away. One drop is capable of washing away the sins of the world.” - Mother Teresa.
We live in a sin-sick society with a suffering humanity where human dignity, family bonds, marital unions, societal cohesion, etc have been disintegrated. This owes to that fact that we not only ”proudly” glorify our sinful ways but also boldly justify our blatant wrongs. In the name of ”my right and my liberty” our religious (societal) values and moral principles have been compromised and reduced to ”doing what pleases me” concept. But the consequences are disastrous more than the good we thought it would be. The episode of our first reading showcases the character and attitude of the Israelites in turning away from the precepts of God into paganism and idolatry, when Moses had gone to bring the commandments from God. This engendered the wrath of God to punish them. Moses’s intercession calmed and changed the plan of God. There are many times we have behaved like the Israelites in transgressing from the tenets of our faith; but there is still hope for us to get back to God. For some of us; due to a goofy mistake you did, a temptation you fell prey to, a sin you deliberately committed , a decision (action, plan, desire, etc) you mischievously undertook: ever since, your conscience kept on hunting you and it's been giving you sleepless nightmares. Because of that you hate everything around you, including even your very own self. You think you can not be forgiven! But, I must tell you that it is not about what you think, it is rather about your readiness to embrace mercy and forgiveness. Your effort is needed. Take the first step (repentance) and God will supply the rest. God hates the sin in you, but He loves you, the sinner. You need not ever and should never despair! Beloved one's in Christ, the Apostle Paul, in our second reading uses himself as a living testimony of the mercy and love of God. So there is no sin that is greater than the Divine mercy. All that you need is to repent from your sinful ways, trust and believe in God. He is a God of infinite mercy who loves with a love we can not grasp. Where there is a will there is a way. Be grateful to the Lord for His enduring mercy. Jesus Christ in the gospel reading uses the parable to drive home the Divine intent for us. That is, not to lose any of us, and His goal is that we will turn away from our sinful ways. He delights that we be good. Remember what the Lord says, ”if the wicked (sinner), however, renounces all sins he has committed, respects my laws and is law-abiding and upright, he will most certainly live because of his upright actions.” (Ezekiel 18:21) Simply avoid the usual justification and glorification of your wrongs (sins), only accept and be ready to rise and go to the Father. Your story will change, your life will never be the same. There is nothing impossible before God. Just be courageous to say, ”it is enough!” This is what the Saints did. Are you ready to be one? Let’s meet at Church. You are warmly welcomed to Sacred Heart Parish-Mondovi Fall Festival! I pray to win a raffle once again... What about you? Fr. Emmanuel Mother Teresa inspires that, ”Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.”
The complexity of life goes beyond the bounds of human knowledge. Due to the advancement of Modern science and technology human beings deceive themselves that they are in control. We think life is all about acquisition of knowledge. "I know, therefore I am!" Notwithstanding this feat, we have not been able to solve the challenges that confront our lives. Our fruitless attempt to surmount pertinent life situations have put us into dilemma. This means, despite our knowledge, we still lack something which is beyond our human nature. Therefore, in the extract of our first reading, the author stresses man’s inability to fathom the divine plans and decrees. Implying that our knowledge is finite and limited, so we need the Wisdom and the Spirit of God to wade through the waters of life. Without the wisdom of God man, toils fruitlessly. Wisdom is the key that opens the door of the enormity of the treasures of life; of which human knowledge alone is in futility. "It is only the wisdom of God that makes our path straight.” (Wis. 9:18B). Knowledge without wisdom is travesty! But the alacrity of life is in the application of knowledge with wisdom. The Psalmist says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart, ” (Psalm 90:12). Seek for the wisdom of the Lord, but not the knowledge of the world! Dearest sister and brother in Christ, it is against this background that St. Paul, in our second reading emboldened the master of Onesimus to accept him with fraternal spirit for the sake of Christ Jesus. In Christ, we are all one. Equality in our common faith towards the common goal of salvation. So there is no place for discrimination, judging others, making others subservient or inferior, looking down on others or reducing another human being into slavery. Indeed, this is the mind of our modern world, where people think they know more than the others so they wield power and authority. However, the wisdom of God makes us appreciate that each one is a visible image of the invisible God. So let's treat one another with dignity and honor. Deal kindly with people around you. Jesus Christ, in our gospel reading, as usual stirs the waters as he clearly spells out the demands of discipleship. There is the need to set our priorities right as Christians, developing the right orientations in our vocation. Being a Christian comes with a cost. It must go with a firm resolution and deeper commitment with one’s determination to persevere through. A true and serious Christian like you must be ready to renounce your possessions (comforts, conveniences, attachments, etc) for the sake of the Kingdom of God. The knowledge of the world may deceive you, but the wisdom of God will save you! Always remember that the real meaning of life is found in knowledge with the wisdom (Spirit) of God. This is what the Saints did... Are you ready to be one? Hope to see you in Church. May God bless you and your family. Have a blissful week. Fr. Emmanuel This week, St. Augustine admonishes that, ”If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless.”
Ethical and moral principles, like humility, sanctioned by Divine authority have been misconstrued as interfering with personal (human) rights and freedom. Mistakenly, our modern world has brainwashed us into believing that being proud, arrogant, disrespecting, self exaltative, assertive, and imposing means you are exercising your inalienable human rights and liberty. But it is not true. This is just a charade! Rather, the consequential effect include loneliness, unnecessary justification of wrongs; which not only endanger personal relationships but also breakdown of societal fraternity and bond. It pays to be humble. No man is an Island. As humans we live in chains and no one can absolutely claim to be independent of the other. Humility is a bridge that connect us. Being humble does not suggest cowardice, bashfulness, timidity, hypocrisy or weakness but dignifying our humanness and glorifying God. The author (Bin Sira) of our first reading makes a clarion call that, ”My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” (Sir 3:17-18) As a Christian, you must understand that humility is what you need as a proof of your faith. As a virtue it manifests your dispositions in life. It reveals your real identity and your purpose in life. It is an obligation. This is what the saints did. It’s your turn, make it your goal. Just be humble! Jesus Christ, in the gospel reading, teaches us how to practically be humble. Do not seek for prominence in public, lest you embarrass yourself. He cautioned, ”for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 14:11) Also, treat the poor, the sick and the unfortunate ones in the society with respect and honor. There is always a reward for your humility. Humility makes you the real you. May your sense of humility give you every good gift from the Lord, put into your heart the love of His name. By deepening your sense of reverence, and by His watchful care, May the Lord keep you safe in whatever He has nurtured in you. Amen. May your week be a wonderful one!! We welcome our students back to school. I am excited; hope you are also super excited! Let's meet at church. Fr. Emmanuel. St. Augustine of Hippo, once more reiterates, ”Let us understand that God is a physician and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not punishment for damnation.”
Indeed, everyone desires salvation. But is salvation achieved on a silver platter? No. No pain, no gain! The fact that we are Christians does not automatically guarantee that everyone will be saved. Your salvation is in your own hands in as much as your free will is. Work at your salvation by co-operating with God through his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, Isaiah in the first reading seeks to remove the misconceptions about salvation among the Jews, who believed that salvation was only for themselves and that no Gentile (non-Jew) would be saved. This had created confusions in the minds of the returnees from the Babylonian exile (538 B.C.). His words were to instill hope and bolster their faith especially when they saw the state of Jerusalem. As a prophet, his consolatory message was to insist on the fact that the salvation of men is the sole prerogative of God and that salvation is universal for all men. God does not discriminate in saving men. Actually, the Divine goal is that all men must be saved. So no one can claim monopoly over salvation. No one can judge another. The Lord says, ”I am coming to gather every nation and every language. They will come to witness my glory.” (Isaiah 66:18). Are you ready? Hence, the author of our second reading gives us the clue to gain our goal of being saved. His scenario of the father-son-discipline-training should be captured in our experience of the pains and sufferings we encounter as Christians. Unfortunately, some people naively perceive Christianity as the easiest vocation on earth. The truth is far from this. No true and faithful Christian can claim that everything has been all rosy, comfortable, convenient and palatable. We sometimes complain, doubt, distrust, compromise, etc., just because maybe the suffering is too much for us to bear. But for the sake of our salvation we must see them (sufferings) as part of the Divine discipline. ”For the Lord trains those he loves, and chastises every son he accepts...perseverance is part...” (Hebrews 12:6-7). Expect and be ready to face hardships and adversities if you want to be saved. Jesus Christ, in the gospel reading, does not mince words by setting the records straight. He insists, ”try your hardest to enter by the narrow door...” (Luke 13:24). As Christians we need to exercise self-restraint and mortification by respecting and keeping his commandments. Acquaintance with Christ is not enough to be saved, but rather our deepest love and loyalty to him. Finally, my dear family of God, know that Salvation is a choice. It is a decision. It is indispensably dependent on your faith. So collaborate with God to be saved with your constant fidelity and vigilance throughout your life. Love what the Lord commands and desire what He promises. In the midst of the uncertainties of this world, may your heart be fixed on that place where gladness is found; eternal glory-Heaven. Hope to see you at the Lima Fall Festival. Enjoy the POPPYSEED ROLLS...it must be delicious! Have a blissful weekend. Thanks. Fr. Emmanuel Woo-hoo!! Our annual Fall Festivals are fast approaching. Plans and preparations are quickly advancing to make them fantastic ones! Thanks to our indefatigable committee members. I believe you are planning and preparing yourself to be part of these celebrations. I will be there, too. Let’s meet to celebrate our festival in grand style. ”How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers and sisters all together!” (Ps 133:1)
Once again, St. Augustine of Hippo stated, ”at the time of creation God created us without our concern but at the time of salvation God will demand our consent.” Life presents options in the midst of challenges and situations beyond our control. Our choices display the intent of the use of our free will. But as Christians, trusting faith in God’s promises is a necessity in dealing with circumstances that confront us. Hence, fidelity in doing God’s will is indispensable in sustaining our hopes in life. After all, we must be vigilant in preparing ourselves for the eternal reward awaiting us. Salvation is the goal of our vocation: but our willful fidelity to God will facilitate the realization of this goal. The author of our first reading recounts to us how the ancient Hebrew slaves kept on hoping against hope that God was going to change their story by delivering and liberating them from the hands of the wicked Egyptians. Indeed, the Lord showed His mighty power to save His chosen ones from their cruel enemies. Nonetheless, this came about because they had ”sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith.” Beloved one's in Christ, their expectant hope encouraged them to obediently submit to doing the will of the Lord but not their personal will. No matter what the uncertainty of life presents to us, and regardless of the options offered us, let's not relegate the will of God in our lives. We are chosen people of faith; the display of our trusting faith in God irrespective of our life story will bolster our hopes. With God there is nothing impossible, nothing too late, nothing hopeless... Your faith will change your life story! That's why the Psalmist exhorts, ”May your kindness be upon us who have put our hopes in you.” (Ps 33:22) Again, the author of our second reading deepens the dynamics of faith and it's significance in our Christian life by using Abraham as model in faith. He totally relied upon and depended on God with no iota of doubt. For his committed fidelity and devoted hopes,the Lord rewarded him. ”Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1) This is what the Saints did; it's your turn! Jesus Christ, in the gospel reading, paradoxically presents to us His eschatological (end time) teachings with particular emphasis on His parousia (second coming). Death is a constant reality among the last things on earth. His second coming and the death of man remains a mystery. So we must be consciously watchful and be vigilantly prepared. Living our theological virtue of faith is a conditio sine qua non (essential action). Sisters and Brothers, life comes with adventures and challenges but our attempt to embrace it or walk away from it should go with trusting faith and hopes in the Lord. Jesus will surely come again, man will surely die: therefore live your life not according to your personal will but by the will of God. God does not deceive us with His promises. Have faith in Him, believe in Him, hope in Him...your reward awaits you! May God strengthen our Faith. Amen. Hope to see you in church. Thanks. Fr. Emmanuel. |
Fr. EmmanuelFr. Emmanuel hails from Ghana and is passionate about the Gospel and bringing the love of Christ to all people. He speaks several languages, enjoys soccer and cooking, and loves St. Francis of Assisi. Archives
April 2021
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