O Jesus My Lord and God: You died to liberate us from death and slavery to sin, and rose to lead us to heaven;
O Beauty of Old: You created us in your image and implanted your beauty in creation;
May your name be blessed as grains and plants grow to deliver fruits in valleys and on your high mountains;
May your name be blessed as the morning nightingale sings to you and the birds on trees praise you;
May your name be blessed as the waves of the sea and ocean move creatures and obey you;
May your name be blessed as the wild animals of the forests beseech your grandeur;
May your name be blessed as scientists explore the vast cosmos and search communication of quantum-entangled particles which your mind makes;
May your name be blessed as neuroscientists attempt to map the human brain and biologists research cells and organs which your mind creates and sustains;
May your name be blessed as your most pure mother Mary blessed you when she visited Elizabeth and when she saw you in the glory of your ascension;
May your name be blessed as Abraham blessed you when he was visited by you in the three missionaries of your servant Melchizedek;
May your name be blessed as Peter blessed you when he spoke of you the Messiah Son of God;
May your name be blessed as Augustine blessed you when he found you in the preaching of Ambrose of Milan and the Biblical witness of Paul;
May your name be blessed as Francis of Assisi sought you to rebuild what was lacking in the living Church and led many to you;
May your name be blessed as the angelic Thomas Aquinas taught your truth with humility and Ignatius of Loyola lived it in his conversion and spiritual discernment;
May your name be blessed as Teresa of Avila climbed the mountain of doubt to be possessed by you and Teresa of Calcutta served you in the dying poor;
May your name be blessed as your little flower Thérèse of Lisieux loved you O Love Eternal and Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed his life for his fellow prisoner in love for you;
May your name be blessed as Pope John XXIII did in convoking Vatican II the greatest Council in history and John Paul the Great restored confidence in the mission of your Church;
May your name be blessed as the saved creation will praise you on that day in which there will be no sunset and no dawning.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Why Weep?
On Saturday September 13, Pope Francis said Mass in the largest cemetery in Italy to commemorate the centenary of World War I. With a voice expressing anxiety and fear, he brought the attention of thousands of listeners to the planned aggression and wars today citing wars in Syria, Iraq, and the armed conflict in Gaza, Ukraine,and parts of Africa. "War is madness. War ruins everything even the bonds between brothers...War is irrational; its only plan is to bring destruction...It seeks to grow by destroying - Even today after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a Third War, one fought piecemeal with crimes, massacres, destruction. Humanity needs to weep and the time to weep is now."
We may wish to listen to his voice here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
If we listen to him here: http://www.romereports.com/pg158331-pope-francis-warns-of-world-war-iii-en we will find what he thinks causes war: "Greed, intolerance, the lust for power" said Francis. These motives "are too often justified by an ideology, and when there is no ideology, there is the response of Cain 'Why should I care?'"
Francis' prophecy for the possibility of a global war may be discredited as pessimistic. However, more pastors are also pessimistic about the decline in observing moral values in the Western Christian civilization. But this is hardly the problem of the rich West. Obsession with material possessions increases selfishness which is found in all countries.The big picture reflects fear of threats to survival whether it is because of a distorted radical Islamism, an increasing tension between Russia and NATO, or the spread of Ebola that could kill more people. To address such ugly situation, we may as well return to the gospel. In Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus tells his listeners to start correcting themselves "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matt 7: 3-5). If our spiritual leaders (including patrirachs, cardinals, and bishops) follow Pope Francis in his simple way of living and dressing, Christians will probably imitate their leaders. We need to individually and socially (in community) wake up and return to our loving God. We need to discern the will of God. "Humanity needs to weep and the time to weep is now." Tears of sorrow can be a temporary emotional reaction to fear. Or they can be the beginning of real repentance in seeking God who loves all. Let's recall that there are more Christian missionaries in the world than ever. More children are born everyday that bring joy - more joy than hatred.
In his 2012 book "The Better Angels of Our Nature:Why Violence Has Declined", Steven Pinker at Harvard University provides statistical evidence that there were less victims killed in the two World Wars of the 20th century than there were in the 19th century.
And St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), articulates the vision that in spite of evil God brings good out of everything (exercised in the discernment of spirits or daily examen). St. Thomas More followed the primacy of conscience in making decisions (exercised in the discernment of spirits and elevated by the Christian moral teachings). St. Francis of Assisi too spoke to the beauty of God implanted in creation: Sister Sun and Brother Moon and wrote the hymn of love Make me a channel of your peace.
If we and our pastors follow Jesus as those saints did, we will be contagious in our patience and love to others and this will render in us the peace of Christ. As long as we live, we must hope for a better life here and in heaven. And so we can sing with St. Paul and the early Church the hymn about Jesus Christ "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2, 6-11).
We may wish to listen to his voice here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
If we listen to him here: http://www.romereports.com/pg158331-pope-francis-warns-of-world-war-iii-en we will find what he thinks causes war: "Greed, intolerance, the lust for power" said Francis. These motives "are too often justified by an ideology, and when there is no ideology, there is the response of Cain 'Why should I care?'"
Francis' prophecy for the possibility of a global war may be discredited as pessimistic. However, more pastors are also pessimistic about the decline in observing moral values in the Western Christian civilization. But this is hardly the problem of the rich West. Obsession with material possessions increases selfishness which is found in all countries.The big picture reflects fear of threats to survival whether it is because of a distorted radical Islamism, an increasing tension between Russia and NATO, or the spread of Ebola that could kill more people. To address such ugly situation, we may as well return to the gospel. In Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus tells his listeners to start correcting themselves "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matt 7: 3-5). If our spiritual leaders (including patrirachs, cardinals, and bishops) follow Pope Francis in his simple way of living and dressing, Christians will probably imitate their leaders. We need to individually and socially (in community) wake up and return to our loving God. We need to discern the will of God. "Humanity needs to weep and the time to weep is now." Tears of sorrow can be a temporary emotional reaction to fear. Or they can be the beginning of real repentance in seeking God who loves all. Let's recall that there are more Christian missionaries in the world than ever. More children are born everyday that bring joy - more joy than hatred.
In his 2012 book "The Better Angels of Our Nature:Why Violence Has Declined", Steven Pinker at Harvard University provides statistical evidence that there were less victims killed in the two World Wars of the 20th century than there were in the 19th century.
And St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), articulates the vision that in spite of evil God brings good out of everything (exercised in the discernment of spirits or daily examen). St. Thomas More followed the primacy of conscience in making decisions (exercised in the discernment of spirits and elevated by the Christian moral teachings). St. Francis of Assisi too spoke to the beauty of God implanted in creation: Sister Sun and Brother Moon and wrote the hymn of love Make me a channel of your peace.If we and our pastors follow Jesus as those saints did, we will be contagious in our patience and love to others and this will render in us the peace of Christ. As long as we live, we must hope for a better life here and in heaven. And so we can sing with St. Paul and the early Church the hymn about Jesus Christ "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2, 6-11).
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Who Do You Say I Am?
In "Catholicism" first video whose object is Jesus Christ, Fr. Robert Barron comments: Jesus did not say 'What do people think of my teachings.' He asked 'Who do people say that I am' (Mark 8:27). It's hard to imagine another great religious founder asking such a question. The Buddha would not focus on himself, and I say it to his credit, he would say 'There is a way I discovered and I want you to know it.' Mohammed would not focus on himself - He would say 'There is a revelation I received I want you to know it'. Confucius would not say 'It's about me' - He would say 'It's about this path I found'. Then there is Jesus who says 'Who do people say that I am'. The whole gospel really hinges on this point. Jesus identity personally is what it is about, because throughout the gospel he consistently speaks and acts in the very person of God. The reply to Jesus' question depended on how close was the person to Jesus and which prophetic voice they thought was echoed: "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." But to those who were close to Jesus, the question "But who do you say that I am?" was answered by Peter "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matt 16: 16). And Jesus answered him "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." (Matt 16: 17)...
You may wish to watch this excerpt here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aZsH-Ca7WU&list=PLnNpkAOswnbkORN1fPLzZuNzvIuh37SN2&index=8
Jesus radiated love in his healing and teachings and approached the crowds with unprecedented authority for saying and acting the truth. The Apostles understood Jesus' mission when, fearful of the authorities after his crucifixion and death, they saw him risen and received the Holy Spirit from him.
In his book "Introduction to Christianity" Joseph Ratzinger bases the evidence of the Resurrection of Christ on the power of love with which Jesus of Nazareth defeats death and mortality in his selfless love of the Father while dying on the cross (humanly speaking: Being in the Other who still stands when I have fallen apart).
In the New Testament, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central theme that God leads the inspired writer to write and so bring the readers attention to. The story of Jesus walking on the waters of the sea is more than an event to show his power; for it reminds the listeners about Jesus' victory over the waters of the sea considered the abode of death. He is the One who takes Peter by the hand to deliver him from death. He is the One who leads the Church, new Israel, out of the bondage of death and "slavery in the land of Egypt." Every event recounted in the Gospel has multiple meanings; all meant to encourage the young church to persevere in the times of darkness; but more significant they proclaim the body of Christ in the Eucharist as the eternal manna that feeds the new Israel in their journey to New Jerusalem as the manna fed the hungry Israelites in their journey out of slavery - the difference being that while the Israelites who ate the manna died the new "People of God", who eat the body of Christ, will live with him for ever. While the pagan religions were declining, and the Jews were scattered after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the Christian movement gave a new hope to the crowds who listened to the "good news" - the Gospel.
You may wish to watch this excerpt here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aZsH-Ca7WU&list=PLnNpkAOswnbkORN1fPLzZuNzvIuh37SN2&index=8
Jesus radiated love in his healing and teachings and approached the crowds with unprecedented authority for saying and acting the truth. The Apostles understood Jesus' mission when, fearful of the authorities after his crucifixion and death, they saw him risen and received the Holy Spirit from him.
In his book "Introduction to Christianity" Joseph Ratzinger bases the evidence of the Resurrection of Christ on the power of love with which Jesus of Nazareth defeats death and mortality in his selfless love of the Father while dying on the cross (humanly speaking: Being in the Other who still stands when I have fallen apart).
In the New Testament, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central theme that God leads the inspired writer to write and so bring the readers attention to. The story of Jesus walking on the waters of the sea is more than an event to show his power; for it reminds the listeners about Jesus' victory over the waters of the sea considered the abode of death. He is the One who takes Peter by the hand to deliver him from death. He is the One who leads the Church, new Israel, out of the bondage of death and "slavery in the land of Egypt." Every event recounted in the Gospel has multiple meanings; all meant to encourage the young church to persevere in the times of darkness; but more significant they proclaim the body of Christ in the Eucharist as the eternal manna that feeds the new Israel in their journey to New Jerusalem as the manna fed the hungry Israelites in their journey out of slavery - the difference being that while the Israelites who ate the manna died the new "People of God", who eat the body of Christ, will live with him for ever. While the pagan religions were declining, and the Jews were scattered after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the Christian movement gave a new hope to the crowds who listened to the "good news" - the Gospel.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Georges Farah on Immaculate Mary
At Jesus the King Church yesterday, we celebrated the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and had a procession of her picture of the Immaculate Conception accompanied with honor guards from the Knights of Columbus. In his brief homily, Fr. Georges Farah was able to link the Nativity of Mary and her immaculate conception to the cross of Christ that we celebrate on September 14.
Georges Farah said: In the Eastern Byzantine icons of Mary the Theotokos, 3 stars are shown on her veil : One at the part covering the forehead; the second on the left shoulder and the third on right shoulder. The stars tell us what we sing in the liturgy: She is always virgin. She was virgin before she bore Jesus in her womb; virgin during her pregnancy with Jesus; and still virgin after she delivered him to the world. We think this is beautiful but it was a tragedy for her in ancient Jewish society. First she was found pregnant before Joseph was able to engage her physically. Second, she - with Joseph carrying Jesus - had to flee to Egypt for Herod wanted to kill the little Jesus; When Herod died, they journeyed back and settled in the different town Nazareth. Then they lost Jesus when he was only 12 and had to search for him until they found him in the temple talking with teachers. And she was left behind when Jesus went around with his apostles healing people and only close to her beloved son when he was dying on the cross. Her joy was and remains in the resurrection of her son Jesus Christ and his ascension.
Georges Farah said a virgin is translated from Batula or Batul in the ancient Hebrew which is related to Beit Il or the house of God. How could Mary be the house or the temple of God? She could not unless she was without the stain of sin: original sin and personal sin. When someone sins, he misses his goal. Your goal is to be like God. You miss the goal when you become a slave to your selfishness and desires. But this little girl Mary was dedicate to God in the temple since her early childhood. She said Yes to his angel and never sought her glory. She was always in the shadows. To be born of an immaculate virgin, Christ saved her by protecting her in her conception from original sin and his grace accompanied her throughout her suffering and joys. And today, when there is much suffering and violence in the Middle East, we call on the Virgin Mary to protect her children there. She leads all to her son and point them to him as she pointed the workers in the wedding in Cana to Christ. To the Knights of Columbus, who many of them are with us today, we ask you to assist our brothers and sisters there.
Each one, however rich or great, still has his cross. The cross is in the middle of every human person regardless of religion. But to carry one's cross, you need the living joy of giving and sharing with others. It is not in suffering that we find glory but in serving the least of us as Jesus Christ did and Mary did.
Georges Farah said: In the Eastern Byzantine icons of Mary the Theotokos, 3 stars are shown on her veil : One at the part covering the forehead; the second on the left shoulder and the third on right shoulder. The stars tell us what we sing in the liturgy: She is always virgin. She was virgin before she bore Jesus in her womb; virgin during her pregnancy with Jesus; and still virgin after she delivered him to the world. We think this is beautiful but it was a tragedy for her in ancient Jewish society. First she was found pregnant before Joseph was able to engage her physically. Second, she - with Joseph carrying Jesus - had to flee to Egypt for Herod wanted to kill the little Jesus; When Herod died, they journeyed back and settled in the different town Nazareth. Then they lost Jesus when he was only 12 and had to search for him until they found him in the temple talking with teachers. And she was left behind when Jesus went around with his apostles healing people and only close to her beloved son when he was dying on the cross. Her joy was and remains in the resurrection of her son Jesus Christ and his ascension.
Georges Farah said a virgin is translated from Batula or Batul in the ancient Hebrew which is related to Beit Il or the house of God. How could Mary be the house or the temple of God? She could not unless she was without the stain of sin: original sin and personal sin. When someone sins, he misses his goal. Your goal is to be like God. You miss the goal when you become a slave to your selfishness and desires. But this little girl Mary was dedicate to God in the temple since her early childhood. She said Yes to his angel and never sought her glory. She was always in the shadows. To be born of an immaculate virgin, Christ saved her by protecting her in her conception from original sin and his grace accompanied her throughout her suffering and joys. And today, when there is much suffering and violence in the Middle East, we call on the Virgin Mary to protect her children there. She leads all to her son and point them to him as she pointed the workers in the wedding in Cana to Christ. To the Knights of Columbus, who many of them are with us today, we ask you to assist our brothers and sisters there.
Each one, however rich or great, still has his cross. The cross is in the middle of every human person regardless of religion. But to carry one's cross, you need the living joy of giving and sharing with others. It is not in suffering that we find glory but in serving the least of us as Jesus Christ did and Mary did.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
A Hymn to God for the Missionary We Know!
A friend in Montreal sent us a message that Henri Boulad, S.J. has just celebrated his birthday...We looked up references and found that Fr. Boulad, a professor of theology and a scholar who continues to lecture and write, was born in August 1931. But late is better than never to congratulate our dear friend of his 83rd birthday anniversary...
Here is a little hymn of thanksgiving to God for the missionary we know,
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...For among us in Egypt, you raised a man that challenged the dark powers with his voice and pen...
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...For over 50 years, we have been blessed by your servant's missionary work in Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, France, Hungary, Belgium, Germany, and many other countries including Canada my own, and the U.S.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is made of steel (as in his last name: Boulad=Foulaz), yet very understanding to the needs of humanity in his projects and the humanization of a savage world.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...It did not bother him that his family was forced out of Syria in 1860 because of persecution...He loves his persecutors. He critiques the injustice of men, yet, celebrates their being Your children - children of God.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He earned advanced degrees in multiple disciplines, yet he speaks with the tender voice of a child, and gives retreats to ordinary people.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is the student of mystics and saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and Jean Vianney of Ars.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is the open mind that learned from Teilhard de Chardin, Henri de Lubac, and Karl Rahner - Teaches as they taught and follows Vatican II.
You know his name: Henri Boulad.
Keep him O Lord of all and send him to us in Canada. May Your Name be glorified in the rest of his life, and beyond this life, when I hope he joins the Virgin Mary, angels and saints in your everlasting heaven.
Here is a little hymn of thanksgiving to God for the missionary we know,
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...For among us in Egypt, you raised a man that challenged the dark powers with his voice and pen...
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...For over 50 years, we have been blessed by your servant's missionary work in Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, France, Hungary, Belgium, Germany, and many other countries including Canada my own, and the U.S.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is made of steel (as in his last name: Boulad=Foulaz), yet very understanding to the needs of humanity in his projects and the humanization of a savage world.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...It did not bother him that his family was forced out of Syria in 1860 because of persecution...He loves his persecutors. He critiques the injustice of men, yet, celebrates their being Your children - children of God.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He earned advanced degrees in multiple disciplines, yet he speaks with the tender voice of a child, and gives retreats to ordinary people.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is the student of mystics and saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and Jean Vianney of Ars.
How Can I Thank You? How beautiful is your gift to us...He is the open mind that learned from Teilhard de Chardin, Henri de Lubac, and Karl Rahner - Teaches as they taught and follows Vatican II.
You know his name: Henri Boulad.
Keep him O Lord of all and send him to us in Canada. May Your Name be glorified in the rest of his life, and beyond this life, when I hope he joins the Virgin Mary, angels and saints in your everlasting heaven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
