Christians will face the Tribulation

Acts 19:1-8 / Jn 16:29-33

Two months ago, I attended a burial service in which the young widow screamed at her husband's dead body, "How can I live without you?" Then I met her at the 40th-day anniversary mass, she was quite smiling and finding a way to live a new life. We need to go on. We cannot stop our life because of tribulations. 

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. The readings of this week prepare us for the feast of the Pentecost that we celebrate on the forthcoming Sunday.

In the gospel reading, in the farewell discourse, Jesus tells, ‘In the world you have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.’

Jesus’ approach to suffering is very existential. He approaches suffering as part of existence. All the world religions respond to suffering in a way looking at it as a reality of our life. Suffering is a reality in our life and there is no escaping it. Since the Fall (Genesis 3), suffering has been part of the human condition. Three things are worth noting from Jesus’ words in today's gospel. 

1. There is a tribulation in the world: Jesus says, you will always have trouble and suffering. The term "suffering" comes from the Greek word tlipsis; The noun ‘tlipsis’ comes from the verb ‘tlibow’ which means ‘to squeeze,’ or ‘to compress,’ or ‘to choke’ or ‘to press hard.’ Tribulation puts pressure on us. You will see the Thlipsis word in the blood pressure machine. Jesus says the trouble in your life gives you pressure in your heart. You think always about one thing, when you do not receive this, then you suffer really. 

Buddhism says attachment is the root of all suffering. One is attached to people, material things, and specific outcomes and then you need to suffer.  For Jesus, the attachment does not belong to this world, "I am going to leave this world." 

2. Take heart: Jesus does not advise us to remove our suffering, which is not possible. Be courageous during the time of suffering. For I have conquered the world. He does not give fake hopeful sayings. You will win the sufferings. Only God can win death. We can participate in his resurrection later on his second arrival. 

3. The promise of the Holy Spirit: In the first reading, Paul and his collaborators are coming to the city of Efeso which is a mountain area. Paul asked them «Did you receive the Holy Spirit?». They said, «We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit». The situation of the Catholic people is most of the time like the one of the people of Efesus. Many times this is our answer as well. The Holy Spirit is the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity. It is high time that we thought of him, sought him, and owned him. Holy Spirit strengthens us, encourages us and supports us. 

As we prepare ourselves for the Feast of the Pentecost let us pray for the gift of courage amidst tribulations. May our minds be freed from fear.

WOUNDED HEALER

Tuesday, 9 May 2023 / Fifth Week of Easter / Acts 14:5-18. John 14:21-26.

Henri J. Nouwen, while talking about the spirituality of a diocesan priest, uses the expression ‘wounded healer.’ He reflects that every priest who is a healer at the confessional or in a counseling session is wounded himself; however, he heals others. And since he himself is injured he is able to feel with the wounded.

 

In the first reading, violence is perpetuated on Paul; he was dragged out of the town and stoned by the crowd cruelly. People leave him half-dead. Paul, the wounded apostle, later, Paul rises to join Barnabas and returns to Antioch where he will encourage the believers who are persecuted. Paul sets aside his own sufferings and offers consolation to the suffering. Paul becomes a wounded healer.

 

In the gospel reading, Jesus promises peace to his disciples. At every Holy Mass, we recall this event. Jesus, all along his life, experienced different peace-less circumstances; he was wounded at the cross, scourging at the pillar, and crucified by the soldiers. Since Jesus has experienced anxieties and tribulations he knows the value of peace. Jesus is a wounded healer as well.

 

We all are wounded healers in our homes, workplaces, churches, and society. Though our wounds are still hurting, we extend our hands to heal others.

Jesus, Prince of Peace

1st Reading (Acts 13:26-33):

Gospel (Jn 14:1-6):

God had always cared for the people of Israel: Paul went to the synagogue to comfort his brothers in faith. God sent his Son to fulfill the promises of the OT.

These promises were transformed into a victory of the Resurrected through the absurd happenings of the crucifixion. The success was achieved through a complete defeat.

The Defeated was removed from the face of the Earth, we get a place among the triumphant winners, a place not on the Earth but in Heaven. That place cannot be taken or tarnished by any evil. Jesus asks us to have faith in Divine Providence and His Love in any situation. Nothing should disturb our peace. He / Jesus also had complete faith that the Father would never abandon him. 

Thanks: Zeljka 

Labor's day

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is going to lead the celebration of the 121st Labor Day and he will launch major job fair activities to provide many local and overseas job opportunities to Filipino workers.

On the same day, in the other part of Manila, more than 10,000 workers will protest asking for their proper rights, daily wage increases, decent work and problems of unemployment. 

1. Work is a vocation of Man: Man is called to work from the beginning. Work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures,

Genesis 2:15 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” After the human beings committed sin, God cursed them, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground” (Gen 3:19)

God created the world, light and so and so in the universe. Then He created man, and He gave man and woman a mission: to manage, to work with and bring forward creation. To the point that work is none other than the continuation of God’s work: When we work, we are collaborating/participate in the creator’s work. Work as a sharing in the creating activity of God. (தொநூ 1:27, 2:5, 2:15, எபே 2:10) God is creating out of nothing. We create out of something. 

2. Work involves the whole person: And work means any activity by man, whether manual or intellectual. Work involves the whole person; when we work, our body, mind/heart and spirit should be involved. Work cannot be reduced only to manual work. Thomas Aquinas spent his long work only in the library, while Francis of Assisi never dedicated time in the library. 

3. Work brings you near to God: Spirituality of work: work will help people to come closer to God. 

There is a right to rest. In the first place, this involves a regular weekly rest comprising at least Sunday, and also a longer period of rest, namely the holiday or vacation taken once a year or possibly in several shorter periods during the year. Do not be a workaholic, take proper rest: even God rested on sabbath day. Especially in the modern age, the spirituality of work should show the maturity called for by the tensions and restlessness of mind and heart.

Emmaus disciples and the garden

The appearance of the  Risen Lord to two of his dejected disciples on the road to the town of Emmaus. 

We want to read the passage, (which is read during the octave of Easter and on the 3rd Sunday of Easter), in the light of Genesis.

Evangelist Luke invites us to connect the story of Jesus with Genesis. 

They are walking away from Jerusalem (which was considered the place of salvation for Jews). They were depressed and did not have hope at all. It is traditionally believed that Jerusalem is the site of the Garden of Eden. The image of a man and woman walking away from Jerusalem is reminiscent of Adam and Eve cast out from the Garden towards the East (Genesis 3:24). In Genesis 3:24, we read that they are driven away from access to the tree of life. Just outside of Jerusalem proper is the new tree of life, the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Gen 3:8 - God was walking with the first parents in the garden. The lie of the serpent, who infiltrated the Garden, was that the eyes of our 1st parents would be opened. (Genesis 3:). This opening was actually a spiritual closing that rendered them unable to see God for who he is. They could no longer recognize their  Father who loves them. The slowness of heart. Confusion, inability to see, not being able to recognize God and the designs of God— this is the state of the couple walking away from Jerusalem. And, this is signified by the couple literally being unable to recognize him in his glorified state. Jesus, God himself, came to bring us back to the Father, to restore us to the right relationship. Indeed, Jesus, came to give us sight:

 Jesus said, “For Judgment, I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” – John 9:39

And whoever can truly see Jesus sees the Father (John 14:9). 

We are told that they were sad or downcast (Luke 24:17). The fall introduced sadness into the world, a condition that affects us all. It seems they have lost hope, even though they have heard that Jesus who was handed over by the Sanhedrin, crucified by the Romans, was seen alive. And it is this frame of mind, of confusion, of doubt, of being unable to see the design of God, that afflicts the couple who are walking away from Jerusalem.

It seemed that all their hopes were dashed because they thought that Jesus would be the One to liberate the people from foreign oppression and dominion and yet he was put to death by those very powers. How could Israel be redeemed if the had so much promise to do it died on a cross? But some of the women reported to have seen him. Was that possible and what would it mean? I think these were some of the things just they were discussing.

In Genesis 315, God promised to redeem man. It was necessary that he should suffer and enter into his glory, making it possible for all who share the same human nature to enter into union with God, the union that had been lost in the fall. This is happening here! God intercepts the man and woman and walks with them. And walks and walks until it is evening. Just as he walked with Adam and Eve, “in the cool of the day,” he now walks with man and woman, restored by the Cross and Resurrection.

Elsewhere, I wrote about the greatest Bible story ever told—Jesus opening up the Scriptures to the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus. Just a word about it here: this couple representing humanity is being brought up to speed on what God has been doing to bring back the lost to him, ushering in the return to Paradise. A review of salvation history.

“Stay with us,” because we can no longer bear to be separated again. Humanity lost deep and abiding relationship with God and were barred from access to the tree of life and its fruit. But now it is possible for God to abide with us and in us, through the gift of grace

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”

When they were given the blessed fruit of the tree of life, their eyes were opened. Opened, not closed – – which is what happened to the eyes of the 1st couple when they took the fruit of the wrong tree. Life is restored in the medicine for the blindness of man – – the medicine freely given to us every Sunday. The Holy Eucharist is the antidote to death, because it is the Resurrected Christ Jesus himself. Jesus may have disappeared from their sight, but only from physical sight, and that, only temporarily. Now he is seen with the eyes of the gift of faith until we may behold him as he is, on the everlasting day.

And so, the couple are compelled to go back to Jerusalem, with joy in their hearts. They are returning back to the site of the Garden because it’s been opened back to them…

Call within a call - Miraculous fishing

John 21:1-14

How often have you considered discontinuing the seminary formation or job commitment and choosing another life? Some brothers replied "Many times". 

We often think in our life in the midst of difficulties, it is good to decide and go back to our origins. Peter and his companions returned to the old job that is to do fishing. 

Listen and search for God who is standing on the shore, do not follow human designs: 

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” The other disciples also said to him, “We also will follow you.” They should be reminded of the first call from Jesus. Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw them and said, "Come, follow me," At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mt 4:18-22) Call per itself is divine in nature. We need to listen only to Him who chose us when we were formed in our mother's womb. 

Spiritual persons are also assigned for guiding us during our troubles. we need to verify they are filled with the spirit to direct yourselves to God. Remember the vocation of Samuel, when he was not able to recognize well the voice of God, it was Eli, his teacher who helped to direct him to listen to the voice of God. Jesus does not enter into your problems. He is waiting on the shore and only giving directions "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” He helps you to come out of the particular situation. 

Come and Eat: 

Jesus said, "Come to me all who are oppressed and tired of I will give you rest". Jesus restores the body and soul. Before the suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus was inviting the disciples to have a "Come and See" experience. Now it is time to make the "Come and eat" experience. Jesus makes the disciples pass the night in the sea. Then he appears at the dawn. Everyone should undergo this experience and they return to the master who will sustain not only their body but also their soul. He feeds them so that they may feed others. 

TODAY IS CALLED THE PRESENT

Gospel text (Lk 24:13-35):

Have you watched the movie called Kung-Fu Panda? There is an interesting scene where Master Oogway, an elderly tortoise and a wise teacher, teaches the best lesson to Panda when he is found depressed, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” 

Jesus wanted to teach the disciples who were focused on what had happened. The disciples were conversing and debating on the brutal things that happened in the past. Jesus himself was present with them walking near. They were stunned by what happened the last Holy Week, a traumatic, humiliating, and wicked incident that happened to their master. But the Lord was walking with them alive in present.  He was not struck with the past events: the cunning planned betrayal, abandonment of the disciples and crooked chief priests. 

I think, we need to focus on the beautiful things happening every day in front of our eyes; God is explaining the scripture applying to your life, and the Lord is encouraging them to eat with Him every day. Yesterday is over and finished with. Whatever happened, happened. Whatever didn’t happen, didn’t happen. Spending time and energy in the present fretting over things that are now history is a waste of your resources. 

It is a big message we need to carry into our communities and families. You should never regret what happened on the past: whether good, bad or fantastic, it will be always an experience. But nangyayari an. what had happened, happened.