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Holy Week reflection - How things have changed

We have already begun Holy Week, the most solemn time for Christians throughout the world as we recall the suffering and death of our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It used to be marked with sacrifices and refraining from enjoyment as we recalled how much our Saviour suffered during His scourging and crucifixion.

No Catholic would ever think of attending the Easter Show or eating hot crossed buns until Easter Sunday because we were still "offering up" our Lenten penances until the 40 days of Lent were over.
And of course no one would dream of going to the Footy or Easter Show on Good Friday - the day Jesus was executed!  The day is like another funeral for a loved one - our Lord. We remember His death as if He died on this actual day, so it is marked by reverent silence and reflection and we are grateful to the government for closing the shops and giving us a holiday to mark this special day by participating in spiritual exercises such as Stations of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross ceremonies as well as mandatory Confession to a priest.
But this year it will be different.
The whole "celebration" will be sombre and sober as we reflect on the huge scars that the Church continues to bear because of the "Sins of the Fathers" - the revelation of endemic sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The effect of the scandal of clerical sexual abuse of children can not be understated. The Pope and Bishops and priests are all suffering under the weight of shame that these evil few have inflicted on our family.
Just as Jesus's most painful wounds were inflicted by the indifference of His followers, or their rejection when they called out with the angry mob, "Crucify Him!", and when He was denied by His own Apostles and priests who had shared His last Supper, including the first Pope, Peter.
As Jesus felt the incredible scourges of recrimination by the religious leaders of His time, Jesus again suffers with His church as they witness their leaders' rejection of their sacred vows for the sexual deviance of paedophilia, especially by the men entrusted with their salvific guidance. 
The Church is suffering as Jesus' body on the cross being spat upon and laughed at for the crimes inflicted by their priests and religious Brothers, their own! It is a terrible and tragic shame of immense proportions that can only be relieved by a new resurrection.
That resurrection is not going to come about in Australia by an externally directed Royal Commission by government appointed judges. It can only be effected by truly internal reformation and restructuring. I wish that the Catholic people will stop the implosion by overthrowing the current oligarchy that is standing back indifferently to its own communities suffering. Many place their hopes in the ageing Argentinian with his sympathy inspiring one lung and his self-confessed humility. The kissing of babies and handicapped people in front of world wide media should give way to honest acknowledgement that he is NOT the best person to change the Church. Only by allowing the laity to have more say in the running of the Church and encouraging the leadership by women will we ever see a change to the patriarchal, dysfunctional and discriminatory direction of this rapidly becoming anachronistic organisation.
We will give this new Pope Francis six months.
I would love to share the current optimism which is infecting the Church but I can see little so far that would indicate he intends to reverse the downward trends.
He needs to abolish mandatory celibacy if he really wants to significantly restore hope in an institution which is badly in need of resuscitating.

People in glass houses.

Reflections on the readings for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Reading 1 Jeremiah 20:10-13

I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart. Let me witness the vengeance You take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

Responsorial Psalm

R.In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Praised be the LORD, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
The breakers of death surged round about me, the destroying floods overwhelmed me; The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, the snares of death overtook me.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
In my distress I called upon the LORD and cried out to my God; From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Gospel John 10:31-42
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said,‘You are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.

Meditation: Is your life consecrated to God?

I can relate to this first reading from Jeremiah and the Gospel of St. John today. People are all too ready to condemn me before they even know me. They believe what they want to. I hear so many rumours and innuendo that originates from people who used to be my friends. Its sad when it happens but that is human nature and these scripture readings are meant to encourage us to stand above the human temptation to retaliate against those who have hurt us.

I spoke to a lady after Mass today who began to attack me over my stance against sexual abuse. She said, “Why don’t you leave it up to God to judge them?”

I said it is my duty to warn people so they don’t end up being a victim themselves.

“But”, she protested, “not all celibate priests are child abusers!”

I agreed, “but some are. And just like not all dogs bite, but some do, I am cautious around those priests I don’t know.,”

The scriptural understanding of consecration is to make holy for God - to be given over as a free-will offering and sacrifice for God. Jesus made Himself a sin-offering
for us, to ransom us from condemnation and slavery to sin. He spoke of his Father consecrating Him for this mission of salvation. Why were the religious leaders so upset with Jesus that they wanted to kill him? They charged Him with blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus made two claims in his response: He was consecrated by the Father to a special task and he was sent into the world to carry out his Father's mission. Jesus challenged his opponents to accept his works
if they could not accept his words. One can argue with words, but deeds are beyond argument. Jesus is the perfect teacher in that he does not base his claims on what he says but on what he does. The word of God is life and power to those who believe. Jesus shows us the way to walk the path of truth and holiness. And he anoints us with his power to live the gospel with joy and to be his witnesses in the world. Are you a doer of God's word, or a forgetful hearer only?

"Write upon my heart, O Lord, the lessons of your holy word, and grant that I may be a doer of your word, and not a forgetful hearer only."

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com


BELIEVING PLACES

"In that place, many came to believe in Him." —John 10:42

It's a glorious sunny day, and I'm inside. I'm sitting in adoration before my Lord Jesus, Who is exposed in Eucharistic splendour. The weather is balmy outside, but inside the atmosphere is heavenly. In this place of intimacy before the real presence of Jesus, many come to believe in Jesus (see John 10:42). In this place, worshipers "realize what it means that the Father is in [Jesus] and [Jesus] in Him" (Jn 10:38). In this place, the climate is perfect for realizing that Jesus is God. In Eucharistic adoration, we are far more blessed than those who actually saw Jesus while He walked the earth (see Mt 13:16). The Jews in today's Gospel saw Jesus personally, and even saw the miracles He performed (Jn 10:38), but all they could see was that, in their eyes, Jesus was "only a man" (Jn 10:33). In two days, we will remember the crowds who saw Jesus enter Jerusalem as King, yet within a week they shouted, "Crucify Him!" (Mt 27:22) Jesus once commented that those who believe in Him without seeing would be blessed (Jn 20:29). Yet in His mercy, He still provides a way for us to gaze upon Him two thousand years after He walked the earth (2 Cor 3:18). Therefore, "fix your eyes on" the eucharistic Jesus (Heb 3:1). Next week, in the holiest week of the Church Year, visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In this place of believing, let Him fill you with "eucharistic amazement" (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II, 6).

Prayer: Lord, who would believe what we have seen? (Is 53:1) May Catholics consider Your Eucharistic presence "ordinary" (Heb 10:29). Help us to appreciate how wonderful is Your Presence with us in the Mass and in our Churches. May we make greater effort to ‘visit’ You as You have come to visit us with your grace.

May our love for you be visible in our outreach to others.

Promise: "The Lord is with me, like a mighty Champion." —Jeremiah 20:11
Praise: Josie led four of her co-workers to Jesus this year. How many have you helped to know the possibility of eternal life that friendship with Jesus offers?

Listen to God today like your (eternal) life depends on it!

Meditation: Do you listen to Jesus' words as if your life depended on it?

 Jesus made a claim which only God can make "if any one keeps my word, he will never see death." St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), explains this verse from John 8:51: "It means nothing less than He saw another death from which He came to free us - the second death, eternal death, the death of hell, the death of the damned, which is shared with the devil and his angels! This is the real death; the other kind of death is only a passage" (Tractates on the Gospel of John 43.10-11). 
When God established a relationship with Abraham, He offered him an unbreakable "everlasting covenant" (Genesis 17:7). Jesus came to fulfill that covenant so that we could know the living God and be united with him both now and for all eternity. God made us to know him and to be united with him and he gives us the gift of faith and understanding so that we may grow in the knowledge of what he has accomplished for us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus challenged the people of Israel to accept His word as the very revelation of God himself. His claim challenged the very foundation of their belief and understanding of God. Jesus made a series of claims which are the very foundation of his life and mission. What are these claims? First, Jesus claims unique knowledge of God as the only begotten Son of the Father in heaven. Since He claims to be in direct personal communion with his Father in heaven, he knows everything about the Father. Jesus claims that the only way to full knowledge of the mind and heart of God is through Himself.

Jesus also claims unique obedience to God the Father. He thinks, lives and acts in the knowledge of his Father's word. To look at his life is to "see how God wishes me to live." In Jesus alone we see what God wants us to know and what he wants us to be. 
When the Jewish authorities asked Jesus who do you claim to be, He answered, "before Abraham was, I am." Jesus claims to be timeless and there is only one in the universe who is timeless, namely God. Scripture tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

Jesus was not just a man who came, lived, died, and then rose again. He is the immortal timeless One, who always was and always will be. In Jesus we see the eternal God in visible flesh. He is God who became a man for our sake and for our salvation. His death and resurrection make it possible for us to share in his immortality. Do you believe the words of Jesus and obey them with all your heart, mind, and strength? 

Pray:
"Lord Jesus, let Your word be on my lips and in my heart that I may walk in the freedom of your everlasting love, truth and goodness." 

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com 
I AM OR I? 

"Jesus answered them: 'I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM.' " (John 8:58) 

Jesus said He was I AM (see also Jn 8:28). I AM is the name for God (Ex 3:14). Therefore, Jesus called Himself "God." Those who believed Him worshipped Him and gave their lives to Him. Those who did not believe Jesus had no choice but to try to execute Him for blaspheming (Jn 8:59). Today, many people, even Christians, don't worship Jesus and love Him with all their hearts (Mt 22:37). However, they don't hate Jesus. They are neither hot nor cold toward Jesus but lukewarm (Rev 3:16). This attitude is clearly wrong and illogical for those who believe that Jesus claimed to be God. Because Jesus is I AM, we should be all His. He is the meaning of life, Life Itself (Jn 14:6; Phil 1:21). To give Jesus anything less than everything makes no sense. Jesus should be loved or hated, worshipped or ignored, obeyed completely or completely spurned. We should either tell the whole world about Jesus or try to rid the world of the lie and plague of Christianity. Before this Lent is over, settle it with Jesus. Quit playing games with Him. Give your whole life to Him. Treat Him as God. That's the only true way to relate to Him. Say with Thomas: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28) 

Prayer:

Jesus, I know my relationship with You only makes sense to those who believe You are the great I AM. Please inspire the person reading this right now to take a moment to speak with you. And when they do, can you please respond by answering their question to what is troubling them in their life right now. I know I am disappointed in not receiving the answer I wanted to my recent prayer, but I am prepared to wait for the better answer that you have coming. Please help my friend who is reading this now, to have the patience to wait for the better answer and response you have in mind for them.

Promise: "I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying." —Gn 17:8 

Praise: John started going to weekday Mass one or two days a week. This extra time with Jesus so deepened his love for the Eucharist that he now attends Mass daily. 

The Story of Susanna - You story you need to know

The Book of Daniel, chapter 13 - Susanna.

1 In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim, 2 who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah; 3 her parents were righteous and had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses. 4 Joakim was very rich and he had a garden near his house. The Jews had recourse to him often because he was the most respected of them all. 5 That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, “Lawlessness has come out of Babylon, that is, from the elders who were to govern the people as judges.” 6 These men, to whom all brought their cases, frequented the house of Joakim. 7When the people left at noon, Susanna used to enter her husband’s garden for a walk. 8When the elders saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her. 9 They perverted their thinking; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. 10 Though both were enamoured of her, they did not tell each other their trouble, 11 for they were ashamed to reveal their lustful desire to have her. 12 Day by day they watched eagerly for her. 13 One day they said to each other, “Let us be off for home, it is time for the noon meal.” So they went their separate ways. 14 But both turned back and arrived at the same spot. When they asked each other the reason, they admitted their lust, and then they agreed to look for an occasion when they could find her alone.

15 One day, while they were waiting for the right moment, she entered as usual, with two maids only, wanting to bathe in the garden, for the weather was warm. 16 Nobody else was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. 17 “Bring me oil and soap,” she said to the maids, “and shut the garden gates while I bathe.” 18 They did as she said; they shut the garden gates and left by the side gate to fetch what she had ordered, unaware that the elders were hidden inside. 19 As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and ran to her. 20 “Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, no one can see us, and we want you. So give in to our desire, and lie with us. 21 If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was here with you and that is why you sent your maids away.” 22 “I am completely trapped,” Susanna groaned. “If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power. 23 Yet it is better for me not to do it and to fall into your power than to sin before the Lord.” 24 Then Susanna screamed, and the two old men also shouted at her, 25 as one of them ran to open the garden gates. 26 When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden, they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her. 27 At the accusations of the old men, the servants felt very much ashamed, for never had any such thing been said about Susanna. 28 When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day, the two wicked old men also came, full of lawless intent to put Susanna to death. 29 Before the people they ordered: “Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim.” When she was sent for, 30 she came with her parents, children and all her relatives. 31 Susanna, very delicate and beautiful, 32 was veiled; but those transgressors of the law ordered that she be exposed so as to sate themselves with her beauty. 33 All her companions and the onlookers were weeping.

34 In the midst of the people the two old men rose up and laid their hands on her head. 35 As she wept she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly. 36 The old men said, “As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman entered with two servant girls, shut the garden gates and sent the servant girls away. 37A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her. 38When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this lawlessness, we ran toward them. 39We saw them lying together, but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we; he opened the gates and ran off. 40Then we seized this one and asked who the young man was, 41but she refused to tell us. We testify to this.” The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. 42 But Susanna cried aloud: “Eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: 43 you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things for which these men have condemned me.” 44 The Lord heard her prayer. 45 As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel, 46 and he cried aloud: “I am innocent of this woman’s blood.” 47 All the people turned and asked him, “What are you saying?” 48 He stood in their midst and said, “Are you such fools, you Israelites, to condemn a daughter of Israel without investigation and without clear evidence? 49 Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her.” 50 Then all the people returned in haste. To Daniel the elders said, “Come, sit with us and inform us, since God has given you the prestige of old age.” 51 But he replied, “Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them.” 52 After they were separated from each other, he called one of them and said: “How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term: 53 passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty, a although the Lord says, ‘The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.’ 54 Now, then, if you were a witness, tell me under what tree you saw them together.” 55 “Under a mastic tree,”* he answered. “Your fine lie has cost you your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God has already received the sentence from God and shall split you in two.” 56 Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought. “Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah,” Daniel said to him, “beauty has seduced you, lust has perverted your heart. 57 This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel, and in their fear they yielded to you; but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your lawlessness. 58 Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together.” 59 “Under an oak,” he said. “Your fine lie has cost you also your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to destroy you both.”  60 The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those who hope in him. 61They rose up against the two old men, for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of bearing false witness. They condemned them to the fate they had planned for their neighbour: 62 in accordance with the law of Moses they put them to death. Thus was innocent blood spared that day. 63 Hilkiah and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband and all her relatives, because she was found innocent of any shameful deed. 64 And from that day onward Daniel was greatly esteemed by the people.

Meditation: When accusations are brought against you, how do you respond and where do you turn for help? The Book of Daniel tells the story of Susanna, a godly woman who loved God and his word. She was unjustly accused of adultery by two elder judges who had tried to seduce her. Since adultery was a serious offense punishable by stoning to death, the law of Moses required at least two witnesses, rather than one, to convict a person. Susanna knew she had no hope of clearing her good reputation and escaping death apart from God's merciful intervention. Daniel tells us that she looked up to heaven and cried out to the Lord for his help (Daniel 13:35). The two elders who wanted to sin with her had done just the opposite – they hid themselves from God's sight and they kept their secret sin hidden from the people as well. They brought false charges against her in revenge for her refusal to sin with them. God in his mercy heard the plea of Susanna and he punished the two elders for giving false witness.

Unjust accusations against Jesus

The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus had to face unjust accusations made by the Pharisees, the ruling elders of Israel. They were upset with Jesus' teaching and his healing on the Sabbath. They plotted what charges they might bring against him in order to arrest him and bring him to trial.

They wanted to not only silence him, but put him to death for his claim to be the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy because he claimed that have authority equal with God.

In chapter 8 of John's Gospel, we hear the account where Jesus publicly proclaims in the Temple at Jerusalem that he is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). Jesus spoke these words around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Festival of Lights. This statement must have made a striking impression on the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion.

For eight nights the great candelabras which stood in the Temple courtyard lit the Jerusalem skyline with a blaze of dazzling light. Jesus' statement very likely came at the end of the Festival when the great lights where extinguished. In so many words, Jesus says he is the one true light which no one can extinguish or diminish (see John 1:4-5). He is the true light not only for God's chosen people Israel, but for all peoples and nations as well.

Many of the scribes and Pharisees reacted with shock and disbelief when they heard Jesus describe himself as light of the world and light of life (John 8:12). In the Gospel of John we hear seven "I am" statements from the lips of Jesus: "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35), "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), "I am the Gate" (John 10:9), "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), "I am the Vine" (John 15:5). Jesus also emphatically stated, "Truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). When Moses asked God to reveal His name. God responded by saying, "I AM WHO I AM"

(Exodus 3:13-14). When the Pharisees heard Jesus says "I am the light", they clearly understood that Jesus was making a claim which only God could make. The word light in Scripture was especially associated with God. The Lord is my light (Psalm 27:1). The Lord will be your everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19). When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me (Micah 7:8).

The scribes and Pharisees demanded that Jesus produce signs and witnesses to prove his claim. But the testimony and signs which Jesus gave did not satisfy the religious rulers because they had already determined in their own minds that he needed to be eliminated since his teaching did not agree with their own view and interpretation of the law of Moses (John 5:39-46).

Their judgment was based on wrong assumptions and an evil intention to put Jesus to death. Jesus stated that his authority was not based on human knowledge and perception but on the knowledge and revelation which came from God. Jesus' rightfully claimed that his authority came from his heavenly Father (John 5:19,21,26-27,36; John 8:28). No one could do the mighty works which he did and speak with such authority unless it had been given to him by the Father.

The light Jesus came to give us

What did Jesus mean by the expression I am the light of the world and light of life (John 8:12)? The light Jesus came to give is the light of God's revelation His beauty, truth, wisdom, and power. God's light exposes the darkness of sin which is often hidden and sometimes even unknown to us. His light brings healing, pardon, and restoration as well freeing us from the burden of guilt and the scars of sin's effect on us, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We need God's penetrating light to shine into our innermost being so he can remove wrong patterns of thoughts, attitudes, and hurtful desires. Sin clouds our vision of what is good and right and leads us down the wrong path. God's light shows us the way that leads to peace, joy, and true happiness and fulfilment. The light which the Lord Jesus offers produces in us abundant life and great fruitfulness. Just as natural life depends on light for energy, warmth, and growth (without it nothing could live or grow), so the light of heaven produces abundant and fruitful spiritual life for those who receive it.

The light which Jesus gives enables us to walk freely and confidently without stumbling in the darkness of sin and unbelief. His light warms our heart to the truth of God's love and it opens our vision to the reality of God's kingdom. Do you walk confidently in the light of God's truth and love?

"O gracious and Holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive you, diligence to seek you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Benedict of Nursia, 480-547 AD)

The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2013. Their website is located at presentationministries.com

 BATH AND BODY

"She decided to bathe." —Daniel 13:15

Today's first reading is more than a story of good triumphing over evil. It's an Old Testament preview of Baptism. When Susanna enters her bath (Dan 13:17-18), she is surrounded by the powers of evil, as represented by the two corrupt elders. Susanna is immersed in a dilemma of whether to save her life by yielding to evil or to cling to holiness and purity at the cost of her life (Dan 13:22). Susanna rises from her bath determined to trust in God, saying to the evil judges, "It is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord" (Dan 13:23). Susanna rose from the waters of her bath free, pure, and victorious over the kingdom of darkness. As we are baptized, we emerge from the waters redeemed and uncondemned (see Rom 8:1). Most of us were baptized as infants. We can't remember emerging from the waters free and victorious. In her wisdom, the Church therefore calls us to regularly renew our Baptisms. This makes our Baptism new and alive for us. Just as important, it challenges us to live our Baptism in a new, holy, and faith-filled lifestyle. In a few weeks, you will renew your Baptism at Easter Vigil and/or Easter Sunday Mass. As Susanna did, make the decision to entrust your life completely to the Lord. Prepare now to renew your Baptism. Reject sin and Satan. Hunger and thirst for holiness (Mt 5:6). Refuse to compromise with the kingdom of darkness in any way, even if you must endure persecution for holiness' sake (see Mt 5:10). Choose to be pure as Jesus is pure (1 John 3:3).

 Prayer: Jesus, you gave up Your body for me (Lk 22:19). I give up my body for You. Be glorified in my body (1 Cor 6:20).

 Promise: "The Lord is my Shepherd...Beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul." —Psalm 23:1-3

 Praise: St. Cyril encouraged catechumens: "Remove all obstacles and stumbling blocks so that you will be able to go straight along the road to eternal life."

By the way, I am interested to know how many people actually read these reflections so if you would kindly make a comment at the end or even click on Like, I would appreciate it. Thank you!

 

Reflection on John 5:1-16 for Tuesday March 12

John 5: 1 - 16
1	There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2	Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Beth-za'tha, which has five porticoes.
3	In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed.
5	One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
6	When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"
7	The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me."
8	Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet and walk."
9	And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
10	So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet."
11	But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, `Take up your pallet, and walk.'"
12	They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, `Take up your pallet, and walk'?"
13	Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.
14	Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you."
15	The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
16	And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath.

---

 STIRRING THE WATERS  - Retelling of John 5: 1-16

The Lord and His disciples were in Jerusalem to join in one of the Jewish feasts. The Jews had many holy days during the year. The people went to Jerusalem to celebrate them.

In Jerusalem there was a pool called the Pool of Bethesda. According to the Jewish superstitions once a year, an angel made the water of this pool start to move. When the water was moving, the first sick person who got into the pool was supposedly made better.

Many sick people from miles around came and waited by the pool for the angel to move the water. One of these people was a man who had been sick a very long time, thirty-eight years. They man was lying on a bed which was like a thin mattress with handles on the side for carrying him. He thought he needed someone to carry him on this bed to the pool.

When Jesus saw him he asked if he wanted to be healed. He told the Lord he had no one to help him. The Lord told him to stand up, pick up his small bed, and walk. As soon as the man tried to help himself, he found he could do what the Lord told him to do. He was not sick any more. He picked up his bed and walked. The Lord had made him better on the Sabbath day, the Jews’ day of worship.

In those days the Jews didn’t do any work at all on the Sabbath day. They didn’t even cook their food. They made all they would need to eat the day before. It was against their laws to do anything but pray and eat on the Sabbath.

When the Jews saw the man carrying his bed, they told him he was breaking the law. He said that the person who cured him had told him to carry his bed. The Jews asked the man who the person was who told him to do this. The man said he did not know who this person was.

Later, the Lord found the man in the temple. The Lord told the man he was better now and he should not do any more bad things or something worse might happen to him. Then the man went and told the Jews that it was the Lord who had made him better. The Jews were angry because they thought the Lord had broken their laws and worked on the Sabbath. They tried from then on to have the Lord killed for working on the Sabbath.

What is the message for you? Maybe God will heal you in a way you don’t expect if you just have the optimism and hope of this man.

Trust in God. Today's Gospel reflection

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reading 1 Isaiah

Thus says the LORD: behold I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create; For I create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people. No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying; No longer shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime; He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years, and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed.They shall live in the houses they build,and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

Responsorial Psalm

R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger lasts but a moment;a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in,but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
“Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper.”You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Gospel

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”The royal official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies.”Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live. ”The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when He came to Galilee from Judea.

Meditation: Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith for healing, pardon, and transformation in Christ-like holiness?

Isaiah prophesied that God would establish a new heavens and earth when he came to restore his people. Jesus' miracles are signs that manifest the presence and power of God's kingdom. When a high ranking official, who was very likely from King Herod's court, heard the reports of Jesus' preaching and miracles, he decided to seek Jesus out for an extraordinary favor. If this story happened today the media headlines would probably say: "High ranking official leaves capital in search of miracle cure from a small town carpenter."
It took raw courage for a high ranking court official to travel twenty miles in search of Jesus, the Galilean carpenter. He had to swallow his pride and put up with some ridicule from his cronies. And when he found the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him off with the blunt statement that people would not believe unless they saw some kind of miracle or sign from heaven. Jesus likely said this to test the man to see if his faith was in earnest. If he turned away discouraged or irritated, he would prove to be insincere. Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with the assurance that his prayer had been heard. It was probably not easy for this man to leave Jesus and go back home only with the assuring word that his son would be healed. Couldn't Jesus have come to this man's home and touched his dying child? The court official believed in Jesus and took him at his word
without doubt or hesitation. He was ready to return home and face ridicule and laughter because he trusted in Jesus' word. God's mercy shows his generous love - a love that bends down in response to our misery and wretchedness.
Is there any area in your life where you need healing, pardon, change and restoration? If you seek the Lord with trust and expectant faith, he will not disappoint you. He will meet you more than half way and give you what you need. The Lord Jesus never refused anyone who put their trust in Him. Surrender your doubts and fears, your pride and guilt at his feet, and trust in His saving word and healing love.

"Lord Jesus, your love never fails and your mercy is unceasing. Give me the courage to surrender my stubborn pride, fear and doubts to your surpassing love, wisdom and knowledge. Make be strong in faith, persevering in hope, and constant in love.

THE WORLD-CHANGING HOUR OF FAITH APPROACHES

"He and his whole household thereupon became believers." John 4:53

At Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass, the Lord will call us to make the greatest act of faith in our lives. We will be asked three questions: "Do you have faith in the Father? In the Son? In the Holy Spirit?" We will be able to answer these questions with faith only if we have first answered three other questions: "Do we reject Satan? All his works? All his empty promises?" To reject the many thousands of Satan's works and empty promises is a humanly impossible act of faith, which can only be done by grace. To strengthen our faith in preparation for the greatest act of faith at Easter, the Church reads to us from the Gospel of John, beginning today and throughout most of the remaining weekdays of Lent. John's Gospel was specifically written to help us have faith "that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith" we may have life in His name (Jn 20:31). Like the royal official in today's Gospel reading, in this last half of Lent we are being increasingly challenged by Jesus to have faith in His words (John 4:50). Each one of us and each of our households are called to believe in Jesus as never before (see John 4:53). Very soon, we will be called to make the greatest act of faith in our lives when we renew our baptismal promises. At that hour of faith, the sick will be healed (see Jn 4:52-53), mountains of sin will be moved (Mt 17:20), the strongholds of the evil one will crumble (2 Cor 10:4), and the victory of the risen Christ will be applied to our lives. By faith, we will have Easter and life. Increase your faith (Luke 17:5).

Prayer: Father, may this be the greatest Easter in history. May this remembrance of Your Son's rising from death give me confidence to profess my love for you publicly among my friends & work mates. May I never be too ashamed to express my belief in You.

Promise: "Behold, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind." Is 65:17

God's Law Doesn't Change

Today I was tempted to sleep in and celebrate Mass myself later in the afternoon rather than get up when my alarm roused me. Its an early Mass and only a few people attend. In fact, I commented to the priest after Mass last night, "Did you know that out of twenty people at Mass tonight only you and I were born in Australia?" 

He was surprised at my observation. But its true, despite the fact that there are many "Aussies" living in this area, attending the Catholic school or easily able to make an effort and worship God in the Catholic Church, very few bother. Its like God's law binding us to worship Him and "Keep holy the Sabbath day" doesn't apply to "us" but only to the migrant Catholics. 

Its not just this area, its pretty widespread. Jesus in today's Gospel reading applauds His disciples who make an effort to teach the Word of God and His commands to those who don't know them.

How often have you reminded your non-practicing work colleagues or friends of the value of keeping God's laws? Make it something positive. For instance I have a quicker spring in my step today as I engage with the people in my workplace after reflecting on God's love and grace in my life today. People notice. They wonder what sets you apart. Don't be afraid to tell them like Moses told the people in today's reading from Deuteronomy: "What people as their god as close to them as this people?"
As part of your daily prayer, make some time to read these Scriptures and Reflections. You won't regret it.

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent Reading 1   Deut 4:1,5-9 Moses spoke to the people and said:“Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people. For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children.” Responsorial Psalm R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews like ashes. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Gospel Matt 5:17-19  Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Meditation: Do you view God's law negatively or positively? Jesus' attitude towards the law of God can be summed up in the great prayer of Psalm 119: "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day." For the people of Israel the "law" could refer to the ten commandments or to the five Books of Moses, called the Pentateuch, which explain the commandments and ordinances of God for his people. The "law" also referred to the whole teaching or way of life which God gave to his people. The Jews in Jesus' time also used it as a description of the oral or scribal law. Needless to say, the scribes added many more things to the law than God intended. That is why Jesus often condemned the scribal law. It placed burdens on people which God had not intended. Jesus, however, made it very clear that the essence of God's law - his commandments and way of life, must be fulfilled. Jesus taught reverence for God's law - reverence for God himself, for the Lord's Day, reverence or respect for parents, respect for life, for property, for another person's good name, respect for oneself and for one's neighbor lest wrong or hurtful desires master us. Reverence and respect for God's commandments teach us the way of love - love of God and love of neighbour. What is impossible to men and women is possible to God and those who put their faith and trust in God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord transforms us and makes us like himself. We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God gives us the grace to love as he loves, to forgive as he forgives, to think as he thinks, and to act as he acts. The Lord loves justice and goodness and he hates every form of wickedness and sin. He wants to set us free from our unruly desires and sinful habits, so that we can choose to live each day in the peace, joy, and righteousness of his Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). To renounce sin is to turn away from what is harmful and destructive for our minds and hearts, and our very lives. As his followers we must love and respect his commandments and hate every form of sin. Do you love and revere the commands of the Lord? "Lord Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words and deeds may be according to your Father's law and thus may we be saved and protected through your mighty help. DAILY BIBLE STUDY "I teach you the statutes and decrees as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them." Deuteronomy 4:5 The Lord commands us to hear, remember and obey carefully His Word (see Deut 4:1, 9, 6). We are to obey even the smallest part of the letter of the law (Mt 5:18ff). This assumes that we know God's Word not just in general, but in detail. If we don't know God's Word in detail, it is unlikely we will obey it in detail. To be doers of God's Word, we must first be hearers of the Word (see Jas 1:22). However, the Lord is not necessarily calling us to be Scripture scholars. Our obedience to Him is not based on our intellectual ability and educational background. The Lord is simply calling us to try our best to know His Word. We should study the Scriptures each day for at least a few minutes (see Acts 17:11). Through daily Bible study, we will build up over the years a rich treasury of Biblical wisdom and truth. Thus, we will better know what the Lord expects of us and be better able to obey Him. On Judgment Day, the Lord will not ask us how much of the Bible we know, but how much we tried to know. All He asks of us is our best. Consequently, repent of not trying that hard to know God's Word, ask for God's grace to study the Bible daily, and do the Word that you already know. Prayer: Father, by Your grace, may I study the Bible every day from today till the day I die or Your Son returns. Promise: "Whoever breaks the least significant of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of God." Matt 5:19