BELIEF VS. UNBELIEF - Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

BELIEF VS. UNBELIEF

 

After the wonderful experience of the Transfiguration, Jesus now takes the disciples back to reality. We, too, are in the same predicament. After the wonders of this Easter season, we now go back to reality.

       The boy we hear about in the Gospel today (Mark 9:14-29) is in a terrible fit. Violence possesses him and throws him into the fire. At the sight of Jesus, the boy is thrown into epilepsy, a terrible nervous disorder that throws one into convulsions. Jesus’ own disciples cannot pacify the boy. The father of the child is at his wits’ end. He has faith but he tells Jesus to help his unbelief. The situation is a desperate one and desperate measures are called for. With the powerful Word of Jesus, the boy is brought back to himself and, regaining consciousness, goes on his way. The mysterious healing of the boy can only be explained by prayer. Elsewhere, the evangelist adds fasting.

       There is power in prayer. When all else fails, prayer is the key that unlocks every mystery. Prayer brings about peace and order. It drives away all doubt and brings our minds to rest. It has the power to break evil bondages and sin. We must allow Jesus to speak His Word into our hearts and bring us healing and deliverance. Notice that Jesus is very specific in His prayer. The Gospel teaches us to be specific in what we ask of the Father.

       “I do have faith, help my unbelief.” These words resonate within us as we notice our lack of trust and faith in the Lord at times. Sometimes, our faith is tested and needs to be purified. The Gospel teaches us that we can never take faith for granted; it is a gift of God. It would be good to reflect  upon our faith in the Lord. The Gospel is an honest call to us. Do we truly believe in Jesus? 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are there areas in your life that you lack faith in?

 

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Amen.

GOSPEL READING TODAY - LUCAS 24:26-53

Hindi ba't kailangang ang Cristo ay magtiis ng lahat ng ito bago niya makamtan ang kanyang marangal na katayuan?" At patuloy na ipinaliwanag sa kanila ni Jesus ang lahat ng sinasabi sa Kasulatan tungkol sa kanyang sarili, simula sa mga aklat ni Moises hanggang sa mga sinulat ng mga propeta.

46 Sinabi niya sa kanila, "Ganito ang nasusulat: kinakailangang maghirap at mamatay ang Cristo; at pagkatapos, siya'y muling mabubuhay sa ikatlong araw. 47 Sa kanyang pangalan, ang pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng bansa, magmula sa Jerusalem. 48 Kayo ang mga saksi sa mga bagay na ito. 49 Tandaan ninyo, isusugo ko sa inyo ang ipinangako ng aking Ama, kaya't huwag kayong aalis sa Jerusalem hangga't hindi kayo napagkakalooban ng kapangyarihang mula sa langit."

 50 Pagkatapos ng mga ito, sila'y isinama ni Jesus sa labas ng lunsod. Pagdating sa Bethania, itinaas niya ang kanyang mga kamay at sila'y binasbasan. 51 Habang iginagawad niya ito, siya nama'y lumalayo paakyat sa langit. 52 Siya'y sinamba nila at pagkatapos ay masayang-masaya silang bumalik sa Jerusalem. 53 Palagi silang nasa Templo at doo'y nagpupuri sa Diyos. 

HEARTS OF JOY - Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Joy is a characteristic disposition of the Easter days we are celebrating in the Church. The joy of the Risen Lord is our strength. As Job says, if we take happiness from the Lord, we must take sorrow, too. Joy is the fruit of suffering. Jesus gives us a beautiful analogy today as He refers to the joy of His resurrection, like that of a mother giving birth to her child. All the pain and labor is seemingly insignificant to the birth of a child. Think of your joyous moments. Have they been born out of suffering and pain?

Jesus says our hearts are full of joy. Isn’t this the attitude of Mary Magdalene, Mary, Thomas and the Apostles as they see Him again, risen from the dead? Our heads should be raised high these days and never lacking in confidence. We are an Easter people, a people born of Christ’s side. Jesus states that this joy cannot be taken from us. It is the firm conviction that God is in love with us. He caused His Son to rise from the dead. God has taken away our sins through Jesus’ dying and rising. This is the essence of our baptism and victory. With Jesus, we die and rise again.

Joy is not only a disposition, or a fruit of the Spirit. It involves choice. So many things that try to destroy our joy seek our attention. The resurrection is foundational in our faith. There is hope beyond hopelessness and desperate situations. There is strength for those who are weak. There is peace where there has been angst. There is order where there has been chaos. This is the Resurrection of the Lord.

It would be good to take a moment to thank the Lord for all the situations we have encountered in life. See how much joy has been dominant in these experiences. We will see how the Spirit has been guiding our lives. Today, let our hearts rejoice in the Lord. He is risen, He is truly risen! 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you joyful?

 

GOSPEL READING TODAY (MAY 10) - John 16:20-23 - THE RETURN OF JESUS

GOSPEL

 

Here again is a description that will ring true to those who have persevered in the call to follow Christ as His disciple. There are times when we fall into the depths of despair, only to find that there is a way ahead if we trust in God. This is what we have to learn if our faith is going to take us on the journey of a lifetime, with Jesus as the leader. It will be a hard and tortuous road at times, but it will also be one of victory and triumph far more often.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

 

John 16:20-23

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

think: It is our duty and responsibility to be witnesses, in both word and deed, to the Good News of salvation.

THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE - Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

 

A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, according to the psalmist. What we see in time is different from its eternal perspective. God sees the final picture while we anxiously travel through life with its trials and successes. We have to work out the final picture with the assistance of the Lord. It is good for us to get an “eternal perspective.” I notice this in the comments that people make: “All will be well.” “There is light at the end of the tunnel.” “Every cloud has a silver lining.” In all these comments, we glimpse a hope, a looking forward, that things will get better. Of course, when one is going through a trial, it seems endless, so it is good for us to have an eternal perspective.

I believe we see something of this “eternal perspective” in the Gospel today (John 16:16-20). Jesus talks about the “little while.” It will seem like an eternity for the Apostles in the days ahead — with the crucifixion, suffering and death of the Lord — but three days later He will rise again. Jesus says, “Your sorrow will turn to joy.” This is the “little while” He is literally referring to. It is also the short time we have on earth.

So what are we doing on earth in this short time? I hope we are making the most of it. Our time here is short; eternity is a long time. The Lord is kind and merciful as He allows us to use this short time well. We must fulfill our baptismal duty of witnessing. We must be people of generosity, giving to those in need. We must be a people who seek the face of God and live. There is much to do in this short time. 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you have an eternal perspective? Do you live your life in accordance with this eternal perspective?

 

Lord of life, my life is a gift from You. Help me live according to the eternal perspective. Amen.

FAILURES

GOSPEL READING TODAY (May 9) - John 16:16-20

GOSPEL

  

Jesus cryptically suggests to His disciples that He is going to leave them for a while and then return. He is actually speaking of His death on the cross and then His return at the resurrection. It is this dynamic of dying and then rising that marks the pattern of the Christian life — dying to sin in our lives and then rising again to live lives of holiness.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice.

 

John 16:16-20

16 Jesus said to his disciples: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What does this mean that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they said, “What is this ‘little while’ of which he speaks? We do not know what he means.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.”

LIST

Think: It is the dynamic of dying and then rising that marks the pattern of the Christian life — dying to sin in our lives and then rising again to live lives of holiness.

A GLIMPSE OF THE FATHER - Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

A GLIMPSE OF THE FATHER

 

I remember walking into the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome and being overwhelmed by the large life-size images of the Apostles. As you enter, the images flank either side, standing alongside each other as pillars representing the foundation of the Church and seemingly looking over the passing pilgrims, day in and day out.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Sts. James and Philip, both called by Jesus Himself. They had firsthand experience of being with Jesus. What must it have been like to be in the company of Jesus over a long period of time?

The Gospel today (John 14:6-14) gives us a glimpse of what it must have been like. Jesus has just expressed Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life. He speaks of the Father: “To see Me is to have seen the Father.” This is His answer when Philip says, “Let us see the Father and we shall be satisfied.” The Father satisfies, and is merciful, loving and kind. He satisfies our deep longings for love and healing, peace and freedom. So often, we look elsewhere for satisfaction, but only the Father satisfies. Only Jesus leads us to the Father.

Sadly, we live in a world of absent fathers, physically and/or psychologically. We all need to be in a relationship. It is true that once we have discovered a father’s love, we become strong in identity, secure in our emotions, and sure in our ways. We need a father’s love to satisfy the longings of our human heart. For nine months we lived in the womb of our mother, so the mother’s love is set deep within. We have to let go and search for the love of the Father. It doesn’t come easy. Some never find it. But Jesus has told us that no one can come to the Father except through Him, as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Let us take time to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament today. Then we shall see the Father and know what St. Teresa of Avila means when she says, “Prayer is coming to the One who I know loves me. The Father loves me, since He sees in us what He sees and loves in Christ Jesus.” 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you still longing for your father’s love? Seek Jesus and you will be satisfied.

 

Jesus, show me the Way. Lead me to the Truth. Fill me with Your Life. Amen.

GOSPEL READING TODAY - JOHN 14:6-14

GOSPEL

It is always good for us to be challenged to think about what it is that God calls us to do for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus gave His life for each and every one of us, and so, we should follow in His footsteps. Are we? What is the focus of my life at the moment? Do I put aside time for my faith and seek to grow in conversion and holiness every day? If not, why?

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

 

John 14:6-14

6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing His Works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

 

Think: Jesus gave His life for each and every one of us, and so, we should follow in His footsteps.

LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS

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REMAIN IN MY LOVE - By: Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REMAIN IN MY LOVE

 

When we have the unfortunate experience of witnessing a loved one pass away, we look for a gesture, a word or something that we can hold on to when they are gone. It was customary among Jesus’ culture to do the same. The one who was about to pass away would speak a word of encouragement or a gesture that will be profound in remembrance. The Gospel today (John 15:9-11) is called the “Farewell Discourse” of Jesus to His close followers. At the Last Supper, in His final hours, He speaks to them intimately and lovingly.

Jesus tells the disciples about His love for them. His love is not just any kind of love; it is the extraordinary love of the Father. The Father loves Jesus unconditionally, tenderly, intimately and sacrificially. Jesus loves us in exactly the same way. And He tells us how to remain in that love — by keeping His commandments. The time of Jesus’ passing, His passion, will be a time of sadness and grief for the disciples. Jesus reminds them of His love so as to make their joy complete.

While meditating on today’s Gospel, I gaze on the crucifix and see the love Jesus has for us — sacrificial, self-emptying and selfless. Jesus expects that we show the same to each other, and nothing less. This is a great antidote to our selfishness, which can be so rampant at times. A sacrificial love is very fruitful, beneficial and rewarding. Just think of our parents who have loved us in sacrificial ways. The education we receive, the life we have —they have a lot to do with the sacrificial love of our parents.

Let us take some time in prayer to meditate on these words: “Remain in my love.” They remind me of the words of Catherine of Siena who once said we are like fish in the sea. Without water, fish cannot exist, yet they don’t even realize that they are dwelling in the sea.

God is a sea of love for us and sometimes we don’t even realize that we are dwelling therein — the ocean of God’s Love. 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How has God manifested His love for you in your life? How have you, in turn, shown Him your love?

 

GOSPEL READING TODAY (May 2, 2013) - JOHN 15:9-11

GOSPEL

in one year

Jesus calls us to love one another as He has loved us. This is not an easy thing to practice on a daily basis. Once in a while is fairly easy, but to do it all the time would mean responding heroically to the call to be holy. Jesus is our example and inspiration in this, especially so, as we remember that He was without sin and, thus, innocent. He suffered purely because of His choice to do so, out of necessity for our salvation, and for no benefit of His own.

John 15:9-11

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

 

Think: Jesus is our example and inspiration in loving one another.

THE DIGNITY OF WORK

THE DIGNITY OF WORK

By:  Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Happy month of May! Today, May 1, is traditionally seen as a celebration of all workers since we are blessed with the dignity of work. We take as our example the life of St. Joseph, who was a carpenter by trade. Let us beseech his intercession in our workplace and among our colleagues to discover again the beauty and dignity of work. Some might ask, “What is so good about work?” It pays the bills, it provides food on the table and it helps pass time. Right? Wrong!

Yes, these things are true, superficially, but we must celebrate work since we are co-creators with God, and He has given us the necessary abilities and talents to work. We share in the work of God, who has blessed the work of our hands. It is God whom we serve with our work, sharing in the purpose of God to be fruitful and multiply, as our First Reading says.

Today, the Church turns our thoughts to a simple, unassuming and humble carpenter named Joseph. The Gospel gives us sparing details about Joseph, but we can read between the lines and be somewhat amazed at the life of Joseph. The townsfolk of Jesus ridicule Him as the son of a carpenter. They cannot accept His wisdom and power.

In the same way, whatever work we do will always attract ridicule from some people. Many will criticize our efforts, labor and hours poured into our work. But if we turn all our efforts to God, our attitude will change and we can see beyond the tiring hours, the sweat of our brows and the pain of labor. God will be pleased with us.

Whatever work we do — paid or voluntary, behind the desk or out in the field — can be a great offering to the Lord. I could imagine Joseph offering all his efforts to God, or imagine him teaching his foster son a trade, and imagine the joy and success shared by Joseph and Jesus at the end of a working day. Let us reclaim for ourselves the dignity of work and look beyond it to see God doing wonderful things in our lives. 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you carry out your duties at work? Is it with gratefulness and thanksgiving to God, or is it with grumbling?

GOSPEL READING TODAY - MATTHEW 13:54-58 (JESUS AT NAZARETH)

Matthew 13:54-58

54 Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? 55 Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” 58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Think: Each of us needs to do our best to contribute to the cause of improving life on this planet and also serve in the Kingdom of God.

THE KINDNESS OF GOD - By: Bo Sanchez

THE KINDNESS OF GOD

 

God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. – Genesis 1:26

 

My life changed when I read the story of St. Francis of Assisi and I tried to imitate it. I was 13 years old, kneeling in prayer after communion. Then I heard a voice in my heart that said, “You’ll receive a visitation from God.” I thought, “I just received communion. God has visited me.”

But when I left the church, the visitation came: I saw a very poor family

sleeping on the steps of the church, covered only by rags and newspapers. Something pulled me towards them. I sat with them and introduced myself. That was when a terrible stench attacked my nostrils. I realized these people had not taken a bath for months.

The kids climbed on my back, jumped over my shoulders, and fell on my lap — and they climbed on my back again. When I went home, my white shirt was no longer white. I carried their stench on my body. But I had so much joy in my heart.

Every day, after Mass, I’d visit this family. It was like I had two Masses. One was inside the church, receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. The second was outside the church, receiving Jesus in the poorest of the poor. I never knew what happened to that family because one day, they were gone. But this I know: I changed because I gave the kindness of God! 

 

Reflection: Have you met Jesus lately? Reflect on your encounter.

 

May I always be ready to recognize You, Jesus, in the persons I meet.

 

St. Joseph the worker, pray for us. Feast of St. Joseph the Worker 

OUR GOD'S LOVE

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. -  (Ezekiel 34:16)

This scripture quote gives us such hope. It speaks of the commitment God has to love and care for His children no matter the state of their soul. He is committed to loving them back into His grace.

When we are at our weakest God is strongest. He pours out His Spirit upon us and fills us with courage and strength. God the Father carries us in His arms with tender love when we cannot carry ourselves. God never lets us go. He is faithful and true. His love is always there for us to embrace and rest in.

OH LORD, HOW GREAT THOU ART!