Showing posts with label Ordinary times 02nd Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ordinary times 02nd Sunday. Show all posts

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

We too shall see Christ in His glory.

 T he momentary vision of Christ in His glory was given in order to strengthen  the  three  Apostles  to  face  the  trials  to  their  faith, which  the  sufferings  and  crucifixion  of  their  beloved  master  would bring.  It  is  retold to  us  today,  in the  early  part of  Lent, to encourage us  to  persevere  in  our  Lenten  mortification.  It  reminds  us  that,  very soon, the Easter bells will be ringing out their message of joy. If we are  sharers  with  Christ  in  His  sufferings,  we  shall  be  sharers  with Him in His glory. 
 This is a truth we all too easily forget, namely, that we cannot get to heaven  in  a  limousine.  Our  time  on  earth  is  the  chance  given  us  by our  heavenly  Father  to  earn  an  eternal  reward  which  surpasses  even the  wildest  imagination  of  man.  We  could  never  earn  it,  but  God    accepts the little we can do and provides the balance with His infinite mercy. 
 And  yet  there  are  far  too many  who  refuse even  that  little  bit  that is asked of them, and are thus running the risk of not partaking in God's scheme   for   their   eternal   happiness.   Illnesses   and   troubles   and  disappointments  come  to  all  men.  They  respect  neither  wealth,  nor power,  nor  position.  The  man  who  knows  his  purpose in  life,  and  is ever striving to reach the goal God has planned for him, can and will see  in  these  trials  of  life  the  hand  of  a  kind  father  who  is  preparing him  for  greater  things.  His  sufferings  become  understandable  and more bearable because of his attitude. The man who ignores God has nothing  to console  him  in his hours  of sorrow  and  pain.  Yet, sorrow and pain will dog his footsteps, strive as he will to avoid them. 
Christ has asked us to follow Him, carrying our daily cross. The end of our journey is not Calvary but resurrection, the entrance to a life of glory  with  our  risen  Savior.  The  Christian  who  grasps  his  cross closely  and  willingly,  knowing  its  value  for  his  real  life,  will  find  it becomes lighter and often not a burden but a pleasure. 
Let  the  thought  of  the  Transfiguration  encourage  each  one  of  us     today, to do the little God demands of us, so that when we pass out of this  life  we  may  be  assured  of  seeing  Christ  in  His  glory,  ready  to welcome us into His everlasting, glorious kingdom. (excerpt: catholic.culture.

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Behold, the lamb of God.


 A t his baptism the Holy Spirit filled Jesus with the power to be 'a light to the nations'. Living His life in purity, truth, humility, love, faithfulness and obedience to His Father, Jesus reflected God's light into a sinful world, dispelling the darkness of sin, unbelief and ignorance. He brought us the light of faith and true knowledge so we could know the Father and do His will. The Spirit filled Jesus with the power to offer His life in sacrifice for the sins of the world. John1:29 says of Jesus: 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'. As God's Chosen One, faithful and obedient, Jesus 'baptizes with the Holy Spirit' so that the Spirit will give believers the power to be light to the world and to bring God's salvation to the ends of the earth. We are light to the world as we live our lives in 'compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience' (Col. 3:12). These virtues dispel the darkness around us just as a lamp placed on a stand 'gives light to all in the house' (Matt. 5:15). We bring God's salvation to the ends of the earth as we seek to live righteous and holy lives, rejecting the temptations that assail us, repenting of the sins we have committed, 'forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other' (Col.3:13). By being light to the nations and bringing God's salvation to the ends of the earth, Jesus glorified His Father: 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified' (Isa. 49:3). Like Jesus, we give glory to the Father by being light to the world and pursuing righteousness and peace. Ask the Spirit to fill you with power so that you may be light to the world and bring God's salvation - mercy, love, peace and forgiveness - to those around you. (excerpt: catholic-bible-school.org)