Truth of faith

In the gospel reading this Sunday, the second Sunday of Lent, we hear how Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and there in their sight was transfigured, his appearance shining brightly. In this vision Jesus is is seen talking with Moses the law giver and Elijah the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. And a voice in a bright cloud was heard, “This my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Given there were three witnesses, we know this really happened. What a confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission to the apostles present!

What a confirmation of the reality of eternal life and the realty of God!  

The Reality

Life is short and despots with no respect for their fellow human beings and the right of others to live in peace and with justice and self determination come and go leaving a legacy of death and destruction. We see it on the news almost every day.

Forward

“Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” George Bernard Shaw.”

It is frustrating to see what should be done in the world and feel helpless about it.

Yet we can give a personal witness starting in the here and now.

Further more, with prayer the world can be changed by God who spoke on the nountain, “listen to him”.

Lent is the time to listen to Jesus, “The Beloved Son.”

In Wembley Arena yesterday 4^th March many thousands of Catholic young people gathered for FLAME and heard the call to recognize their significance, worth, value and gifts and to rise up to make a difference in the world particularly to combat pollution and deforestation which threatens life on earth.

This is what is needed, enthusiasm, boldness and commitment such as that shown by Robert Bilott and American environmental lawyer interviewed at FLAME who was featured in the film “Dark Waters” (2019) available on DVD.

 

True Faith

Our loving God has a plan for each one of us. Each of us is unique. There has never been anyone like you since the beginning of time and there will never be anyone like you again –ever!

God extends an invitation for us to be all that we can be and are destined to be. To make our irreplaceable contribution to those around us, to society and to the world and it’s never too late. We are special and loved by God – that doesn’t change.

In the gospel for the first Sunday of Lent we read that Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, goes into the wilderness to discover his mission and prepare for it. What kind of Messiah would he be? A provider of material needs a wonder worker, a great earthly king?

Jesus was alone with the Father and tempted by satan to be what he was not. How can we discover our calling, our vocation our mission? We can’t – not by ourselves without God and not if we put anything or anyone before God.

The Reality

When we look around we see the greed for material wealth, the desire to be noticed and be prominent. The need to dominate others and even subjugate other countries, if we are political leaders.

Blessed are the peacemakers they shall be called children of God Jesus said, (Matthew 5.9)

By spending 40 days in the wilderness Jesus emerged to be who he truly was for the sake of humanity -and the world was changed for all time and eternal life with God offered to all.  

Forward

Christians are called to be renewed in Lent and to emerge refreshed and re focussed in our mission. A mission to change things for the better. To accept the invitation and be part of the struggle. To be who we truly are and fulfil God’s dream for our lives.

The Challenge

I am reminded this year of something fundamental about lent. To connect, re connect or go deeper into the dream our loving Father Creator God has for us since the beginning of time and in our mother’s womb.       

Go to You Tube – “The Love I have for you my Lord,” (Only a Shadow) by James Kilbane which encapsulates this message.

yes but we must dig deeper.

Truth of Faith

“Love your enemies,” we read in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 5: 38-48)

Surely Jesus could not have meant this to be taken literally? Yet we also read Jesus telling Peter to put up his sword after he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant in the garden of Gethsemane when they came to arrest him. Those who live by the sword die by the sword, Jesus teaches. The evidence is out there for all to see. On the cross Jesus calls out, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23. 34

The Jews expected a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman tyranny. This is why Jesus tried to keep a low profile at times so as to avoid being carried off and proclaimed King.

My Kingdom is not of this world, Jesus tells Pilate. If it were, my servants would have fought to save me. John 18.33-38

This Kingdom is a Kingdom of love which stretches out through eternity where there is no time.

So Jesus did not carry a weapon nor did he resist when after his arrest he was slapped, spat upon and abused. It was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that paid the price for sin and heralded the way to the Father’s Kingdom.

So non violence is intrinsically bound up with the New Life God would like for all.

Truth of Reality

Martin Luther king, who led the American civil rights campaign in the 1960s, explains this teaching for today. It’s nonsense, he said, for an oppressed people to love their oppressor with an “affectionate emotion.” The civil rights movement adopted non-violent action where violence and hatred had no place; King said love means having an “understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill for everyone.”

What about us? In the words of the Tom Paxton song, “Peace will come, let it begin with me.”

Way Forward.

Can we liberate ourselves from any unforgiveness which has kept us bound?

No! But with God all things are possible.

At this Christmas time in 2022, I am drawn to praise God who is my rock and my all.

Why? God made me to know, love and serve Him in this life and be happy with Him forever in the next, as the catechism tells us. Jesus makes this possible. That is why Christmas is such a wonderful and amazing celebration. God’s only Son sent to show us the way.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” John 3: 16

I am on the greatest ship of all, sailing the seas to my ultimate destination. Those with faith sail life’s ocean securely rather than be tossed about by overpowering waves with no clear destination.

The Church is that ship and we become crew members through baptism. We become the family of God, Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Through the Church, the Body of Christ and the People of God, we can be guided in all truth and right living and steer clear of false idols – money, power, the god “me” and making an idol of anyone.

The Commandments point the way but Christians live by Agape love. It is a love which will not permit us to break those commandments. “Love God and do what you will,” says St Augustine.

May those, by the grace of God with faith, have renewed determination to act and speak boldly but with love this Christmas.

If you’re feeling adrift in a small craft in a dangerous ocean remember;

Jesus is the reason for the season

and take it from there.

How many corpses to get the world’s attention?

Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world.

Pope Francis speaking to religious leaders has said violence and extremism are “betrayals of religion” and that for all believers’ hatred of others is the, “greatest blasphemy” (speaking last year in the ancient city of Ur).

In Nigeria alone more than 7,600 Christians were murdered between January 2021 and June 2022.

“Last week, Aid to the Church in need (ACN) launched its annual report in the Houses of Parliament. Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Nigerian diocese of Ondo, where in June 40 people were murdered by gunmen while attending Mass, highlighted the lack of attention paid to the “genocide” taking place in swathes of the north and the Middle Belt. “The world is silent as attacks on churches, their personnel and institutions have become routine.”

There is much the UK can do given amount of aid going from Britain to Nigeria.

To sign the petition linked to “Persecuted and Forgotten?”, calling the UK government to demand the Nigerian authorities step up action to stop terrorist violence against Christians, visit www.acnuk.org/petition-2022

Source, The Tablet, 26^th November

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo, Lynne Vincent

This is a true story of a little boy who has a near death experience and visits heaven and then returns to life. He is the son of a Pastor in America and the account of what happened in the few minutes he was gone is very convincing. There is a DVD and the bestselling book has sold ten million copies. This is a book of hope.

In today’s Gospel Jesus talks about the afterlife where those “judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the Resurrection from the dead… are the same as angels” (Luke 20:27 – 38). This was in answers to a trick question by the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection.

God has made us to “know, love, and serve Him and to be happy with Him in Heaven forever,” in the words of the old catechism of the Catholic Church. This is the purpose of our lives and God calls each and everyone to this and in the words of Colton the boy in the story, to know Jesus in our heart.  

The Secret Plague

This is a book I did not set out to write and flowed from a “what if” moment. It practically wrote itself. I just had to sit down and bring this futuristic pro life story to life. The story unfolds a thousand years from now when a group of students stumble across an historical black hole. What had happened in this inaccessible period of history contains a defining message for our time. I make no apologies for the scenario which unfolds in the story. I really hope pray it makes a difference. Available from Amazon and Good News books.

Record numbers took part in this year’s March for Life UK which was held in central London on Saturday 3^rd Sept. It seems that the overturning of Roe v Wade in America has had quite a ripple effect across the ocean as more young people than ever paraded through the streets on a lively procession which ended in a gathering at Parliament Square. Madeline Page, CEO of The Alliance of Pro-life Students said ‘We’ve seen a steady increase in the amount of young people wanting to take part in pro-life events since the news from America, many of these are stepping out for the first time and feel that since this issue is being talked about more, it’s now acceptable to disclose their beliefs.’ 

One of the keynote speakers at this year’s event was Shawn Carney, founder and CEO of 40 Days for Life, the largest international pro-life organisation in the world. Shawn came all the way from the US to speak at the march and began his speech with a resounding: ‘Greetings from an abortion free Texas!’ Shawn then went on to remind those present of the words of Mother Teresa; ‘When America ends abortion, the world will follow.’ 

Numerous UK speakers stood alongside Shawn Carney, including Hayley, who shared her testimony of coerced abortion and Amrita, who took the first set of abortion pills only to experience an instant feeling of regret and contacted Dr Dermot Kearney (also a speaker on the day) who prescribed Amrita with what is known as ‘The Abortion Reversal Pill’. Amrita then showed the crowd her beautiful, healthy, baby girl.

The 50 or so abortion supporters who had gathered in protest were dwarfed by the 7,000 strong crowd of March for Life UK who chanted their theme ’10 Million Too Many’. One of the organisers of the event, Ben Thatcher, explained ‘This is the number of abortions which have occurred since the Abortion Act was passed in the UK.’ Co-director, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce shared her concerns at the current abortion laws which permit abortion up to 24 weeks for almost any reason and up till birth for downs syndrome or a disability ‘Inside the womb of every pregnant woman is a human being.’ She said ‘That’s not politics, that’s not religion, that’s science.’

Those in attendance included some with no religious beliefs and various Christian denominations including three Catholic bishops who all spoke at the event. The event was supported by pro-life organisations from across the UK.

Each person is unique, special with immense dignity. In a normal family life  each is treasured and loved by parents, siblings and extended family – uncles, aunts, grandparents.

All normal parents have fond memories of the birth of their children. Of nurturing them through babyhood, as toddlers, young children and teenagers.

The hopes and dreams of parents for their children; giving their all to care for them, making whatever sacrifices may be necessary to keep them safe and to care for their needs body mind and spirit.

From a Christian perspective each life was seen by God at the dawn of time and in the womb. In Jeremiah we read, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

Each is made in God’s image and likeness. Each with an immortal soul with an eternal destiny. A vocation to fulfil, a contribution to make to society and to the world. Most are called to have children and to carry on the family legacy. No one can take that person’s place. Premature death brings great sorrow and loss to loved ones, and a vocation undiscovered and lost to the world renders the world the poorer. The loss is irreparable. Beauty and creativity lost forever.

We think of the soldier in Ukraine, killed in battle. His relatives whether wife, children, parents or grandparents left to mourn – lives forever changed.

We think of the pre born baby whose life is taken.

We think of the person killed because of their religion.

We think or those who died due to natural disasters because of climate change.

We think of the interconnectedness of everyone – a unity of being which evil seeks to destroy.

We think of the invitation of God to love and the death of Jesus Christ on the cross which opens up an eternity of Love…

Do we ever reflect upon the crucial importance of the family-

For the personal development of each person?

For the well being of society?

For the future of humanity?

Walking in a local park recently I was struck by the endearing sight of parents and children happily walking together.

And at a granddaughter’s Confirmation Mass in a local church, how this sacred moment and rite of passage is so precious for the young people, their families and the Church.

The Church has just celebrated the great feast of the Holy Trinity Father Son and Holy Spirit the Godhead family of love which breathes life into all creation. Christians are immersed in God’s family at baptism, “I baptise you in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit,” says the priest as the cleansing waters are poured over the head of the baptised signalling entry into a new life which reaches far beyond this life into eternity.

The 10^th world meeting of families is currently taking place in Rome from the 22^nd to the 26^th of June. This is wonderful celebration of family love. This is the prayer for the meeting –

 Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness

Heavenly Father,
We come before You to praise You
and to thank You for the great gift of the family.
We pray to You for all families
consecrated by the Sacrament of Matrimony.
May they rediscover each day
the grace they have received,
and as small domestic Churches,
may they know how to witness to Your presence
and to the love with which Christ loves the Church.
We pray to You for all families faced with difficulty and suffering
caused by illness or circumstances of which only You know.
Sustain them and make them aware
of the path to holiness upon which You call them,
so that they might experience Your infinite mercy
and find new ways to grow in love.
We pray to You for children and young people:
may they encounter You and respond joyfully
to the vocation You have in mind for them;
We pray for parents and grandparents: may they be aware
that they are signs of the fatherhood and motherhood of God
in caring for the children who, in body and spirit, You entrust to them;
and for the experience of fraternity
that the family can give to the world.
Lord, grant that each family
might live their specific vocation to holiness in the Church
as a call to become missionary disciples,
in the service of life and peace,
in communion with our priests, religious,
and all vocations in the Church.
Bless the World Meeting of Families.
Amen.

This prayer is inspired by the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the meeting: “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness.”

By contrast it is tragic that family walks and church celebrations are seriously curtailed if not made impossible by the invasion of Ukraine where generations of families have died or been seriously injured and where millions of families are displaced and family members separated.  

This is true of any war and all violence. Bishop Emmanuel Badejo spoke out against the inactivity of the Nigerian government to protect Christians in view of the killing of 40 at the attack on St Francis Xavier parish church in Owo on Pentecost Sunday. There have been many other worshippers killed and kidnapped in Nigeria as we know.

It is very good news however that Roe and Wade has been overturned by the Supreme court in America. This is a wakeup call to countries throughout the world that many still believe in the sanctity of human life from conception. This is an answer to prayer. There will come a day when the scourge of the killing of unborn babies will end throughout the world for all time and the word abortion erased from dictionaries so that children if they hear the word will say, “abortion what is that?”

Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.

Love is the panacea for all ills.

Love engenders peace and harmony in every situation whether personal or between nations.

What are the characteristics of true love? Love demands respect and sacrifice.

The example of love par excellence is the death of Jesus on the cross to save humanity from dereliction and open the way to our Creator Father God in the here and now and transcending to eternity.

This commandment was given to the disciples but is an invitation to everyone.

Where is the love in the war in Ukraine? This quest for territory and power at such a cost is the very antitheses of love. Death, destruction, displacement of millions of families.

What dose Jesus Christ say to this? “Love one another as I have loved you. This is my commandment.

This is a commandment of God who created everything which exists and all life on earth.

This commandment is not an option. We ignore it at our peril as individuals and as a world.