Jesus Forgives, Restores and Strengthens

In the gospel (Lk 7: 36-50), Simon the Pharisee thinks he is the righteous one who is worthy to be in the company of Jesus and that the adulterous woman was the sinful one, unworthy to be with Jesus. 

In Simon’s mind, his reasonings were; if Jesus were a prophet or teacher, he would know people’s character. He would know this woman was a sinner, he would not allow her to touch him in a very improper way.

Jesus did not say that the woman was not a sinner. Jesus only said that the man was a sinner too, and in fact a worse sinner than the woman.

A few gentle and encouraging words of Jesus enable to change her life: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace," (Lk 7: 50).

Forgiveness is not always easy. There is no peace without forgiveness. Those who come to Jesus in repentance and faith will be forgiven. Jesus forgives, restores and strengthens all those who come to him in faith and repentance. 

“Forgive, Lord, the guilt of my sin.”

Nothing is Impossible for Jesus!

The woman in the Gospel (LK 7: 11-17), she could not help her son and it was out of her hands. Her son was dead and this mother was grieving for the loss of her precious son. He was her only son and to make things worse her husband had died as well. I am sure we felt so sorry for this widow mother right?

One of the most tragic things parents will ever have to endure is losing their children. Most parents expect to die first but there are times or situations where children passes before parents. There is nothing we can do. We have to accept the realities. What then should we do... Trust in Jesus!

When Jesus saw the situation, He had pity on this woman... "Do not cry!" He touched her dead son and the young man was raised from the dead. Nothing is impossible for our Lord Jesus! Jesus cares for us! He will make a miracle.

Jesus replaces all our fear, tears, sorrows and grievance with hope and joy, even death with life!

The Eucharist Builds up the Church

The Body and Blood of Christ

When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, we are focused on our intimate union with Christ in the Eucharist, and all are made union with Christ as our Head. The Holy Eucharist builds up the Church. 

We come to participate in the Eucharist because we are sinful, needful, spiritually hungry and weak. The Eucharistic presence builds us up from the inside out. Christ loved us first, when we were soaked in sin and unable to love.

When we take the Holy Eucharist, we should celebrate Christ’s self-giving in our lives. If the Holy Eucharist fails to make any change in the quality of our lives and in relationships with our fellow brothers and sisters then the Holy Eucharist has not touched us at all. If the Eucharist does not make any change in our lives, it has failed in its purpose. 

This Eucharist should enable us to recognise Christ in us. When Jesus shares His body as food for us, He in turn challenges us to bring food for others through our loving service. Are we willing to take up this challenge?

The Holy Spirit is Living in Us

On that Day of Pentecost the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues and were boldness to their witness. The power of the Holy Spirit was living in and through them. (Acts 2: 1-6).

The purpose of Pentecost is to allow God to fill us and empower us with His Holy Spirit. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit filling and overflowing through us we have no power to battle the power of evils.

Most Christians understand the Holy Spirit in terms of symbols which describe Him as tongues of fire or Dove or wind. The Holy Spirit is a person. In theological terms He is recognised as the Third person in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, living in us and loving us with the most tender love. 

Once we understand the power of the Holy Spirit is a person we can begin to develop in our relationship with Him in prayers and in fellowship with Him.

May this Pentecost we have merciful heart, powerful and peaceful transformation.

Finding Mercy through the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is dedicated to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Sacred Heart” really stands for the entire mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ, the totality of His being – tender mercy and infinite love, the salvation of mankind. Jesus’ heart figures prominently as “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt 11:29). His side was pierced with a lance, blood and water from his heart flowed from the wound (John 19:34). We, Christians have always seen this as symbolic of the sacraments of salvation – baptism and the Eucharist.

Pope Francis asserted that the Heart of Jesus is the ultimate symbol of God’s mercy. The Holy Father also said that “from the Heart of Jesus, the Lamb sacrificed on the Cross, flow forgiveness and life for all people.” The center of merciful heart of Jesus is the source from which salvation for all humanity gushed forth. He came to save us from sin and death.

God loves us in spite of our weaknesses. He came to heal all our wounds and divisions. Jesus has opened up His Sacred Heart to forgive us. Forgiveness is a very great gift, which we need to experience it in this Year of Mercy. Let us take every effort to forgive and to enter into the Heart of Jesus through regular examinations of conscience and Sacrament of Confession. Let us strengthen our prayer life and renew our strength in all our struggles. With the trusting heart of a child, let us strive to be happy at all times.

As the Sacred Heart of Jesus look upon us with mercy and care, He consecrates our hearts, our lives, and our families. May the Most Holy Heart of Jesus keep our families close to His Heart and may His special protection be with us always!

Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it is the holiest month in their calendar. It is the month during which Muslims observe fasting from morning twilight (Fajar Prayer) to the evening twilight (Maghreb Prayer). Fasting is an obligation in Islam not an option. It is one of the five pillars on which Islam is built. The benefits of fasting are manifold. Fasting has personal, social, hygienic, and best of all spiritual benefits and to gain self-restraint. Fasting is one of the most sincere worshipping of God and thus its rewards are numerous.

It is almost a week since our Muslim brothers and sisters started their “Ramadhan”. We hope and pray that this month provides them a time for fasting, praying, reconciliation, repentance and change of heart.  May they live in solidarity, harmony and in peace with all people especially with non-Muslims in this country. God bless their fasting.