Today’s Gospel (Mark 5:1-20) narrates another instance of Jesus exorcising a man possessed by the devil. Jesus asks the name of the unclean spirit. In response, it said, “Legion is my name,” for they are many. Yes, the Bible affirms the existence of the devil.
Several years ago, a random survey of 1,500 respondents conducted by a famous Philippine college revealed a contradiction that 81 percent believed in heaven but only 42 percent believed in hell or the existence of the devil. Why the contradiction? It’s probably because we all want a God who rewards but not a God who “punishes.” We all want a God who gives blessings but not a God who calls us to task and responsibility.
The devil deceives by making himself unknown. If you do not believe in him, you will not do anything to put up a fight or any form of defense against him. Satan is then able to act with much more freedom.
Here are some facts about the reality of the devil from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
391. The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: “The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.”
392. This “fall” consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign.
393. It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels’ sin unforgivable. “There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death.”
Jesus asks the name of the unclean spirit because knowledge of the enemy is the first step to victory over that enemy. Let us know our enemy and its ways that we may always be on guard and victorious against its cunning.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
GOSPEL READING TODAY: Mark 4:35-41 - The Storm on the Sea
35 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
COMMUNICATING THE TRUTH IN LOVE - By: Fr. Joel Jason
A family of four was in a car that was cruising on the expressway. The couple had a little argument earlier before they left home and the situation was tense. The husband was driving fast and a little carelessly. The wife notices it and fears for their safety. The wife snaps at the husband and says, “You’re such a reckless driver! You don’t even care for me and our children!” Threatened, the husband will most probably snap back in anger and say, “So you think you can drive better? Why don’t you drive yourself?”
But what if the wife says, “I know you’re upset over our argument. Is it distracting you and your driving right now? I’m just nervous and worried, especially that we have our kids with us.” Not threatened at all, the husband will most probably say, “I’m just a little distracted. It’s OK, I’ll be fine, and you and our children as well.” And he pays extra attention to his driving.
The first approach is a direct judgment on the other person and usually elicits a defensive, angry reaction. The second approach is not a judgment at all. The wife simply “reported” her own feelings over the situation, which elicited a response, not a reaction.
Today’s First Reading (2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17) is a beautiful model for conflict management. Nathan, sent by God to confront King David over his crime of murder and adultery, made David see and realize the greatness of his sin by means of a parable. In response, David was overcome by remorse and acknowledged his guilt. This led him to compose today’s responsorial psalm, traditionally called the Miserere (Latin for “Have Mercy”). Had Nathan used the first approach above, David would have made life miserable for Nathan.
It is always important to communicate the unblemished truth, even when it hurts, but just as important to convey the truth in love. Love allows the incommunicable to be communicable. This has always been the principle the Church has tried to live by. This is why She is also known as Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher). She is first a mother before She is a teacher. The Church in Her proclamation never imposes; She proposes.
But what if the wife says, “I know you’re upset over our argument. Is it distracting you and your driving right now? I’m just nervous and worried, especially that we have our kids with us.” Not threatened at all, the husband will most probably say, “I’m just a little distracted. It’s OK, I’ll be fine, and you and our children as well.” And he pays extra attention to his driving.
The first approach is a direct judgment on the other person and usually elicits a defensive, angry reaction. The second approach is not a judgment at all. The wife simply “reported” her own feelings over the situation, which elicited a response, not a reaction.
Today’s First Reading (2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17) is a beautiful model for conflict management. Nathan, sent by God to confront King David over his crime of murder and adultery, made David see and realize the greatness of his sin by means of a parable. In response, David was overcome by remorse and acknowledged his guilt. This led him to compose today’s responsorial psalm, traditionally called the Miserere (Latin for “Have Mercy”). Had Nathan used the first approach above, David would have made life miserable for Nathan.
It is always important to communicate the unblemished truth, even when it hurts, but just as important to convey the truth in love. Love allows the incommunicable to be communicable. This has always been the principle the Church has tried to live by. This is why She is also known as Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher). She is first a mother before She is a teacher. The Church in Her proclamation never imposes; She proposes.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
GOD SPEAKS TO YOU - By: Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
The First Reading today (1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20) gives us a delightful story of God calling out to Samuel, the son of Hannah. We read that Samuel had not yet understood the ways of the Lord. He was assisting the old priest, Eli, in the Temple when he heard a voice calling out his name. Three times he went to Eli in response to the voice. Eli then began to realize the voice was that of Yahweh who was seeking to catch the attention of young Samuel. We must rejoice in the Elis of our life who have helped us discern the voice of God.
The author of the Book of Samuel tells us that it was rare in those days for God to speak. But we know that God desires to speak to us. He speaks to us in various ways: daily events, experiences, nature, the sacraments, Scripture, wise people, and so on. We just need to open our ears and hearts and be ready to respond to Him.
“Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” We should follow the advice of the great old priest Eli. The Lord speaks to us “loud and clear” in the “whisper of silence.” In our prayer time, we seek the voice of the Lord. He quietly woos us in love, corrects our faults, or speaks words of comfort and mercy. God speaks to you now, even as you read and reflect on this message.
Let us pray for the gift of prophecy. This is a Charismatic gift that God wishes to give His people. It is through this gift that God uses us as His spokesperson to others. Sometimes the Lord may reveal an image, word or experience either for you or another person. This is a supernatural way in which God communicates to His people. We pray for the gift of prophetic utterance to know the mind of the Lord and to build up the Body of Christ.
The Scripture is a good way to grow in knowledge of what the Lord says to us. In the Bible, God always speaks to us since it is the revealed will of God. The Scriptures are Spirit-inspired, God-breathed, and life for our souls. Learn the Scriptures, study and pray them, for the Lord wants to speak to you.
The author of the Book of Samuel tells us that it was rare in those days for God to speak. But we know that God desires to speak to us. He speaks to us in various ways: daily events, experiences, nature, the sacraments, Scripture, wise people, and so on. We just need to open our ears and hearts and be ready to respond to Him.
“Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” We should follow the advice of the great old priest Eli. The Lord speaks to us “loud and clear” in the “whisper of silence.” In our prayer time, we seek the voice of the Lord. He quietly woos us in love, corrects our faults, or speaks words of comfort and mercy. God speaks to you now, even as you read and reflect on this message.
Let us pray for the gift of prophecy. This is a Charismatic gift that God wishes to give His people. It is through this gift that God uses us as His spokesperson to others. Sometimes the Lord may reveal an image, word or experience either for you or another person. This is a supernatural way in which God communicates to His people. We pray for the gift of prophetic utterance to know the mind of the Lord and to build up the Body of Christ.
The Scripture is a good way to grow in knowledge of what the Lord says to us. In the Bible, God always speaks to us since it is the revealed will of God. The Scriptures are Spirit-inspired, God-breathed, and life for our souls. Learn the Scriptures, study and pray them, for the Lord wants to speak to you.
Friday, January 6, 2012
THE MEANING OF JESUS’ BAPTISM - By: Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes
John the Baptist’s testimony about himself (John 1:19-28) presents some remarkable facts about how baptism is understood during the time of Jesus. The line of questioning in those verses reveals how the Jews understood who can only administer baptism: the Messiah, Elijah or any of the prophets. Granting that he was given the freedom to exercise such “ministry” unopposed (by the religious powers that be), why did John the Baptist baptize Jews knowing fully well that such practice was exclusively administered to “converts” (Gentiles converting to the faith)? Jews already belong to God and so they did not need to be “cleansed.” Gentiles had to be immersed in water through baptism if they are to belong to the chosen ones of God. Astounding! But what is even more remarkable is Jesus’ decision to submit Himself to this baptism.
Jesus is a Jew. As the unblemished One, He has no sins to repent of. That baptism was unnecessary as far as Jesus, the only begotten Son of God (thus, the sinless one) and Son of Mary (thus, a Jew) is concerned.
His baptism, therefore, should be understood in a different light. For Jesus it was a baptism that ushered in His public ministry. It was His commencement exercise. After that He would go full blast in attending to the affairs of His Father.
By virtue of His baptism, man is able to begin his ascent to God. And Jesus, being true man, identifies with man in this journey of turning away from sin and turning to God. His baptism introduced Him to the ones He would save. Just as His Father laid claim on Him, His real identity was revealed as the Father’s “beloved Son on whom He was well pleased.”
Because of that baptism, we now fully see how God marvellously commenced His redemptive work for man — how He, the Emmanuel, is truly with us in our journey towards the Father and how we are to accept our Lord who has been revealed to us, no less, by His and our Father.
Jesus is a Jew. As the unblemished One, He has no sins to repent of. That baptism was unnecessary as far as Jesus, the only begotten Son of God (thus, the sinless one) and Son of Mary (thus, a Jew) is concerned.
His baptism, therefore, should be understood in a different light. For Jesus it was a baptism that ushered in His public ministry. It was His commencement exercise. After that He would go full blast in attending to the affairs of His Father.
By virtue of His baptism, man is able to begin his ascent to God. And Jesus, being true man, identifies with man in this journey of turning away from sin and turning to God. His baptism introduced Him to the ones He would save. Just as His Father laid claim on Him, His real identity was revealed as the Father’s “beloved Son on whom He was well pleased.”
Because of that baptism, we now fully see how God marvellously commenced His redemptive work for man — how He, the Emmanuel, is truly with us in our journey towards the Father and how we are to accept our Lord who has been revealed to us, no less, by His and our Father.
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