"One of the deacons, arrived in a city of Samaria. There he preached the Risen Christ and his proclamation was accompanied by numerous healings.
The episode ends very significantly: 'There was great joy in that city'.
This expression, which basically communicates a sense of hope, strikes us every time. It is as if it said: 'It is possible! It is possible for humanity to know true joy because, wherever the Gospel reaches, there life flourishes.”
(Benedict XVI's comment on Acts 8:5-8 (Sixth Sunday of Easter - Yr A)
Patience, kindness... not competition
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22,26)"
Docility
Docility is a vital attribute of all who claim to be disciples of the Christ.
It is interesting how words can hijack thoughts. The tail wags the dog. Spoken words steer thoughts.
In the culture where one-upmanship is prevalent, machismo seems attractive as a personal trait, even rationalized as a necessity, as for survival. Docility might be seen as for the pushover.
There is no shame in being docile, per se, but stupidity in choosing the wrong teacher.
For anyone who claims discipleship, docility is a necessary virtue (a word that seems to have lost popularity), that is, openness to the Spirit. An authentic disciple must be “manageable, malleable, dutiful, obedient, submissive” to the Teacher of Truth.
It is interesting how words can hijack thoughts. The tail wags the dog. Spoken words steer thoughts.
In the culture where one-upmanship is prevalent, machismo seems attractive as a personal trait, even rationalized as a necessity, as for survival. Docility might be seen as for the pushover.
There is no shame in being docile, per se, but stupidity in choosing the wrong teacher.
For anyone who claims discipleship, docility is a necessary virtue (a word that seems to have lost popularity), that is, openness to the Spirit. An authentic disciple must be “manageable, malleable, dutiful, obedient, submissive” to the Teacher of Truth.
“O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts…” (Ps 95:7b,8; Heb 3:15)-30-
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:9)
Ubi caritas?
Why mock those who do not agree? Ubi caritas? Where is charity? Can there be truth where there is no love? Let us set aside all things that divide us, instead embrace the Christ who unites us. -30-
Commencing, one starts to arrive
The mere hope - the desire, the passion - to find God is the beginning of the discovery.
To deeply desire to experience God is to experience Him.
In commencing the journey, one starts to arrive, as God who longs for us, infinitely more than we do for Him, pulls us in. -30-
To deeply desire to experience God is to experience Him.
In commencing the journey, one starts to arrive, as God who longs for us, infinitely more than we do for Him, pulls us in. -30-
For you are my God
"I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13)Lord, how wonderful it is that even as I awake I know that you are with me... as though you have heard my heart's longing, through the darkness of the night, for your presence.
May I always thank you and praise you and glorify you for your faithfulness and love. -30-
Temptation to uncharity
Catholic clarity, of course, cannot be disseminated without a measure of charity, and charity can sometimes be the biggest challenge we face in new media. ... The Internet is a place without genuine boundaries. ... Such expansive freedom is both a gift and a terrible temptation to our egos, a force for disorientation... (The Anchoress - May 3, 2011)Freedom certainly can be disorienting and even destructive force. Therefore, in the infinite wisdom of God, the first and greatest gift that God gives us is the commandment of Love. -30-
Ever gently speak the truth
Truth is definitely every disciple's call to speak, for it is the Good News, and we are called to speak the truth in love. (cf. Ephesians 4:15) -30-
An inspiration, a challenge...
Today is the first of May 2011, the day of the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II. In his homily, our current pope, Benedict XVI, spoke of his predecessor as having “helped believers throughout the world not to be afraid to be called Christian, to belong to the Church, to speak of the Gospel”.
These are words to remind us, to inspire us, to challenge us to be what every Christian is called to be: an icon of discipleship, living lives that proclaim the good news of the Christ - that we are the beloved of God. -30-
These are words to remind us, to inspire us, to challenge us to be what every Christian is called to be: an icon of discipleship, living lives that proclaim the good news of the Christ - that we are the beloved of God. -30-