Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Our Lady of Fatima (13th May, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter)
Acts 13:44-52;
Ps 97:1-4. (R. v. 3);Jn 14:7-14.
We commemorate the apparitions of
the Blessed Virgin Mary to three Portuguese children, Lucia dos Santos and her
cousins Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto, between May 13 and October 13,
1917. Mary requested for the recitation of the rosary for world peace, end of
World War I, conversion of sinners and conversion of Russia. Francisco died in
1919 and Jacinta the following year. Lucia dos Santos who later became a
Carmelite nun died in 2005 at the age of 97. The feast of Our Lady of Fatima
was approved by the local bishop in 1930 and was extended to the universal Church
in 2002.[1][2]
Topic: The father in me.
As Jesus re-emphasized that whoever sees Him has seen the
Father in today’s gospel, Philip requested to see the Father. Jesus replied,
Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do
not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.... Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I
do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
He also said that His works were enough evidence. Jesus
assures that whoever believes in Him will do greater works and also promised,
“I will do whatever you ask in my name.... If in my name you ask me for
anything, I will do it.”
I first thought of reflecting on the true meaning of Jesus’
assurance that we will receive whatever we ask but we reflected on that not
quite long ago. You may open this link and read it: http://www.thepulpitonline.com/2017/03/god-is-not-herod-thursday-of-first-week.html
Remember that Jesus prayed for all of us,
I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of
those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As
you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us... (Jn 17:20-21).
As we are in them, the big question now is whether each and
every one of us can say following Jesus, that ‘it is the Father and the Son in him/her
that say and do the things that he/she does.’ What one does determines his/her
father, cf. Jn 8:38, 41, 42, 44. And
it is very important for each of us to find out today the true father in him/her
(whose child you are).
Finally, as we hearken to the Blessed
Virgin Mary and pray especially the rosary for world peace, end of various wars
in the world, and conversion of sinners, we equally pray for the successful centenary
of the first apparition on May 13, 1917. The Holy Father will also canonize Blessed
Francisco and Blessed Jacinta during this anniversary.
Bible Reading: Jn 8:39-45.
Thought for today: Do the work of the father in you.
Let us pray: Lord, assist us to live always lives
worthy of your children – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with
others if you consider it worthy.
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