Weeks 791-800
 

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 797: Forgiveness (Sirach 27: 30-28 : 7 ;  Romans 14: 7-9 ; Mathew 18 : 21-35)

 

[Sirach]

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.
 

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

[Matthew]

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

 

Reflection

 

With the liturgy, we reflect on the virtue of forgiveness, as the readings reaffirm that we become worthy of God's forgiveness when we forgive the offenses of others. Now, we all know the reality of hurts and pains caused by others; for no one goes through life without ever being hurt, since in one way or the other, we have been hurt by some person/s. Yet we are asked to forgive all. And sometimes, as we try to forgive, the offenders do not make it easy, as they insensitively or purposely continue to impact or shift to other areas to hurt us consciously or unconsciously. So, like Peter we wonder at how often we are to continue to forgive (Matt 18: 21).

 

Now, Jesus answered that we must forgive as often as God forgives our sins and that there is no limit to forgiveness, as he stated, “70 x7” (Matt 18: 22); which means uncountable. God always forgives our sins and failings. Now, there are other practical reasons why we are to forgive. One, as the parable says, the master who forgave his servant’s debts expected the same servant to follow his lead and forgive his fellow servant’s debts (Matt 18: 32-33). Thus, when we forgive, we are behaving like our father who is merciful, forgiving and compassionate, for: “He pardons all your sins and heals all your ills. He redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion…He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve” (Ps 103). Jesus showed this on the cross as he forgave the repentant thief and asked for the forgiveness of those who crucified him (Lk 23:34-43). In other words, we become one with Christ when we forgive (cf. Rom 14: 7-9).

 

Two, when we forgive, we revitalize both our physical and spiritual life, as the weight of grudges and resentments we carry from our hurtful and painful experiences can be overwhelming (Sirach 27: 30). If we hold onto, or nurse our hurts, they not only block the flow of grace in our spiritual life, but they also prevent our joy, weigh down our spirit and can cause physical or psychological sickness. So, we clear our spiritual artery, gain physical and emotional health, and unclog our mind of grudges by forgiving hurts and offenses that are at times like red hot charcoal smothering in us. Thirdly, when we forgive, we affirm that we want to be forgiven too, since no one is so perfect as to go through life without having hurt anyone consciously and unconsciously. Hence the1st reading says: “…Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Does anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord? Can one refuse mercy to a sinner like oneself, yet seek pardon for one’s own sins…?” (Sirach 28:1-5).

 

Today, there are so many acrimonies, hurts, antagonisms and vengeance in our society. We pray for those that have lost their lives, their faith, their names, parts of their body, their properties or their money, when hurts had turned very violent. We also pray for families that suffer the loss or injury or abuse of their loved ones, especially their children; for them to gain the grace to forgive the perpetrators and thus experience some closure and peace. As it is, forgiveness leads to peace of mind, and it breaks the vicious circle of violence; especially as sources of injustice are removed and just order is enthroned in the society.

 

Again, forgiveness is a serious challenge that is not easily accomplished by human strength or learning. To be able to forgive basically requires God’s grace. Hence, to forgive is divine. Jesus is able to heal us of all hurts and to offer us the grace to forgive. So, let us bring him our hurts and ask for God's grace on our offenders. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Holy God, free me from the burden of resentment that weighs on my soul. Teach me to let go of anger and embrace the freedom of forgiveness. Soften my hardened heart and fill it with Your love. Help me to pardon others as You pardon me, breaking cycles of hurt. Lead me to peace through Your grace. Amen”

Quote from a Saint: “If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.”—Saint Teresa of Calcutta

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Do you consider yourself to be a forgiving person? Why or why not?

2. When do you find it hardest to forgive? Do those you are trying to forgive ever make it difficult to do so?

3. Why is it so important for us to forgive others?

4. Why must we forgive others if we hope to be forgiven ourselves?

5. How does the parable speak to you about forgiveness?

6. How do you feel when you forgive others? Have you ever found that forgiving someone made you feel physically better?

7. Why is it so important to forgive even in situations when there was a very egregious crime? What is the benefit of forgiveness over vengeance?

8. When someone is unable to forgive what should they do?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 796: Prayers for the “Black Sheep” (Ezekiel 33 : 7-9 ;  Romans 13: 8-10 ; Mathew 18 : 15-20)

 

[Ezekiel]

Thus says the LORD: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, "O wicked one, you shall surely die," and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.
 

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

 

[Matthew]

Jesus said to his disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, Matthew chapter 18 is generally called the Discourse on the Church since we find there Jesus’ teachings that applied to the life of the community of believers. We see his teachings on who is the greatest in the kingdom of God (Mt 18:1-5), on scandal in the community of believers (Mt 18:6-9) and the behavior of the leaders towards the lost sheep in the community (Mt 18:10-14). This Sunday is on fraternal correction, resolution and reconciliation of conflict in the community, and prayer in common (Mt 18:15-20). Next Sunday will be on forgiveness of offenses (Mt 18:21-35). Now, the teachings are part of Jesus’ new interpretation of the law and the prophet.

 

His teaching this Sunday can be divided into two parts. The 1st part is on the steps in reconciliation, starting with a personal approach (Mt 18:15-18). He reminds us that our fraternity is important, as such we must try everything possible to win back our brothers and sisters when there is a broken relationship in the family of believers. So, when at the end Jesus says to treat the person as a tax collector and sinner (Mt 18:17), it must be seen in the light of how he treated tax collectors and sinners of his time. And we know that he was accused of eating with them (Mt 11:19; Lk 19:7) and giving them opportunity to repent (Jn 4:4-42; Lk 8:11); for nobody is to be seen as a lost cause to be thrown out. Each person deserves another chance at each juncture. The 2nd part is on prayer in common; reminding us not to doubt Jesus’ presence at the communal celebration of the Church community. God listens to all who gather together out of faith in Jesus to express thanks, petitions, supplications, and needs to him, for: “…if two agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:19-20).

 

Now, the two parts are truly connected, for when we reconcile with our fellows, we can then pray in common as one community (the church), with one heart and one mind. Hence, St Paul exhorts on fraternal charity, reminding us that we owe everyone the obligation (debt) of love. He stated: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law…” (Rom 13:8-10). So, our support and reconciliation with the other is a manifestation of our love, which assist in building up the other and the community of Christ’s followers. In other

words, love for others manifests itself in reconciliation with and service to others; showing in the end that love is the key to life in the fullness, even with its encompassing sacrifices. Yes, love can be tough; since sometimes we must meet with the other person in hard sincerity and truth, as expressed to Ezekiel: “You, son of man—I have appointed you as a sentinel for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me…” (Ezk 33:7- 9). With this, he was torn like any of us (who do not want to injure other’s feelings); for if he spoke as God asked, he would be hated and be seen as one without sympathy for other people’s situations and difficulties. But, at the same time he knew that if he did not speak God’s word, he would be doing injustice to God and man and would not actualize himself or his life purpose. So, he chose to go the way of tough love that actually helps the other. Thus, when we confront one with one’s wrongdoing, it helps in building one’s faith and sustaining a communion and fraternity in our human and church family. As it is, a community of believers is one that celebrates the love and mercy received from God, through the sacrifice offered by Christ for the forgiveness of all, who then gather together as a community of loved and forgiven persons to seek and encourage each other through mutual charity, forgiveness, and service. And whatever they ask for in Jesus name will be granted by the Father (Matt 18:19-20). Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: Memorare

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”

Quote from a Saint: “It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us… Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start.”—Saint Teresa of Calcutta

 

Questions for reflection:

 

1. Is there anyone who you have thought of as being a lost cause? Do you ever pray for them? If not, why not offer your rosary for them or St. Teresa of Calcutta’s flying novena of 10 Memorares?  (Outline of how to pray the Flying Novena 1. State your intention. 2 Pray nine Memorares. 3 Pray a tenth Memorare in thanksgiving).

2. Are there any black sheep in your family? Do you periodically attempt to contact them or reconcile with them? Do you send cards at the holidays even though you do not get one back?

3. If you have a falling out with someone, do you try to reconcile with them? Is there anyone that you have not attempted to reconcile with?

4. Do you routinely engage in community prayer? If the rosary is prayed before Mass at your parish do you make it a priority to be there early so that you can join in the prayer?

5. Do you attend church at least on Sunday unless there you have a valid reason to miss? Why or why not?

6. How well do you love others in light of these teachings? Is there an area in which you need to exercise more love for others?

7. Are you comfortable confronting others about their wrongdoings while at the same time still loving them as God loves them?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 795: Carry your Cross (Jeremiah 20 : 7-9 ;  Romans 12: 1-2 ; Mathew 16 : 21-27)

 

[Jeremiah]

You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.
 

[Romans]

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.  Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

 

[Matthew]

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, the readings remind us of the demands of the gospel for all Christ followers; the cost of discipleship. As it is, we Christians are required to make a choice daily either for God or the world, amidst the various situations of life we find ourselves, just as Jeremiah had to choose in his challenging situation read in the 1st reading: “…The word of the Lord has brought me reproach and derision all day long. I say I will not mention him; I will no longer speak in his name. But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding back, I cannot!” (Jer 20:7-9). When he chose for God and spoke the word of God to the people as God’s prophet, the people did not appreciate that. It became an overwhelming situation for him, and he felt tricked and duped (Jer 20:7-9); but he eventually chose to continue to remain faithful to God, as a prophet of God. Thus, in spite of all the struggles, he still chose to serve in the capacity God wanted.

 

Now, as Christ followers, the choice for God means living a life of sacrifice according to God’s will. St Paul explained this as living according to our calling and doing everything His will designs: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2). This is the conscientious choice we must make daily: to completely, voluntarily, and faithfully follow Christ; not halfheartedly or by compulsion, or to pick what crosses to carry and ones to avoid. Let us recall that when Peter behaved in such way in the gospel, by trying to prevent God’s will, he was referred to as Satan (Mt 16:23).

 

Again, the decision to accept God’s will entails a daily martyrdom: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:24-25). Jesus himself had to choose this way, for he informed the disciples that he “…must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised” (Mt 16:21). In other words, it was the road he would take himself, since according to God’s will

after the fall of the first Adam; the second Adam must undergo death in order to restore life (Gen 3:14-15). Thus, after the fall, we can only defeat sin and death, through some pains and crosses; as also expressed by the terms of the punishment our first parents received (cf. Gen 3:16-19).

 

So, from this perspective, we can see why it is a principle of life that the cross and death we experience, are the gateway to new life. It can be likened to the 4 stages a butterfly undergoes from egg to become a butterfly. It keeps shedding off something of itself in the journey. Our crosses are stages in our growth, and the ways that guarantee eternal life (Mt 16:26-27), according to God’s will (Mt 16:23), as Jesus outlined for followers of the Messiah on their journey (Mt 16:13-20). We go through a metamorphosis in order to reach the deepest truth of our being and who we are.

 

Living as Jesus’ followers is like swimming upstream, which requires laying everything on the line. It means being a bearer of Jesus, the word of God, following his way which is the way of selfless love and the way of the cross and death in the face of all that challenges that life of love in the ‘secular’ world around us demands on us. But, following after Jesus as a way of life and choosing the will of God in all events, should not overwhelm us, for we are assured of eternal life by Jesus, who also knew the greater good that would come with accepting the cross, and

obeying the Father’s will. We must then trust that Jesus will assist us since he said that he will help us carry the burden (cross) when we labor and are burdened (Matt 11:28). Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “O my God, I thank you for this cross you have allowed me to carry. Please give me the strength and faith to persevere so that I may bring glory to Your name while withstanding the burden of its weight. Thank you for offering me a share in your suffering. I know that you have always been, are now, and ever will be, at my side every step of the way. Thank You also for every "Simon" that You have sent to help me bear this cross. I have prayed so often that this thorn is my flesh would be removed, but I trust that your grace is sufficient. Change my heart's troubled cry of: "How long, O lord?", into words of trust: "However Long, O Lord". May I seek only to do your Will and to unite my sufferings with Your passion.  Help me to not get lost in my own self concerns, but may I find in these trials a way to greater virtue, a call to prayer and a path to trust in You alone.

Permit me not to waste my pain, but to make of these struggles a sacrificial offering for others. Lord, when I am weary and I fall, exhausted under the weight of this cross, please give me the courage to press on as You did.  Lord Jesus, I embrace with love my cross as a share in Your own. By Your grace, may I carry it all the way to the vision of Your glory. I abandon myself totally to Your will. Christ Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.”

Quote from a Saint: “If you seek to carry no other crosses but those whose reason you understand, perfection is not for you. --- ST. TERESA OF AVILA

 

Questions for reflection:

1. What do you think the cost of discipleship looks like in our modern times?

2. Are you willing to pay the cost of discipleship? Have you ever suffered for loving and serving the Lord?

3. Are you ever tempted to pick which crosses you are willing to bear? Why do we need to surrender fully?

4. What does full surrender vs partial surrender to God’s will look like?

5. Does the fact that Jesus bore the cross first comfort you and help you have strength when you face your own cross?

6. What has your metamorphosis looked like throughout your life?

7. How does the promise of eternal life help us to endure the hardships of this life?

8. What does following after Jesus as a way of life look like? How does that look in your circumstances?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 794: Jesus is Lord (Isaiah 22 : 19-23 ;  Romans 11: 33-36 ; Mathew 16 : 13-20)

 

[Isaiah]

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: "I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family."

 

[Romans]

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

 

[Matthew]

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, the gospel presents Peter's confession of Jesus (Matt 16:13-20), and its meaning for us who must individually confess Jesus in our life. It implies: (a) Our confession of Jesus is our response to God's love, which depends on who we understand Jesus to be. Each person must make a personal affirmation as to who Jesus is. As it is, he is God the Son who became man for our salvation. (b) Peter’s confession of Jesus was from a personal relationship with him, for it was not just flesh and blood that revealed the mystery of Jesus to him (Matt 16: 17). This means that Peter followed Jesus to know him and encounter him in a personal relationship, and not just to know about Jesus or about what he could gain from the adventure. This is to encourage us that we too can know Jesus, through our personal experience of him in his Word, Sacraments and events of life. Thus, what we hear and read about Jesus should motivate us to recognize our sinfulness that obstructs a clear vision of who Jesus is, motivate us to address our sins, and help us to bond with Jesus and enter into a personal relationship with him. We also address our sinfulness and enter into a personal bonding and communion with Jesus when we receive and encounter him in the sacraments, and when we experience and encounter him in the events of life.

 

(c) And just as the praise of God’s wisdom rose in St. Paul at the end of his contemplation of the mystery of salvation (Rom 11: 33-36), the one who grows in a personal relationship with God will also be filled with God’s wisdom, and praise of this wisdom in one’s life. In the face of such powerful revelation, St. Paul joyfully exclaims God’s praise. For, unworthy though he was on account of his past life, God in his mercy chose him as a servant of God’s people. (d) Also, we can see that Peter’s affirmation resulted in him being given a great responsibility in the community of believers. He was called to be the head of the college of apostles and the rock/ foundation of the Church (Matt 16: 18-19). We can then say that there is certainly a connection between our confession of Jesus and our vocation. Peter’s vocation was in the contest of God’s plan of salvation. Like his, our Christian vocation, which is lived out in our individual vocations, where we manifest and confess our personal experience of Jesus, are our own part in God’s plan of salvation. And with the depth of this our lived faith, we show the depth of our bonding with Jesus.

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(e) Also, from Peter’s call to head the college of apostles, we see that God’s call to our individual vocation is not really by our might or intelligence or holiness or size or color. God’s call and love are just his gratuitous gift to us as his beloved children. It is God’s love and grace that lifts up those who are weak but are humbly and obediently disposed towards God’s will, as Isaiah affirmed in the choosing of the servant Eliakim to serve and administer God’s household in God’s name, in accord with God’s plans (Isaiah 22: 19-22). Again, we see why Paul praised God; for he recognized God’s deep wisdom and mercy in calling him to be an apostle of Christ despite his former life (Rom 11: 33-36). So, like Peter we are to confess Jesus in a personal way, in our vocation as Christians as well as in our individual careers, for the continued progress of God’s salvation plan, the mission of Christ’s Church. As Pope St. John Paul II reflected: “All vocations are born of Christ, and that is what is expressed by every anointing with Chrism… This is the source of the dignity common to all Christian vocations, which, from this point of view, are all equal. They differ according to the role that Christ assigns to each individual within the community of the church and the responsibility attached to the role. Great care must be taken so that nothing is wasted (Jn 6: 12): no vocation should be wasted because all are valuable and necessary.” (John Paul II, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, 37) Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Quote from a Saint: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone. I am your sheep; make me worthy to overcome the devil.”– St. Agatha

 

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Who do you understand Jesus to be?

2.  Are you willing to confess Jesus as Lord in all situations and in front of anyone, or are there situations and people that may give you pause? If so, why?

3. Has what you have heard and read about Jesus forced you to evaluate your sinfulness so you can see Jesus more clearly?

4. Would you say that you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

5. Would you say that the “depth of this our lived faith,” shows the depth of your bond with Jesus?

6. Do you confess Jesus in your career? Do you co-workers know that you are a Christian?

7. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus? Is there anything that you could do to improve it?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 793: In Pursuit of God’s Will (Isaiah 56 : 1, 6-7 ;  Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32 ; Mathew 15 : 21-28)

 

[Isaiah]

Thus says the LORD: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD,
and becoming his servants—all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.

         

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry in order to make my race jealous and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 
Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.

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[Matthew]

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus' disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour.

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, through the dramatic healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Mt 15:21-28), the gospel reminds us that God’s love, healing, blessing, and salvation is universal. God's favorite is anyone whether Greek or Jew or Gentile, who does His will. Jesus expressed this truth in many places, like when he stretched out his hand towards his followers and declared: “...who ever does the will of my Father is my brother, my sister and my mother” (Matt 12:50). This means that all peoples and all nations are invited to become true members of God’s household, by accepting and living according to what God has willed for human beings. For, although he endowed us with the gift of human freedom, we cannot abuse this freedom by choosing to become something else from our own created identity as human beings, against the will of the Creator- God. And this will of God is discoverable in one’s persistent search for meaning in life, while respecting the limited boundaries placed by the Creator for our own good and sanctification. He freely loved us and he freely and gratuitously distributes his gifts uniquely to each person; a truth that humbles us, makes us conscious of our unworthiness, and presses us to serve the purposes of God’s kingdom without excluding anyone. This universality was clear to the Canaanite woman, and it motivated her determination in the search and pursuit of what she needed– the healing for her daughter.

 

Now, the universality of God’s boundless love seen in the gospel is also evident in the invitation to all nations to God’s kingdom as prophesied in the 1st reading. Here, we read that foreigners are welcomed in the Temple and could even offer sacrifices there (Isa 56: 6-7). This is a radical prophesy that is appreciated if were call the arrangement of worshippers within the Jewish Temple of Herod; where there was the court of the priests (the innermost), followed by the court of the Jews (men), followed by the court of the Women, and finally the outermost court which was the court of the gentiles (all non-Jews), who were forbidden to enter beyond this outermost court under the pain of death. This serious arrangements and perspective explain why the unique drama in the gospel took place. Jesus seemingly being unsympathetic by referring to the food given to dogs, was to help in still the newness of his teaching about those the apostles might see as gentiles and women. It reflected the true meaning of the prophet’s word that God's house would be the house of prayer for all people; and faith in God would be a saving grace for all who manifest it (Isa 56: 7). So, unlike the chosen people of God whom St Paul lamented in the 2nd reading, that they rejected Jesus as their messiah and savior (Rom 11:13-15; 30), any member of the new people of God (Isa 56: 6) must manifest obedience to God (Rom 11: 29-32) and a persistent trust in the Lord, his power and his love. Thus, from whichever nations they come from, these virtues are required of the new people of God, as the Canaanite women manifested to receive healing for her daughter, because Jesus does not refuse faith wherever he finds it. Paul said: “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles…as I am the apostle to the Gentiles…For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all” (Rom 11: 13-15; 30-32). In other words, for everyone, to be part of God’s family, one’s obedience to God’s will is paramount, just as Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will, even unto death (Phil 2: 6-11). Also, to be part of God’s family, persistent faith and trust in God is paramount, as seen in the gospel with the persevering faith of a Canaanite woman (Matt 15: 21-28; see other examples in Matt 8:5-13; Matt 9: 18-22; Jn 4: 46-54). In other words, Christians, who are the new people of God, must obey God and professes their faith in Jesus Christ in a consistent manner by the way they live out this faith. This will ensure for each Christian the kind of total healing experienced by the Canaanite woman and her daughter (physical and spiritual); for God’s healing is for all who believes in him and does his will. Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord of all wisdom, grant me the discernment to understand Your purpose for my life. As I journey through decisions, let my heart be open to Your voice. Strengthen my resolve to follow where You lead, even when the path seems unclear. In Your hands, I rest my trust, knowing You will guide me always.”

Quote from a Saint: “Lord what wilt Thou have me do? Behold the true sign of a totally perfect soul: when one has reached the point of giving up his will so completely that he no longer seeks , expects or desires to do ought but that which God wills.”--St. Bernard

 

Questions for reflection:

1. What is your gut reaction to hearing that God’s “favorite” is anyone who does His will regardless of nationality or religion?

2. Have you found the will of God through your persistent search for the meaning of life?

3. How often do you pray for those who are outside of Christianity-- that they may find the will of God through their persistent search for the meaning of life?

4. Do you regularly pray for the reunification of all Christians?

5. How obedient to God are you? Do you make an attempt to avoid venial sins as well as mortal?

6. Would people know that you are a Christian by how you live your life? Do you say grace before your meals in public or amongst coworkers?

7. Have you ever sought healing from the Lord and found it? If so, how did it affect your faith?

8. Have you ever sought healing from the Lord and have it not happen?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 792: Faith  (1 Kings 19 : 9a, 11-13a ;  Romans 9: 1-5 ; Mathew 14 : 22-33)

 

[1 Kings]

At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.

         

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

 

[Matthew]

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, the gospel speaks of trust and faith in Jesus. As we recall, the incident there (Matt 14: 22-33), followed the feeding of the 5000 men we read about last Sunday (Matt 14: 13-21), one would assume Peter’s full confidence in Jesus' invitation to walk on the water, having experienced that miracle. But this was not the case, for Peter’s faith failed and he doubted Jesus’ words, which led him to starts sinking into the water. So, we are invited to faith in Jesus who not only multiplied the loaves and fish but also came to his disciples’ assistance when their boat was tossing about in the storm. This faith is seen as: “…the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Here, one is sure and certain of the things one hoped for and yet cannot see.

 

Now, many do manifest great faith in God’s power, but, like Peter, we start off on our faith journey with great energy and confidence, but sometimes our expectations are not met; especially when we encounter bad things in our life or in the life of our friends or family. Peter experienced the turmoil of the waves and the vastness of the water, which pointed to the waves of violence, trials, injustice, hunger, loss of the sense of the sacredness of life, etc., that boils up and buffets our lives in today’s world. These experiences cast shadows of doubt and encourage fear, as to God’s presence and power to protect and save us. Also, as Peter might have felt, we too have our own preconceived ideas about how things should be, how God should act, who God should bless, how holy people should act, etc.; after all, a man is not supposed to walk on water except when it is frozen. So, such preconceived ideas of how things should be, constrict our thinking and promote our doubts even after we have encountered God’s power at work in varied unconventional ways. Thus, the 1st reading tells us that even in the small and gentle breezes of our everyday life and acts, God still speaks to us about his love for us and his power to protect and save us, as he manifested to Elijah after his contest with the 450 prophets of Baal, and Queen Jezebel swore to kill him (1kg 19: 1-13). Elijah’s encounter with God at Horeb reminds us that far from being absent at the time of trials in the seeming silence we feel at those times, silence is the place of God’s presence as well as the place of encounter with God. As it is, God loves us so much and wishes to express this to us where the noise of the world, noise of our worries, noise of our fears, and noise of the storms are absent; hence he encounters us in the silence of our hearts if we believe and trust him. Thus, Paul, who was amazed and frustrated by the unbelief of the Jews in spite of all that God revealed and did for them, says that God cares so much for his people whom he had made a covenant with; if they trust and worship him, they will always receive his promises (Rom 9: 1-5).

 

Again, God cares for his family, and we all belong in it, since we were born into God’s family through baptism; having professed our faith in the Trinity through our parents and godparents and having renewed this faith at special times in the liturgy. Now, we note that by asking Peter to come to him on the water when Peter asked (Mt 14: 28-29), Jesus is also reminding him and us that he has shared his power with us who believe in him (cf. Mk 16: 17-18). Thus, as disciples of today, we are reminded that through our baptism we also share in Jesus’ power in building the kingdom of God and spreading the joy of the gospel, which should encourage our faith and trust in God who cares for those who believe and trust in him. Through our baptism which expresses our faith in God, we are able to come out of our caves of fear and tiredness, and continue on our mission of spreading the gospel, just as Elijah, after his encounter and experience of God, was able to trust more, to come out of the cave at Mount Horeb, and continue on his journey to fulfill God’s directives (1 Kg 19: 13-21). So, we must trust that Jesus is always ready to help our little faith and extend a helping hand to us when we call out to him in prayers as Peter did (Matt 14: 30-31; cf. Matt 11: 28;  Lk 17: 5). Otherwise, our mission as well as our personal spiritual wellbeing could be jeopardized due to our doubt of God and his power. St James would say that we prevent our prayer from being effective by lack of faith (Jam 1:6-8). And we read also that due to his people’s lack of faith, Jesus did not work many miracles in his native place (Matt 13: 33). Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Lord, I believe: I wish to believe in Thee. Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging Divine things and human things. Lord, let my faith be joyful and give peace and gladness to my spirit, and dispose it for prayer with God and conversation with men, so that the inner bliss of its fortunate possession may shine forth in sacred and secular conversation. Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and not have any better guarantee than in docility to Tradition and to the authority of the magisterium of the Holy Church. Amen.”

Quote from a Saint: “I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.”-- St. Thomas More

 

Questions for reflection:

1. How trusting are you in Jesus? When things take a turn for the worse do you trust that Jesus is with you and will see you through according to God’s plan?

2. How strong is your faith? Do you find that it is easily swayed by the ways of the world?

3. Have you encountered someone who was new to the faith and was full of energy and enthusiasm only to not have their expectations met? What did that person do? Did they remain faithful or let it drive them away?

4. Have you let the bad things that you see in the world sway you in your belief in the power and faithfulness of God? How have you reconciled what you see with your faith in God?

5. Do you ever start sinking in doubt like Peter even though Jesus has proven his power and faithfulness?

6. When you start sinking into doubt, do you pray for faithfulness to bolster you?

7. Have you experienced the Lord sharing His power with you? What did that look like?

8. Have you ever felt as though your prayer was ineffective because of your lack of faith?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 791: The Lord’s Pity (Isaiah 55 : 1-3 ;  Psalm 145 : 8-9, 15-18 ; Romans 8: 35, 37-39 ; Mathew 114 : 13-21)

 

[Isaiah]

Thus says the LORD: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.

 

[Psalm 145]

R. (cf. 16) The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.    

 

[Romans]

Brothers and sisters: What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Matthew]

When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over— twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, we read of God’s powerful compassion, and generous providence for all. In the first reading God invites us to come to be fed with bread and to quench our thirst: “All you who are thirsty come to the water… Come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost… Pay attention on and come to me; listen, that you may have life…” (Isa 55:1-3).  The psalm also affirms God’s graciousness, mercifulness, compassion and goodness to all his works, for he feeds and answers all our needs (Ps145). And this reality of God’s power was manifested in the gospel by Jesus the Son of God, who fed the crowd with five loaves and two fish (Ma 14:13-21).

 

Now, from the readings, Jesus’ compassion for his followers talks to us. We read that his heart was moved with pity for the crowd when he saw their manifested faith in seeking him out due to their varied needs (Ma 14:14). This is not just a feeling of sadness and sorrow but a deeply intense emotional state that manifested in an active response to the harassed, burdened and wearied looking crowd that followed him, as they looked like sheep without shepherd. This is an example and reminder to the Church and to us as we still encounter Jesus’ wearied flock in their trials.

 

Also, the universal aspect of Jesus’ compassion and love as he fed the crowd is seen. Just as the prophet invited all to enter into a new covenant of love, symbolized in the abundance of food and drink (Isa55:1-3), in the sense of the covenant banquet (Ex24:911) that was extended beyond the house of David (2 Sam7), so also Jesus compassion and feeding of the crowds showed God’s universal care and sustenance of all. The Psalm

says: “The Lord is good to all, compassionate to all his works” (Ps 145:9). Now, this reminds us that our active love, kindness and compassion is not reserved to only our family and the people we know. Jesus could have fed the apostles and dismiss the crowds especially as there were only a few fish and bread, but he chose to feed all, even those who did not believe, and those in the crowd that only wanted to find fault with him. As it is, God’s love and blessings is for all and nothing can separate us from it (Rom 8: 35, 37-39).

 

It is also noteworthy that Jesus asked the apostles to give the people something to eat in spite of the fact that they had only five loaves and two fish. This was because Jesus wanted them and us to be part of the circle of goodness and self-giving love with God; for he blesses and gifts us, for us to bless and gift others. Also, Jesus wanted the apostles and us to remember that each of us can still give something to another from our own little gifts of time, talent and treasure. And the little we give can extend continuously to unimaginable extent, just as the five loaves and two fish extended to feed about five thousand men apart from women and children. And our goodness and kindness can even grow to benefit future generations symbolized in the 12 baskets collected as the next day’s food/meal.

 

Now, although the reading may seem to be focused on material food, we can also observe that what God gives us is more than the material food. Hence, the psalm says: “…he answers all our needs” (Ps 145). This was also pointed to in the Alleluia verse: that man does not live on bread alone but from every word that come forth from the mouth of God (Ma 4:4; Deut. 8:3). Thus, the readings inform us that God feeds us with the important things we need especially for our spiritual growth and for our continued relationship of love. Unfortunately, sometimes we refuse to harken to the invitation to the new covenant of love, where we are fed with all we need as we also assist others. The 2nd reading asks us today, what can afflict, challenge, and prevent us from the love of God (Rom 8: 35, 37-39). The assurance here is that the love of God, our belief in it, and acceptance of this love will provide for us and keep us focused on loving acts. Peace

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: “Father, your truth is made known in your Word. Guide us to seek the truth of the human person. Teach us the way to love because you are Love. Jesus, you embody Love and Truth. Help us to recognize your face in the poor. Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people. Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world. Empower us to seek the common good for all persons. Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family. Amen.”

 
Quote from a Saint: “Extend your mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His mercy from us?”-- St. Vincent de Paul

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Has your heart ever been moved with pity like Christ’s was for the crowd? If it has, what were the circumstances?

2. Has there ever been a time in your life when the Lord looked on you with pity? If so, reflect on how He reached out to you.

3. Do you try to imitate the Lord’s pity when you reach out to those who are in need?

4. Have you ever prayed for the Lord to let you see others as He sees them?

5. Has anything ever separated you from the Lord?

6. How do you give “from your own little gifts of time, talent and treasure”?

7. Have you ever volunteered at a soup kitchen or another food-based ministry?

8. Do you reach out to all indiscriminately or to just those in your circle?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP

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