Fr. (Prof) J. Mariakumar SVD & Ms. M. Pereira

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me” (Jn.14.1)

During His public ministry, Jesus had foretold the disciples about His Passion, Death and Resurrection. When “Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world and to go to the Father” (Jn. 13.1), He was moved in spirit with much concern for his disciples and He comforted them by telling them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me”. He assures them that He will come back to take them to Himself. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places….If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” (Jn. 14.2, 3).

“Anxiety weighs down the human heart” (Prov. 12.15). So our loving Lord does not want us to be worried or anxious about anything. (cfr. Phil.4.6). When the disciples confronted the stormy sea they were frightened, but the Lord challenged them not to fear, but to believe in Him. He is always with us, in all our life situations, to comfort us and to strengthen us.

Peter walking on the water – A. Allori (Source WGoA)

Many people are afraid of death. Death is something we all must face. No amount of medical and technological improvement, diet control or meditation techniques can avoid death. Fear of death is mainly because we are uncertain of our life after death. Mankind is created to have eternal life with God. Death is only a gateway for that eternal life. But at the same time we should know that God has created us with freedom of choice. He does not want us to be puppets in His hands. He loves us and respects our freedom. If, in my earthly life, I choose to love God and live His Word, I am guaranteed of my eternal life with Him. When we live in good relationship with the living God, we can joyfully and peacefully accept death, because we are going to see Him face to face, whom we loved in this life. “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be, has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3.2). Like St. Paul, let us desire to be united with the Lord in life and in death. “For me living is Christ and dying is gain” (Phil. 1.21) . St. Padre Pio used to pray every day after receiving Holy Communion: “Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You”.

For a Christian, there is no room for fear or anxiety about death. Jesus has promised His peace to us. All that we need to do is to put our trust in Jesus and in His promises. God is with us even when we are facing death. Death is not the end but the beginning of a victorious life with God. As John Milton writes: “Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity for those who put their trust in Christ”. Let us pray for those who have a fear of death that they may heed to the Lord’s loving invitation to put their trust in Him. Through the beautiful celebration of Paschal Mysteries year after year,  we go deep in our conviction that ‘our life is hidden with Christ in God, and hence we need to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth’(cfr.Col.3.2).

For those who are attached to the things of this world, engrossed so much with the ‘worldly affairs’ , the reality of death can be a ‘nightmare’! Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, let us press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3.13). “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor.2.9).

Nowadays many people panic about the end of the world. Should the thought about the end of the world take away our peace? Jesus has given us the warning messages about the end of the world; it is for us not to get anxious or worried, but to prepare ourselves and lead our lives in an adequate way so that to meet the Lord when ‘the end’ comes, whether ‘the end’ be at the time of my death or at the end of the world. (See also the articles on ‘the Signs of the End of the Age’ and ‘The Last Judgement’ in our web page ‘Gospel’).

Since this life is passing away, as ‘our citizenship is in heaven’ (Phil.3.20), let us be only preoccupied with fulfilling our duty. “Fear God and keep His commandments: for that is the whole duty of everyone” (Eccl.12.13). Live each day enjoying the friendship and favour of the Lord. Thus our joyful and peaceful lives (even when the ‘warning signs of the end of the world’ is taking place around us), be a testimony for others. “We wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. (1 Thess.1.10).

“The righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid” (Ps. 111.6-8). Yes, there is great reward for those who love the Lord and who walk in His ways. Let us not be anxious about the future, for our future is safe in the hands of the Lord. We only need to ‘trust in the Lord, and do good; so we will live in the land, and enjoy security.’ (Ps.37.3).

In my early youth God led me to make the decision to decide for the vocation of single life to work for His Kingdom with ‘unhindered devotion to the Lord’ (cfr 1.Cor. 7.35). Many of my relatives and friends were ‘anxious’ about my future. I remember one Religious Sister telling me: “You may think Single life is good; now you are young, healthy and have a job. But when you become old or sick you will find it difficult. If you become a Religious Sister, there will be other Sisters in the community to help you. Or if you get married your husband or children will be at your help. To lead a Single life will be a risk in the long run”.

The good Holy Spirit in me, immediately reminded me of one verse and I responded to the Sister in the words of the Psalmist; The Lord in whom I have put my trust right from my childhood “will not cast me off in the time of old age; He will not forsake me when my strength is spent” (Ps.71.9). I said this about 30 years back and now I have become old and fallen sick at times, but the Lord has been so faithful to His promise all throughout my life. The more we put our trust in the Lord and claim His promises, the more blessed our lives will become.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name, give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness” (Ps.115.1)

Mary Pereira

The human race needs to realize that God loves everyone and no sin, however great it may be, can ever prevent anyone to come back to the Lord, because He is always waiting for the return of the sinner. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk.19,10). The prophet Joel experienced the tender love and mercy of God; he proclaimed: “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment”(2.13). We can always rely on the Mercy of God, no matter how sinful we are. All that we have to do is to turn to Him asking for His Mercy. His Mercy is greater than all our sins. St. Paul says: “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Rom. 5,20). So great is the mercy of our God that He is inviting us to embrace His Merciful love:  “Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword” (Is.1,18-19).

God Almighty has revealed His tender love and mercy to the human race through His various chosen ones all throughout the salvation history. In the 20^th century, He chose Sr.Faustina, a simple, uneducated Polish nun to remind the humankind about His Mercy. She was in her convent in Krakow, when she started getting visions of Jesus with the message of Mercy. In 1953, while she was praying for the Lord’s mercy on a certain city which the Lord was about to chastice, suddenly she saw the Holy Trinity and felt the power of Jesus’ grace within her. And she found herself pleading with God for mercy with the words she heard interiorly:

“Eternal Father, I offer You, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world; for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us. “ (Diary of St.Faustina, 475)

The next day, as she was entering the chapel, she again heard this interior voice, instructing her how to recite the prayer that our Lord called “the Chaplet”. This time, after “have mercy on us” were added the words “and on the whole world”. From then on, she recited this wording of the prayer almost constantly. (Diary, 476).

In subsequent revelations, the Lord asked her to encourage people to say the Chaplet (1541) and He revealed to her that those who pray this Chaplet with faith would receive extraordinary promises:

“Whoever will recite it, will receive great mercy at the hour of death”(687)

“When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying individual, not as the just judge but as the Merciful Saviour” (1541)

“Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My Infinite Mercy” (687).

“Through this Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will” (1731)

Thus from the Dairy of St. Faustina the special devotion of the Chaplet of Divine mercy began to spread throughout the world. Though this Chaplet may be prayed at any time, it is appropriate to pray it during the “Hour of Great Mercy”- three o’clock each afternoon, recalling the Passion of the Lord on the Cross at that time. It was on the Cross, the fountain of His Mercy was wide opened for all the souls when a centurion by name Longinus pierced His side by a lance, as the legend says.

Jesus revealed His wish to St.Faustina: “It is my desire that the Feast of Mercy be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the fount of My Mercy.” The Lord also told her to recite it during the nine days before the Feast of Divine Mercy, as a Novena. “By this Novena of the Chaplet, I will grant every possible grace to the souls” (796).

The Feast of Divine Mercy has been made an official feast of the Church by Pope John Paul II at the Canonisation of St.Faustina on April 30^th in the Jubilee year 2000.  “It is important that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which, from now on throughout the Church, will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’ (First Sunday after Easter)

We need to go to the Sacrament of Confession and receive The Holy Communion on the Feast of Divine Mercy for the fulfilment of the promises. Jesus said, “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (699).”When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the Priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets  the God of Mercy. Tell souls that from this Fount of Mercy, souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity” (1602).

Jesus has said: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Mt.5, 7); “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6, 36). “Judgement will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement” (Jas.2.13). As the Lord gave this Chaplet He also reminded us of our duty to be merciful to one another.

“I  demand from you, deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbours always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it” (742)

The loving God wanted the human race to know about His Mercy before He returns to judge the world. Since ‘He desires everyone to be saved’ (1 Tim.2,4), He deigned to give this devotion as “vessel of Mercy”, through which God’s Mercy can be poured upon the world. It is quite apt that the celebration of the Divine Mercy is kept on the first Sunday after Easter (Second Sunday of Easter). During the Holy Week the Church reflects on the Great Mercy of God the Father in sacrificing His Beloved Son for us. Father loves everyone as He loves Jesus (cfr. Jn 17,23). And therefore each one of us is so precious for the Father who willed that His Son Jesus atones for my sin by His Passion and death on the Cross;  Jesus, because of His love for me, was ready to die for me. Do I become conscious of my dignity and seek His Mercy for my sins?

Mary Pereira

Alleluia, the Lord is risen – He is risen indeed, Alleluia.

The Resurrection of Christ - Luca Giordano (Source : WGoA)

The Alleluia songs which were not sung in the Liturgies during the Lenten Season have now started echoing with the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (Jn. 11,25).Our glory is in our Lord Jesus Christ: in His death on the Cross and in His resurrection. St. Paul has said: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.” (1 Cor.15,17)  Through His Resurrection, Jesus triumphed over sin, death and evil; and when we accept Jesus, believe in Him and live His Word, this victory becomes ours also.

The Church celebrates the Resurrection of Christ in the Easter Vigil and in the Easter Sunday Liturgy. On the Holy Saturday the Church waits at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. The altar is left bare, and the sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated. Only after the solemn vigil during the night, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as part of the Easter is held.

The Easter vigil is a vigil of the Lord. “That was for the Lord, a night of vigil, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, that same night is a vigil to be kept for the Lord by all the Israelites throughout their generations” (Ex.12, 42).

There are three parts in the Liturgy of the Easter Vigil.

1. The Service of Light
2. Liturgy of the Word
3. Liturgy of Baptism
4. Liturgy of the Eucharist.

To start with all the lights in the church are put out and the Easter Vigil begins with the blessing of the new fire by the Celebrant Priest. “The Priest cuts across in the wax with a stylus. Then he traces the Greek letter alpha (beginning) above the cross, the letter omega (end) below, and the numerals of the current year between the arms of the cross. Meanwhile he says:

1. Christ yesterday and today (as he traces the vertical arm of the cross)
2. The beginning and the end (the horizontal arm)
3. Alpha (above the cross)
4. Omega (below the cross)
5. All times belong to Him (the first numeral in the upper left corner)       2
6. And all the ages (the second numeral in the upper right corner)                0
7. To Him be glory and power(the third numeral in the lower left corner) 1
8. Through every age for ever (the last numeral in the lower right corner)2

Amen

Then the Priest inserts five grains of incense in the candle.  He does this in the form of a cross, saying,

• By His holy
• And glorious wounds
• May Christ our Lord
• Guard us
• And keep us. Amen.

Thereafter the Priest lights the Easter Candle from the new fire, saying:

May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds”.

As the Celebrant enters the church with the Easter Candle, he lifts it high and sings: “Christ our light” and the faithful respond in singing: “Thanks be to God”. (Source : ‘The Roman Missal’ 1986, NBCLC, Bangalore).

Following the Priest the faithful enter the church in procession, with the candles in their hands lit from the Easter candle. Then the lights in the church are put on. What a beautiful truth to realise once again that we have no light apart from the Light of Jesus. Our lives have to be illumined by the Light of the Lord, which alone dispels the darkness of sin, confusion, unbelief, restlessness and the like from us and from others. Jesus is the Light that brightens every human heart.

Jesus Christ has said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn 8,12). Entering the church with the lighted candles is a sign of our receiving the light of the Lord into our hearts and also a pledge to the Lord to walk in His light. During the forty days of Lent we have journeyed with the Lord, promising to the Lord to deny what is abhorrent to the Lord and to choose what is pleasing to Him; with a true and contrite Confession, we were given the grace of forgiveness of sins. In the first two days of Holy Triduum, Holy Thursday night and Good Friday, we have realised how painful it was for the Lord, bearing the sin of the human race. The gracious Lord has forgiven our past. Now it is time to start ‘anew’. Let us “be dressed for action and have our lamps lit” (Lk. 12, 35). We have “united ourselves with Him in His death in order to unite ourselves with His resurrection” (cfr. Rom. 6,5). With this attitude, with grateful heart and joy, now we enter into His Easter glory. We have mourned for Christ’s sufferings; now we celebrate the joy of His Resurrection.

Receiving the light from the Lord, we, in turn, should become the light of the world (Mt.5,14). Let the light and glory of the Lord shine through us dispelling all the darkness of sin from within. Unless this change takes place in us – a shift from “our former way of life, our old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and are renewed in the spirit of our minds and cloth ourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph.4,22-24), – we are missing the spirit of the celebration of the Easter Triduum.

In the Easter vigil, ‘the mother of all the vigils’, the relevant readings from the Scripture are selected in order to help us meditate on all the wonderful things God has done for his people from the beginning. As the Lord says through the Psalmist: “Incline your ears to the words of my mouth; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders that he has done” (cfr.Ps.78, 1-4). Listening to the readings we come to realise how patiently the Lord was guiding, providing and protecting the Israelites in their times of difficulties.

Another significant Rite of the Easter Vigil is the blessing of the water which is used later in varied occasions  - in Sacrament of Baptism, confirmation .. .for blessing the house and possessions, for making the sign of the cross as we enter and leave the church etc.  Lowering the Easter Candle into the water, the Priest prays: “We ask you, Father with your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with Him to newness of life”. Followed by this, there is a Renewal of Baptismal Promises, before which we invoke the intercession of all the saints in heaven by singing the Litany to the Saints – which is an overwhelming experience, I should say! The Saints, while on earth defeated the tactics of the evil by their faithfulness to the Lord and to his Word (cfr. Rev.12,11); and they are ever ready to help us in our spiritual battle. So it is quite meaningful that we seek their intercession before the renewal of our Baptismal Promises. In our baptism as an infant (some might have adult Baptism) the promises, our parents and God parents said on our behalf, are promised now with full conviction, making it our own promise. We reject Satan and his works, and promise to serve God faithfully in His holy Catholic Church. St. Paul asks: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him by Baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom.6, 3- 4)

“The Spirit of Christ who raised Jesus from the dead” (Rom.8,11) is given to us in Baptism, and it is by the power of this Holy Spirit that we can renew our baptism everyday in our lives.- dying with Christ and rising with Him for a new life. And thus let the joyful celebration of Easter be transferred into our lives so that the glory of the Lord will become visible in our lives.

‘Alleluia, Christ has risen from the dead,
He has risen to die no more.
He lives, Christ Jesus lives today’.
And because He lives, I can live today
And face every tomorrow with hope and courage. Alleluia!

Fr. JMK, Mary Pereira

“Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is” (Wis. 2,19)

Flaggelation of Christ – Caravaggio

When we do good to others we usually get a sort of satisfaction. Yes, we are all created to do good .. “We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life”(Eph.2.10). But for whom do we usually do good? Is it not the ones who love us, who acknowledge what we do to them and are grateful to us?  Are we ready to continue to do good to those who turn to be ungrateful to us and insult us?

It is easy for us to do good to those who love us, appreciate us, who have a heart of gratitude for what we do to them. We are ready to go out of our way and do sacrifices for them. We are confident that we get the approval for it from the Lord. But through the book of Wisdom, the Lord shows a test of our patience and gentleness. When we are able to withstand the insult and torture of those for whom we do good,  and still continue to do good for them, unmindful of what they say or do to us, then we become successful in the test. On the other hand, if we become angry, sorrowful, disappointed at the face of ingratitude and insult from others, then we are failing in the test. It is not what we do, but it is our approach to people and how we behave towards them who return evil (in words and actions) for the good which we have done, that is taken as  criteria for our patience and gentleness.

Jesus is the perfect model for us . About 700 hundred years prior to Jesus’ coming , Prophet Isaiah  said: “He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity….He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed” (53. 3-5).This was a prophecy about Jesus’ suffering on the first Good Friday. Do our thoughts raise to this ‘suffering servant of God’= when we face insults, ridicule, rejection from the people for whom we have done good? “By his wounds we are healed”. So by bearing the pains of insult, ingratitude and ridicule from others, we too can become the instrument of their healing and transformation.

Normally we all want to avoid suffering situations in life; we hate people who cause sufferings for us. On the contrary, Jesus was loving, doing good and praying for all who caused him the most shameful and painful sufferings. His attitude towards them was still that of love and concern. He understood the ‘helplessness and blindness of people who were returning evil for good;  and he foresaw the consequence of their malice – destruction of Jerusalem and also their eternal damnation. So he had compassion for them. And this noble, unparalleled attitude turned to be a cause of healing for others.

Doing good things, of course, is to be appreciated and promoted. St. James tells: “Anyone who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin” (Jas. 4.17). So we need, not only to repent for our sins of commissions (breaking the Commandments and Precepts of the Church etc), but also the sins of omissions. The rich man in the story of Lazarus and the priest and the Levite in the story of Good Samaritan were condemned because they did not do the good they could have done.

We cannot stop there, for in the ladder of spiritual growth we need to climb higher and higher. So avoiding sins of commissions and omissions is not the final….We need to soar high. Jesus has said: “Be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt.5.48). We need to note that Jesus is telling this in the context of His teaching on forgiving love. We think that we have to aim at perfection in our studies, job, life-style etc. But Jesus meant that we need to be perfect in love. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorted the disciples to love the enemies (Mt.5.43-47); and as a conclusion to this teaching Jesus made this command: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt.5.48).

We become perfect in love, when we ‘walk the way Jesus walked’ (cfr 1.Jn.2.6). “The sufferings that we endure can mean that ‘in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his Body, that is the Church’ (CCC 1508; Col.1.24).  Since we are the members of the Body of Christ, the very attitude of Jesus should be ours. Thus we can continue to be the living members of the Body of Christ. When we do really love those who persecute us, we overcome our selfishness and love the other selflessly for his/ her own good. This attitude is counted for our perfection. Further, the same Holy Spirit who was working in Jesus in his earthly days to make him a perfect man is given to us also. This Holy Spirit wants us to respond to Him as Jesus did. So that we become one in Christ or Christ-like. It is expected of every Christ-follower to endure the sufferings inflicted by ‘malicious enemy’. There are ample opportunities for each one of us in our families, in our place of work to show this attitude of Christ in our lives.  In the Holy Eucharist, we receive Jesus’ Body- broken and Blood- shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Christ in the Eucharist wants to affect His attitude in our lives. Can a Christ follower be angry, cruel or impatient at the face of persecution and unjust treatment?

Jesus was gentle in all the situations of persecution. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before his shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. …It was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.” (Is. 53.7,10). As Jesus gave his life as an offering for the sin of the humankind, let us also offer our lives as a ransom for the sin of others, by accepting the evil the way Jesus did –with gentle and humble of heart. The Spirit of Christ produced these fruits in Jesus (as man); and when we cooperate with the working of the Holy Spirit, He produces these fruits in us also.

“When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly” (1 Pet 2.23)

Fr. JMK, Mary Pereira

Transportation of the Ark of the Covenant Containing the Tablets of the Law” Luigi Ademollo – 1816

The Church has entered into the third week of Lent, reminding us of our Covenant Relationship with God. “I am the Lord your God”, says the Lord God who brought His people out from the slavery of Egypt. Then in order to lead His people to the promised land, Canaan, where milk and honey would flow (symbolic of God’s blessings), God gives the Ten Commandments to His people; thereby they can prove their loyalty and faithfulness to the Covenant Relationship and come out victorious. (We have reflected on the significance of Covenant Relationship in the article on the Page Gospel in June 2011.

Let us on this Lenten Season declare once more our commitment to the God of the Covenant- in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament where Jesus came as the Lord of the New Covenant. (He sealed the New Covenant with His blood: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”. Lk 22. 20). When a rich young man came to Jesus and asked “what shall I do to inherit the kingdom of God, Jesus said: “Obey the commandments” (Mt.19.17). So Jesus made it clear that the commandments are given to us like sign posts, following which we reach our eternal home.

Reflecting on Ex. 20.1-17, let us see our lives in the mirror of the Word of God.

• Do I give more importance in my life to God than anybody or anything? OR  Do I prefer more, a person, a thing, an ideology, my status, good name ….more than God? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt.22.37)
• Do I give due reverence to the name of God? Or do I misuse His name for my own selfish motives, manipulations …?
• Do I keep the Sabbath day holy and give prime importance to attending the Holy Mass and other spiritual pursuits?  OR do I keep that day like any other day, busy with my work, business, hobbies and picnics, spending most of the time on recreations on TV and computer? God assures His blessings “If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honourable; if you honour it, not going your own ways,  serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs” (Is. 58.13).
• Do I honour and obey my parents, respecting the Covenant Directive of the Lord? Lawful authorities of the Church  “With all your heart honour your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Remember that it was of your parents you were born; how can you repay what they have given to you? (Sir. 7.27,28) Also see Sir.3. 1-16; Eph. 6.1-3). OR do I follow the irreverent, secular attitude of declaring independence, disrespecting and rebelling against the parents?
• Do I give  love and joy to people by respecting them?  OR do I ‘kill’ the peace of mind, good name, fortune of others through my word or deed? Am I a murderer by hating my brethren (cfr.1. Jn. 3.15), or by killing the unborn in the womb through abortion or pill?
• Do I consider my call to holiness a serious commandment, coming from God, my Creator? “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honour, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this matter.” (1.Thess. 4.3-6). How far am I trying to keep myself holy and also help others to be holy, through my words, behaviour, dress pattern, life style?   OR Do I take the secular rule and culture or the life style of the majority as a defence for my breaking of this Directive of God? ( by exhibitionism,civil marriage without sacramental marriage,cohabitation, premarital sex, adultery,rape, prostitution, gay marriage and the like ) “The women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing” (1.Tim. 2.9). Also see Mt.18.6,7)
• Do I keep up honesty and straightforwardness in my dealings with others at home, in the place of study and work, in the church?   OR do I cheat, lie and manipulate for profit or to accomplish one’s own plans? “You shall not follow a majority in wrongdoing? (Ex. 23.2).
• Do I give respect and honour to others as an image of God, and brother and sister in Christ Or do I put down the good name of others by criticising, judging, accusing, ridiculing, condemning and bearing false witness? Do I show partiality between people because of colour, sex, race, economic status, and the like?
• Am I satisfied with the one with whom God has joined me, in the Sacrament of Marriage? May you rejoice in the wife of your youth (Prov. 5.18), Do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth ( Mal.2.15)) Or do I covet other’s partner?
• Am I satisfied with the things I have? Or do I covet others’ things and positions? Am I jealous of others who have things which I do not have? “Contentment with what you have is a great gain  …(1 Tim 6.6)

For the modern man, obeying these commandments of God is considered foolish  according to the world, but they are the wisdom of God. Modern man may consider obeying God and His commandments as weakness, but they make us strong and fit enough to enter the kingdom of God. “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”(1 Cor.1.25)

The Church also brings to our attention the ‘cleansing of the temple’ by Jesus. (Jn.2.13-20).  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus chased the ‘unwanted elements’ which were not fitting to the holiness of the house of God, let us also try to cleanse us from all the unwanted elements from our life . The significance of fasting and abstinence is nothing other than this ‘giving up’ of all dead works in us ; giving up a good thing to attain a spiritual goal. So we  need to fast  not only from certain food and drink, but also to fast from our anger, bitterness, rebellion, lust, pride, greed, self-righteousness and the like which are not fitting us, because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is for each one of us to recognise, chase out all that is not worthy of a Christian.

“I urge to live a life worthy of your calling you have received” (Eph. 4.1).

And the promise of God “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer.31.33;  Heb.10.16) ; “I will be your father,  and you shall be my sons and daughters” (2 Cor.6.18) will be fulfilled with regard to our lives.

Mary Pereira.

We are about to enter into yet another Season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent.  It calls us for radical repentance and conversion. It is a time for self-examination and penitence in preparation for Easter. Normally most Christians do give a serious start for the Lenten Season, endorsing themselves with Ashes on the forehead, attending the Holy Mass ; and observance of fasting, abstinence from meat with a spirit of repentance for one’s sins and transgressions.

Fasting and abstinence which foster self-discipline and self-denial are good spiritual exercises for reparation of our sins and for our spiritual revival ; it increases our total dependence on God’s love and mercy. As Pope Leo I. stressed it in the 5th century: „the purpose of fasting is to foster pure, holy and spiritual activity. It is an act of solidarity that joins us to Christ and an act of self-donation in imitation of His total self-sacrifice.“

The first clear evidence of Ash Wednesday is around 960. It is called Ash Wednesday because of the very significant Rite of endorsement of ashes on our forehead. The ashes used are normally obtained from burning the Palm leaves from the previous year and this tradition began from the 12th century.  Putting a cross mark on the forehead was in imitation of the spiritual mark or seal that is put on us in Baptism which signifies the deliverance from slavery to sin and the devil, and becoming a servant of righteousness in Christ. (Rom. 6,3f).During the Liturgy, after the Liturgical prayers the ashes are blessed with sprinkling of Holy water before use.

What does the endorsing with ashes on the forehead signify? After the fall of our first parents – Adam and Eve – God told Adam : „ by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust and to dust you shall return“ (Gen. 3,19). It is a reminder of the frailty of our life, to recognize that our life here is not permanent, as we all are on our way to our permanent abode in heaven (Phil. 3,20). In this life’s journey, keeping that focus, we need to live worthy to reach our eternal goal for „nothing unclean will enter the Kingdom of God“ (Rev. 21,27).

Let us look at some Biblical references which indicate the application of ashes as the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins.

In the book of Judith we see instances where ashes were strewn on their heads  as a sign of their penance, imploring the mercy of the Lord : “All the Israelites, men, women, and children living in Jerusalem prostrated themselves in front of the temple and put ashes upon their heads, displaying their sackcloth covering before the Lord“ (Jdt. 4,11-15; 9,1).

Under the leadership of Judas, the Israelites prepared  for the battle against the army of Antiochus Epiphanus in order to restore the people of Judah from their ruined estate, and to fight for their sanctuary. They gathered together to pray and implore God for mercy and compassion. „They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes“ (1 Macc. 3,47; 4,39).

God told his people through Prophet Jeremiah: „O my poor people, put on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only child, most bitter lamentation“ (Jer. 6,26). When Daniel was pleading for the mercy of the Lord on behalf of God’s people, he „turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.“ (Dan. 9,3).

Though prophet Jonah first rebelled against God’s plan, he later obeyed God’s command and preached in the city of Nineveh, exhorting people to repent in order to escape the just punishment of God for their sinful life. „The people believed God; they proclaimed a fast and everyone, great and small put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the ashes“ (Jon. 3, 5-6).

We see that Jesus is also referring  to the use of sackcloth and ashes as signs of repentance: „ Woe to you, Chorazin ! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes“ (Mt.11,21; Lk. 10,13).

On the very first day of Lent, the Church is through  the Liturgy exhorting the faithful to reject sin and do acts of penance and reparation. The call to conversion , a turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus echo throughout the Liturgy of Ash Wednesday.

In the first Reading, prophet Joel is appealing  for  individual and communitarian conversion. „ Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near- a day of darkness and gloom….“ (Joel. 2,2). Instead of being panic-stricken, hearing and reading about the last days, let us respond to the call to repent and change our ways. The Mother Church  invites Her faithful year after year “to return to the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning“, and she reminds us also that our God is ‚“gracious and merciful , slow to anger; rich in kindness and relenting in punishment. The merciful Lord offers this holy season of Lent to return to the Lord „rending our heart, not clothing“ (Joel 2,13).

In the second Reading St.Paul is asking us „to be reconciled to God.“ Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6,2). As Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the faithful a couple of years back during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy: „The 40 days in preparation for the Easter are a favorable time and a time of grace, precisely from the appeal that the austere Rite of the imposition of ashes addresses to us, and which is expressed in the liturgy in two formulas: ‚Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel‘; „Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return“. To repent and convert is to change the direction in the journey of life. Conversion means swimming against the tide, where the „tide“ is superficial lifestyle, inconsistent and deceptive, that often makes us slaves to evil or at any rate, prisoners of moral mediocrity. With conversion, on the other hand, we are aiming for the high standard of Christian living, we entrust ourselves to the living and personal Gospel which is Jesus Christ. He is our final goal and profound meaning of conversion, he is the path on which all are called to walk through life…“

The Gospel is challenging us to go out of our selfish and self-centered life to reach out to the needy and less fortunate ones. All that we enjoy in life is a gift of God. As St.Paul asks: „What do you have that you did not receive” ? (1 Cor. 4,7). God spoke through Prophet Isaiah: „ Is not this the fast that I choose: to loosen the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them?….Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly….If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,  then your light shall rise in the darkness ….“ (Is. 58,6f).

Lent is a special season of grace; a time of conversion and spiritual growth. It is quite meaningful that we start the Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday. Through the Rite of applying ashes onto our forehead, we acknowledge that we are sinners in need of repentance and renewal. Like Jonah who resisted God’s call and went his own way, we too, often rebel against God’s plan. But the loving God  gives us opportunities to make us realize our mistakes. But we need to respond to God’s call to conversion.

In his 1979 Lenten Message Bl. Pope John Paul II. had said: „ Penance is not just an effort, a weight, but it is also a joy. Sometimes it is a great joy of the human spirit, a delight that other sources cannot bring forth. Contemporary man seems to have lost, to some extent, the flavor of this joy. He has also lost the deep sense of that spiritual effort which makes it possible to find oneself again in the whole truth of one’s interior being. Our civilization especially in the West, closely connected as it is with the development of science and technology, catches a glimpse of the need for intellectual and physical effort. But he has lost the sense of the effort of the spirit, the fruit of which is seen in his inner self. The whole period of Lent, since it is a preparation for Easter, is a systematic call to this joy that comes from the effort of patiently finding oneself again. Let no one be afraid to undertake this effort“.

God speaks also about  ’joyful fasting’ to Prophet Zechariah. The fast days of several months “shall become occasions of joy and gladness, cheerful festivals for the house of Judah; only love faithfulness and peace”( Zech. 8,19).

The Lord said to one of the four Cherubim : „Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are committed within it..“ (Ezk.9,4).

Each age has its own abominations. The use of contraception, increasing rate of abortion, legalizing homosexuality and gay marriage, free sex (living together without marriage), divorce, loss of faith and satanism, and all the scandals within the Church are some of the abominations of  the modern times. As we enter into this solemn season of Lent, let us understand the need „to moan and groan“ over these. May we make use of this God given opportunity to plead for the mercy of the Lord for ourselves and for the whole humanity.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that we may open our ears and hearts to the Word of God; like the Ninevehites responding in true repentance of our wrong ways and determination to convert and to follow God’s ways. This is the significance of Ash Wednesday.

Fr. JMK, Mary Pereira

“Stop Atrocity, RaiseHumanity”. This poster on a wall caught my attention this morning on my way to the Church. Atrocity denotes an extremely wicked or cruel act involving physical violence or injury. (The Concise Oxford Dictionary). We see that in the world all around atrocity is on the increase. Extreme wickedness is growing day by day. This goes counter to God’s plan for us. In the plan of our loving God, doing good should be our life style. “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Eph 2.10).God wants us to be in fellowship with Him and in loving relationship with one another. Ever since the disobedience of our first parents, the evil in the world is on the increase. This increasing wickedness in the world grieves the heart of our Creator God, who is our loving Father. “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart”. (Gen.6.5, 6)

When the original plan of God was thwarted, God in His love and compassion promised a Saviour to redeem the humanity from its wickedness. He sent His Son Jesus Christ as the Word Incarnate. “The Word became flesh and lived among us” (Jn.1.14) in order to make us divine. When a person who cannot  swim falls into the ocean, he cannot save himself. God knew that we cannot save ourselves from our wickedness. If it was economic prosperity that would redeem the humanity, God would have sent an economist; if it was humour that would redeem the humanity, God would have sent an entertainer; if it was a good Government that would have given the humanity success and prosperity, God would have sent a politician. No, God in His wisdom knew it was freedom and salvation from all the bondages of sin and wickedness that humanity needs, and so He sent His Son as the Saviour of the whole humanity.

Last month I read an advertisement before a shopping centre: “Here is good news for all. 30% discount on all electronic items. This offer is only till 31^st December 2011.” This made me reflect on the good news announced by the angel at the birth of Jesus Christ. The angel told the shepherds: “Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk.2.10,11).This good news is for all people of all time. . When Jesus was brought to the temple for presentation, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk. 2.28-32).

Jesus came to show us the love of God the Father, to teach us the way of goodness, to give us abundant life, to save the whole humanity from all wickedness through His death on the Cross. . “You were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev.5.9). Jesus did not come to establish a religion or sect. He came to reconcile the sinful and wicked humanity with God the Father. Human wickedness – in thought, word and deed – will only ruin us without peace. While announcing the good news to the simple shepherds the angel praised God singing: “Glory to God in the highest; peace to all people of good will” (Lk.2.14).

In this age when peace is lacking in the lives of many people, this message of the angel should make us realise why are we bereft of this great gift of God. Is it because we do not have the good will to love God and our brethren? We bring glory to God through our lives when we are able to forgive, tolerate, excuse the faults of others and be kind-hearted. God will bless us with his peace when we are ready to share our time, talents, and possessions with the needy. Only when we have this good will, we will be able to find favour in the sight of God. And the priceless reward for our good will is the peace of the Lord. Jesus has said: “Peace I give to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (Jn. 14.27).

A person experiencing this gift of peace of Christ can never be atrocious or violent. His life will be so transparent to reflect the compassion, forgiveness and tender love of his Master, Jesus Christ. If only the humanity accepts Jesus as the Saviour and follow his ways, there would be an end to violence, exploitation and other atrocities. Jesus came to teach us to be tolerant, forgiving and to repay all evil with good—not only through His teachings, but through His life and death. On the cross he forgave the thief and all those who scoffed, ridiculed, betrayed, denied, scourged, crowned him with thorns and crucified Him. He prayed for all of them: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”. In some tradition even the Roman centurion Longinus who pierced the heart of Jesus was healed of his blindness in one eye just as a drop of blood from His side fell on his eyes! Yes, Jesus was doing only good till the last moment of His life on earth. Even after the resurrection, He gathered all the failed apostles together and empowered them in the Spirit to continue this mission. There was no anger or resentment in Him, but love and compassion. Even now, after His Ascension, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, He continues to do good to the whole humankind. We only need to turn to Him, accept Him as our Saviour; surrender our lives to His Kingship, obey what He says.

Yes, it is not enough to say that we are Christians. The attitude of Christ should be ours. “Have the mind of Christ”, says St. Paul in (Phil.2.5). Only this will help us to destroy all atrocity in our lives and to restore in us the noble nature of humanity which was in the original Plan of God at creation. “All those who say that I abide in Jesus should walk the way He walked” (1. Jn. 2.6)

We are three weeks into the New Year 2012. At the end of 2011 we have commemorated and celebrated the great event of the birth of Jesus Christ. We may have reflected on the mystery of Christmas, the utter simplicity of the Saviour’s birth in a manger surrounded by Mother Mary and Joseph, the total openness of the shepherds who listened to the good news of the angel, the fulsome hope of the three wise kings, the Magi who were guided by the star to Bethlehem. As the Magi were told to go back in a different route after meeting Jesus, let us also take a new turn in this New Year 2012. As St. Paul exhorts: “Any bitterness or bad temper or anger or shouting or abuse must be far removed from you – as must every kind of malice. Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ” (Eph. 4.31, 32). Let us thus ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom.13.14). And this alone will ‘stop atrocities and raise our humanity’ and make us really truly human!

Mary Pereira

Founder of  SVD, Society of Divine Word Ministry died on 15 January – 103 years ago

Arnold Janssen founded the first German mission seminary on 8 September 1875. He had to cross the border and found it in the Netherlands because Bismarck’s Kulturkampf dominated Germany. “At a time when much is disintegrating, something new has to come into being,” said Arnold Janssen. They were troubled years. Nothing spoke in favour of his plan to found a mission house. And yet Arnold Janssen took the risk and it exceeded all expectations. For 34 years he was to lead his work, the “Society of the Divine Word”. Women joined his movement and co-founded with him the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in 1889 and the Adoration Sisters in 1896. His work spread astonishingly fast. He uses the print media in order to make his society known. Missions and apostolates were taken over on all Continents. In 1909, the year Arnold Janssen died, there were 1500 Priests, Brothers, Missionary and Adoration Sisters in China, Italy, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, USA, Chile, Japan and the Philippines. Today more than 10 thousand men and women from every continent are members of Arnold Janssen’s great family.

In the beginning was the Word

and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things came into being
and not one thing came into being except through him.

Jesus has come to ‘give us abundant life’ (Jn 10,10). And this abundant life is for our body, mind and spirit. St. Paul says: “May your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess.5,19).

Very often we find ourselves not being able to experience this abundant life which Jesus has come to give us. In the book of  Psalm we read: “Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Their hearts were bowed down with hard labour; they fell down with no one to help…..Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death”. (107,10-11;17-18).

But after being ‘feasted with the food of the swine’ (cfr Lk, 15-16), if we are ready to come back to our senses and decide to go back to our Father’s house, we can experience the forgiving love and mercy of the Lord.

The Psalmist is sharing his own experience: “While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long….my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord” and you forgave the guilt of my sin”. (Ps. 32, 3-5).

The purpose of the Sacrament of confession is stated by the Church thus: “The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our soul and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health ( cfr. Healing of the Paralytic- Mk. 2,1-12), has willed that his Church continues, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of  healing and salvation, even among her own members” (CCC 1421). So when on the first day of the week, when the Risen Lord appeared to the apostles in the locked room, he said to them: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”. Then he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn. 20, 21-23).

St. Paul was added to the Apostles after getting the vision of Jesus entrusting him with a unique mission, to which he whole heartedly responded. He was well aware of the significance of this sacrament. “He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself…entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors of Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5, 18-20). Hence this Sacrament is also called ‘the Sacrament of Reconciliation’.

Realising our human nature that ‘we all sin’ (Rom. 3,23; 1 Jn. 1, 8), the Lord has instituted this sacrament of His mercy and grace. But what can happen is that we lose the sense of sin. As our Bl. Pope John Paul II has pointed out: “Insensitivity to sin is the greatest curse of this present generation. Through Prophet Isaiah the Lord says: “Woe to you who call evil good and good evil…” (5,20). Suppose we keep poison in a bottle and attach to it a label saying ‘Poison’. If somebody takes off this label and replaces it with a label with ‘Honey’ on it, the poison still remains poison. So likely, whether we admit sin to be a sin or not, sin remains sin.

If we think we can directly make our confession to God, without an intermediary of  a priest, the danger of human mind ‘diluting or compromising the sin’ persists. Jesus commanded “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you bind they are bound. ”If we do not follow the way Jesus commanded, then we take responsibility for seeking forgiveness the way WE WANT, NOT THE WAY Jesus wanted it.

Is it not a temptation for the modern man not to seek and get forgiveness  and be lost in his own stubbornness and sin, even though God gave His means to obtain forgiveness ?

It is human nature to apologise when we make mistakes. And it soothes our heart when we come to know that we are forgiven. When we hear the words of Absolution at the confessional we are doubly sure that our sins are forgiven by the Lord because it is Jesus who gave that authority to the Apostles and to their successors (Jn. 20,23; 2 Cor. 5,19-20).

Jesus not only forgives our sins but forgets our sins, so that we need not live in guilt of our past sins.

“If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn. 1,9). “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8,12). “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8,1).

For a valid confession the church teaches that we are to be faithful to the five steps. The validity of the confession depends not on the Confessor, but on the penitent following these steps:

1. Examine your conscience in the light of the Word of God- especially with regard to the Ten commandments (Ex.20. 2-17; CCC. 2084-2557), the five Precepts of the Church (CCC 2041-2043), ….Frequenting the sacrament of confession with examination of conscience increases our self awareness of sin which will lead us to the second step.

2. Repent your sins-Repentance has been the central teaching of Jesus. At the very outset of his proclamation he said: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news” (Mk. 1,15). Without sincerely repenting for our sins, we cannot have the kingdom experience. After his resurrection, he reminded the disciples of what was written in the Scriptures: “…….Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations….” (Lk. 24,47). Hearing Peter’s first preaching after Pentecost, the listeners were “cut to the heart and said to Peter and other Apostles: ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them; ‘Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven…”(Acts 2,37-38). Later in his speech in Solomon’s Portico Peter again exhorted: “Repent, and turn to God that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3, 19-20).

3. Resolve not to commit the sin again. The Scriptures as well as the Church is clear in teaching that confession is not a ‘license to sin again’. “Have you sinned, my child? Do so no more, but ask forgiveness for your past sins. Flee from sin as from a snake; for if you approach sin, it will bite you. Its teeth are lion’s teeth, and can destroy human lives” (Sirach 21, 1-2). Jesus told the woman caught in adultery: “I do not condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” (Jn. 8,11)

“Among the penitents, acts of contrition occupy the first place. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again” (CCC 1451).

4. Confess your sins to a priest. The Church teaches that ‘confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance’(CCC 1456)

5. Do the penance the priest gives. “Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must ‘make satisfaction for’ or ‘expiate’ his sin. This satisfaction is called “penance”(CCC1459).

Every Sacrament is a visible sign through which the invisible grace of Jesus is poured into our lives. “His grace restores what sin has damaged in us” (CCC 1708). As St.Augustine has said:“Whoever confesses his sins is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear “man”- this is what God has made; when you hear “sinner”- this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light”.

“Reconciliation with God is the purpose and effect of this sacrament. Those who receive this Sacrament of  Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation. Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection”, restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God” (CCC 1468).

Mary Pereira

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8,12). Jesus,’ the Word Become Flesh’, dwelt among us and showed us the Light of Life. He is ‘the true light which enlightens everyone’ (Jn. 1,9). In him there is no darkness for He is God, and God is Light. Jesus lived the word of the Father and became the light of the world.

Since the Word of God is revealing God’s Nature, it is the Light. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119,105).  When we live God’s word, we share God’s Nature, and therefore we become lights, reflecting God’s nature. Whereas WHEN WE DISOBEY GOD’S WORD AND LIVE SELFISHLY, we become darkness, sharing the character of the Evil one.

Hence what is darkness? Disobeying God’s Word, and expressing my selfish nature. Consequently we harm ourselves and others and the effect is passed on to the society and to the coming generations.

We need light when there is darkness. Jesus told the disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5,14). The light and darkness which Jesus meant is not the literal light of the day and the darkness of the night. There can be deeds of light and deeds of darkness, as there is kingdom of light and kingdom of darkness.  St. John makes it clear: “Whoever says, “I am in the light”, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light.” (1 Jn. 2,9-10).

Jesus, as the light of the world, came to give His Divine Light into our hearts. He taught about the attitudes of the kingdom of God – which is the kingdom of light – in his Sermon on the Mount. Especially the chapters five, six and seven of the gospel of Mathew, describe the lifestyle of the kingdom of light. Starting with the Beatitudes, he goes on highlightening the values of the kingdom of God which are opposed to the values of this world.

Let us briefly reflect on what Jesus teaches: “Do not be angry with a brother or   a sister, do not say to anyone, ‘you fool’, do not commit adultery in thought, word and deed, do not be unfaithful to the partner in marriage, do not swear, do not resist the evil doer, you shall love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, do acts of charity in secret and not for publicity, have childlike  trust in God who is our Father, pray to Him and trust in Him in all your needs, do not judge nor criticize others……In short, in our dealings with one another he gave us a Golden Rule: “In everything,  do to others as you would have them do to you”.

Every disciple of Jesus is called to be ‘wise enough to hear these words of his and act on them’ (Mt.7,24). When we live such lives we become light of the world, reflecting the light of Jesus in our lives. Since the gospel teachings of Christ written by the four Evangelists are unfamiliar we are called to be the fifth living gospel. Many people around us are ignorant of the values of the kingdom of light; deliberately or not, knowingly or not, many are living in the kingdom of darkness. As Bl. Mother Teresa has said: “Instead of cursing darkness, let us light a candle”. Instead of getting worried, anxious or disappointed about those who ‘live in the darkness’ of hatred, impurities, greed, jealousy, addictions, occult and the like, let us live the kingdom values and shine as light among them. “The light shines in darkness”. (Jn.1,5). As St. Paul says: “We are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2,15). Imbibing the kingdom values fully in his life, he could set his life as a model for others. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor.11,1).

This mission of being the ‘light of the world’ is urgent now, as the darkness is dominating the lives of people much more than ever before. The works of the darkness are manifested in the lives of people in varied ways: “fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissentions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and things like these” (Gal. 5,19-20).  Nevertheless, we cannot lose hope. We need to continue doing good, which is ‘our way of life’ (Eph. 2,10).

“For it is God’s will that by doing right we should silence the ignorance of the foolish” (1 Pet. 2,15).  We, as the Disciples of Christ, are ‘not  to be in darkness; for we are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness” (1 Thess. 5,4-5). We are exhorted  to “cloth ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other” (Col. 3,12- 13).  Thereby we become a blessing for others. Yes, let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light” (Rom13,12).

Let us put on this armour of light, first in our own home/house, then in our neighbourhood, in our places of work and in the society at large, for Jesus said  “when you receive the Holy Spirit you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world” (Acts 1,8). We have only a short life here in this pilgrim land. “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil.3,20). Compared to our eternal life, our life here is just like a drop of water in the ocean. May we be the drops of love, joy, peace and blessing in the life of others, fulfilling the mission entrusted to us – being the ‘light of the world’, which is now groping in darkness of sin, despair, meaninglessness and confusion. Let us follow the footsteps of Jesus who said: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jn. 9,5). Yes, I can fulfil this mission only when I am journeying through this land. Let us encourage ourselves daily, while it is still “today”, so that none of us may grow hardened by the deceit of sin” (Heb.3,13).

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Mt.5,15-16).

Let us sing along:

‘Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining
Jesus Light of the world shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me, Shine on me.
Shine, Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word,
Lord, and let there be light’.

Mary Pereira