19th May 2020

The advocate and consoler

Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words!” – St. Francis of Assisi.

This saying of St. Francis comes to mind as we read today’s first reading. Paul and Silas are imprisoned after being stripped and beaten. In jail, they praise God and pray rather than complain and grumble. A terrible earthquake unfetters their chains and demolishes the prison, giving them a chance to escape but Paul and Silas choose not to. This choice exemplifies their innocence and doesn’t go unnoticed by the jailer who thinking that they had escaped, wanted to kill himself. Hearing Paul’s reassuring words, he is converted and asks, “What must I do to be saved?”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that the Advocate is coming after Jesus goes to his Father.The word that gets translated Advocate is “Paraclete,” which is notoriously hard to translate. In addition to Advocate, it can also mean Consoler, Comforter, and Helper. It is important to remember that for St. Ignatius, “consolation” is the heart-knowledge that God is near. This one little word contains a very powerful truth: as Advocate, God is on our side; as Consoler, God is at our side.

Too often many of us can fall into thinking either that God is out to get me or that God is not anywhere close to where I am. In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us that in the Holy Spirit—the Advocate and Consoler—God is always near, and that the One we find is always on our side encouraging us in our struggles, comforting us in our pain, and celebrating with us in our joys.

18th May 2020

And you also must testify»

Today, in the Gospel, Jesus announces and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit: “When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, he will testify about me” (John 15:26). “Paraclete” literally means “one called to the side of another”, and is usually translated as “Comforter”. In this way, Jesus reminds us of the goodness of God, for the Holy Spirit being God’s love, He infuses into our hearts peace, equanimity in adversity and joy for the things of God. He makes us look at things above and join God.

Besides, Jesus also said to the Apostles: «And you must also testify» (Jn 15:27). To bear witness to it is necessary:

1º To have communion and intimacy with Jesus. This originates from our day-to-day behavior with Him: to read the Gospel, to hear His words, to know His teachings, to frequent His sacraments, to be in communion with His Church, to imitate His example, to fulfil His commandments, to identify Him in the Saints, to recognize Him in our brothers, to have His spirit and to love Him. It is a matter of having a personal and living experience of Jesus.

2º If it appears in our works our testimony is trustworthy. A witness is not only a person who knows something to be true but who is also willing to say it and live by it. What we experience and live by in our soul must be also transmitted beyond. We are witnesses of Jesus not only when we know His teachings, but – and mainly – when we want and make others to know Him and love Him. As the saying goes: «Words move people, examples compel them».

Pope Francis said: “I am grateful for the beautiful example given to me by so many Christians who joyfully sacrifice their lives and their time. This witness comforts and sustains me in my own effort to overcome selfishness and to give more fully of myself.” And he added: «I especially want to ask you a testimony of fraternal communion that becomes attractive and radiant». This is always an enticing light.

May 15, 2020
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Albert Einstein once said, “I want to know God’s thoughts; the rest are only details”.

The first reading echoes this sentiment in tackling the issue of the circumcision of Gentiles. “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us…” – the Apostles clearly see themselves as subservient to the will of the Holy Spirit. Doing God’s will is of prime importance; the rest is just a detail.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t just ask us to love another. He commands it. Even in the most ordinary of times, it can be difficult sometimes to love even those closest to us – even to love and forgive ourselves can be challenging.

Yet in extraordinary times, people consistently step forward and love unconditionally. Fred Rogers recalls his mother asking him during tragedies to “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

It may be a soldier in battle protecting others, a doctor or nurse helping someone battle a deadly infectious disease, or a first responder saving the lives of others. We are all fortunate that there are many who “lay down their life for a friend.” These heroes know that we are all connected and worthy. Love will overcome.

Who inspires you to love one another? How can you love others more? Who is most in need of your love?

Lord, I know You have chosen me. I accept Your call in my life. I accept the fact that You have appointed me to fulfill Your mission in a unique and glorious way. Help me to continually say “Yes” to Your call. Jesus, I trust in You.

14th May 2020

St Matthias – Apostle

The suicide of Judas left a void in the apostolic community which needed to be filled. Peter, the chief shepherd, speaks to the disciples who, after praying, select Matthias as the one to fill that void. This is the first instance of ‘apostolic succession’, which forms the basis for the appointment of Bishops in the Church.

The Gospel describes this collegiality in the symbolism of the Vine, which in the Old Testament refers to Israel. John, however, has Jesus replace this imagery with Himself. Thus, Jesus is to humanity what Israel was to the world. Hence, the stress is on “remaining” in Jesus. Judas refused to “remain” in Jesus and withered. Matthias is now called to the same office of “remaining” in Jesus.

While we are all called to “remain” in Jesus and to “bear fruit”, the emphasis of the call remains on Jesus who reminds us, “You did not choose me; I chose you.”

How does one qualify to be an apostle?

The first act of the apostles after the Ascension of Jesus was to find a replacement for Judas. With all the questions, doubts, and dangers facing them, they chose to focus their attention on finding a twelfth apostle. Why was this important? Twelve was a very important number to the Chosen People: twelve was the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. If the new Israel was to come from the disciples of Jesus, a twelfth apostle was needed.

But Jesus had chosen the original twelve. How could they know whom he would choose?

One hundred and twenty people were gathered for prayer and reflection in the upper room, when Peter stood up to propose the way to make the choice.

Peter had one criterion, that, like Andrew, James, John, and himself, the new apostle be someone who had been a disciple from the very beginning, from his baptism by John until the Ascension. The reason for this was simple, the new apostle would must become a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. He must have followed Jesus before anyone knew him, stayed with him when he made enemies, and believed in him when he spoke of the cross and of eating his body — teachings that had made others melt away.

Two men fit this description — Matthias and Joseph called Barsabbas. They knew that both these men had been with them and with Jesus through his whole ministry. But which one had the heart to become a witness to his resurrection. The apostles knew that only the Lord could know what was in the heart of each. They cast lots in order to discover God’s will and Matthias was chosen. He was the twelfth apostle and the group was whole again as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

That’s the first we hear of Matthias in Scripture, and the last. Legends like the Acts of Andrew and Matthias testify to Matthias’ enthusiastic embrace of all that being an apostle meant including evangelization, persecution, and death in the service of the Lord.

How does one qualify to be an apostle?

Clement of Alexandria says that Matthias, like all the other apostles, was not chosen by Jesus for what he already was, but for what Jesus foresaw he would become. He was elected not because he was worthy but because he would become worthy. Jesus chooses all of us in the same way. What does Jesus want you to become?

In His Footsteps:

Have you ever felt like an afterthought, a latecomer? Or have you ever resented someone new who was added to your group? Try to see your community as not complete without the newcomer, whether you or someone else. Welcome any newcomers to your parish, work, or family community this week as someone chosen by God.

Prayer:

Saint Matthias, pray that we may become worthy witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus in the way we live the eternal life we have right now.

13th May 2020

Our Lady of Fatima

Today’s first reading is about the Church’s first Great Council in Jerusalem. Converts from Judaea insisted that Gentiles converting to Christianity must first conform with the Mosaic Law and Jewish rituals, which among other things would also mean circumcision for male Gentiles. The Judeans failed to understand that while their laws and rituals were meaningful in their context, it could by no means become the criterion for the salvation of converts to Christianity.

In today’s Gospel the passage highlights the importance of connectedness to Jesus, the openness to God’s grace, and the need for mercy to mold and form me. God offers us many ways to maintain that connectedness to Christ including the Eucharist, rosary, meditation, annual retreats, spiritual direction, reflection and the Examen. Without the tools to connect to God, the laborers in God’s field labor in vain.

John’s Gospel has been expressed artistically and musically throughout the world and its message is easily understood. Today the words that strike me most are “because apart from me you can do nothing.” The realization that whatever we do in life, from landscaping to ministry, it is God within us who creates and builds. All we have is gift and grace.

Our Lady of Fátima

This feast commemorates the visions of Our Lady seen near Fátima in Portugal in 1917 by three shepherd children, Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. The visions occurred on the 13th day of each month from May to October, and by October huge crowds were gathering at the site of the visions and reporting visions and miraculous occurrences themselves.
Pope John Paul II was devoted to Our Lady of Fátima and attributed his survival of an assassin’s bullet on 13 May 1981 to her intervention. Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who died in the great Spanish Flu pandemic of 1919-20, were beatified on 13 May 2000.
The message of Fatima is continued conversion to God and dedication to Mary through commitment to pray the Holy Rosary.

May 12, 2020
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
FR. Imo

The Peace of Christ

In today’s first reading, we hear of how the Jews from Antioch and Iconium opposed his preaching and tried to turn the people against him. He was even stoned and left for dead. Yet, when he regained consciousness, he courageously walked right back, undeterred! Paul acknowledges that his strength to persevere came from the Lord who was responsible for the success of the mission for He “opened the doors of faith”.

What is the difference between the kind of peace that the world gives and the peace that Jesus gives? It’s simple: Jesus’ peace is his peace. We know that the world’s “peace” won’t last, and that life will once again become worrisome, anxious, and frenetic. Jesus’ peace is the peace that comes from knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

When we know in the depths of our hearts that the Lord is with us always until the end of the age (Mt 28:20), nothing, not even the “ruler of this world” can rob us of the peace that the Lord brings. Such peace gives us great freedom to embrace any call that the Lord gives us and empowers us to love in the way He loves. It is through embracing this gift of peace that we can pray as St. Ignatius did, “Give me love of you and your grace. That is enough for me.”

Lord, I want to be free. I want to experience the joy You have in store for me. When the burdens of life weigh me down, help me to turn to You in my need. Jesus, I trust in You.

May 11, 2020
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Paul and Barnabas, in the setting up of the early Christian communities, are living examples of the Gospel message. They teach and preach Christ and spread the faith by their example, even healing those in need. When they are treated like gods by the people, they rend their garments to emphasise that they are merely instruments of the one true living God from whom all things come. Their only intention is to show Christ clearly to the world.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” John 14:23

By the gift of faith we, know that God wants to dwell within us. We know that He wants to possess our souls, speak to us, strengthen us, lead us and guide us. We know, by the gift of faith, that God is real and desires the deepest and most intimate relationship with us. We just know.

The good news is that faith leads to understanding. This means that the more we are attentive to the voice of God speaking within us, leading and guiding us, the more we begin to understand His indwelling presence. As St. Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of faith is to see what you believe.” Faith in God’s indwelling presence leads us to the answer of the question above. The answer is one that God and God alone can give to us. We can share our faith with others, give witness to His presence in our lives, and give those around us the answer to that question through faith. How do I know God dwells within me? The answer: Because I see Him there, I speak to Him there, and He speaks to me.

Reflect, today, upon the Lord living within you. Let Him speak to you and, in that ever deepening conversation, allow His Indwelling Presence to grow and to become manifest to others. God wants to not only dwell within you, He also wants to shine through you.

Lord, come live in my heart. Make my heart Your dwelling place. Help me to see You there, to meet You there, to converse with You and to love You in my soul. Jesus, I trust in You.

10th May 2020

Fifth Sunday in Easter

The Only Way to Salvation

His acts of washing their feet and breaking bread with them were a reminder to His disciples about their mission. Jesus explained to them that if they followed Him – ‘the way’, ‘the truth’ and ‘the life’ – they would do even greater works than He!

In today’s second reading, Peter entrusts the same mission to the Early Christians. While in the past, only priests offered sacrifices, now all the people of God by virtue of their baptism share in a common priesthood. Now, all are called to offer sacrifices by living holy lives, and through their good deeds all are called to proclaim God’s love.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Are you saved? Hopefully the answer to this is “Yes” in three ways: You were saved by grace through Baptism, you continue to be saved by God’s grace and mercy as you freely choose to follow Him, and you hope to be saved in your final hour so as to enter the glories of Heaven. Anything we accomplish in life means nothing if we cannot answer “Yes” in this threefold way.

It’s also important to be reminded of how we are saved. How is it that we were, are and hope to receive the precious gift of salvation? The answer is simple: Through the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our one and only Way to the Father. There is no other way we obtain salvation than through Him.

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that we achieve salvation by simply being “good.” In other words, do your good works save you? The proper answer is both “Yes” and “No.” It is “Yes” only in the sense that our good works are a necessary part of union with Christ. Without Him we can do nothing good. But if we have accepted Christ into our life and, thus, if we are on the road to salvation, then good works will be necessarily present in our life. But the answer is also “No” in the sense that Jesus and Jesus alone is the only Savior. We cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try to be good.

This discussion is especially familiar among our evangelical Christian brothers and sisters. But it’s a conversation we should be quite familiar with also. At the heart of this conversation is the Person of Jesus Christ. He and He alone must be the central focus of our lives and we must see Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only Way to Heaven, He is the fullness of the Truth we must believe, and He is the Life that we are called to live and is the source of this new life of Grace.

Reflect, today, upon the central and singular role of Jesus in your life. Without Him you are nothing, but with Him you obtain the life of perfect fulfillment. Choose Him in a very personal and concrete way this day as your Lord and Savior. Humbly admit that you are nothing without Him and let Him into your life so that He can offer you to His loving Father in Heaven.

7th May 2020

Fr. Imo

In today’s first reading, Paul tells the story of salvation history. That is what Scripture is – the story of God’s offer of relationship to people and the people’s response. Let us remember what God has done. And let us tell others the story.

What is the story of what God has done in your life? Retell that story to yourself. Give praise and thanks to God.

……a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” – John 13:16

Our master is our Lord Jesus Christ and we as His followers, disciples and messengers have but one duty – to make Him known to others around us.

The message of God’s love, forgiveness and grace may be shared through the witness of our lives, through our interaction with each other in filial love – accepting and respecting one another, or simply through our gentle words.

In fulfilling this duty, we must remember that we have been ‘sent’ by Christ and that is why we deliver His message and not our own. Keeping this in mind, we must ‘diminish’ and allow the Spirit to lead our actions and inspire our words. This means that we do not seek recognition, reward or reputation but allow Christ to take centre-stage in all that we do.

God has a purpose for each of us in His plan of salvation and we, as Christ’s disciples, need to offer ourselves as instruments to make this a reality.

6th May 2020
Fr. Imo
Wednesday, 4th Week in the Easter Season.

Easter is a season of responding: we are called to not only celebrate the resurrection but also to put into action the Gospel message.

The first reading tells us that Paul and Barnabas have returned from a mission. There was a famine in Judea and the community had responded by sending food to those who were without. For them, belonging to the body of Christ was a lived action. Because they listened and responded to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit was able to work in and through the early Christians.

He who sees the Son, sees the Father

Today, we read that to believe in Jesus and to see Him is to believe in, and see, the Father. If the text would only say: “he, who believes in Me, does not believe in Me”, it would be contradictory. If it would say: “He, who believes in me, believes in the One who sent me”, it would entail both Jesus and the Father who sends Him, and it would be very clear.

Thus, why does Jesus places in a negative assertion (“does not believe in Me”) which, to start with, hinders the correct understanding of the message? The answer is: because Jesus, even though He is not different than the Father, He is indeed diverse from Him: we are actually facing one of the expressions of the Trinitarian mystery. Consequently, while Jesus, at the same time, is not the Father (He is the Son), is the same than the Father (He is God) and He is a creature as we are (He is man).

—O Lord, give me a strong faith and a totally loving empathy to love you as a perfect man, as the saint of God.