The Light and Darkness

Part XXXXII

Jesus said: “Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life.”

  Jesus fed the multitude by multiplying the loaves and fish. Then they approach again for this material food, and Jesus knows that these people are not looking for something spiritual, but rather for material things. John 6:27 (NJB): Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal. When Jesus began to talk about the eternal food, the Eucharist, which is the center of eternal life, they all disregarded him. Jesus said to them: ‘Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise that person up on the last day.’(Jon. 6: 54) They all left, even most of his disciples except the apostles.  

(Jon. 6: 60, 65-66 NJB)  ‘After hearing it many of his followers said, this is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it? How can we hear and follow the truth by giving attention what Jesus is speaking to us. In the human way it is difficult to understand the mystery of the Eucharist, but those are loving Jesus will understand this heavenly mystery.  Jesus again told them. Jn 6: 65-66 NJB ‘He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me except by the gift of the Father. After this, many of his disciples went away and accompanied him no more.’ Knowing the Kingdom of God is the Father's gift, and no one can see Him without His mercy and grace. After the Eucharistic talk, these disciples abandoned him and did not return. They never turned back to Jesus. Satan blinded their eyes and threw them into the darkness, instead of the true light, Jesus. We should come closer to Jesus and pray to him to strengthen our faith. 

  While in the Holy Land, we all traveled to the Synagogue of Capernaum, where Jesus revealed the Eucharist. When our priest, Fr Eugiene, read John Chapter 6, we were deeply moved and amazed by Jesus' revelation of salvation. We are so blessed because our Charism is built on studying and living in God's Word, as we hear the Scriptures read and taught by our Brothers each week. For the spiritual person, yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all the same, with no difference even after two thousand years, and Jesus Christ is the same. ‘Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be forever.’ (Heb. 13: 8). He asked the apostles whether they wish to leave him: John 6:67–69 (NJB): Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ 68 Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, 69 and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.’  Then Peter was answered  that Jesus is the Son of God.  This is the faith that enables us to hold the same belief as St. Peter: that Jesus is the divine Son. In a speech, Br. Shaji questioned the audience, "Are we the apostles? We certainly possess the apostolic grace and are apostles. If we answer His call with faithfulness, then each of us is called into this apostolic grace. Give us the ability, Lord, to trust You completely until the end of our lives.  

The Light and Darkness

Jesus, The Light in Darkness 

PART XXXXI

Lord, deliver us from the evil ways of this world, which are darkening our minds. 

  St Peter giving an advice here to invoke Holy Spirit to do the things spiritually not by our human intelligence. Human beings are nothing in front of God’s glory but are mere creatures. But we can be valuable in His eyes when we obey His commandments. 2 Peter 1:19–21 (NJB): So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds. 20 At the same time, we must recognise that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual. 21 For no prophecy ever came from human initiative. Our minds are darkened by the god of this world but when Jesus comes in our midst his light will enlighten our path towards his kingdom. There are many prophesy about Jesus in the Old Testament and in the Psalms. We have to pay attention to these revelations by meditating through the Scriptures 

  God is leading and guiding us through His mercy and grace, this is the way He is making us to repent and come back to Him. ‘Or are you not disregarding his abundant goodness, tolerance and patience, failing to realise that this generosity of God is meant to bring you to repentance? (Rm. 2: 4) Yes Lord, we were disregarded of your goodness, tolerance and patience. Lord, very often the evil thoughts come into our mind instead of Your Holy Word. Let us pray to our Lord to have that Godly repentance which He reveals to us through the Scriptures: ‘I am glad now, not because you were made to feel distress, but because the distress that you were caused led to repentance; your distress was the kind that God approves and so you have come to no kind of harm through us.’2 Cori. 7:9  There is no time to wait or waste and it is very appropriate to come back to Him with repentance and with full conviction. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel’ Mk. 1: 15. Jesus is inviting us to come back to him by true repentance through meditating his Word of God by faith in him.  

Mohny Mathews

Community of Grace 

The Light and Darkness

PART XXXX

The Word is real light which will enlighten us in darkness. 

The Almsgiving delivers us in the time of falling into darkness

  In this instance, Thobit is advising his son Thobias on how to live a life that fears God. His first piece of advise concerns paying alms to the underprivileged. God will reveal to us who needs our almsgiving.. Tobit 4:7–10 (NJB): Set aside part of your goods for almsgiving. Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turn his from you. 8 Measure your alms by what you have; if you have much, give more; if you have little, do not be afraid to give less in alms. 9 So doing, you will lay up for yourself a great treasure for the day of necessity. 10 For almsgiving delivers from death and saves people from passing down to darkness. Almsgiving is a signet to our finger which will lead us to generosity in giving. Sirach 17:22 (NJB): Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him, he cherishes generosity like the pupil of an eye. Charity to the Poor is very important as it will make us the child of God. God will love us, more than a mother loves her child. We should give the poor according to our ability, if we have more give accordingly and if we have less do not hesitate to give. Alms giving makes us to live in light of our Lord and will not deprived in darkness. Sirach 4:1–2 (NJB): My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy. 2 Do not add to the sufferings of the hungry, do not bait anyone in distress. 

  Psalm 18:28 (NJB): 28 Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness; Lord is our lamp for walk in the darkness. He never reject us when we rely on him while we climb on the ramparts or any drastic dangers of this world.  Psalm 119:105 (NJB): Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. The Word of God is the real light for us to travel in the travesties. The Word can enlighten us and he is the real light that light in the darkness and the darkness could not over power it (Jn 1: 5,9)John 1:9 (NJB): The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world.

A Journey to Emmaus Part II

Jesus is Risen Alleluia

A Journey to Emmaus Part II

On the Journey to Emmaus Jesus was explained everything to the disciples which is written in the Scriptures about him.. He was preaching to them the word by word from the Scriptures how he was gone into suffering before his sacrifice on the Cross in Calvary.  

Listen again to what Isaiah says about Christ,

Lord told 'Ahaz; Listen now, House of David:

Are you not satisfied with trying human patience

That you should try my God’s patience too?

The Lord will give you a sign in any case:

It is this: the young woman is with child.

She will give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel.

He who is the Saviour of the world brings salvation to all nations.

You are very slow to believe, again Isaiah says: For a son has been born for us,

A son has been given to us, and dominion has been laid on his shoulders;

These are the names he has been given,

‘Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace’

To extend his dominion in boundless peace,

Over the throne of David and over his kingdom,

To make it secure and sustain it in fair judgement and integrity.

From this time onwards and forever, the jealous love of Yahweh Sabaoth will do this.

When Jesus was born, Herod wanted to kill the baby.

He killed all the new born,

All the male children in Bethlehem, two years old and below

And all of them in Judaea.

In the Book of Jeremiah, Yahweh says this: A voice is heard in Ramah,

Lamenting and weeping bitterly:

It is Rachel weeping for her children,

Refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.

Rachel from the grave lamented as she was buried in Bethlehem.

But God saved Jesus, because He is His beloved Son

who was to fulfil the Heavenly Father’s plan of Eternal Covenant and Salvation.

He was taken away by his father and mother to Egypt.

As prophesied In Hosea, Lord says this: When Israel was a child I loved him,

And I called my son out of Egypt.

The sufferings and hardships of his father and mother are indescribable.

The travel to Egypt was not within a small distance.

Joseph, his foster father, took care of him more than a real father.

When he was born, his mother and father did not even had a house to give him birth.

Again in book of Jeremiah, Lord said; In those days and at that time,

I shall make an upright Branch grow for David,

who will do what is just and upright in the country.

In those days Judah will triumph, and Israel live in safety.

And this is the name the city will be called: Yahweh-is-our-Saving-Justice.”

‘For Yahweh says this, “David will never lack a male descendant

To occupy the throne of the House of Israel,

His reign will remain forever and ever, who is he? Jesus Christ!

Haven’t you read in Psalms: 'I will proclaim the decree of Yahweh:

He said to me, ‘You are my son, today have I fathered you.

Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations as your birthright,

While the whole wide world as your possession.“

Read in the Book of Mica, Lord told about the birth of Jesus:

But you (Bethlehem) Ephrathah,

the least of the clans of Judah,

from you will come for me a future ruler of Israel

Whose origins go back to the distant past, to the days of old.

Hence Yahweh will abandon them

Only until she who is in labour gives birth,

Then those who survive of his race will be reunited to the Israelites.

Behold the price they paid for Jesus as you can read in the book of Zechariah:

'I then said to them, ‘If you see fit, give me my wages;

if not, never mind.’ So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels

And it happened; one of his beloved disciples sold him for thirty shekels of silver.

Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the smelter,

This princely sum at which they have valued me!’

Taking the thirty shekels of silver,

I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter.

Isaiah again prophesied about his passion and our salvation:

He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts;

He was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows,

Familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised,

For whom we had no regard.

Yet ours were the sufferings he was carrying

And struck with affliction by God;

whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions,

He was crushed because of our guilt;

The punishment reconciling us fell on him,

We have been healed by his bruises.

Lord, When we drew near to the village, to our destination,

you were about to part ways; but we pressed you to stay with us admitting that

Our hearts were burning with the love of God,

As you explained everything from Moses to the Prophets and Psalms.

 

Lord, you accepted our invitation join us for supper.

We brought for you the fresh bread and wine

Then you took the bread, and gave thanks,

You broke it and gave it to us, saying, ‘This is my body given for you;

Do this in remembrance of me.’

You did the same with the cup after supper, and said,

‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.”

 

Lord, through the breaking of the Bread, your body,

You were breaking the word of God for us.

This opened our eyes and we could see; Jesus

Lord, forgive our sins as we are unworthy to be your disciples

 

Lord, our eyes were deprived of seeing you.

Our eyes were blinded by the god of this world .

Our minds were boasting that we knew everything.

But our human knowledge cannot comprehend anything about your Kingdom.

 

Lord, our hearts were burning within as you talked and explained scriptures to us

Lord, indeed you are risen and we believe it.

Now, we are going to Jerusalem and all over the world to tell our brothers and sisters

That we have seen you and to share what you revealed to us while breaking the Word and the Bread.

 

You were always with us and gave us your Living Word

By mercy and grace, Heavenly Father had chosen us

To know you Lord, and to grow in the knowledge of Christ

But we still could not believe you

 

During your life on earth, you offered prayer and entreaty,

You cried with loud voice and with full of tears,

To the Heavenly Father who had the power to save you from death,

You heard the call of the Father with reverence.

 

You have done everything in obedience.

Despite being the Son, you went through sufferings;

And through the sufferings, you were perfected,

You became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.

 

Lord, you are the shepherd who willingly gave your own life for us.

When you were doing good things you didn’t show your greatness.

Even when after rising from the tomb you never showed your glory.

But you showed yourself to those who loved you abundantly.

 

Lord, you are the source of all the goodness.

You are sitting at the right hand of God the Father.

To intercede for us endlessly without counting our sins.

Lord, we love you, we believe you are risen Alleluia, Alleluia, Alle--Lu--iah!!!

Mohny  Mathews 

Community of Grace 

 

The Light and Darkness

 

Jesus is the Real Light in Darkness 

PART XXXIX 

Lord, let us walk in Your Light and prevent darkness from our mind. 

  Luke 22:52–53 (NJB):  53 When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never made a move to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.’ We never know how the darkness comes in our life. As mentioned in ‘Lk 25: 15-16(NJB)Jesus himself came up and walked by their side16 but their eyes were prevented from reognising him. The same thing happened to the apostles as Jesus was proceeding for the crucifixion, they all were scattered or vanished form the vicinity and were hiding. But they were watching from far away by the fear of persecution and not having the fear of God or love of God. 

   Acts 2:20–21 (NJB): The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, that great and terrible Day. 21 And all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. While addressing the crowd after Jesus' resurrection, Peter stated how each of us will spend our final days on earth; we have no idea about this. We may continue to believe that it will be years before Jesus returns, its our imagination and will not happen to be. Only we can envisage how our final day on Earth will be before we pass away in our mortal bodies. Our spirits will not experience death until we receive the gift of eternal life, a prize from our Lord! This is the last day of our judgment on the road to eternity. Let us pray that the darkness of this world does not blind our inner eyes, and that we do not fix our external eyes on the pleasures of this life. 

  The Lord is working here, His most magnificent miracle against the Egyptians and demonstrated to the people of Israel how great our God is. God desires to bring darkness to the entire country of Egypt, but only Israelites can have light wherever they live. In the passage of 1Peter 3:18–19 (NJB):  In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, 19 and, in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. It represents how Jesus descended into the darkness of the perished souls in hell and preached the Gospel to the souls possessed by evil. Similarly, the Egyptians were in darkness, and God pushed them into a vast darkness that they had never encountered before.. Exodus 10:21–23 (NJB): Yahweh then said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand towards heaven, and let darkness, darkness so thick that it can be felt, cover Egypt.’ 22 So Moses stretched out his hand towards heaven, and for three days there was thick darkness over the whole of Egypt. 23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days, but all the Israelites did have light where they were living.  

Jesus is Risen, A Journey to Emmaus

 

 Jesus is risen Alleluia      

Today is the day of victory, as Jesus has risen and vanquished the evil forces and sins of death. He gave light and life back to all of us. Jesus is risen. Aleluiah, Alleluiah, Alle...lu...iah.

  When Mary Magdalene and other female disciples reported to the apostles that they had seen Jesus the resurrected, they did not believe in his resurrection. They had doubts and couldn't believe it. The following verses are about the resurrection of Jesus. Luke 24:2–8 (NJB): They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but on entering they could not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled about this, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. 5 Terrified, the women bowed their heads to the ground. But the two said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He is not here; he has risen. Luke 24:9–11 (NJB): And they returned from the tomb and told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. And the other women with them also told the apostles, 11 but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them. In the Gospel of John the apostle described about the encounter of Jesus with Mary Magdalene. Then she became the Apostle of the Apostles. John 20:11–18 (NJB): But Mary was standing outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, as she wept, she stooped to look inside, 12 and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. 13 They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’The angel;s told her that Jesus has risen. ‘16 Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She turned round then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’—which means Master. 17 Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ 18 So Mary of Magdala told the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and that he had said these things to her. 

  The poem below is based on Jesus' disciples' journey to Emmaus, as described in Luke 24:13-35. Here, Jesus clears the disciples' doubts about his resurrection by explaining all of the events and prophecies of the Prophets and the Psalms. After breaking the bread, they realized he was Jesus since he had given them the Eucharist on the table. After his resurrection, this is the first time he shared his Body and Blood since the Day of Passover (Maundy Thursday).

A Journey to Emmaus

Lord, while your disciples were walking to Emmaus, I was with them.

But I was not counted as your disciple.

Lord, we were talking about you on the way,

And you accompanied us in our journey.

 

You asked what we were talking about and our faces were downcast.

Unknowingly we said that 'you are the only one unaware about the happenings in Jerusalem.

About Jesus of Nazareth, who showed himself a prophet,

powerful in action and speech, before God and the whole people;'

 

Our chief priests and leaders sentenced him to death.

They crucified him mercilessly.

We hoped that he would be the one to set Israel free.

And this is not all: two whole days have now gone by, since it all happened;

 

Some women from our group astounded us:

They went to the tomb in the early morning,

They could not find the body and they came back to tell us;

That they had a vision of angels who declared he was alive.

 

Some of our friends went to the tomb.

They saw everything exactly as the women witnessed.

They could not see anything except the clothes which covered the body of Jesus.

This seemed unbelievable to us, we don't think he has been taken away or risen.

 

Jesus said, you foolish men, you are so slow to believe.

You don't understand what prophets have said about Jesus.

Wasn’t it inevitable for Christ to suffer before entering his glory?

I will walk you through the teachings of Moses and all the prophets.

Did Moses not tell you this: 'from among yourselves, from among your own brothers,

Yahweh your God will raise up a prophet like me; you will listen to him.

Again Lord said to Moses, what they have said is well said.

From their own brothers I shall raise up a prophet like yourself;

Contemplate the sufferings of Jesus, 'Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple’s tongue,

For me to know how to give a word of comfort to the weary.

Morning by morning he makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.

Lord Yahweh has opened my ears and I have not resisted,

I have not turned away and I have offered my back to those who struck me,

My cheeks to those who plucked my beard;

I have not turned my face away from insult and spitting.

Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is why insult has not touched me,

This is why I have set my face like flint and know that I shall not be put to shame.

He who grants me saving justice is near!

Who will bring a case against me?

Let us appear in court together! Who has a case against me?

Let him approach me! Look, Lord Yahweh is coming to my help!

Who dares condemn me?

Look at them, all falling apart like moth-eaten clothes!

Which of you fears Yahweh and listens to his servant’s voice?

Which of you walks in darkness and sees no light?

Let him trust in the name of Yahweh and lean on his God!"

 

Isaiah again prophesied about his passion and our salvation:

He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts;

He was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows,

Familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised,

For whom we had no regard.

 

Yet ours were the sufferings he was carrying

And struck with affliction by God;

whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions,

He was crushed because of our guilt;

The punishment reconciling us fell on him,

We have been healed by his bruises.

 

We had all gone astray like a flock of sheep, each taking its own way,

Yahweh brought the acts of rebellion of all of us to bear on him.

He was ill-treated and afflicted, he never opened his mouth,

Like a lamb led to the slaughter-house,

Like a sheep dumb before its shearers, he never opened his mouth.

Forcibly, after sentence, he was taken.

See men, Jesus will be risen as mentioned in book of Hosea, the second day he will give us life

The third day God will raise Jesus from the grave

This man, who was put into your power

By the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God,

You took and had crucified and killed by men outside the Law.

But God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades;

For it was impossible for him to be held in its power since,

David says of him: I kept the Lord before my sight always,

For with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.

So my heart rejoiced my tongue delighted; my body, too, will rest secure,

For you will not abandon me to Hades or allow your holy one to see corruption

Jesus is risen Aleluiah 

Continue in Part 2…………….

 

Mario(Mohny)Mathews

Community of Grace 

The Passion of Christ

 

Passion of Christ Part XVI

Maundy Thursday Reflection

‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 

   Three significant events took place on Maundy Thursday in the Catholic Church. Br Aby spoke explicitly about these Sacraments last night at a small group for evening Rosary and Passover reflection. That evening, in Jerusalem's Upper Room, Jesus performed the washing of the feet, instituted the Eucharist, instituted the Priesthood, and established the New Covenant. 

   This morning, in our community (Community of Grace) we all reenacted Jesus' washing of the feet on the Feast of Passover. It was a great event to wash feet and share the Passover food as one family in Christ Jesus. 

  John 13:4–8 (NJB): and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; 5 he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 ‘Never!’ said Peter. ‘You shall never wash my feet.’Jesus became the most humble servant by performing the most lowly service a servant can perform: washing his master's feet at his house, where he was assigned to serve. He gave this example to his disciples and to all of us as a reminder of how a leader or servant should treat others.

    Luke 22:19–20 (NJB): Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ 20 He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you. Jesus established the New Covenant by donating his own blood in the form of wine to the Apostles. We all attended the church celebration yesterday to receive the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ's Body and Blood. The Eucharist was instituted during the Passover Supper ceremonies. But Jesus is obviously mentioned here because He shared His Body and Blood with us in order to create or qualify us for His eternal presence in this world. Receiving Holy Communion makes us one flesh and blood with Him for eternity. How wonderful it is, as Centurion remarked, as we pray and recite in the Holy Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  St John Chrysostum says about the Holy Eucharist: ‘Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life.’

  Jesus knew who is going to betray him. Once it is happened everyone will know that he is ‘I am He’. This is same name God revealed to Moses met God first time.  Exodus 3:14 (NJB): God said to Moses, ‘I am he who is.’ And he said, ‘This is what you are to say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.”  The name God gave to Moses was ‘ I Am He who is’ John 13:18–20 (NJB): 8 I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: ‘He who shares my table takes advantage of me.19 I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. 20 In all truth I tell you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.’ Jesus knew who is going to betray and he quote the verses from Psalm. He said that what the scripture says to be filfilled. Psalm 41:9 (NJB): Even my trusted friend on whom I relied who shared my table, takes advantage of me. 

   Luke 22:21–23 (NJB): But look, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who is betraying me. 22 The Son of man is indeed on the path which was decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!’ 23 And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this. All of the apostles were unsure which one of them would betray Jesus. Jesus spoke about Judas' fate and accepted in his heart what would happen to him. 

   Luke 22:31–34 (NJB): Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.’ 33 ‘Lord,’ he answered, ‘I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.’ 34 Jesus replied, ‘I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.’ Jesus was aware that Peter would deny him. Jesus understood that we were all weak in his absence. Jesus urged Peter to strengthen the disciples' to them increase their faith. Peter demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice his life for Jesus. However, he turned down Jesus three times in front of a large crowd. Before being crucified, Christ prayed ardently for his beloved apostles and all of the disciples. 

   Luke 22:39–46 (NJB): He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. 40 When he reached the place he said to them, ‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed. 42 ‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ 43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. 46 And he said to them, ‘Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.’ Jesus was in great agony when he implored with God, "If You are willing, take this cup of suffering and death on the Cross away from me." But he never wants to go against God the Father, so he says, "Let His will be done." Here, you can meditate on Jesus' flawless obedience to the Father in Heaven. Jesus is instructing us to pray continually in order to avoid falling into sin against God. Jesus knew that temptations would be present in our lives, so he strengthened us. 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XV

“The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say”

  We could see how Jesus became everything to us. He kept nothing for himself, emptying himself to become a sacrifice for all humanity.Our Lord makes this sacrifice to demonstrate Heavenly Father's love for Israel, His own country, and the gentiles of the earth, who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  5Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. 7But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, 8he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. 9And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; 10so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus 11and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phili.2: 5-11(NJB) Even Jesus found equality with God, yet he never compromised it for the sake of all humanity's salvation, accepting death on the horrible cross. His rigorous act of humility removed the pride of wicked nature from all humanity and caused salivation in all nations on the planet. This way, through the Cross, Jesus will express and glorify his mission on earth by offering up his life on Calvary and defeating all evils on earth and in heaven. 

  Isaiah 42:1–4 (NJB): Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have sent my spirit upon him, he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 2 He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street; 3 he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 4 he will not grow faint, he will not be crushed until he has established fair judgement on earth, and the coasts and islands are waiting for his instruction. Isiah prophesies through the Spirit of God of Christ's passion, the hardships and persecutions he must endure before fulfilling the most Holy Sacrifice on earth. The faithfulness of Jesus in his unshakeable mission that Heavenly Father entrusted in Jesus Christ for His chosen people and to do for all nations 

  Judas attempted to betray Jesus in order to make a profit from it. He asked the chief priests what he would receive when he handed over Jesus to them. They gave him 30 Shekhels as payment for his treason.  Matthew 26:14–16 (NJB): Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, 16 and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. The prophecy of Prophet Zachariah was fulfilled when Judas took the thirty Shekhels from the chief priests to betray Jesus. Judas was trying to get Jesus to betray him and give him over to the chief priests. Zech. 11:12–13 (NJB): I then said to them, ‘If you see fit, give me my wages; if not, never mind.’ So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver. 13 Yahweh said to me, ‘Throw it to the smelter, this princely sum at which they have valued me!’ Taking the thirty shekels of silver, I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter. 

   Matthew 26:21–26 (NJB): And while they were eating he said, ‘In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.’ 22 They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not me, Lord, surely?’ 23 He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ 25 Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, ‘Not me, Rabbi, surely?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say it.’ Jesus knew who would betray him, but he continued to love Judas. The agony he faced on earth was betrayal and rejection from his loved ones, as well as his apostles and disciples. This indifference caused him immense anguish, despite his most humble and gentle nature. He loved everyone, including his adversaries, and he had forgiven everyone. Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart make our hearts like yours! 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XIV

Let us awake and prudent to meet our Lord in the watches of the night

   Even the disciples couldn't grasp the mystery of Jesus' death on the Cross and resurrection.  Peter started rebuking him. Jesus was telling them that he had to suffer and die on the crucifixion, and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Even St Peter was perplexed at first by the mystery of dying on the cross. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, the Father revealed to us that He is the Son of God and that we should believe in him. Jesus is encouraging us to meditate on the heavenly things and follow his commandments. We are to see things from a spiritual perspective rather than the way most people do. Jesus is very worried about us, and only he knows the depth of the salvation God has prepared for us. Mt 16:21-23 From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. 22 Then, taking him aside ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said, ‘this must not happen to you.’ 23 But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.’ The apostles and disciples accompanied him throughout his mission. First and foremost, He picked them to join him. Jesus is asking me and you how well we know him. Jesus mentioned his sacrifice multiple times in order for them to understand the mystery of salvation, as planned by the Heavenly Father. Before Jesus may fulfill his mission, he must first preach the Good News to the Israelites and all other nations.

  Being with Jesus is extremely vital. How Jesus will be with us always; we should be like those smart wedding attendants. The wedding attendants were very wise and stayed awake during the watches of the night, to greet the Divine Master. 1………….Where as the sensible ones, took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. 5The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 6But at midnight there was a cry, "Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him." 7Then all those wedding attendants woke up and trimmed their lamps, 11The other attendants arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us.” 12 But he replied, “In truth I tell you, I do not know you.” 13 So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour. Matt.25: 1-13 The brides were went along with the Master, Jesus Christ.  Before the passion and death Jesus gave this parable to the apostles and his desciples. The intelligent women kept the lamps burning by filling them with oil until Jesus welcomed them to the wedding feast. The five sensible virgins turned on the lamps and followed our Lord to be with Him. We don't know when Jesus will return for the final judgment, but we will all have to face it. 

  When we are depressed or have doubts about our faith, recall Jesus' death on the Cross and pray fervently by looking at the Crucifix. We can see that out faith is restored by Jesus. So let us create a place for the Lord in our hearts and pray that he would allow us to be with him when the Last Day he arrives.

The passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XIII

Christ died for us while we are still sinners.

  Jesus died for us sinners, giving us the inheritance of God's Kingdom. God makes no distinction in selecting and choosing the most favorable in His view.  ‘When we were still helpless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless. You could hardly find anyone ready to die even for someone upright; though it is just possible that, for a really good person, someone might undertake to die. So it is proof of god’s own love for us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. (Rom. 5: 6-8) He has demonstrated His never-ending unconditional love for us by offering Jesus' body as a live sacrifice to God. The Lord has showed us salvation through the measure of trust in Jesus Christ. We can't find someone who died for sinners or adversaries, but Jesus died for us despite our sins Romans 3:25–26 (NJB): God appointed him as a sacrifice for reconciliation, through faith, by the shedding of his blood, and so showed his justness; first for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held his hand; 26 and now again for the present age, to show how he is just and justifies everyone who has faith in Jesus. Jesus is seeking our unshakeable faith in him. He died so that we could reconcile with God. 

   Jesus died so that we could all be saved for eternity. Jesus transformed the disgrace of the Cross into a symbol of its exaltation by sacrificing his life on it. This way, Christ glorified the Father's love in our midst. 14 For the love of Christ overwhelms us when we consider that if one man died for all, then all have died; 15 his purpose in dying for all humanity was that those who live should live not any more for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life. 2Cor 5:14-15.

  In the Bible, Jesus, the Son of God, is repeatedly mentioned by the Heavenly Father. LK. 3: 21-22, 21 Now it happened that when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical form, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son; today have I fathered you.' Whether we were baptized as infants or as adults in the Church, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The Passion of Christ

 

Passion of Christ Part XII

Tear your hearts not your clothes 

   God relented because Moses pleaded to our Lord. In this lent season we should pray to our lord for forgiveness of our sins. Exodus 32:11–14 (NJB): Moses tried to pacify Yahweh his God. ‘Yahweh,’ he said, ‘why should your anger blaze at your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt by your great power and mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, “He brought them out with evil intention, to slaughter them in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth?” Give up your burning wrath; relent over this disaster intended for your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to whom you swore by your very self and made this promise: “I shall make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and this whole country of which I have spoken, I shall give to your descendants, and it will be their heritage for ever.” ’ 14 Yahweh then relented over the disaster which he had intended to inflict on his people. 

   We are so blessed that the Church has given us many seasons and many holidays of obligations to remind us, how to worship our Lord, how we obey His commandments, how we believe in Him and His Eternal presence in Eucharist. Moreover many saints are remembered in the Church Calendar of Feast days. The examinations of our conscience is very important and test ourselves whether we are in His presence or not. Genesis 17:1 (NJB): When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh appeared to him and said, ‘I am El Shaddai. Live in my presence, be perfect,  God asked Abraham to be in the presence of God. God relented when Jonah preached the Word of our Lord to the Ninevites. Jonah 3:4–10 (NJB): Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city and then proclaimed, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ 5 And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. 7 He then had it proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles, as follows: ‘No person or animal, herd or flock, may eat anything; they may not graze, they may not drink any water. 8 All must put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil ways and violent behaviour. 9 Who knows? Perhaps God will change his mind and relent and renounce his burning wrath, so that we shall not perish.’ 10 God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. God relented about the disaster which he had threatened to bring on them, and did not bring it. Why because the people of Nineveh repented and the king proclaimed and declared fasting for forty days along with the citizens of the country. 

  We should tear heart or should have or deep repentance to overcome our misdeeds and sins. Cry to our Lord to get forgiveness for our sins. He will pour on us  His mercy and grace to believe in Him. Joel 2:13 (NJB): Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come back to Yahweh your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and he relents about inflicting disaster.

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XI

Jesus was being wounded for our rebellions, crushed because of our guilt

 Jesus was born and raised in an extremely tough environment, and he was despised and rejected by everyone but saved loved by his own parents. They provided him with the strength to survive in today's environment. He was not an attractive person, but he was a perfect lamb. He was a man of sorrows because he understood he was the sacrificial lamb. Priests, Romans, Jews, and his own people all humiliated him to the utmost extent. He was well-known for bearing all of his suffering with grace and praying for his persecutors. Ours were the hardships and sins he bore in order to lead us to salvation.  Isaiah 53:2–5 (NJB): Like a sapling he grew up before him, like a root in arid ground. He had no form or charm to attract us, no beauty to win our hearts; 3 he was despised, the lowest of men, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering, one from whom, as it were, we averted our gaze, despised, for whom we had no regard. 4 Yet ours were the sufferings he was bearing, ours the sorrows he was carrying, while we thought of him as someone being punished and struck with affliction by God; 5 whereas he was being wounded for our rebellions, crushed. Only because of our guilt; the punishment reconciling us fell on him, and we have been healed by his bruises. We are not looking into Christ's eyes; we are all averting our attention. We all believed he was chastised and afflicted by God. He lacked charm. We were all saved by his punishment, and the suffering and pain on his body cured us. 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part X

‘A sword will pierce your soul too’ 

  The prophecy of Simeon, Luke 2:34–35 (NJB): 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your soul too—so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ I was just reflecting about Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary. How Mother Mary waited all these years to allow her son to be sacrificed. Simeon prophesied that the sword would pierce Mother Mary's heart. She was expecting this and spiritually preparing to accept Jesus' death on the Cross according to Heavenly Father's plan. 

  I went to Mount Malayatoor in 2010 for a personal retreat to be alone with Jesus Christ. While hiking the mountain in one day, during the meditation on the Way of the Cross. I paused near the 13th Station on this mountain. The lifeless body of Jesus lay on Mother Mary's lap, and I glanced at her face. I sensed she was quite relaxed since her Son had fulfilled His task, which Heavenly Father had endured for the sake of all humanity, namely the salvation of all humanity.

  After Jesus' death, Mother Mary was overjoyed when she accepted his dead corpse on her lap with the assistance of John and other female friends. Pieta, a stunning sculpture by Michelangelo, commemorates this incident. The torment of passion was ended according to Heavenly Fathers' plan; otherwise, Salvation and the Most Holy Sacrifice were completed, and she is now enjoying the heavenly happiness that she was experiencing with angels and saints by defeating Satan and his companions by shedding Jesus' own blood; not only her son, but also Heavenly Fathers' own Son. A few minutes before, in a human way, I was thinking about the sorrowful element of Christ's passion on the cross. The world was thinking differently, as they imagined how Christ would die on the Cross, maybe saving himself and avoiding the death penalty. Matthew 16:22 (NJB): Then, taking him aside,  Peter started to rebuke him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said, ‘this must not happen to you.’ Even Peter also does not understand the redemptive value of this Eternal Sacrifice at first sense the death of Jesus on the Cross. Matthew 16:23 (NJB): 23 But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.’ The passion and death of Jesus Christ have the greatest redemptive value for the past, present, and future of all living beings. It was the Heavenly Father's plan, which He determined after Adam and Eve committed sin. He was also happy with Abraham's offering of his own son as a living sacrifice, as he had asked for. Abraham gained God's heart, which strengthened God's desire to bring His only Son to the earth and offer him as a live sacrifice for our sins. 

   Mother Mary, who was uniquely chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of His only begotten Son, must endure all of Christ's passions and our Lord's redemptive plan as part of this redemption. She is a co-redemptorist in the mystery of salvation. She was aware of all of the Heavenly Father's mysteries and plans, and she carried the sorrow and suffering from the birth of Child Jesus until his death on the Cross. Let us fulfil Jesus Christ's mission, which he has explicitly given to all of us. 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part IX

If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. 

  John 12:5–8 (NJB): Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’  6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contents. 7 So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; let her keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’ Here, Judas Escariot complains about the ointment with which St Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus. He is questioning why spending so much money to show respect to Jesus when you might sell it and donate it to the poor. His purpose was not to give this money to the impoverished, but to keep a portion of it for personal use. Jesus foresaw his suffering and death on the Cross, therefore he told let her use it for his burial. What a wonderful devotion and love he showed this unfortunate person for her deed of love and respect.

  Is 50: 7-9, Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is why insult has not touched me, this is why I have set my face like flint and know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who grants me saving justice is near! Who will bring a case against me? Let us appear in court together! Who has a case against me? Let him approach me! 9 Look, Lord Yahweh is coming to my help! Who dares condemn me? Look at them, all falling apart like moth-eaten clothes! Jesus is requesting his Father for help, and he is confident that his Father would not abandon him. There was no evidence that he deserved punishment. Jesus is suggesting that everyone will break apart on their own due to their improper vices, unclean practices, and wicked ways. 

  Matthew 16:24–25 (NJB): If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. Jesus is calling us to follow him by carrying our own crosses, surrender ourselves, and abandon all the conveniences of our modern world. Even if we sacrifice our life for Christ, it is a blessing. You are aware that the 21 Egyptian martyrs killed in Libya by the Islamic State were all willing to accept the cross for the sake of Jesus. They never lose trust in Jesus our Lord. The persecutors asked them to abandon their Christian beliefs and convert to Islam. They accepted death for the sake of God and became martyrs. What a magnificent faith these victims possessed, which we can all experience in this twenty-first century. Their example of the martyrdom makes us to keep our enthusiasm for the faith in Jesus and sacrifice ourselves for his kingdom.