How does one retain “Christian Hope” in the situations of repression? (Reflection on Luke 21: 12-19)

We hear Jesus mentioning about persecutions that His faithful followers would have to face in the Gospel today, taken from Luke 21: 12-19 (click here to read the Gospel text).  Here are my reflections in response to the mass readings today based on Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical - Spe Salvi. 

Pope Benedict gives us a few suggestions on how Christian Hope can be retained in situations of repression. He first suggests that we have to practice our hope through prayer. When no one listens to us anymore, when no one wants to talk to us, when no one wants to help us, God is there. We can talk to God, for He listens and helps us in all situations. For when we pray we are never alone. The God of hope listens and is with us. This will enable us to be witnesses of hope for when we are open to God, our hearts then are open to all people.

 

The Pope goes on further to say that all serious and upright human conduct is hope in action. This is the performative dimension of our faith. The trials and struggles that we encounter does not fail us on our journey of faith for it becomes a stepping stone, for our hope gives us the meaning and importance on why we must carry on in the actions to build the Kingdom of God.  The Pope says. “It is the great hope based upon God's promises that gives us courage and directs our action in good times and bad.”

I now conclude with the Pope’s 2012 Easter message, He says; “Christ is hope and comfort in a particular way for those Christian communities suffering most for their faith on account of discrimination and persecution, and He is present as a force of hope through His Church, which is close to all human situations of suffering and injustice.” Now this is indeed a great inspiration for all us to hope in God, in His church and in His people in situations of repression we face. (Click here to read my article on 'How does one promote the faith under conditions of 'no religious freedom'?'

By your perseverance you will secure your lives (Luke 21:19)

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

I would like to share Fr. James McTavish, FMVD reflection on today's Gospel reading. Click here for today's reading:-

The Gospel of the 33rd Sunday can sound like the end of the world is near. Don't worry. What is coming the next Sunday is the end of the liturgical year and the Solemnity of Christ the King. All the saints had their eyes fixed on Him. We are called to be vigilant, not resting on our laurels - "I am great, I serve in the parish" or "I went to this school, seminary or that recollection, formation 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago." No! Let us not stop running the race. Remember the Kingdom of Jesus does not belong to this world and that is why we pray for the intercession of the saints  to help us fix our eyes on the goal which is a life in Christ forever. But this eternal life, this everlasting friendship begins NOW! Don't wait until after death to cultivate this friendship with Jesus - it may be too late! Eternity starts here and now so let us run the race with determination.

Click here for the readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Click here in reference to the word 'race'.

Is religious education enough for our children to defend their faith??

The recent happening in Malaysia in regards to the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary (click here to read about it) on the window pane of a hospital not only brought excitement, fear and curiosity among the faithful but also criticism especially from unbelievers. Reading a comment from a young man who left the Catholic Church recently and went to a Pentecostal church brought me thinking what do we actually teach our children in their Catechism classes? What do our children take back from the faith education classes? I personally know this young man and to read his criticism on the Catholic faith I was indeed very sad. I was thinking what did he learn from his catechism faith? What happened to all those prayers and practices while he was a Catholic? Why is there so much anger and confusion on the church now? His criticism was basically what he learned (or supposed to be taught) at the catechism classes. He seems not to understand the meaning behind what the Catholics do, pray and profess. I guess there must have been a sort of ‘brain-washing’ or rather false teachings of the Catholic faith in his new church but how was he able to bend over to the other just like that?

I fear now. I fear for the future of our children and their faith. Frankly the weekly 1hour or so of religious education for our children is not enough. Parents have to help and do more in this area if they want their children to be ‘faith-filled’ human beings having the tools to face life challengers. The happenings in Europe where churches are getting empty and being close down should be a lesson for us in Asia. Currently the Asian family values seem to be eroding too. Our children need to defend their faith. Can they? 

 

Reflecting on this I am challenged. I am challenged to teach my faith to others. To teach in a way that the Catholic faith is not a mere ‘feel good’ religion but a religion with full of love and joy that comes with a full pledge commitment of each individual baptized Catholic to be a priest, prophet and king. I hope to explain to all especially the beginners of the faith the meaning behind what we do, pray and profess. I look forward to my ministry of preaching and teaching and living life of faith in Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. 

  

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess You have given me.
I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace;
with these I will be rich enough,
and will desire nothing more.

- St. Ignatius Loyola (Jesuit)- 16th century

How does one promote the faith under conditions of ‘no religious freedom’?

In line with the Year of Faith,  I was wondering on how does one promote the faith under conditions of 'no religious freedom'? Here are my answers after reflection:-

For one to promote the faith under conditions of ‘no religious freedom’, we can take cue from the Holy Scriptures especially from the example of the life of the first believers as we see in the book of the Acts of the Apostles chapter 2: 43-47:

“Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

1.    Living together in unity with fellow community can promote faith. This will awaken the curiosity of other people that would lead them to want to know how is such community living together and sharing everything in common thus the community of faith becomes an example to others.

2.     Another way that one can promote faith is to be of service to others especially those of not of the same faith. From experiences, we know that simple act of charity touches the hearts of many and these works of mercy speaks louder than words of doctrines.

3.    Praying for the oppressors and the government that is not open to religious freedom is a way of promoting faith. In this situation we can take the example of the recent Popes of our times who openly pray and ask for prayers for the situation in China, many people were touched by this gesture that the Pope cares not only for his flock but also those who persecute the Christians.

4.   One’s readiness and willingness to give one’s life for the sake of faith is also a way of promotion of faith. Their sacrifice and act of love for their faith will be a ‘witness’ which comes from the word martyrdom, would definitely touch many who have seen such a person of faith giving one’s life for God and in service to others.

5.    In times of persecution, one should also show joy and this is also one way of promoting faith. People want a religion of joy not sadness and difficulties because in life they are already going through hardships, so joy attracts others.

6.  Dialoguing with other people of faith helps to promote faith too because others will understand what the faith is all about especially if it is in a country or situation where they have never heard of such religion.

7.    Another way of promoting faith is to encourage the lay faithful who is capable to enter into the politics so as to eventually influence the government to promote and allow religious freedom.  

...a volcano within a lake within a volcano.

When I was told that I was going to the Philippines to continue to my studies, hiking up to a volcano was one of my aim. I am proud to say that I finally achieved that aim. Yesterday I successfully hiked Taal Volcano. It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines and part of the Pacific ring of fire. The volcano was designated a Decade Volcano, worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. Click here for info on Taal Volcano.

Here are the pictures:-