Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary

 

The Catholic Church teaches authoritatively that God preserved Mary from the stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. The implication of this teaching is that Mary is totally free from the stain of original sin and personal sins. Mary is absolutely stainless and sinless. The reason for this inestimable privilege of Mary is very simple. God decided to purify the vessel through which His Son will come to the world. God who is absolutely holy, whose nothing impure can endure in His presence, purified Mary in such a way that she could become worthy vessel for Jesus’ first coming. It is unthinkable that God who is all holy will allow His Son to be stained by original sin. It is because of the divine merit of our Lord Jesus Christ that our Lady was preserved from the stain of original sin. Mary did not receive the singular gift of Immaculate Conception by her own merit. She could not have earned this gift. The gift is generously gratuitous.

The doctrine of Immaculate Conception has puzzled non-Catholics. Some non-Catholics consider the doctrine as a grandiose theory- too good to be true. They accuse the Catholic Church of romanticizing and exaggerating the holiness and merit of Mary. They are also quick to remind us that all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:13). They will argue that it is only by the death of Jesus that humanity can be saved. How could Mary be free from the stain of original sin?

The Catholic Church is not exaggerating the holiness and privileges of Mary. On the contrary, the Catholic Church lacks the words to express the stupendous graces of Mary with limitations of human language. Who can really put into words the stupendous graces that Mary received? Human words are inadequate to satisfactorily express the profundity of holiness of our Lady.

It is true that all men and women have sinned and are in  need of reconciliation and justification brought about by Jesus. But Mary is an exception because her vocation is exceptional. We receive our salvation after the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus on the cross. But Mary received her salvation before the actual death of Jesus on the Cross. Mary is still saved by Jesus but her justification is unique because of her unique role in the work of salvation as the true mother of our Savior. We cannot blame God for dispersing His Graces the way He desires.

What God achieved in the life of Mary is also what he wants to achieve in our lives too. Graces of God are so effective in the life of Mary because she cooperated with God. She cooperated freely, actively, fully and whole-heartedly. She said her ‘fiat’ with conviction and joy. God will preserve us from stains of original sin with the sacrament of baptism and the horrors of personal sins if only we are willing to cooperate with Him. The graces of God will be active and effective in our lives if we say our ‘yes’ to God, not just with our lips but with our hearts.

PURGATORY AS A GIFT OF LAST RESORT

 

Purgatory can be considered as a gift of God. It is a gratuitous gift of God to those who might perish but are now being purified; those who might be lost but now being saved. Purgatory is a gift because God could have left only two possibilities- heaven or hell. But God offers purgatory as a gift of last resort, as a reprieve, as a cancellation of condemnation; as a sign of hope; as a pledge of salvation. So purgatory can be seen as a gift from merciful God.

Purgatory is an indubitable evidence of God’s infinite mercy and compassion. It is a proof of God’s unrelenting effort to save humanity. It is an assurance that God will stop at nothing to save us. The existence of purgatory is an incontrovertible sign of God’s desire for universal salvation- God who will leave no stone unturned, He will spare no effort to save us.

However, purgatory is a gift we may not desire, we may not require, we may not need- we should not need. Purgatory is the only gift of God that we may not need at all. Even God Himself will be delighted if we do not require this gift. “Be holy as I am Holy.” If we are holy as the Lord is holy, we may not need the gift of purgatory. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” If we are perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, we will not see the gate of purgatory. We pray for the grace never to make use of this gift!

A SHORT REFLECTION ON THE BIRTHDAY OF ST PIO

                        

The commemoration of birthday of St. Pio of this year 2020 occurred during a great upheaval of global pandemic. The lockdown imposed by the government prevented many of us to come together as sons and daughters of St. Pio to celebrate his birthday. Some Prayers Groups moved their celebration online to share their personal experiences during these challenging times. As sons and daughters of Padre Pio (as he is fondly called by his numerous devotees) what should be our altitude during this crisis of global pandemic?

In 1918, St. Pio celebrated his 31st birthday during an outbreak of pandemic known as Spanish flu (February 1918-April 1920). The Spanish flu killed around 50 million people. In Italy, the home country of Padre Pio more than 400,000 people died as a result of this pandemic according to some sources. On October 19 1918, facing the uncertainties that the pandemic brought, Fr Benedetto (the Spiritual Director of Padre Pio) wrote a letter to Padre Pio asking what was going to be the outcome of the pandemic. Fr Benedetto asked: “Tell me also where this scourge (Spanish flu) is going to lead us in the end. What does the future hold in store for us? I am terrified as I observe that justice is by no means appeased and the sky is growing darker and darker.”   Few days later, Padre Pio responded to the enquiry of his Spiritual Director. Padre Pio said: “the present scourge, in God’s plan, is primarily intended to draw men closer to the divinity. Its secondary and immediate purpose is to ward off the persecutions against God’s children which could follow for some of them as the just fruit of the present war.”

The response of Padre Pio to his Spiritual Director over a century ago is still refreshingly relevant in our own time even as we confront the travails of the Corona virus pandemic. God is using the unpleasant occasion of pandemic to draw us closer to his divine mercy. God is calling our attention to our sinful wretchedness and utter need for His unfathomable mercy. Drawing from the wisdom of our Patron Padre Pio, we can discern the call to conversion, renewal and intimate communion with Jesus. This is a time of introspection, soul-searching and self-evaluation in the light of Gospel’s call to conversion and personal holiness. We can safely assume that it is God’s plan that many men and women will find their way to Him during this terrible pandemic. 

Many of us are facing serious challenges during this lockdown; and even as the lockdown is gradually being lifted, we are faced with uncertainties. We have no idea how this present crisis will end or when it will end. These challenges can be a means of purification and renewal for us. We do not glorify suffering. But in the light of suffering and death of Jesus, suffering has new meaning and salvific significance. We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint (Rom 5:3-5). Padre Pio thoroughly understood the hidden treasure of suffering that he desired it all the more. Padre Pio would often say: “I suffer only when I have nothing to suffer.”

We can also offer all our challenges and difficulties to God in reparation for the sins of the whole world. Instead of complaining about the difficulties we may be facing, we can offer them to divine mercy as restitution for all the atrocities perpetrated by sinful humanity. We can surrender all our fears, worries and anxieties to God who makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). Needless to say that our primary task (as members of Padre Pio Prayer Group) during these challenging times is prayer. We continue to ask the good Lord through the intercession of St Pio to deliver the world from the threat of this pandemic and draw all humanity to Himself in contrition and conversion.

COME HOLY SPIRIT!

Come Holy Spirit and fill me with your wisdom to discern what is God’s plan for me. Open my eyes to see God’s image in every human being and God’s hand in every event of my life. Enlighten my mind to understand the ultimate purpose and meaning of my life. Arrest my ignorance that I may know what is true, good and right. Inspire me to make good decisions and choices. Motivate me to work for God’s glory.  Steady my steps in my turbulence and anxiety. Instill in me courage to confront the challenges of life. In my confusion show me the path I must follow.  Imbue me with strength to live in the present and confidence to welcome the future. Grant me fortitude to endure whatever may come. Fill my heart with boundless joy. Permeate my whole being with your abundant love!

CELEBRATING EASTER SEASON DURING A PANDEMIC

The celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the middle of ferocious pandemic of coronavirus is very surreal. The coronavirus pandemic is a global disaster of monumental proportions. Usually during Easter celebrations, Christians all over the world rush to their places of worship with hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving. In the churches, the Word of God is shared, prayers are offered, beautiful songs are rendered, and dance steps pound the floor. There is an atmosphere of joy, thanksgiving and gratitude. The Lord is risen! The grave cannot hold the Lord its prisoner no longer. Let Christians rejoice! We are the Easter people and Halleluia is our song!

But the Easter celebration of this year is eerily quiet. Many churches are closed; most people are in unforgiving lockdown. Some Christians follow their religious services online, the mood is sombre, songs are muted, dance steps are rare.  As if the risen Lord quietly left the gloomy grave unnoticed. The Lord is risen! But we do not hear any bang! Coronavirus is uppermost in people’s minds. History will not forget in hurry the muted, subdued Easter celebration of the year 2020 – a year of forlorn hope and shattered expectations. It appears we are in this crisis for a long haul.

The coronavirus pandemic compels us to rethink the drama of human suffering and misery in the light of the suffering/death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The pain of infection of the virus, the sheer helplessness of medical staff, the cold separation from  loved ones, lonely deaths, impossibility of  final goodbye, hurried (Sometimes undignified) burial, hunger, job loss, social and economic collapse , all these point to the mystery of human suffering understood only in the light of the suffering of Christ.

The present crisis brought the best out of some and the worst out of others. From the heroism of medical staff, diligence of scientific research community, courage of workers providing essential services, uncommon philanthropy of the rich, generous Christian charity of the poor, we can affirm that humanity’s high level of consciousness is amply demonstrated. Humanity can rise above any challenge with unity, cooperation and collaboration.

The pandemic has brought to the fore myriad of endemic problems. Increased rate of human trafficking, domestic violence, cybercrimes, fraud, misinformation, economic exploitation, racketeering, artificial inflation, armed robbery are telltale signs of depravity of human beings and broken society.

 Easter celebration during coronavirus pandemic may be what the world needs to revive again esprit de corps, deepen love of God and neighbor, accept sovereignty of God over sovereignty of self. Hopefully the pains of this pandemic will rid us of rapacious greed, malignant individualism, unbridled capitalism, and unregulated globalization. The lessons of this pandemic must never be lost.

THEY RECOGNISED THEM AS COMPANIONS OF CHRIST

Peter and John healed a cripple and boldly proclaimed the gospel to the amazement and edification of the people. The people recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Their miracle and virtues constituted incontrovertible evidence that they had been with Jesus. Some of the Pharisees and the elders must have seen Peter and John with Jesus; walking with Jesus; working with Jesus. The miracle and the virtues of these apostles became demonstrative proof that, indeed, they had been with Jesus; they were disciples of Jesus.

Christians baptized in the name of Christ; washed in the blood of the Lamb; enlightened by the Word of God; abundantly nourished by the Sacraments and strengthened by grace are recognizable as those who have been with Christ. By their choice of words, conduct, life style, virtues, works of mercy and charity, they are recognized as companions of Christ. Jesus says: by their fruits you will know them (Matt 7:20). Christians are clearly recognizable by the fruits of the Holy Spirits abundantly radiant in their lives. They are recognizable when they live up to their billings.

Perhaps one of the daunting challenges Christianity is facing today is that the world is unable to recognize Christians as those who have been with Christ. Some Christians are indistinguishable from the rest of the people. When Christians are not recognized because of lack of evidence of intimacy with Christ, they may be held in contempt. To be recognized as being with Christ, our light must shine for all to see. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven (Matt 5:16).

Before a Christian is recognized, he has to recognize Jesus in the Word of God, in the breaking of bread, in the poor and vulnerable and in the events of life. Andrew recognized Jesus under the tree, Zaccheus recognized Jesus on top of a tree, the two disciples recognized Jesus at the breaking of the bread, and Peter recognized the risen Lord at the sea of Tiberias. A Christian must recognize Jesus before he can be recognized as being with Jesus. To be recognized, a Christian must possess fundamental and irreducible core virtue of intimacy with Jesus in silent prayer.

YOUR HAND ON THE NECK OF YOUR ENEMIES

“Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.” (Gen 49:8) This was the prophesy of Jacob for one of his sons –Judah.  The expression of a hand on the neck of one’s enemies is a powerful imagery of conquest over enemies. When your hand is on the neck of your enemy, he is incapacitated. Deprived of strength, he is absolutely powerless. If your hand in on the neck of your enemy, you are in a very powerful position. You are in full control. You are victorious!

In the light of the New Testament, this powerful imagery is applicable to the victory of Jesus of over the devil and the evil ones. God’s hand is firmly on the neck of the devil. The devil is paralyzed and powerless. This explains the fright and dread of evil spirits at the mere sight of Jesus (Luke 4:34). Inspite of the apparent evils and undeniable demonic activities in our world, God is in full control. Divine victory over the evil ones is absolutely guaranteed.

By extension, the evocative imagery of one’s hand over the neck of the enemy also expresses our decisive victory over the three inveterate enemies of human beings- world, devil and flesh. In spite of the unrelenting temptations coming from these three enemies, our hand is on their necks if we are rooted and built up in Christ (Col 2:7). With God on our side, our victory is all but certain (Rom 8:31).

This graphic imagery of victory over enemy is not applicable to fellow human beings we may perceive as enemies. No matter how obnoxious our enemies might be or how horrendous their malicious activities, our Lord Jesus explicitly commands us to love our enemies and  do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27). Our hands should not be on the neck of our human enemies but spread in ardent prayer for their conversion and salvation.