Unless you are BORN AGAIN: Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, V.D. (29th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, V.D. (29^th April, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial

(Monday of the Second Week of Easter)

 
Acts 4:23-31;
Ps 2:1-9. (R. cf. v.13);
Jn 3:1-8.

St Catherine was born at Siena in 1347. She became a member of the Order of St Dominic. Catherine was filled with an active love for God and neighbour: she strove to bring peace to the quarrelling factions and cities of Italy, and to restore the rights of the papacy, at that time in exile in Avignon. She was a contemplative and ascetic, and her many writings are remarkable for their spirituality and theology.[1]

Topic: Unless you are BORN AGAIN.

In today’s gospel, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3; NLT). This reminds me of the mail from a friend September, 2016 requesting to know how true it is that one must be born again to be saved.

This is very true. However, the true meaning of being a born again eludes many. Nicodemus first sought the meaning of born again. Jesus said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit” (Jn 3:5). Again, we read from the gospel according to Saint Mark, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved...” (Mk 16:16). Therefore, being born again is synonymous with being baptized.

However, baptism goes with obligations. While giving mandate to His disciples Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20a).

That one after baptism fails to live out his/her baptismal vows does in no way prove that baptism is no longer the key to our salvation but that we must be careful. Thus, Jesus warns, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21).

The apostles understood what one must do to be saved. When the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30)”,

They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house...then he and his entire family were baptized without delay (Acts 16:31-33).

At baptism, we were buried with Christ into His death, so that ... we too might walk in newness of life, cf. Rom 6:4; Col 2:12. In sum, Saint Peter wrote, “Baptism... saves you” (1Pt 3:21).

Let us therefore confuse others no more. That one must be baptized again is heresy. We need to help all baptized live out their baptismal vows. And teach all who have not been baptized to accept Jesus Christ and be baptized.

Bible Reading: Acts 2:37-42.

Thought for today: Baptism... saves.

Let us pray: God, help us to live out our baptismal vows – Amen.

Saint Catherine of Siena – Pray for us.

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[1] The weekday missal: A new edition (1995). London: HarperCollins Religious, p.1481.

Divine (God’s) Mercy: Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) (C) (28th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) (C) (28^th April, 2019) on the Gospel and the celebration

Acts 5:12-16;

Ps 117:2-4.22-27. (R.v. 1);
Rev 1:9-13.17-19;
Jn 20:19-31.

Second Sunday of Easter is also known as Low Sunday or Divine Mercy Sunday based on the devotion to the Divine Mercy as propagated by a Polish Nun, Saint Faustina Kowalska. This feast (Divine Mercy Sunday) has lots of promises of grace made by Jesus Christ as recorded by Saint Faustina. It was officially instituted for the universal Church by Pope Saint John Paul II on 30^th April 2000 and designated the Sunday after Easter as the Sunday of the Divine Mercy. This is in line with the request made by Jesus Christ through Saint Faustina: “…the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy” (Diary 742). For Pope Saint John Paul II, Divine Mercy is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity (Divine Mercy Sunday Homily, April 22, 2001).

Topic: Divine (God’s) Mercy.

We celebrate today the Mercy of God. And because this feast is rooted in Saint Faustina’s encounter with Jesus Christ, we shall take some excerpts from Saint Faustina’s Diary (Diary). Christ suffered and died for our sins, cf. Eph 2:16, Rom 5:10, 1Cor 15:3, Gal 1:4. Yet in Diary 965 we read: “Souls perish in spite of My [Jesus’] bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity….” The mercy we celebrate can only be obtained by those who want. It can be likened to a stream in two senses: it ever flows and secondly it benefits those who go for it. Unless one approaches the Divine throne of mercy, it will not be of any benefit to the person.

One may ask, ‘how does one approach the throne of mercy?’ Going further Jesus said to Saint Faustina: “I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy” (Diary 1109). Sacramental confession is therefore sine qua non for one to benefit from the throne of mercy. Although this homily is not on the authority to forgive sin, but it is important however, to remind ourselves that at the confessional, it is not the priest that forgives sin. In today’s gospel Jesus said to the disciples: “…Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (Jn 20:22-23). In other words, it is the Holy Spirit that is working in the Church through the instrumentality of mere humans (priests) at the confessional.

Jesus assures us,

I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (Diary 699).

Remember that God had called us through the prophet Isaiah using similar words: “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Is 1:18).

However, Jesus warns that those who look for mercy must be first merciful themselves, cf. Diary 742. Similarly, we read in the gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt 5:7). So, approach the throne of grace today for mercy. Remember those who need mercy as you wait for divine mercy.

Bible Reading: Lev 5:5-13; Is 1:2-20; Ps 32; Matt 28:16-20; 1Jn 1:5-10; Jas 5:13-20.

Thought for today: What prevents you from receiving Christ’s Easter gift?

Let us pray: Merciful Father, may we benefit fully from this unmerited gift so as not to be dammed forever – Amen.

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Never write off: Easter Saturday (Octave of Easter: Saturday) (27th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Saturday (Octave of Easter: Saturday) (27^th April, 2019) on the Gospel

 
Acts 4:13-21;
Ps 117:1.14-21 (R. v. 21);
Mk 16:9-15.

Topic: Never write off.

Today’s gospel is from the longer ending of Saint Mark’s gospel. The gospel tells us that Jesus after His resurrection appeared first to Mary Magdalene. She related that to His disciples who were mourning and weeping, but they did not believe her story. He later appeared to two of His disciples but the rest did not believe them.

Jesus later appeared to the eleven while they were at table. He first scolded them for their lack of faith and stubbornness. And then said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Mary Magdalene, the first to witness Christ’s resurrection was a demoniac. Jesus had cast out seven demons from her. Just imagine her condition before her deliverance, cf. Mk 5:2-5. On the other hand, the eleven Jesus commissioned to take the gospel to all creatures did not only lack faith but were also very stubborn. Yet Jesus did not write any of them off. Instead, He corrected them for good.

The book of Proverbs reads, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). It is never a sign of love to condone any form of evil. God reproves all whom He loves like a father, cf. Prov 3:12; Heb 12:6.

Let us therefore keep correcting each other. Whatever is wrong today calls for correction for a better tomorrow. We will end up endangering our tomorrow if we fail to correct anything today under the pretext of love or hate.

Bible Reading: Heb 12:5-13.

Thought for today: Let’s correct each other.

Let us pray: Lord, help us correct each other for your greater glory and for our safer tomorrow – Amen.

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Uphold your call: Easter Friday (Octave of Easter: Friday) (26th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Friday (Octave of Easter: Friday) (26^th April, 2019) on the Gospel

 
Acts 4:1-12;
Ps 117:1-2. 4.22-27. (R. v. 22);
Jn 21:1-14.

Topic: Uphold your call.

In today’s gospel, seven of Jesus’ disciples fished all night without success. Jesus came to them at daybreak but they did not recognise Him. When they told Him that they caught nothing He said to them, “Cast the net to the right of the boat, and you will find some.” And when they did that, they found it difficult to haul it because there were so many fish. Then the beloved disciple said, “It is the Lord!” And on hearing this, Peter who was naked put on some clothes and jumped into the sea.

Remember, when Jesus met Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee casting a net into the sea He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people” The bible tells us that they left their nets and followed Jesus. Similarly, James and John also left their boat and their father and followed Him, cf. Matt 4:18-22; Mk 1:16-20.  

Everyone is called to different states and positions. Every state and position goes with specific tasks. And each one is expected to live out his or her own call, cf. 1Cor 12:12-31. Saint Paul admonished his son, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you” (1Tim 4:14).

Peter and his companions forgot their call to fish for people and went back fishing for fish. And this is a negation of their call.

Sometimes, we do find ourselves in the same mess. We must be careful so as not to leave our call. Jesus warns, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62). We ought to rekindle our call, and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling without looking back, cf. 2Tim 1:6; Phil 2:12).

Bible Reading: 1Cor 12:12-31; Phil 2:1-18.

Thought for today: Remember your call always.

Let us pray: Lord, help me to be always faithful to my call – Amen.

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Need to go back: Easter Thursday (Octave of Easter: Thursday) (25th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Thursday (Octave of Easter: Thursday) (25^th April, 2019) on the Gospel

 
Acts 3:11-26;
Ps 8:2.5-9. (R. v.2);
Lk 24:35-48.

Topic: Need to go back.

Today’s gospel begins from the last verse of yesterday’s gospel (Jn 24:35). And while the eleven and their companions were talking about what were happening Jesus stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” To reassure them that they were not seeing a ghost, Jesus went further,

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.

He went on and showed them His hands and feet, yet in their joy they were disbelieving and wondering. Jesus also ate a piece of boiled fish in their presence.

Between Easter vigil and today, the apostles and their companions had seen among other things the empty tomb, the angels, His appearances, His hands and feet, and eating before them, yet their faith was still shaky. Jesus then took them back to the scriptures to understand all that happened. He opened their minds to understand the scriptures and also commissioned them as witness.

Their faith could not be firm on miracles alone. Jesus taught them what is in the scriptures. There is serious need for all to go back to the scriptures to know the will of God. We conclude with these words from the scripture and the teaching of Saint Ambrose, “The Church ‘forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful... to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Christ’, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is the ignorance of Christ.[1]’” All the questions that beg for answers today have all been answered by God in His Word (bible). What we need is to open and see.

Bible Reading: Phil 3:7-10; 2Tim 3:10-17.

Thought for today: Jesus is truly risen.

Let us pray: Lord, give me a heart that always believes in you and not eyes that always seek for miracles – Amen.

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[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), n. 133.

Catholic Mass celebrated: Easter Wednesday (Octave of Easter: Wednesday) (24th April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Wednesday (Octave of Easter: Wednesday) (24^th April, 2019) on the Gospel

 
Acts 3:1-10;
Ps 104:1-4.6-9. (R. v. 3);
Lk 24:13-35.

Topic: Catholic Mass celebrated.

Today’s gospel is a follow-up to the gospel of the Easter vigil of year C (Lk 24:1-12) in which Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus but met an empty tomb. Their story seemed to both the apostles and their companions an idle tale.

That same day in today’s gospel, two of the disciples were talking about all that had happened while on their way to Emmaus. Jesus joined them and queried, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” Although amazed that someone in Jerusalem could ask such question, they told Jesus all that bothered them. He explained to them everything about Himself based on the scripture. On reaching where they were going, they urged Jesus to stay with them. And they only recognised Jesus when He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

Catholic Mass is made up of two main parts (liturgies), liturgy of the Word (readings, homily, and general intercessions), and the liturgy of the Eucharist (presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion)[1]. And in today’s gospel, Jesus our eternal high priest did it Himself. Hence our topic, Catholic Mass celebrated by Jesus Himself. Jesus is both the victim and the priest in every Mass[2].

It is very important to remind ourselves just three things based on today’s reading. First, it is vital to invite Jesus into our lives and into every situation we find ourselves in. Again, the risen Lord is always present at the Mass as He promised, cf. Matt 18:20. And again, each of the two main parts of the Mass is as important as the other. Therefore, both the priests and the congregation must not make light of any. Meet Jesus daily at the Holy Mass.

Bible Reading: 1Cor 11:23-31.

Thought for today: There is power in the Holy Mass.

Let us pray: Eucharistic Jesus, help us to understand and to benefit from every Holy Mass – Amen.

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[1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), n. 1346.

[2] CCC, nn. 1367, 1410.

Continue searching: Easter Tuesday (Octave of Easter: Tuesday) (23rd April, 2019).

Homily (Reflection) for Easter Tuesday (Octave of Easter: Tuesday) (23^rd April, 2019) on the Gospel

 
Acts 2:36-41;
Ps 32:4-5.18-20.22 (R. v. 5);

Jn 20:11-18.

Topic: Continue searching.

Today’s gospel is a follow-up of Easter Sunday’s gospel (Jn 20:1-9). Verse 10 tells us that Peter and John returned to their homes after seeing the empty tomb without seeing the Lord. But Mary stayed back weeping outside the tomb. It was during this period that she saw two angels inside the tomb and later Jesus Himself whom at first she thought to be a gardener. When she recognized Him, Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

The story would have been different if Mary had left with others. It was not easy remaining at the tomb all alone. In like manner, it is not easy for one to follow a course irrespective of other’s views. However, it pays. Hence Jesus admonished, “...he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mk 13:13; cf. Matt 10:22; 24:13).

Let us follow Mary’s example and search for what we want calling on the name of the Lord because “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). So, do not stop searching until you find what you are looking for.

Bible Reading: Rom 10:5-17.

Thought for today: Let us continue for God’s salvation will soon come, cf. Is 56:1.

Let us pray: Risen Lord, grant us all our good heart desires through the power of your resurrection – Amen.

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