July 15, 2018 Jesus Commissions the Twelve

The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time   - Year B

Reading I:  Amos 7: 12-15

Psalm:  85

Reading II:  Ephesians 1: 3-14

Gospel:  Mark 6: 7-13

In today’s Gospel, we observe Jesus sending forth the Twelve, two by two, to begin their ministries. I listened carefully to the advice given to them by Jesus. Basically,  He is asking them to rely on the providence of God and the hospitality of people. However, He also expects them to use common sense.

The Twelve are to take little with them. However, they are to wear sandals. In the semi-desert one needs to protect oneself against snakes, poisonous bugs, toads, etc. In other words, live simply, but still take care of yourselves so that you can continue your ministries.

Of course, there were no hotels and few inns, so they would need to depend on the generosity and hospitality of the local people. Some of the people would be welcoming and listen attentively to their preaching. However, some would reject them as they had rejected Jesus, Himself. If rejected, they were to move on to preach, to work miracles, and to heal the sick among those who would receive them.

The instructions Jesus gave to the Twelve he also gives to us. When we choose to live simply, we have more to share with the poor and fewer material things to distract us from what is really valuable. When we rely on Divine Providence, we are giving the beautiful gift of trust to the Lord.

One of the things that attracts us in babies and small children is their natural trust, provided that the trust has not been betrayed. As life experiences make it more difficult to trust, its value intensifies.  One must have very strong faith in the person to give him or her your trust. This is the touching part of the marriage vows. The bride and groom must make leaps of faith to promise commitment to one another, no matter what the future holds.

On the other hand, God who is all-perfect and all-powerful, deserves our trust since He does not have the limitations of humans. Nonetheless, He still wants us to consciously offer that precious gift to Him.

In recent years, Jesus’ desire became very evident when He gave special messages to St. Faustina. Jesus asked her to spread the devotion to Divine Mercy. 

He specifically pleaded that we trust in Him. Let us ask the grace to totally trust our loving and almighty Lord.

 Reflection Question:   Our Jewish brothers and sisters strengthen their trust in the Lord by the celebration of the Feast of Passover, his delivering them from slavery in Egypt.  How can you strengthen your trust?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Jesús Comisiona a los Doce

En el Evangelio de hoy, observamos a Jesús enviando a los Doce, de dos en dos, para comenzar sus ministerios. Escuché atentamente el consejo que Jesús les dio. Básicamente, les pide que confíen en la providencia de Dios y la hospitalidad de las personas. Sin embargo, también espera que usen el sentido común.

Los Doce deben tomar poco con ellos. Sin embargo, deben usar sandalias. En el semidesierto, uno tiene que protegerse contra serpientes, insectos venenosos, sapos, etc. En otras palabras, viva simplemente, pero aún cuídese para que pueda continuar con sus ministerios.

Por supuesto, no había hoteles y pocas posadas, por lo que tendrían que depender de la generosidad y la hospitalidad de la gente local. Algunas personas serían acogedoras y escucharían atentamente su predicación. Sin embargo, algunos los rechazarían ya que habían rechazado a Jesús, él mismo. Si eran rechazados, debían pasar a predicar, hacer milagros y sanar a los enfermos entre quienes los recibirían.

Las instrucciones que Jesús dio a los Doce también nos las da. Cuando elegimos vivir simplemente, tenemos más para compartir con los pobres y menos cosas materiales para distraernos de lo que es realmente valioso. Cuando confiamos en la Divina Providencia, le estamos dando el hermoso regalo de confianza al Señor.

Una de las cosas que nos atrae de bebés y niños pequeños es su confianza natural, siempre que la confianza no haya sido traicionada. A medida que las experiencias de la vida hacen que sea más difícil confiar, su valor se intensifica. Uno debe tener una fe muy fuerte en la persona para darle su confianza. Esta es la parte conmovedora de los votos matrimoniales. Los novios deben dar saltos de fe para prometer compromiso mutuo, sin importar lo que depare el futuro.

Por otro lado, Dios que es completamente perfecto y todopoderoso, merece nuestra confianza ya que no tiene las limitaciones de los humanos. No obstante, Él todavía quiere que le ofrezcamos conscientemente ese precioso regalo.

En los últimos años, el deseo de Jesús se hizo muy evidente cuando dio mensajes especiales a Santa Faustina. Jesús le pidió que difundiera la devoción a la Divina Misericordia.

En los últimos años, el deseo de Jesús se hizo muy evidente cuando dio mensajes especiales a Santa Faustina. Jesús le pidió que difundiera la devoción a la Divina Misericordia.

Específicamente declaró que confiamos en él. Pidamos la gracia para confiar totalmente en nuestro amoroso y todopoderoso Señor.

 Pregunta de reflexión:   Nuestros hermanos y hermanas judíos fortalecen su confianza en el Señor con la celebración de la Fiesta de la Pascua, su liberación de la esclavitud en Egipto. ¿Cómo puedes fortalecer tu confianza?

Divine Mercy Sunday - April 23, 2017

Divine Mercy Sunday:

To pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, you can view
larger by pasting the link below into your browser.

Second Sunday of Easter

Reading I:  Acts 2:42-47

Psalm:  118

Reading II: 1 PT 1:3-9

Gospel:  JN 20:19-31


As I think back upon my understanding of the word
“mercy”, in the recesses of my mind, I hear “more kind than justice would require.” It may come from an old Catechism lesson, but it expresses it well for me. Having recently reflected on the Passion of Jesus, we see the Lord in his infinite love and kindness offering Himself in atonement for our sins. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, sacrificed Himself for us.

In the chaplet that Jesus gave to St. Faustina, we pray for God’s mercy on us and on the whole world. Our world is certainly in need of that mercy at this time.

What the Lord asks of us in the “Our Father” is to pass on the mercy He has extended to us to our brothers and sisters in need of mercy. That is not always easy, but it is required.

I recall a story told to us when I was in the eighth grade. There was a family who said the rosary together each night. One night they noted that one of the boys said the other prayers, but was silent during the “Our Father.” When questioned, he said he was angry with his brother and didn’t want to forgive him. He was afraid to say “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” He still wanted God’s mercy for himself, however, he was unwilling to forgive his brother. The boy had to learn that, THAT was not an option.

A few nights ago, I heard a talk given by the late Bishop Fulton Sheen. In it, he described a situation in which he was asked to visit a man who was dying of cancer.  This man had much anger and had sent away many who had attempted to help him make peace with God before he died. In his inimitable way, Bishop Sheen described his experience. His first visit was for 3 seconds. Then the dying man told him, “Get out!” The Bishop returned again to sit in silence for 5 seconds, followed by the angry demand to “get out!” Bishop Sheen returned for 38 more attempts to reach the man. Even in his 40th visit, when the dying man was at the door of death, he screamed at the Bishop to “get out!” However, before he left, Bishop Sheen had told the man that all he had to do was to tell God he was sorry for his sins and ask for mercy.

Shortly after that visit,  the man died. Bishop Sheen was told that the man kept telling God he was sorry for his sins and asked for mercy.  “Mercy” — more kind than justice would require.

In today’s Gospel, we see again Jesus’ mercy in dealing with Thomas who refused to believe that He had appeared to the other apostles unless he had proof. Jesus bends over backward to help Thomas come to faith. He appears again and invites Thomas...“Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Finally, Thomas makes the profession of faith, “My Lord and my God.”

Let us not tire of extending mercy to our brothers and sisters. With the help of the Lord, we can develop the virtue of forbearance and mercy, aware that we too need mercy from the Lord, and one another.

To Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, copy this link into your browser:
https://centrefordivinemercy.org/pictures/2016/3/Chaplet%20graphic.jpg

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Domingo de la Divina Misericordia

Cuando pienso en mi comprensión de la palabra “Misericordia”, en los recovecos de mi mente, oigo “más amable de lo que la justicia requeriría”. Puede venir de una antigua lección de Catecismo, pero lo expresa bien para mí. Habiendo reflexionado recientemente sobre la Pasión de Jesús, vemos al Señor en su infinito amor y bondad ofreciéndose a sí mismo en expiación por nuestros pecados. Jesús, el cordero sin pecado de Dios, se sacrificó por nosotros.

En la corona que Jesús le dio a Santa Faustina, oramos por la misericordia de Dios sobre nosotros y sobre el mundo entero. Nuestro mundo necesita ciertamente esa misericordia en este momento.

Lo que el Señor pide de nosotros en el “Padre Nuestro” es transmitir la misericordia que nos ha extendido a nuestros hermanos y hermanas que necesitan misericordia. Eso no siempre es fácil, pero es necesario.

Recuerdo una historia que nos contaron cuando yo estaba en el octavo grado. Había una familia que decía el rosario juntos cada noche. Una noche ellos notaron que uno de los muchachos dijo las otras oraciones, pero estuvo en silencio durante el “Padre Nuestro”. Cuando se le preguntó, dijo que estaba enojado con su hermano y no quería perdonarlo. Tenía miedo de decir “perdona nuestras ofensas como nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden”. Él todavía quería la misericordia de Dios para sí mismo, sin embargo, no estaba dispuesto a perdonar a su hermano. El niño tuvo que aprender que, QUE no era una opción.

Hace unas noches escuché una charla dada por el difunto obispo Fulton Sheen. En él, describió una situación en la que se le pidió que visitara a un hombre que estaba muriendo de cáncer. Este hombre tenía mucha ira y había enviado a muchos que habían intentado ayudarlo a hacer la paz con Dios antes de morir. En su manera inimitable, el obispo Sheen describió su experiencia. Su primera visita fue de 3 segundos. Entonces el moribundo le dijo: “¡Fuera!— El obispo volvió a sentarse en silencio durante 5 segundos, seguido por la exigencia enojada de “salir!”. El obispo Sheen regresó por más 38 intentos de llegar al hombre. Incluso en su visita 40, cuando el moribundo estaba a la puerta de la muerte, gritó al obispo para “salir”. Sin embargo, antes de irse, el obispo Sheen le había dicho al hombre que todo lo que tenía que hacer era decirle a Dios Se arrepentía de sus pecados y pide misericordia.

Poco después de esa visita, el hombre murió. Se le dijo al obispo Sheen que el hombre seguía diciéndole a Dios que estaba arrepentido por sus pecados y pidió misericordia. “Misericordia” — más amable de lo que la justicia requeriría.

En el Evangelio de hoy, vemos nuevamente la misericordia de Jesús al tratar con Tomás quien se negó a creer que había aparecido a los otros apóstoles a menos que tuviera pruebas. Jesús se inclina hacia atrás para ayudar a Tomás a llegar a la fe. Él aparece de nuevo y invita a Tomás ... “Pon tu dedo aquí y ve mis manos, y trae tu mano y ponla en mi costado, y no seas incrédulo, sino creed.” Finalmente, Tomás hace la profesión de fe, “Mi Señor y mi Dios”.

No nos cansemos de extender misericordia a nuestros hermanos y hermanas. Con la ayuda del Señor, podemos desarrollar la virtud de paciencia y misericordia, conscientes de que también nosotros necesitamos la misericordia del Señor, y unos a otros.

Para Orar la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, copie este enlace en su navegador:
Https://centrefordivinemercy.org/pictures/2016/3/Chaplet%20graphic.jpg

June 19, 2016 - The Merciful Jesus

 

 The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

                                        

        Original Painting by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski 

               following Sr. Faustina's instructions

The picture above was painted by the gifted artist, Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. This artist was hired to paint the picture of  the merciful Jesus as was seen in a vision by St. Faustina. Jesus had commissioned her to disseminate the devotion to Divine Mercy.
In the painting, we can see rays representing the blood and water pouring forth from the heart of Jesus. This fountain of mercy's purifying us was foretold by the prophet Zechariah and recorded for us in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Periodically, the Lord must remind us of his total unconditional love. Since we, limited creatures, often show love with conditions, it is difficult for us to even conceive of the breadth and depth of our God's love. Centuries ago, Jesus reminded us of  the immense love of God when He appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, showing her his heart burning with love. That picture of Jesus with loving heart exposed has comforted many
generations.

Today, the Divine Mercy Picture gives us the same message. In a time when hatred is
so prevalent in our world, Jesus reassures us of his great love. He also gave to St. Faustina a beautiful chaplet to pray. It is a simple prayer and can be prayed on a
regular rosary: 

1. Make The Sign of the cross, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostle's Creed. 

2. Say on the Our Father bead at the beginning of each decade the following prayer: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your

dearly beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the ten small beads of each decade say the following prayer: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

4. End with the following prayer and the sign of the cross. 

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.           

          

In the Gospel of Luke 9:18-24, Jesus asks his disciples who they personally believed he is. Peter professes his belief that Jesus is "the Christ". Like a diamond or crystal, depending on the angle one views it, various colors shine forth. Each reflects a part of the whole. Pope Francis this year is asking us to focus on the Mercy of  God. His response to that question might be "You are the Merciful One." If Jesus were to ask you today who he is, what would be your response?

Perhaps, we could take some time to contemplate the Divine Mercy Painting and allow the fountain of mercy pour over us to cleanse and heal us. Let us give humble thanks for our awesome God and our priceless gift of faith.