The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. The Gospel focuses on John the Baptist who had been teaching the people that it was not enough to have Abraham as father, which means, they are God’s chosen people. He confronted them with their daily life. One must be a tree that bears good fruits.
John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord in his first coming in history. He
proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His times might have
been like ours. He met a world which did not live up to God’s plan.
Prepare the way of the Lord Read More »
We start once again a new liturgical year, the season of Advent, remembering the great
events of our history of salvation. The four weeks of preparation for Christmas is an
invitation for us to live by hope because believers live with a promise.
The kingdom of God is not built on power. Jesus never pushed anybody inside. He is very accommodating and compassionate to the weak and little ones. Those who believe in their own power cannot push their way in; they first have to become like children.
The Kingdom of God is Not Built on Power Read More »
The Scribe had an honest and a friendly question to Jesus. He just wanted to know which
was the all-important commandment. And Jesus provided a simple and clear answer that
can serve as a reliable rule of life.
His Light Guides Us Read More »
The Scribe had an honest and a friendly question to Jesus. He just wanted to know which
was the all-important commandment. And Jesus provided a simple and clear answer that
can serve as a reliable rule of life.
Love for God Love for Neighbor Read More »
The gospel according to St Mark this weekend is the last miracle that Jesus
performed before entering Jerusalem. It is about Bartimaeus, a blind man, a man of
no significance. He cannot see Jesus. His blindness cripples his mobility. He can only
sit at the side of the road.
Power is exercised differently in a Christian community. One does not lord it over others, and authority is not used to twist arms. Rulers in Jesus’ time lived in luxury, taxed people and had the last word over people’s life. Power easily loses sight of its true objective. We claim we need it to serve others better, but in no time, we turn people into servants or enemies.
The man’s name in the Gospel is not mentioned. He can be any of us who meets Jesus on the road of life and who is struck by the beauty of his teaching and the leadership Jesus exudes. We all had had our moments of religious fervor when we wanted to be a priest or a religious or when we wanted to be a caring companion of the elderly, the sick, the lonely and the helpless. We felt good at such moments for we felt the intensity of the Lord’s presence and appeal.
I Have Kept all the Commandments Read More »
Jesus says that this was never part of God’s plan in the creation of Adam and Eve. The book of Genesis talks about a permanent bond, “What God has joined together, no human being must separate.” The sanctity of marriage goes back to the creation story.
What God Has Joined Together… Read More »
