Renewed In Christ
A Reflection on the Paschal Triduum by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
Beginning Thursday of this week the Universal church will celebrate three days of reflection, prayer, and thanksgiving as they pay honor and tribute to Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The focus meaning of these three days is all about renewal.
It affords us an opportunity to renew ourselves, our commitment, and our faith in Almighty God.
On Holy Thursday we recall the old and the new. The Old Covenant made with Moses and the New covenant Jesus gave us when He instituted the Eucharist. In the Liturgy the events of that Passover meal Christ and the apostles celebrated are reenacted. During the day all the priests of a diocese gather together to renew their vows of service, the sacred oils used in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and in healing the sick are blessed for the coming year, and the old ones are burned symbolizing again renewal.
At the Mass of The Lords Supper the celebrant, representing Christ, washes the feet of twelve persons just as Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. This act signified that Jesus came to, as he said, “If, I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:14-15)
After the liturgy of the Eucharist, the consecrated Eucharist are carried to a place of repose where through the evening the faithful take time to adore Christ present in the Eucharist. The Altar is then stripped, just as Christ was stripped of His garments, and left bare and empty.
On Good Friday, we recall The Lord’s Passion and Death at about three o’clock in keeping with the time Jesus is believed to have died. In many churches and countries the time between twelve and three is set aside for people to walk the Stations of the Cross. At the Good Friday service the Passion is proclaimed, many times with members of the faithful taking part as the voices of the crowd, the narrator, and Christ. After the passion is proclaimed there is veneration of the cross where the faithful approach the cross with the figure of Christ upon it and usually kiss one of the wounds. Many believe that they are kissing the wound that they believe their sins caused Jesus to receive.
The cross is venerated because, it through it the sins of all died on the cross with Jesus, by that act of Jesus giving over of himself we were renewed and given a chance to live a life given over to God and obtain the renewing grace of forgiveness for our sins and the promise of everlasting life with Almighty God when our earthly days are ended.
On Holy Saturday this entire renewal process is brought to fulfillment. The evening vigil liturgy is a powerful and moving living liturgy that renews all. The Liturgy begins in a darkened place, just as the tomb of Christ was dark. The liturgy begins with the blessing of the New fire, representing Christ as the Light of the World, the glory of Christ’s and the New hope Christ brought into the world.
From the new fire The Easter Candle is Blessed and lit and from it all those attending light their individual candles indicating that Jesus brought the light of truth into their lives.
Following the proclamation of the word, the candidates to be received into the faith community are renewed in Baptism and all the faithful renew their Baptismal vows. With this the entire faithful have renewed their lives in Christ.
On Easter Sunday morning, we rejoice in our renewal and the renewal Christ brought to all people with his resurrection.
The message for is is, with Christ, all people have a future, all people of the world have the opportunity to share in everlasting life with God and all the Elect. Christ came to bring salvation to all of God’s children. Just as Christ did not discriminate in who he received into His company, the gift of renewal and salvation earned by Christ was for every human being on the face of the earth.
As true followers of Christ we do not have any justification for deciding who will and who will not be welcome in the presence of God.
As we journey through this most sacrad and wondrous week let us rejoice and be glad, that through Christ, we have been given a total and complete renewal of our lives.
Let us rejoice and give thanks to God for giving us His only begotten son as the sacrificial lamb to renew us.
On Easter morning let us rejoice and be glad and proclaim joyously that Christ has risen. For Easter is the remembrance of God’s giving us the opportunity to completely renew ourselves into persons who respect the diversity and uniqueness of God’s creatures and people who foster and promote the message of love that Christ brought to us. “Love one another as I have loved you” these words of Christ should echo in our minds and heart, for Christ showed us how much he loved us by being willing to suffer and die the ignominious deat on the cross just so we could have the promise of forgiveness and everlasting life with God. The coming days are truly, the days of the Lord.
Let us rejoice and be glad. Let us shout our HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH TO THE SON OF DAVID, HOSANNAH TO CHRIST OUR REDEEMER AND SAVIOR. THROUGH YOU WE HAVE BEEN RENEWED.
LET US GO FORWARD FROM THIS DAY ONWARD WITH THE VOW TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD AND EACH OTHER. AMEN
A mission of the Franciscans of Divine Mercy. We are a welcoming and affirming faith community to all who feel disenfranchised, unwanted, and rejected by Faith Communities. We welcome all persons who believe Christ was the redeemer and savior. The mission pastor is Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Showing posts with label Passion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passion. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Hosanna In The Highest
A Reflection for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Based on the readings for the Tridentine and Novus Ordo Traditions
Matt: 21:1-9, Matthew 26 & 27 (Passion of Our Lord); Isaiah 50:4 – 7, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14 - 23:56 (Passion of Our Lord)
By Fr. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel” (Matthew 21:9) shouted the people lining the road into Jerusalem. This joyful reception by the Jewish people to Jesus entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, could compare to the accolades and reception that the winners of the World Series or the Super Bowl experience on return to their respective cities. They are received as conquering heroes and indeed Jesus was just that kind of hero and still is to those of us who believe in Him and accept Him as the only begotten son of God.
It can be assumed that many of those same people who were shouting Hosanna, four days later would be in the crowds shouting, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” because he did not meet their expectations of Him or because they succumbed to greed and accepted bribes from the powers of the temple elite.
We have seen in our lives just such a turn around by a super hero of the World Series who deserts the team he played with that won the series and goes over to an opposing team because they offered him a huge sum of money that the deep pocket owner could afford and who places winning over all at any price. When the player returns to his former team he is no longer cheered but booed and treated with contempt.
In the past few years we have seen a great deal of publicity about the newly discovered Gospel of Judas, the supposed discovery of the tomb of Jesus and a resurgence of publicity about THE DIVINCI CODE and HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL, THE LOST GOSPELS and other “New discoveries that call into question the basis of Christianity.
The speculation, by some, is that these new revelations might change our beliefs.
I do not know how our beliefs or the truth of Jesus teachings could be changed by the supposed revelations.
The truth is, Jesus Christ lived, Christ died, Christ was resurrected, and Christ came to save all people of the world, not a select few and during His life He broke all the rules and regulations of the Jewish faith and did not discriminate against anyone.
If anything, these discoveries should only serve to strengthen our faith and belief. They change nothing about the main facts. All of them and numerous non-religious historical documents acknowledge that Jesus was real. All of them affirm that he gave us a new covenant, “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, MIND, SOUL AND BODY AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”
The “Gnostic Gospels” as they are called are all based on writings of the early Christians; and in most cases, they support and have much of the same information as we find in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which we were raised on.
The Gnostic Gospels, as the lost Gospels are called, proclaimed that salvation could be achieved by knowledge.
That statement is true, we need to have Knowledge of who God is, Knowledge of how we can serve God, Knowledge of God’s intent; all of these are necessary in order for us to faithfully serve God.
They do not disagree with what is found in the Gospels we know as far as the events of the final days of Christ.
Did not Jesus Himself say, “Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened to you, Ask and you shall receive” none of these “recent” findings change a thing.
The Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the versions being read today by either Matthew or Luke, opened the road to everlasting salvation for us.
Even if the most recent finding “The Gospel of Judas” has any truth, it affirms that Jesus had to die in order for our salvation to be assured. In it, it is purported to state, “For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me." By that, scholars familiar with Gnostic thinking said, “Jesus meant that by helping him get rid of his physical flesh, Judas will act to liberate the true spiritual self or divine being within Jesus.”
In many western churches today the Passion of the final days of Christ’s life are read according to Matthew and Luke which detail the last hours of Christ on earth as will Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Matthew and Luke’s Gospels begins with the celebration of Passover and the creation of the Eucharist, The agony in the garden and Christ’s saying, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, nevereless, not as I will, but as you will” which I say every day as part of my prayers, “Not my will but your will be done Lord”.
The readings continue by detailing the betrayal by Judas, the trials, the way of the cross and the crucifixion and ends with the burial of Christ.
Paul’s letter explains the reasons for all this and who Christ was and says a lot that we need to think about in the face of all the recent supposed contradictions.
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but he emptied himself and took on the form of a slave, by becoming a human man – not in appearance only, because he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2)
During this final week of Lent and this week which celebrates the Jewish freedom from bondage from the Egyptians, and especially as we go through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, let us reflect on how we live and practice our faith every day.
During this Christian Passion Week and the Holy Jewish week of Passover, let us find ways to put an end to the dissentions and petty jurisdictional and control for power and profit that have separated the followers of Jesus Christ into many churches instead on the One Holy Catholic (Universal) Apostolic Church we profess in the creed.
The time for us is now to be faithful to God and our faith and not allow ourselves to be swayed away by supposed “New Truths”. Let us work together to find ways to come together as the family of Christ and children of God and gather together as one family of faith in Christ. Let us begin living the message of Jesus Christ by our actions, thoughts, words and deeds. Let us be completely and very faithful to Almighty God and His beloved son Jesus Christ and forever and always proclaim loudly,
“HOSANNA, HOSANNA, TO THE SON OF DAVID, HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!”
AMEN
A Reflection for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Based on the readings for the Tridentine and Novus Ordo Traditions
Matt: 21:1-9, Matthew 26 & 27 (Passion of Our Lord); Isaiah 50:4 – 7, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14 - 23:56 (Passion of Our Lord)
By Fr. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Sts. Sergius and Bacchus
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel” (Matthew 21:9) shouted the people lining the road into Jerusalem. This joyful reception by the Jewish people to Jesus entrance into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, could compare to the accolades and reception that the winners of the World Series or the Super Bowl experience on return to their respective cities. They are received as conquering heroes and indeed Jesus was just that kind of hero and still is to those of us who believe in Him and accept Him as the only begotten son of God.
It can be assumed that many of those same people who were shouting Hosanna, four days later would be in the crowds shouting, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” because he did not meet their expectations of Him or because they succumbed to greed and accepted bribes from the powers of the temple elite.
We have seen in our lives just such a turn around by a super hero of the World Series who deserts the team he played with that won the series and goes over to an opposing team because they offered him a huge sum of money that the deep pocket owner could afford and who places winning over all at any price. When the player returns to his former team he is no longer cheered but booed and treated with contempt.
In the past few years we have seen a great deal of publicity about the newly discovered Gospel of Judas, the supposed discovery of the tomb of Jesus and a resurgence of publicity about THE DIVINCI CODE and HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL, THE LOST GOSPELS and other “New discoveries that call into question the basis of Christianity.
The speculation, by some, is that these new revelations might change our beliefs.
I do not know how our beliefs or the truth of Jesus teachings could be changed by the supposed revelations.
The truth is, Jesus Christ lived, Christ died, Christ was resurrected, and Christ came to save all people of the world, not a select few and during His life He broke all the rules and regulations of the Jewish faith and did not discriminate against anyone.
If anything, these discoveries should only serve to strengthen our faith and belief. They change nothing about the main facts. All of them and numerous non-religious historical documents acknowledge that Jesus was real. All of them affirm that he gave us a new covenant, “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, MIND, SOUL AND BODY AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”
The “Gnostic Gospels” as they are called are all based on writings of the early Christians; and in most cases, they support and have much of the same information as we find in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which we were raised on.
The Gnostic Gospels, as the lost Gospels are called, proclaimed that salvation could be achieved by knowledge.
That statement is true, we need to have Knowledge of who God is, Knowledge of how we can serve God, Knowledge of God’s intent; all of these are necessary in order for us to faithfully serve God.
They do not disagree with what is found in the Gospels we know as far as the events of the final days of Christ.
Did not Jesus Himself say, “Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be opened to you, Ask and you shall receive” none of these “recent” findings change a thing.
The Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the versions being read today by either Matthew or Luke, opened the road to everlasting salvation for us.
Even if the most recent finding “The Gospel of Judas” has any truth, it affirms that Jesus had to die in order for our salvation to be assured. In it, it is purported to state, “For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me." By that, scholars familiar with Gnostic thinking said, “Jesus meant that by helping him get rid of his physical flesh, Judas will act to liberate the true spiritual self or divine being within Jesus.”
In many western churches today the Passion of the final days of Christ’s life are read according to Matthew and Luke which detail the last hours of Christ on earth as will Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Matthew and Luke’s Gospels begins with the celebration of Passover and the creation of the Eucharist, The agony in the garden and Christ’s saying, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, nevereless, not as I will, but as you will” which I say every day as part of my prayers, “Not my will but your will be done Lord”.
The readings continue by detailing the betrayal by Judas, the trials, the way of the cross and the crucifixion and ends with the burial of Christ.
Paul’s letter explains the reasons for all this and who Christ was and says a lot that we need to think about in the face of all the recent supposed contradictions.
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but he emptied himself and took on the form of a slave, by becoming a human man – not in appearance only, because he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2)
During this final week of Lent and this week which celebrates the Jewish freedom from bondage from the Egyptians, and especially as we go through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, let us reflect on how we live and practice our faith every day.
During this Christian Passion Week and the Holy Jewish week of Passover, let us find ways to put an end to the dissentions and petty jurisdictional and control for power and profit that have separated the followers of Jesus Christ into many churches instead on the One Holy Catholic (Universal) Apostolic Church we profess in the creed.
The time for us is now to be faithful to God and our faith and not allow ourselves to be swayed away by supposed “New Truths”. Let us work together to find ways to come together as the family of Christ and children of God and gather together as one family of faith in Christ. Let us begin living the message of Jesus Christ by our actions, thoughts, words and deeds. Let us be completely and very faithful to Almighty God and His beloved son Jesus Christ and forever and always proclaim loudly,
“HOSANNA, HOSANNA, TO THE SON OF DAVID, HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!”
AMEN
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Passion Sunday Reflection
“By Christ’s deeds the Lord has shown himself great”
A Reflection for Passion Sunday
Based on Readings from: John 8:48-59, Hebrews 9:11-15, Psalm 125, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
I have chosen words from the title of the psalm used in today’s liturgy of the Novus Ordo rite or new rite in the western churches since it compliments all the readings used by the Universal church for Passion Sunday.
The Gospel of John 8:1-11 is the story of the woman about to be stoned because she was caught in adultery and how Jesus responded to those who were about to stone her. Jesus said to them “If there is one of you who have not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”. With those words Jesus broke with the teachings of the old covenant for Christ came into this world as the mediator of a new covenant or agreement between God and us.
In the Gospel of John 8:48-59 we find Christ being accused of sinning and having a demon in Him because he had broken with the traditional practices of the Jewish faith to which Jesus replied; “"I don't have a demon in me. I honor my Father, and you refuse to honor me. I don't want honor for myself. But there is one who wants me to be honored, and he is also the one who judges. I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die." "If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God, even though you don't really know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says.”
Notice the words of Christ; “You claim that he is your God, even though you don't really know him”. Today everywhere we hear preachers claiming to know God and Christ and yet they go about shouting condemnation and hell fire and damnation and claim that they are preaching the teachings of Christ, yet, the Gospel story of the woman caught in adultery is an example of how Christ preached mercy and forgiveness.
The opening words of Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 9:11 explain this very well; “Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here….. He freed us from sin forever. He did this by offering his own blood instead of the blood of goats and bulls.” (The Law of Moses prescribed that people who become unclean were not fit to worship God. Yet they would be considered clean, if they are sprinkled with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a sacrificed calf.) Paul continues with the following explanation; “But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. That's why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear……. Now he brings his chosen ones a new agreement with its guarantee of God's eternal blessings!”
Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:8 opening words sum it all up, at least for me they do, “I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”. Paul goes on to say how he he no longer is seeking the perfection that comes from the law but the perfection that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and Almighty God. He also acknowledges that perfection only comes when we have been received into the eternal promise of Christ. “I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for is the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ.”
I believe that it is not our duty or obligation to place condemnation on any of God’s children but that we should teach the words of Christ and instruct God’s children on the way they have been called by God to live their lives. We most certainly should never think that God has made a mistake in creating someone in a certain way or refuse to allow one of God’s children from participating in the worship and reception of the graces of the sacraments for when we do so we are acting like those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery.
The next two weeks are some of the most holy and humbling times within the liturgical calendar. They are a time when we examine ourselves deeply and make our list of strengths and weaknesses within our living the teachings of God as given us through Christ. They are a time when we are reminded of how much Christ was willing to suffer for our sake and a time to ask ourselves how much we are willing to suffer in order to achieve the promise of Eternal life with God.
Christ did not go through all He endured for just a few individuals who perceive that they are holier than others but for ALL of the children of God, every individual on the face of the earth.
Let each of us, over the next two weeks, think about how Christ came to earth and by His words and deeds the Lord has shown himself great and given us the way, the truth and the light which will lead us to the Father, our creator, and everlasting life with Him, our redeemer Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Christ’s and our heavenly mother Mary and all the heavenly elect.
Use this time to improve your relationship with Almighty God and with your brothers and sisters in Christ by working harder to live a life that reflects the teachings of Christ.
That is our way of passing over to the promised land of Almighty God. AMEN
A Reflection for Passion Sunday
Based on Readings from: John 8:48-59, Hebrews 9:11-15, Psalm 125, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
I have chosen words from the title of the psalm used in today’s liturgy of the Novus Ordo rite or new rite in the western churches since it compliments all the readings used by the Universal church for Passion Sunday.
The Gospel of John 8:1-11 is the story of the woman about to be stoned because she was caught in adultery and how Jesus responded to those who were about to stone her. Jesus said to them “If there is one of you who have not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”. With those words Jesus broke with the teachings of the old covenant for Christ came into this world as the mediator of a new covenant or agreement between God and us.
In the Gospel of John 8:48-59 we find Christ being accused of sinning and having a demon in Him because he had broken with the traditional practices of the Jewish faith to which Jesus replied; “"I don't have a demon in me. I honor my Father, and you refuse to honor me. I don't want honor for myself. But there is one who wants me to be honored, and he is also the one who judges. I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die." "If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God, even though you don't really know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says.”
Notice the words of Christ; “You claim that he is your God, even though you don't really know him”. Today everywhere we hear preachers claiming to know God and Christ and yet they go about shouting condemnation and hell fire and damnation and claim that they are preaching the teachings of Christ, yet, the Gospel story of the woman caught in adultery is an example of how Christ preached mercy and forgiveness.
The opening words of Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 9:11 explain this very well; “Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here….. He freed us from sin forever. He did this by offering his own blood instead of the blood of goats and bulls.” (The Law of Moses prescribed that people who become unclean were not fit to worship God. Yet they would be considered clean, if they are sprinkled with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a sacrificed calf.) Paul continues with the following explanation; “But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. That's why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear……. Now he brings his chosen ones a new agreement with its guarantee of God's eternal blessings!”
Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:8 opening words sum it all up, at least for me they do, “I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”. Paul goes on to say how he he no longer is seeking the perfection that comes from the law but the perfection that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and Almighty God. He also acknowledges that perfection only comes when we have been received into the eternal promise of Christ. “I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for is the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ.”
I believe that it is not our duty or obligation to place condemnation on any of God’s children but that we should teach the words of Christ and instruct God’s children on the way they have been called by God to live their lives. We most certainly should never think that God has made a mistake in creating someone in a certain way or refuse to allow one of God’s children from participating in the worship and reception of the graces of the sacraments for when we do so we are acting like those who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery.
The next two weeks are some of the most holy and humbling times within the liturgical calendar. They are a time when we examine ourselves deeply and make our list of strengths and weaknesses within our living the teachings of God as given us through Christ. They are a time when we are reminded of how much Christ was willing to suffer for our sake and a time to ask ourselves how much we are willing to suffer in order to achieve the promise of Eternal life with God.
Christ did not go through all He endured for just a few individuals who perceive that they are holier than others but for ALL of the children of God, every individual on the face of the earth.
Let each of us, over the next two weeks, think about how Christ came to earth and by His words and deeds the Lord has shown himself great and given us the way, the truth and the light which will lead us to the Father, our creator, and everlasting life with Him, our redeemer Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Christ’s and our heavenly mother Mary and all the heavenly elect.
Use this time to improve your relationship with Almighty God and with your brothers and sisters in Christ by working harder to live a life that reflects the teachings of Christ.
That is our way of passing over to the promised land of Almighty God. AMEN
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Suggested Meditation For Second Week Of Lent
Reflection On The Our Father for Lent
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
My suggested focus meditation point for the second week of Lent is found in the Gospel of Matthew 6: 7-15 where Jesus teaches the Apostles how to pray and then gives them the prayer we know as THE OUR FATHER. His first instruction is on how we should pray at all times, Jesus tells us “ In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
In this first part of the reading Jesus is telling us not to rattle off our prayers in a hurry and to actually take time to think about what we are saying. Prayer is not just a recitation of the words but is a conversation with Almighty God, Christ or Our Blessed mother. We are talking with them as though they were there in the room with us. This applies to all prayer especially the great prayer, the Mass. Christ reminds us that God knows what is in our hearts and our minds even before we speak them. The purpose of praying is not the words but in centering ourselves to and with God. I often tell people that taking time alone with God and talking to him as though He were sitting opposite them is a calming and centering exercise and it brings us closer to God.
By taking the time to actually focus on what we are saying and to speak the words that come from our inner being we enter into a reverent communication with Almighty God.
Jesus then goes on to teach us words that we should use when we pray which we now know as THE OUR FATHER.
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
In this simple prayer we sum up all our beliefs and our wishes. Christ reminds us again, in no uncertain terms, on what our request to God depends when he said; For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Therefore, when we pray the Our Father, we are acknowledging many of our beliefs as Christians because we concede:
1. God is our Father, in other words, like our paternal father whose seed brought us into being, God brought us and all things into being by willing them into existence.
2. We affirm that the name of Almighty God is Holy and needs to be revered above all persons and things.
3.. We are acknowledging that the kingdom of heaven is something to come and is not to be found in this mortal world.
4. We acknowledge that we agree that God’s will must be done in all things, not only in heaven but here on earth. God’s will, not our own desire and will. This is often very difficult for us to embrace and it is also one way that we so often find ourselves in troubling by insisting on getting our own way in spite of all other things.
5. We next go on to ask God to provide us with our daily necessities of life. The key in this part of the prayer is ‘DAILY NECESSITIES’. when we ask to win the lottery or get a flat screen TV or new car God may not consider them to be necessary for our existence and if fact, God may see that in getting them we would be endangering our eternal salvation.
6. In asking God to forgive us our debts we are asking Him for forgiveness of the things we might have done that separated us from Him and put us in debt to God. What we need to remember is that we also need to be willing to forgive those who have hurt us. That is a very important part of this prayer. If we are unwilling to forgive others how can we expect God to forgive us. Christ even reiterates this when He cautions “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
7. Finally, we then plead with God to not put us in a position of being tempted by the guiles of Satan, but to deliver us from all evils, those imposed upon us by others and those which come out of our own selfishness, greed, anger, prejudices and stubbornness.
When Christ repeated the caution a second time about forgiving others He did so, I am sure, because He knew how difficult it was going to be for us mortals. One of the most difficult things for people is to admit they are wrong. It is even more difficult to go to someone you have done wrong to and ask for their forgiveness and even more difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you. Many people just cannot admit to another they are wrong. We see this daily on the news and TV. Even when faced with overwhelming evidence that a decision one made was wrong, some people cannot admit it.
During this time of preparation for the Paschal Banquet, we might want to reflect on how we pray and whether or not we are doing all that we can to reach out to those we might have wronged and seek their forgiveness and even more especially have we forgiven those that have hurt us and extended to them the love of Christ.
I have suggested this meditation for the second week of Lent because it may require some time for us to digest. Lent is a time of cleansing and purification as we evaluate ourselves in preparation to follow Christ along the Via Dolorosa on the way to Calvary and on to His glorious Resurrection on Easter morning which provided us the promise of Eternal Life with God and all the heavenly elect. Amen
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
My suggested focus meditation point for the second week of Lent is found in the Gospel of Matthew 6: 7-15 where Jesus teaches the Apostles how to pray and then gives them the prayer we know as THE OUR FATHER. His first instruction is on how we should pray at all times, Jesus tells us “ In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
In this first part of the reading Jesus is telling us not to rattle off our prayers in a hurry and to actually take time to think about what we are saying. Prayer is not just a recitation of the words but is a conversation with Almighty God, Christ or Our Blessed mother. We are talking with them as though they were there in the room with us. This applies to all prayer especially the great prayer, the Mass. Christ reminds us that God knows what is in our hearts and our minds even before we speak them. The purpose of praying is not the words but in centering ourselves to and with God. I often tell people that taking time alone with God and talking to him as though He were sitting opposite them is a calming and centering exercise and it brings us closer to God.
By taking the time to actually focus on what we are saying and to speak the words that come from our inner being we enter into a reverent communication with Almighty God.
Jesus then goes on to teach us words that we should use when we pray which we now know as THE OUR FATHER.
"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
In this simple prayer we sum up all our beliefs and our wishes. Christ reminds us again, in no uncertain terms, on what our request to God depends when he said; For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Therefore, when we pray the Our Father, we are acknowledging many of our beliefs as Christians because we concede:
1. God is our Father, in other words, like our paternal father whose seed brought us into being, God brought us and all things into being by willing them into existence.
2. We affirm that the name of Almighty God is Holy and needs to be revered above all persons and things.
3.. We are acknowledging that the kingdom of heaven is something to come and is not to be found in this mortal world.
4. We acknowledge that we agree that God’s will must be done in all things, not only in heaven but here on earth. God’s will, not our own desire and will. This is often very difficult for us to embrace and it is also one way that we so often find ourselves in troubling by insisting on getting our own way in spite of all other things.
5. We next go on to ask God to provide us with our daily necessities of life. The key in this part of the prayer is ‘DAILY NECESSITIES’. when we ask to win the lottery or get a flat screen TV or new car God may not consider them to be necessary for our existence and if fact, God may see that in getting them we would be endangering our eternal salvation.
6. In asking God to forgive us our debts we are asking Him for forgiveness of the things we might have done that separated us from Him and put us in debt to God. What we need to remember is that we also need to be willing to forgive those who have hurt us. That is a very important part of this prayer. If we are unwilling to forgive others how can we expect God to forgive us. Christ even reiterates this when He cautions “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
7. Finally, we then plead with God to not put us in a position of being tempted by the guiles of Satan, but to deliver us from all evils, those imposed upon us by others and those which come out of our own selfishness, greed, anger, prejudices and stubbornness.
When Christ repeated the caution a second time about forgiving others He did so, I am sure, because He knew how difficult it was going to be for us mortals. One of the most difficult things for people is to admit they are wrong. It is even more difficult to go to someone you have done wrong to and ask for their forgiveness and even more difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you. Many people just cannot admit to another they are wrong. We see this daily on the news and TV. Even when faced with overwhelming evidence that a decision one made was wrong, some people cannot admit it.
During this time of preparation for the Paschal Banquet, we might want to reflect on how we pray and whether or not we are doing all that we can to reach out to those we might have wronged and seek their forgiveness and even more especially have we forgiven those that have hurt us and extended to them the love of Christ.
I have suggested this meditation for the second week of Lent because it may require some time for us to digest. Lent is a time of cleansing and purification as we evaluate ourselves in preparation to follow Christ along the Via Dolorosa on the way to Calvary and on to His glorious Resurrection on Easter morning which provided us the promise of Eternal Life with God and all the heavenly elect. Amen
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Septuagesima Sunday Reflection
gesima,A Time of Reflection, Sacrifice, and Renewal
A Reflection for Septuagesima Sunday
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA, Mission St. Sergius & Bacchus
Holliston MA
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
February begins the countdown and beginning of the church season set aside to remind us of what Christ was willing to do for us and how we are doing, as followers of Christ, in living according to His instructions.
We are reminded during the weeks leading up to the official start of Lent on Ash Wednesday to begin our period of reflection and preparation by the titles of the Sundays leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday is intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation.
In the Catholic liturgy, the Alleluia ceases to be said during the liturgy, effective at First Vespers of Septuagesima Sunday, and is not sung again until Easter. Violet Vestments are worn, except on feast days, during the period from Septuagesima Sunday until Holy Thursday. The readings of the Divine office during this time are from the Books of Genesis which describe the Creation of the universe, the human race and the fall from grace of man by disobedience of God’s law, the sin of Cain and Abel and continue with the promises of redemption and the Messiah made to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. The Gospel Story for Septuagesima Sunday is that of the Prodigal son and is meant to remind us of the forgiving and infinite merciful way of God.
Usually during this week I try to spend time reflecting on the past year and how well I did in living up to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Was I kind and considerate of others, even those who were not so nice to me? Did I give back to God a portion of what he provided me with, sometimes called tithing, in time or financial resources? Did I care for the sick and needy? Did I discriminate against anyone or put anyone down? Did I cause anyone to become angry and if so, did I apologize and try to make amends? I ask myself how I can become a better person and how I can best serve God. Where I find weaknesses in my life or when I think of ways to improve myself, I write them down as something to put on my list of things I need to do.
Sexagesima” is Latin for “sixtieth”; this Sunday is so called because it is roughly sixty days from Easter. Sexagesima brings us a firm warning that as we work for Christ and His Kingdom, we must always be aware that any success we may see is not due to our own efforts, but to God’s direction and His Grace. This Sunday is a perfect time to reflect on where we are and why and how we got here and what part and for what reason God placed us here. During this week I ask if I am doing all that I can to be a true servant and disciple of Christ.
Quinquagesima Sunday marks the period of fifty days before Easter. It begins with the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, called Dominica in Quinquagesima or Esto Mihi from the beginning of the Introit of the Eucharistic Liturgy; it is a Sunday of the second class, and the Color for the vestments of the Mass is violet. In the past, for early Christians it was the beginning of fasting period, and is called “The days without Meat” by many nationalities. This is the Sunday that I usually have my list of things that I need to do to improve myself in living according to the teachings of Christ prepared and posted somewhere that I can see it every day.
This year Ash Wednesday begins on the 21st of the month and on this day, worshippers are blessed with ashes by the priest. The priest or minister marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes, in the shape of a cross, and the worshipper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown as a reminder of their mortality and sinfulness. The symbolism echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head signifying repentance for the sins one has committed (as related numerous times in the Scripture). The priest marks the forehead of the person with one of these three blessings: "Remember, man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." (Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, ET in pulverem reverteris.) From Genesis 3:19 or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Or "Repent, and hear the good news."
The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday and mixed with olive oil; as a fixative. Ash Wednesday is observed by both fasting and abstinence and is a day of contemplating one's transgressions. The ashes are not a Sacrament but a Sign or Sacramental. (A Sacramental is something that aids one’s devotion to God but is not a sacrament.) Sacramentals are commonly divided into six classes: prayer, anointing, eating, confession, giving, and blessings.
As the title of this reflection indicates this is a time for us to reflect on our past and how well we are doing in coming closer to God and on what we might have to change from our current way of life and to plan for making those changes. It is a time of Sacrifice, of giving up some of the comforts we are accustomed to, reflecting the sacrifice Christ offered up for us and also of the forty days and nights that Christ fasted in the desert.
It is a time of Renewal, a time to make our selves over so that we better reflect Christ in our day to day lives.
God placed us here to achieve the promise of everlasting life with Him and all the heavenly elect but we have to earn that by living our lives in accord with the way Christ instructed us. We need to adhere to what Christ Called the two great commandments “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and body and the second is like unto it, Love your neighbor as you love yourself” AMEN
A Reflection for Septuagesima Sunday
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA, Mission St. Sergius & Bacchus
Holliston MA
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
February begins the countdown and beginning of the church season set aside to remind us of what Christ was willing to do for us and how we are doing, as followers of Christ, in living according to His instructions.
We are reminded during the weeks leading up to the official start of Lent on Ash Wednesday to begin our period of reflection and preparation by the titles of the Sundays leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday is intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation.
In the Catholic liturgy, the Alleluia ceases to be said during the liturgy, effective at First Vespers of Septuagesima Sunday, and is not sung again until Easter. Violet Vestments are worn, except on feast days, during the period from Septuagesima Sunday until Holy Thursday. The readings of the Divine office during this time are from the Books of Genesis which describe the Creation of the universe, the human race and the fall from grace of man by disobedience of God’s law, the sin of Cain and Abel and continue with the promises of redemption and the Messiah made to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. The Gospel Story for Septuagesima Sunday is that of the Prodigal son and is meant to remind us of the forgiving and infinite merciful way of God.
Usually during this week I try to spend time reflecting on the past year and how well I did in living up to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Was I kind and considerate of others, even those who were not so nice to me? Did I give back to God a portion of what he provided me with, sometimes called tithing, in time or financial resources? Did I care for the sick and needy? Did I discriminate against anyone or put anyone down? Did I cause anyone to become angry and if so, did I apologize and try to make amends? I ask myself how I can become a better person and how I can best serve God. Where I find weaknesses in my life or when I think of ways to improve myself, I write them down as something to put on my list of things I need to do.
Sexagesima” is Latin for “sixtieth”; this Sunday is so called because it is roughly sixty days from Easter. Sexagesima brings us a firm warning that as we work for Christ and His Kingdom, we must always be aware that any success we may see is not due to our own efforts, but to God’s direction and His Grace. This Sunday is a perfect time to reflect on where we are and why and how we got here and what part and for what reason God placed us here. During this week I ask if I am doing all that I can to be a true servant and disciple of Christ.
Quinquagesima Sunday marks the period of fifty days before Easter. It begins with the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, called Dominica in Quinquagesima or Esto Mihi from the beginning of the Introit of the Eucharistic Liturgy; it is a Sunday of the second class, and the Color for the vestments of the Mass is violet. In the past, for early Christians it was the beginning of fasting period, and is called “The days without Meat” by many nationalities. This is the Sunday that I usually have my list of things that I need to do to improve myself in living according to the teachings of Christ prepared and posted somewhere that I can see it every day.
This year Ash Wednesday begins on the 21st of the month and on this day, worshippers are blessed with ashes by the priest. The priest or minister marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes, in the shape of a cross, and the worshipper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown as a reminder of their mortality and sinfulness. The symbolism echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head signifying repentance for the sins one has committed (as related numerous times in the Scripture). The priest marks the forehead of the person with one of these three blessings: "Remember, man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." (Latin: Memento homo, quia pulvis es, ET in pulverem reverteris.) From Genesis 3:19 or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Or "Repent, and hear the good news."
The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday and mixed with olive oil; as a fixative. Ash Wednesday is observed by both fasting and abstinence and is a day of contemplating one's transgressions. The ashes are not a Sacrament but a Sign or Sacramental. (A Sacramental is something that aids one’s devotion to God but is not a sacrament.) Sacramentals are commonly divided into six classes: prayer, anointing, eating, confession, giving, and blessings.
As the title of this reflection indicates this is a time for us to reflect on our past and how well we are doing in coming closer to God and on what we might have to change from our current way of life and to plan for making those changes. It is a time of Sacrifice, of giving up some of the comforts we are accustomed to, reflecting the sacrifice Christ offered up for us and also of the forty days and nights that Christ fasted in the desert.
It is a time of Renewal, a time to make our selves over so that we better reflect Christ in our day to day lives.
God placed us here to achieve the promise of everlasting life with Him and all the heavenly elect but we have to earn that by living our lives in accord with the way Christ instructed us. We need to adhere to what Christ Called the two great commandments “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and body and the second is like unto it, Love your neighbor as you love yourself” AMEN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)