Acts 9:1-6, 13-16 - Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."
But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
Comment: He chooses us. We are called to serve and live our faith.
Who would have thought that he would become the great St Paul?
Damascus in his sights, Saul's agenda would have been set for that day. But you had other plans, Lord, and he did not see this coming. Blinded by your light, falling to the ground and stunned by your presence, he became a new creation. In an instant, his story was changed forever.
What would have gone through his mind, I wonder, as he lived in total darkness for three days? All he could do was pray until you restored his vision at Ananias' touch and filled him with your Holy Spirit. From violent persecutor to bold disciple--who would have thought that he would become the great St Paul?
His conversion must give even the most hardened sinner hope for transformation--absolutely no one is beyond repair--but we must be serious about rejecting sin, proceeding in love, and leaving all to God's grace. We cannot do this alone and must accept the fellowship and guidance of other good and trustworthy believers.
We may never experience such dramatic divine intervention. But whether he instantly seizes us, or gently beckons, our life journey will always be empty if we do not say yes to Jesus.
Source: Daily Prayer Online
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Gen 2:7 – The Breath of Life
Gen 2:7 – The Breathe of Life
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Comment - The birth of the Church
The birth of the Church, accomplished in the mystery of Christ’s Passover, is concretely manifested in important gestures and in words: ‘The evening of the same day, the first day of the week...Jesus came...and said to them: “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you”.
After saying this he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven”’ (Jn 20:21–23).
Very sensitive to biblical symbolism, John notes that the event dates from the first day of the week. According to the biblical account, creation began at the beginning of a week. The Breath of God hovered over the water; through the action of the Breath, Adam awakened to life. On this other first day of the week, Jesus breathes on the disciples. The gesture is creative, the Church is created in the Spirit of the risen Jesus.
Source: Holy Spirit of God
Scott Hahn
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Comment - The birth of the Church
The birth of the Church, accomplished in the mystery of Christ’s Passover, is concretely manifested in important gestures and in words: ‘The evening of the same day, the first day of the week...Jesus came...and said to them: “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you”.
After saying this he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven”’ (Jn 20:21–23).
Very sensitive to biblical symbolism, John notes that the event dates from the first day of the week. According to the biblical account, creation began at the beginning of a week. The Breath of God hovered over the water; through the action of the Breath, Adam awakened to life. On this other first day of the week, Jesus breathes on the disciples. The gesture is creative, the Church is created in the Spirit of the risen Jesus.
Source: Holy Spirit of God
Scott Hahn
Matthew 21: 12-13 – Money Changers In The Temple
Matthew 21: 12-13 – Money Changers In The Temple
And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers."
COMMENT -The Money Changers
The reason why they would have money changers in the Temple is because people would come in with Roman coins which had the image of Caesar – a pagan idolaters image on it.
You couldn’t have that coin in the Temple, so they would change it to a Tyrian coin from the City of Tyre which didn’t have pagan images.
So when you dedicate money or buy sacrificial animals you couldn’t use Roman coinage. You would have to use Tyrian coinage so the money changers were necessary.
Jesus goes over to the table and flips it over. Why does He do it?
Doesn’t it seem like Jesus is losing his temper?
Jesus was a prophet. He was more than a prophet. Prophets spoke a message but they also embodied that message in their life, in their action.
For example, Isaiah said “This city will be stripped of all its possessions” A message saying the city you will be despoiled and conquered. So God said speak that message but while you speak that message I want you to run around naked for three years. Hosea said to Israel you have become unfaithful, like a harlot. So God said you should marry a young girl and God selects for him a prostitute who will be unfaithful to him.
Jesus overturns the table to signify the Temple will soon be destroyed and that sacrifices are about to cease. This is the imagery that Jesus is evoking.
Source: The Gospel of Saint Matthew Bible Study
Dr Tim Gray - Professor of Scripture - St Augustine Institute
And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you make it a den of robbers."
COMMENT -The Money Changers
The reason why they would have money changers in the Temple is because people would come in with Roman coins which had the image of Caesar – a pagan idolaters image on it.
You couldn’t have that coin in the Temple, so they would change it to a Tyrian coin from the City of Tyre which didn’t have pagan images.
So when you dedicate money or buy sacrificial animals you couldn’t use Roman coinage. You would have to use Tyrian coinage so the money changers were necessary.
Jesus goes over to the table and flips it over. Why does He do it?
Doesn’t it seem like Jesus is losing his temper?
Jesus was a prophet. He was more than a prophet. Prophets spoke a message but they also embodied that message in their life, in their action.
For example, Isaiah said “This city will be stripped of all its possessions” A message saying the city you will be despoiled and conquered. So God said speak that message but while you speak that message I want you to run around naked for three years. Hosea said to Israel you have become unfaithful, like a harlot. So God said you should marry a young girl and God selects for him a prostitute who will be unfaithful to him.
Jesus overturns the table to signify the Temple will soon be destroyed and that sacrifices are about to cease. This is the imagery that Jesus is evoking.
Source: The Gospel of Saint Matthew Bible Study
Dr Tim Gray - Professor of Scripture - St Augustine Institute
Matthew 14:25-33 – Walking on water
Matthew 14:25-33 – Walking on water
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus;
but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Comment
One of the reasons why all of us in the Church are growing cold in faith is because we are doing what Peter did. When Our Lord came to His struggling apostles in the boat, who had been rowing against the storm, Peter said to Him: “Lord, bid me to come to You on the water.” And Peter began to walk on the water. Then he sank! And this is strange: he sank! Now Peter was a swimmer, and if you read the Gospel closely, you will discover the reason why he sank. Why? Like Peter we have taken our eyes off Christ.
Source: Watch One Hour With Christ - Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus;
but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?"
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Comment
One of the reasons why all of us in the Church are growing cold in faith is because we are doing what Peter did. When Our Lord came to His struggling apostles in the boat, who had been rowing against the storm, Peter said to Him: “Lord, bid me to come to You on the water.” And Peter began to walk on the water. Then he sank! And this is strange: he sank! Now Peter was a swimmer, and if you read the Gospel closely, you will discover the reason why he sank. Why? Like Peter we have taken our eyes off Christ.
Source: Watch One Hour With Christ - Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
Matthew 10:22 – Hated for My Names Sake
Matthew 10:22 – Hated for My Names Sake
and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
COMMENT
Today’s words from Matthew tell us that the mission we are called to, as followers of Jesus, will bring suffering.
As followers of Jesus, the apostles were to go forth proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven was near. As part of this proclaiming they were, like him, to cure the sick, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils.
Matthew tells us how Jesus warned them that they would not do these things, as his followers, without paying the price themselves. They, like him, would suffer in his cause.
Lord Jesus, I know that as someone striving to follow you I, like the apostles, am called to mission and to suffer as I serve.
I pray for the grace to respond to your call to mission and for the grace to persevere with it.
SOURCE: Daily Prayer Online
and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
COMMENT
Today’s words from Matthew tell us that the mission we are called to, as followers of Jesus, will bring suffering.
As followers of Jesus, the apostles were to go forth proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven was near. As part of this proclaiming they were, like him, to cure the sick, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils.
Matthew tells us how Jesus warned them that they would not do these things, as his followers, without paying the price themselves. They, like him, would suffer in his cause.
Lord Jesus, I know that as someone striving to follow you I, like the apostles, am called to mission and to suffer as I serve.
I pray for the grace to respond to your call to mission and for the grace to persevere with it.
SOURCE: Daily Prayer Online
John 8:38-43 - Fatherhood
John 8:38-43 - Fatherhood
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did. You do what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
Comment
Why emphasise Fatherhood?
What about motherhood, brotherhood or sonship?
Make them more foundational!
Fatherhood is not appreciated these days.
Without fatherhood, you can’t have motherhood, brotherhood or sonship.
Fatherhood is the basis for life.
It is the source of love and the origin of authority.
Source: Scott Hahn
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did. You do what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
Comment
Why emphasise Fatherhood?
What about motherhood, brotherhood or sonship?
Make them more foundational!
Fatherhood is not appreciated these days.
Without fatherhood, you can’t have motherhood, brotherhood or sonship.
Fatherhood is the basis for life.
It is the source of love and the origin of authority.
Source: Scott Hahn
Matthew 6:21 – Don’t Be Anxious About Your Life
Matthew 6:21 – Don’t Be Anxious About Your Life
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Reflection
Let not the needs of your life and those of others ever remove you from the union with God
Source:
Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Reflection
Let not the needs of your life and those of others ever remove you from the union with God
Source:
Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Matthew 7:21 – Lip Service – Lord, Lord
Matthew 7:21 – Lip Service – Lord, Lord
Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven
Reflection
Lord, may it not just be lip service what I say about you.
But that I truly believe it and that I am deeply convinced in my heart
Source:Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven
Reflection
Lord, may it not just be lip service what I say about you.
But that I truly believe it and that I am deeply convinced in my heart
Source:Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Matthew 16:24 – Deny Yourself
Matthew 16:24 – Deny Yourself
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Reflection
Consider this thought:
God sends us all hardships out of infinite love.
Source:
Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Reflection
Consider this thought:
God sends us all hardships out of infinite love.
Source:
Reflections of St Vincent Pallotti
Matthew 17:20 – Your Little Faith
Matthew 17:20 – Your Little Faith
He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
Comment:
Unless you are willing to do the ridiculous, God will not do the miraculous.
Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica said in 1978 after removing her show from a major (one of very few) TV station in the city when they refused to stop broadcasting a blasphemous tv show.
The vice president of the TV station Hugh Smith said “You leave here, and you’re off television. You need us.”
“No, I don’t. I only need God!” Mother Angelica responded.
“I’ll buy my own cameras and build my own studio”.
“You can’t do that!” said Hugh
“You just watch me!” responded Mother Angelica
After that conversation, Mother Angelica wondered how 12 Nuns with no funds or business plan were going to start an independent television network.
Defying reason (for example the rising debt in 1980 was over $1Million), Mother Angelica clung to her inspiration and to her God.
“He expects me to operate on a faith level, not a knowledge level,” Mother said. “He expects me to operate – if I don’t have the money, if I don’t have the brains, if I don’t have the talent – in faith. You know what faith is? Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach.”
This was to become the worlds largest religious media empire www.EWTN.com, which started in the garage of a Birmingham, Alabama monastery.
Source: Mother Angelica – The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles
By Raymond Arroyo
He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
Comment:
Unless you are willing to do the ridiculous, God will not do the miraculous.
Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica said in 1978 after removing her show from a major (one of very few) TV station in the city when they refused to stop broadcasting a blasphemous tv show.
The vice president of the TV station Hugh Smith said “You leave here, and you’re off television. You need us.”
“No, I don’t. I only need God!” Mother Angelica responded.
“I’ll buy my own cameras and build my own studio”.
“You can’t do that!” said Hugh
“You just watch me!” responded Mother Angelica
After that conversation, Mother Angelica wondered how 12 Nuns with no funds or business plan were going to start an independent television network.
Defying reason (for example the rising debt in 1980 was over $1Million), Mother Angelica clung to her inspiration and to her God.
“He expects me to operate on a faith level, not a knowledge level,” Mother said. “He expects me to operate – if I don’t have the money, if I don’t have the brains, if I don’t have the talent – in faith. You know what faith is? Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach.”
This was to become the worlds largest religious media empire www.EWTN.com, which started in the garage of a Birmingham, Alabama monastery.
Source: Mother Angelica – The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles
By Raymond Arroyo
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