12th December 2019

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Patroness.

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1: 30).

Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent is the feast of of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe started in 1531 long before the United States of America. Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a young Mexican man. She was dressed as a simple pregnant Mexican woman. She left an imprint of herself on her dress. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe houses this miraculous dress still with the original imprint. The Basilica has become a place of popular pilgrimage for millions down the centuries. Although I have not fulfilled my desire to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, I have visited a replica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Port Arthur, Texas. Great experience!

Who is Mary? Mary the Mother of our Savior and Redeemer is called by the great Church document, Lumen Gentium: “A sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.” (CCC 972).Hope of what? Hope of the ultimate blessing for humanity: Eternal life and bliss with GOD forever.

The Church declares that “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.” (CCC 971). Mary is not god or goddess. “All generations will call me blessed.” This is not the will of man but a prophecy. Her apparition in Mexico in 1531 caused the conversion of about 9 million Mexicans from idol worship to the true faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not be afraid to call upon Mary in all of your necessities.

Transcendence of Sacred Scripture

Now let us turn our attention more particularly to the word of God. The Sacred Text specifically is not meant to simply be read on a surface level, but rather it transcends our mind and heart to the reality of God himself. It is meant to draw us into an authentic communion with God. Therefore the words are like a sacrament which have the effect of a salvific encounter. They bring us in a sense face to face with God. The words read in the Spirit of faith transcend the letter guiding us into the life of the Trinity. “There is an inner drama in this process, since the passage that takes place in the power of the Spirit inevitably engages each person’s freedom” (1). In listening to God through the Scriptures we enter upon salvation history taking place here and now. There are people who will listen and be converted. Also, those who hear the Word proclaimed, but deny Him essential. Through it all, to grasp the reality at hand, the person led by the Spirit is drawn to transcend the historical text to encounter the living presence of the God of history. For the Sacred Text is God condescending to the level of man. In this process, God enters into a saving dialogue in which the creature may receive the Word who saves. Just as human words convey the interior invisible reality of the human person, the Sacred Scriptures reveal the interior life of God. From the letter, the person transcends toward the reality. In the words of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, “No sooner do I glance at the Gospel, but immediately I breathe in the fragrance of the life of Jesus.”(2)

In understanding the transcendence of the word of God we must grasp that the Church received it first. Sacred Scripture was developed in the Church through eye witnesses who walked and talked with God as it was in the Garden of Eden. The Sacred Scriptures point to and draw us into a real relationship with the triune God. This is why Sacred Scripture is “living and active” (3). The words do not draw their source from simply a human creature, but rather the Author of life itself. It is the words of the living God who through a particular act of love condescended in such a way to speak as “a man to men” (4) in Christ. In this way when the Church listens and receives the word of God in reverence and honor she receives the living God into her bosom. This allows the Church to follow Christ authentically and bring forth the message of salvation to the world in the unique dimension of the New Eternal Covenant. The Church proclaims the truth about God by first receiving His word, and recognizing the voice of her Creator and Savior. For “God, who spoke of old, uninterruptedly converses with the bride of His beloved Son” (5). In the liturgy of the Church, Christ’s presence becomes recognized through the devout listening of His words and becomes ever clearer through His sacramental presence.

1. Pope Benedict XVI 2010. Post-synodal apostolic exhortation ‘Verbum Domini’ to the bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful on the word of God in the life and mission of the church. Vatican City: Sec. 38
2. (…Sec. 48)
3. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Second Catholic Edition: IGNATIUS PRESS. Hebrews 4:12
4. Pope Paul VI 1965. Dei Verbum: “On Divine Revelation”: the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation of Vatican Council, Vatican City: Sec. 4
5. (…Sec. 8)

10th December 2019

In the Old Testament, the covenantal relationship that God shared with His people was described through many analogies, one being that of a shepherd and his sheep. This is because the people understood the care and sacrifice the shepherd would go through to ensure that the sheep were provided for and protected.

In the Gospels we hear the same analogy used by Jesus in describing His relationship with the people of Israel. In John 10:11 Jesus says “I am the Good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” And Jesus did that. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus speaks of the faithfulness of the shepherd.

A good shepherd, He says, will never want that anyone of his sheep be lost. And although the sheep may not know the consequences of being lost, the shepherd is aware that the sheep cannot survive when cut off from the shepherd and other sheep. Likewise, this passage helps us better understand that our sins not only threaten our relationship with God but also become a hindrance in relating to others.

This Advent, can we level all the mountains and valleys that hinder our relationship with God and others.

9th December 2019

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( BVM)

1. Doctrine

Today, the Church commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title ‘Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception’.

This feast celebrates the Church’s dogma that the Blessed Mother was given the gift from God of being conceived without original sin. We see evidence of this when the angel Gabriel greeted Mary and announced that she would give birth to the Son of God. Gabriel did not merely address the Blessed Mother as “Mary,” but as “Full of Grace,” or the “Highly Favoured One,” because she wasn’t just another woman, she was about to be the Mother of God. We ourselves reaffirm this every time we pray the Hail Mary.

Some Catholic commentators through the years, going back even to some of the Church Fathers themselves, have said that this expression “full of grace” literally means that Mary was filled with an abundance or with the fullness of sanctifying grace.

2. Original Sin

The Lord created the human race to be with Him in Paradise. However, because of original sin, we:

1. lost Paradise,
2. severely wounded our human nature,
3. fell from God’s grace, and
4. brought into our lives fear (Gn 3:10), shame (Gn 3:10), blame (Gn 3:12ff), pain (Gn 3:16, 19), violence (Gn 4:8), death (see Rm 6:23), self-deception, self-hatred, slavery, alienation, even damnation, and so much more.

Original sin is the most depressing fact of life. When we realize this, we cry out: “What a wretched man I am! Who can free me from this body under the power of death?” (Rm 7:24) Jesus Christ alone has freed us from original sin and its devastating effects. In fact, Jesus freed His mother Mary from ever having original sin. She was immaculately conceived. Mary is therefore “a sign of sure hope” (see Lumen Gentium, 68) for all of us that original sin with its death and damnation need not be the final word. Jesus is Lord of all, including original sin. “He is always able to save those who approach God through Him” (Heb 7:25). Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Mary Immaculate is a sign of hope pointing us to her Son, Jesus. No matter how shattered your life, broken your world, and sinful your society, look to Jesus and rejoice.

Mary always did God’s will. We pray through her intercession that we too may be able to say “yes” to the Lord and live it.

+Happy Feast Day

Imo Fr. Bassols

St Ambrose of Milan (340? – 397)

Ambrose was born in Trier (now in Germany) between 337 and 340, to a Roman family: his father was praetorian prefect of Gaul. Ambrose was educated at Rome and embarked on the standard cursus honorum of Roman advocates and administrators, at Sirmium, the capital of Illyria. In about 372 he was made prefect of Liguria and Emilia, whose capital was Milan.

In 374 the bishopric of Milan fell vacant and when Ambrose tried to pacify the conflict between the Catholics and Arians over the appointment of a new bishop, the people turned on him and demanded that he become the bishop himself. He was a layman and not yet baptized (at this time it was common for baptism to be delayed and for people to remain for years as catechumens), but that was no defence. Coerced by the people and by the emperor, he was baptized, ordained, and installed as bishop within a week, on 7 December 374.

He immediately gave his money to the poor and his land to the Church and set about learning theology. He had the advantage of knowing Greek, which few people did at that time, and so he was able to read the Eastern theologians and philosophers as well as those of the West.

He was assiduous in carrying out his office, acting with charity to all: a true shepherd and teacher of the faithful. He was unimpressed by status and when the Emperor Theodosius ordered the massacre of 7,000 people in Thessalonica, Ambrose forced him to do public penance. He defended the rights of the Church and attacked the Arian heresy with learning, firmness and gentleness. He also wrote a number of hymns which are still in use today.

Ambrose was a key figure in the conversion of St Augustine to Catholicism, impressing Augustine (hitherto unimpressed by the Catholics he had met) by his intelligence and scholarship. He died on Holy Saturday, 4 April 397.

St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 339-397): “The prophet David danced before the Ark. Now what else should we say the Ark was but holy Mary? The Ark bore within it the tables of the Testament, but Mary bore the Heir of the same Testament itself. The former contained in it the Law, the latter the Gospel. The one had the voice of God, the other His Word. The Ark, indeed, was radiant within and without with the glitter of gold, but holy Mary shone within and without with the splendor of virginity. The one was adorned with earthly gold, the other with heavenly” (Sermon xlii. 6)

“Mary, in whom the Lord himself has just made his dwelling, is the daughter of Zion in person, the Ark of the covenant, the place where the glory of the Lord dwells. She is ‘the dwelling of God… with men.’”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church 2676

“Unity of the Old & New Testaments”

“The Church, as early as apostolic times, and then constantly in her Tradition, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through typology, which discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate Son.

Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of the Old Testament; but it must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as Revelation reaffirmed by our Lord himself. Besides, the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament. As an old saying put it, ‘the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.’”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church 128-129

2nd December 2019

Lord I believe Your one word can heal me.

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8: 8).

Monday of the 1st week of Advent. Our daily Scripture verse today will be familiar to many people. Have you ever paused to wonder what it means and why we say it before Holy Communion?

When Jesus offered to visit the Roman centurion and heal his sick servant, the centurion said: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” We know the rest of the story.

The universal Church puts on our mouth the centurion’s inspired words just before we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Imagine the dialog:
Jesus: “I am eager to come into your heart and bless you deeply.”
You: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and I will be healed.”

Do you truly believe what you receive in the Eucharist? If you do not believe, your words are ineffectual. But if you believe, this could be your moment of miracle.

Won’t you like to hear this sweet music? “And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was healed.” (Matthew 8: 13).

Do not waste the opportunity of a miracle during Holy Communion.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16).

1st December 2019

First Sunday of Advent

Advent – A Season of Joy and Expectations Begins!

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24: 42).

Today is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is the Season when the Church prepares for the memorial of the first Coming of Jesus as a little child in Bethlehem. This remembrance causes us to anticipate His second Coming as Lord and Judge. “Advent is thus a period of devout and joyful expectation.”

The purpose of Advent devotions is to cause us to increase our longing for Jesus. The second Reading encourages us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13: 14).

Through the season of Advent, the Church reminds us of the need to be awake, alert and prepared. The Old Testament readings (as in today’s reading from Isaiah) urge people to wait with joyful anticipation for their Saviour. The New Testament readings urge the Early Christian communities, after Christs’ Ascension, to look forward with the same joyful anticipation to the Parousia – the second coming of Christ. When Paul realizes that the Early Christians were backsliding into their previous sinful ways, because they were disillusioned by the delay in the second coming of Christ, he encourages them to come out of the darkness into the light. In the Gospel, Jesus cites several examples of how people fail to prepare for the untoward because they are so wrapped up with routine. He uses this to explain that this is exactly how we fail to recognise God coming to us every moment of our lives in new and beautiful ways!

Each Advent, this reminder comes to us on not one, but four Sundays! Only if we are fully awake and alert can we recognise His coming!

Praying more and the study of Holy Scriptures are good ways to be expectant and vigilant.

26th November 2019

All the kingdoms of this world are passing away.

“All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” (Luke 21: 6).

Daniel interprets the Babylonian King’s dream. He explains how the ‘worldly’ empires of Babylonia, Media, Persia and Greece that would dominate the Israelites over the next 300 years, would eventually fall to make way for the Kingdom of God!

In the Gospel, Jesus foretells the fall of the great Temple in Jerusalem. As we near the end of the liturgical year, we are reminded of the end times and the realisation of the Kingdom of God. These are necessary warnings to us to always be prepared. At times of change and confusion, there are always people who take advantage of the situation. Jesus warns his disciples, and us, to be guarded against all forms of deceit.

Today’s readings are reminders that nothing ‘worldly’ lasts forever. The power, beauty, wealth, possessions, that we passionately desire – even our earthly presence – will all fade away. It is the values that we have lived by that will linger and inspire.

Seek first the values of the kingdom… all else will follow.

8. And so the apostolic preaching, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired books, was to be preserved by an unending succession of preachers until the end of time. Therefore the Apostles, handing on what they themselves had received, warn the faithful to hold fast to the traditions which they have learned either by word of mouth or by letter (see 2 Thess. 2:15), and to fight in defense of the faith handed on once and for all (see Jude 1:3) (4) Now what was handed on by the Apostles includes everything which contributes toward the holiness of life and increase in faith of the peoples of God; and so the Church, in her teaching, life and worship, perpetuates and hands on to all generations all that she herself is, all that she believes.

This tradition which comes from the Apostles develop in the Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. (5) For there is a growth in the understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed down. This happens through the contemplation and study made by believers, who treasure these things in their hearts (see Luke, 2:19, 51) through a penetrating understanding of the spiritual realities which they experience, and through the preaching of those who have received through Episcopal succession the sure gift of truth. For as the centuries succeed one another, the Church constantly moves forward toward the fullness of divine truth until the words of God reach their complete fulfillment in her.

The words of the holy fathers witness to the presence of this living tradition, whose wealth is poured into the practice and life of the believing and praying Church. Through the same tradition the Church’s full canon of the sacred books is known, and the sacred writings themselves are more profoundly understood and unceasingly made active in her; and thus God, who spoke of old, uninterruptedly converses with the bride of His beloved Son; and the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel resounds in the Church, and through her, in the world, leads unto all truth those who believe and makes the word of Christ dwell abundantly in them (see Col. 3:16).