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Showing posts from April, 2011

Peace!

Reflections, Easter Thursday There are many definitions of peace.  I chose three definitions from dictionary.com that resonate with the peace Jesus gave to his disciples: First, a state of countries in accord; a time of peace among countries is a time of development.  In this situation fullness of life abounds among peoples; Second, a state of calm or quiet; an interior state of peace; solitude with God and self, possessing harmony with self, God, nature and others.  This brought about by a quiet, lively relationship with the living God; third, rapport and amity between peoples and parties.  Here we emphasize the gift of relationships and the love that binds them. Peace is God's gift to us; God who is the source of peace is also our destination.  For His peace is our fullness of being.  Peace is not escaping from problems.  Peace is in confronting problems and courageously resolving them through the power of Jesus to change us and breathe life into us.  As the saying goes

Kerygma

Easter Reflections The story of Mary Magdalene seeing the risen Jesus should inspire us in our zeal to resurrect our Christian convictions this Easter. Like many of us who are subjected to all sorts of trials and temptations, it is easy for us to lose our sense of sight on the One, true God, Jesus Christ. Mary's sensitivity to the Divine Master enabled her to see despite her feelings of confusion and sadness.  Jesus calling "Mary!" is enough for her to recognize him.  We too have to be extra sensitive to the signs of faith inside and outside of us.  Inside of us is our consciences formed to listen to the voice of goodness.  Outside of us, we recognize the instruments that deepened our faith - our parents, our religiosity, the Church, etc. In being able to see, it is almost impossible to stay in the dark or keep others in the dark.  Even in the world of gossip, people just couldn't keep things to themselves.  In a world where people who are touched by the Lor

The night before the betrayal of Jesus

The night prior to the celebration of Holy Thursday recalls the betrayal of Judas.  It also marks the descent of man away from his true identity in reference to God who created him in His image and likeness.  The effects of sin upon the human heart are far beyond any man could imagine; the death and the horror of sin and the destruction it causes upon every human being in history, at present, and in the future are so much that we choose to feel a total distaste for the world of sin and secondly, to make a firm decision to put an end to its sad influence in the world. On the other hand, there is Jesus and his total adherence to the Father.  Jesus is going to "pass over" from death to life, all for our sake.   His time is at hand; at this time his glory would be proclaimed.  Darkness would give way to Easter morn. On this day prior to the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, commit only one thing: commit to be on His side; commit to join our Lord in His passion and de