EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

The Epiphany is the revelation of the glory of the Lord to the world. It is the unveiling of the glory, resplendence and magnificence of God.  Jesus is the radiance of the glory of the God ( Heb 1:3). It the revelation of God’s salvation for humanity. "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14).

Though the Lord has revealed his glory to the nations, only those who have faith will see it. “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2Cor 5:7). The Lord will manifest his glory to those who long to see Him; those who seek him with their hearts; those who are disposed to welcome him with joy.

The Epiphany of the Lord produced opposite reactions in different people in the Gospels (Cf. Matt 2:1-12). The three wise men rejoiced when they saw the glory of the Lord in the manger but King Herod was angry and saddened. While the wise men were making effort to see the glory of the Lord, Herod was making effort to diminish the glory of God. The Epiphany can be accepted with faith or rejected because of unbelief

The Lord wants to manifest his glory in our lives. But are we ready to receive Him? Are we ready to welcome Him? Human existence is full of contradictions. We want light yet we hide in darkness (Cf. Jn 3:19). We yearn for truth but peddle falsehood (Cf. Ps 101:7). We want unconditional love but surround ourselves with the thick walls of hatred and malice (Cf. 1 Jn 4:20). We want to behold the glory of God but we are afraid of its brilliance (Cf. Ex 19).

If we want to experience the manifestation of Epiphany, let us do what the wise men did. Let us embark on the journey of conversion and self-renunciation. Let us leave behind the old way of life and embrace a new horizon. Let us fix our gaze on the Word of God as the star that leads us to the King of glory. Then the glory of God will be manifested in our lives. We will reflect the glory of God. We shall rejoice exceedingly.

Most Holy Name of Jesus

There is something about the name of Jesus. It is the greatest name in heaven and on earth. The name of Jesus is above every other name (Cf. Phil 2:9). This sacred name is not just a combination of letters. It is certainly more than just an audible sound. The name of Jesus connotes the person, identity and being of the second Person of the Trinity.

My name connotes my being, my person and my identity. My name is me! My name is what I am, what I have and what I stand for. If you insult my name, you insult me. In the same way, the name of Jesus connotes his being, person and identity.

About this holy name the scripture says “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). This name deserves our utmost respect and reverence. “At the name of Jesus every kneel must bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10).

The name of Jesus is so powerful, so portent. The name is prayer, power and possibilities. Miracles have been wrought, wars have been won, sicknesses have been cured, darkness has been dispelled and evil spirits expelled at the name of Jesus. There is certainly something about the name of Jesus.

In the name of Jesus we receive healing and protection from bodily harm. “In my name they shall take up serpents and if they shall drink poison, it shall not hurt them (Mk 16:17-18). This name gives us consolation in times of spiritual trials. It protects us from the assaults of the evil ones. It obtains for us anything and everything we ask from the Father. “If you ask the Father anything in my name He will give you” (Jn 16:23).

When we find ourselves in times of trials, temptations and distress, let us never hesitate to call on the name of Jesus. Let us invoke this name with faith and reverence, and the Lord will come to our aid. He will rescue us and assist us.

THE PLENITUDE OF GOD'S GRACE

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Rom 5:20). The word of God assures all who are harrassed by sin, embarrassed by shameful secrets, battered by temptations and overwhelmed by sense of guilt that the grace of God is superabundant. The grace of God surpasses human fraity and it is sufficient ( Cf. 2Cor 12:9).

Sometimes we wonder why it seems impossible to overcome certain sins? We ask whether it is possible to overcome some stubborn sins? We may even give up the struggles against sins. We may passively accept slavery to sin and tyranny of the flesh.

The bible reassures us that grace exists; that grace is real; that grace is bounteous and that grace is very effective.  We can avoid the presumption that sin is greater than God's grace.

However, we need to remind ourselves that grace cannot replace our will and freedom.  We still have to cooperate with the grace of God. We have to say 'yes' to grace and 'no' to sin.  We need to be open, to be receptive to the grace of God.

The grace of God cannot compel us to abandon sin. Grace will not force us stop sinning.  Grace will only nudge us gently to do good and avoid evil.  We don't need special 'grace' of make good use of God's grace. All we have to do is to choose grace and shun sin.

We urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain  (2Cor6:1). The superabundant  grace of God must never be in vain.  It must bear fruits in holiness, friuts that will last to eternal life.

PRAYER TO THE THREE ARCHANGELS

Heavenly King,You have given us archangels
to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.
Saint Michael is our protector;
I ask him to come to my aid,
fight for all my loved ones,
and protect us from danger.

Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News;
I ask him to help me
clearly hear Your voice
and to teach me the truth.

Saint Raphael is the healing angel;
I ask him to take my need for healing
and that of everyone I know,
lift it up to Your throne of grace
and deliver back to us the gift of recovery.
Help us, O Lord,
to realize more fully the reality of the archangels
and their desire to serve us.

Holy angels,
pray for us.

Amen.




Source: Catholic Doors Ministry

Stumbling on the Same Stone Twice

The disciples of Jesus attempted to cure an epileptic (Matt 17:14-20). But they did not succeed. The failed terribly.  Before this episode, they had already cured many people cured many people, sent away many demons, and performed many miracles. But on this particular occasion, they failed.  They were a little bit disturbed and befuddled.

The disciples did something admirable, something worth emulating- they inquired about the cause of their failure. They had a strong desire to know the cause of their failure. Why did we fail? What went wrong? Why could we not cast it out?

The disciples were keenly aware of the fact that knowledge of the cause of their failure is vital to prevent the occurrence of the same failure. Cicero says to stumble on the same stone twice is a proverbial disgrace. The disciples did not want to stumble on the same stone twice. Hence, they approached Jesus to know the cause of their failure.

We observe that the disciple of Jesus asked for his help as soon as they got the chance. There was no room for delay, for dragging their feet, for procrastination. They also approached Jesus despite their embarrassment and shame. Embarrassment and shame did not prevent them from gaining vital information that may preserve them from future errors.

There are many  feckless people who stumble on the same stone twice- those who make the same mistakes over and over again and  who do not make effort to know the cause of their failure. Some people look for otiose excuses for their frequent failure. They constantly blame everybody and everything for their mistakes except themselves. Those who will not make effort to know the  cause of their failure.

Our universe is regulated by the principle of cause and effect. There is no effect without a cause. It is useless to complain and lament about the effect without making effort to know the cause of the effect. Our failures, setbacks and challenges in life have their causes. We need to make conscientious efforts to discover the true cause of our failure and strive to avoid the cause or overcome it.

Without the knowledge of the cause of our failure, we will stumble on the same stone twice. Progress will be far away from us, positive change will elude us, and success will leave us behind. Knowledge is the solution. Knowledge is the salvation.

The Attitude of Beatitude

The beatitudes are familiar verses in the bible. They form the broad principles of Christian life.  They are revolutionary in their stance; far reaching in their scope; penetrating in their depth and sublime in meaning. The beatitudes challenge us to identify who we are and prioritise what we value.

In the  beatitudes, Jesus attempts to give us a portrait of a true Christian life.  He teaches us  the attitude we need to acquire to be happy and fulfilled in life.  Jesus indicates the clear path that leads to salvation.

We need to note carefully that the blessedness of the beatitudes is from God's perspective and not from perspective of the world.  The Christian who practices the virtues of the beatitudes is blessed even if the external circumstances of his life do not suggest that he is happy.

The poor, the meek and those who mourn can hardly be considered happy by the world .  Yet Jesus declares them happy.  The beatitudes give exactly what they promise-happiness, joy and salvation. Our happiness in life will depend on the extent we acquire the attitude of beatitudes.

How Do You Want To Be Remembered?

There is a desire in the heart of every human being to be remembered after death.  As one grows older, this desire grows stronger.  As we approach the twilight of life, we are concerned about how we want to be remembered.

The Gospel remembers one of the disciples of Jesus as "the disciple whom Jesus loved. "(Jn 21:20)  What a beautiful way to be remembered! Tradition believes this disciple is John.  Of course, Jesus loved all the disciples.  But it appears Jesus had a special love for John.  It is also undeniably true that John loved Jesus. John's love, affection and loyalty to Jesus was unmistaken. He is remembered as the closest friend and disciple of Jesus.

Sadly another disciple is also remembered in the bible for all the wrong reasons.  Judas is remembered in the bible as "the one who would betray Jesus."(Matt 26:25).  The legacy of Judas is greed, betrayal and tragedy.

The way we live now will determine how we will be remembered.  The choices we are making or not making will determine our legacy.  What we do or refuse to do will go a long way to shape how history will remember us.

History will be gracious to us if we assist people and make this world a better place.  We will continue to live on in the hearts and memory of the people we have helped.  Those who lived selfless life will never be forgotten.  They will live forever in the memory of their loved ones and admirers.