“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.” - Isaiah 58:6-7
Fasting is commonly understood as a means of personal holiness: a way of expiating sin, of purifying one’s spirit, of offering something up to God. However, fasting is integrally related to the almsgiving of the Gospel – the practice of compassion and justice. Through fasting, we are challenged to a greater simplicity of life, to “live simply so that others may simple live” (Gandhi). Does our Lenten commitment involve a deeper reaching out to our sisters and brothers who are marginalized and forgotten? Do we adopt a simpler lifestyle, or sharing of time and resources that raise awareness concerning the plight of those less privileged in society, or deepen solidarity with God’s poor?
God in Jesus whom we seek to know, love, and serve was born poor, lived a poor life, identified with the poor, and died poor. Our love for God is diminished if there is less room for the poor in our hearts. Moreover, the poor are not just those with material needs. The poor includes those who are outside our circle of compassion, those we find difficulty accepting. In reaching out to such sisters and brothers, we open ourselves to meeting and loving our God who stands with those who are poor. This is not an easy message; yet do we genuinely long to encounter and love the God of Jesus?
“O Lord, help us reach out in gratitude to you in those whom society rejects, abandons, or despises … in those we cannot yet accept.”
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday after Ash Wednesday: God Never Gives Up Loving Us
“Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom … Choose life!” - Deut 30:15
We often confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God loves us without conditions but does not approve of every human behavior. God doesn’t approve of betrayal, abuse, violence, hatred, suspicion, and all other expressions of evil, because they all contradict the love God instill in the human heart. Evil is the absence of God’s love. Evil does not belong to God.
God’s unconditional love means that God continues to love us even when we say or think evil things. The injunction to “choose life” is not a condition of God’s love for us. Rather, it describes the path to happiness and fulfillment. God continues to wait for us as a loving parent waits for the return of a lost child. Whereas our sins may keep us from God; but they can never keep God from us.
Not only does God never gives up loving us, but God chooses to create us anew every moment with each breath we take and each beating of our own hearts which continue to give life. God chooses us as we are, regardless of our response. The challenge to “choose life” is grounded in the truth that God has already chosen us, over and over again .. persistently ... patiently ...
“O God, when we are most tempted to give up on ourselves, help us to remember that you never give up on us.”
adapted from Henri Nouwen
We often confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God loves us without conditions but does not approve of every human behavior. God doesn’t approve of betrayal, abuse, violence, hatred, suspicion, and all other expressions of evil, because they all contradict the love God instill in the human heart. Evil is the absence of God’s love. Evil does not belong to God.
God’s unconditional love means that God continues to love us even when we say or think evil things. The injunction to “choose life” is not a condition of God’s love for us. Rather, it describes the path to happiness and fulfillment. God continues to wait for us as a loving parent waits for the return of a lost child. Whereas our sins may keep us from God; but they can never keep God from us.
Not only does God never gives up loving us, but God chooses to create us anew every moment with each breath we take and each beating of our own hearts which continue to give life. God chooses us as we are, regardless of our response. The challenge to “choose life” is grounded in the truth that God has already chosen us, over and over again .. persistently ... patiently ...
“O God, when we are most tempted to give up on ourselves, help us to remember that you never give up on us.”
adapted from Henri Nouwen
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ash Wednesday: God Longs for Us to Embrace Love
Dear Friends,
As in the past years, I am posting a reflection every day during Lent.
These reflections on the Scriptures of the day are meant to be a help for a daily 5-10 minute reflection or prayer. Some of these reflections are adapted from Henri Nouwen; others will be written by someone else or by me. If you feel moved to write one or two, please let me know.
A suggestion for daily prayer:
1. Relax. Take 5 deep breaths. Become aware of God’s presence
2. Ask for the grace to listen
3. Read the reflection slowly and pay attention to what stirs within you
4, Speak and listen to God about what is happening within
5. Rest in God who rests in you. Express gratitude when you finish.
“Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Cor 6:2
"Return to me with your whole heart.” – Joel 2:12
The more deeply we love, the more we long to be with those we love. God is similar, except infinitely more so. God’s love for us does not depend on our looks, intelligence, performance, success, popularity, or faithfulness. God does not love us more if we make good choices, get better, or even come back to God. Yet, the more we embrace ourselves as loved unconditionally, the more we will grow, get better, become transformed.
God invites us through the Lenten journey to make greater space in our hearts and lives so that the unconditional love of God that is already offered can take greater root in our lives. The disciplines of fasting (from what does not give live or promote justice), almsgiving (sharing our time, care, and resources), and prayer (attentiveness to God) are about setting some time and space apart so that we can come to realize more deeply God’s longing for us and to discover greater God’s dream for our lives. We are invited to enter the desert of our inner landscape to acknowledge any area of unfreedom and resistance and allow God’s unconditional love to transform us, so we may become more fully our best selves.
Lent is this acceptable time … God who longs to come closer … for us to make room, embracing ourselves as loved beyond our wildest imaginings …
How will you respond to this longing of God?
As in the past years, I am posting a reflection every day during Lent.
These reflections on the Scriptures of the day are meant to be a help for a daily 5-10 minute reflection or prayer. Some of these reflections are adapted from Henri Nouwen; others will be written by someone else or by me. If you feel moved to write one or two, please let me know.
A suggestion for daily prayer:
1. Relax. Take 5 deep breaths. Become aware of God’s presence
2. Ask for the grace to listen
3. Read the reflection slowly and pay attention to what stirs within you
4, Speak and listen to God about what is happening within
5. Rest in God who rests in you. Express gratitude when you finish.
“Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Cor 6:2
"Return to me with your whole heart.” – Joel 2:12
The more deeply we love, the more we long to be with those we love. God is similar, except infinitely more so. God’s love for us does not depend on our looks, intelligence, performance, success, popularity, or faithfulness. God does not love us more if we make good choices, get better, or even come back to God. Yet, the more we embrace ourselves as loved unconditionally, the more we will grow, get better, become transformed.
God invites us through the Lenten journey to make greater space in our hearts and lives so that the unconditional love of God that is already offered can take greater root in our lives. The disciplines of fasting (from what does not give live or promote justice), almsgiving (sharing our time, care, and resources), and prayer (attentiveness to God) are about setting some time and space apart so that we can come to realize more deeply God’s longing for us and to discover greater God’s dream for our lives. We are invited to enter the desert of our inner landscape to acknowledge any area of unfreedom and resistance and allow God’s unconditional love to transform us, so we may become more fully our best selves.
Lent is this acceptable time … God who longs to come closer … for us to make room, embracing ourselves as loved beyond our wildest imaginings …
How will you respond to this longing of God?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
“And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
’This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Mt 3:13-17)
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. We learn of the voice from heaven with the proclamation, and similar messages actually appear in many occasions in the Gospel. “You are my beloved. On you my favor rests.” We may wonder, Is it possible for us to hear the same “mysterious” voice addressing us as “beloved”? Wouldn’t that be nice?
The answer is a resounding yes. Henri Nouwen put it best when he explained, “that the voice from heaven was not speaking just to Jesus or about Jesus. The voice is also speaking to us and about us. We, too, have been anointed as the beloved sons and daughters of God.”
How blissful, that we, like Christ, are God’s beloved children. In us, God is well pleased. Clearly, this is the highest form of blessing we humans may receive.
Maybe we were too little when we got baptized as a baby, so we weren’t aware of that voice. Or, in my case, I probably have been so “deaf” for a long time - I didn’t know how to open my ears to hear any holy voice or to receive any signals from God!
Thanks to the Grace of God, lately, in my prayer and meditation, I came to experience that incredible loving message! I'm grateful for the popular spiritual teaching, “It is only in silence that God's voice can be heard.” Mother Teresa elaborated, “God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, grass, grow in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” So simple and simplistic, and so true! Only when I set aside a time and a place to be with God and for God, in silence, I truly feel that God reaches down to speak to me in sweet, soft, intimate, caring, healing and forgiving tone; with no fanfare, God’s voice just enters my soul, my heart and my mind, in a very quiet and peaceful way!
May we learn to embrace silence and solitude, so that we can listen to God’s incredible voice of Love. May we experience the blessing and the presence of our God Immanuel – God-is-with-us… May we always be grateful for our enormous gift that we’re anointed as God’s beloved children.
anonymous
’This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Mt 3:13-17)
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. We learn of the voice from heaven with the proclamation, and similar messages actually appear in many occasions in the Gospel. “You are my beloved. On you my favor rests.” We may wonder, Is it possible for us to hear the same “mysterious” voice addressing us as “beloved”? Wouldn’t that be nice?
The answer is a resounding yes. Henri Nouwen put it best when he explained, “that the voice from heaven was not speaking just to Jesus or about Jesus. The voice is also speaking to us and about us. We, too, have been anointed as the beloved sons and daughters of God.”
How blissful, that we, like Christ, are God’s beloved children. In us, God is well pleased. Clearly, this is the highest form of blessing we humans may receive.
Maybe we were too little when we got baptized as a baby, so we weren’t aware of that voice. Or, in my case, I probably have been so “deaf” for a long time - I didn’t know how to open my ears to hear any holy voice or to receive any signals from God!
Thanks to the Grace of God, lately, in my prayer and meditation, I came to experience that incredible loving message! I'm grateful for the popular spiritual teaching, “It is only in silence that God's voice can be heard.” Mother Teresa elaborated, “God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, grass, grow in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.” So simple and simplistic, and so true! Only when I set aside a time and a place to be with God and for God, in silence, I truly feel that God reaches down to speak to me in sweet, soft, intimate, caring, healing and forgiving tone; with no fanfare, God’s voice just enters my soul, my heart and my mind, in a very quiet and peaceful way!
May we learn to embrace silence and solitude, so that we can listen to God’s incredible voice of Love. May we experience the blessing and the presence of our God Immanuel – God-is-with-us… May we always be grateful for our enormous gift that we’re anointed as God’s beloved children.
anonymous
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Saturday after Epiphany
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jn 3:30
In prayer, I would often find myself focusing on my own wants in this life which would only distract me from what God wants for me as my true self. John expressed an abundant sense of humility by acknowledging God’s plan for him and God’s presence in his work. John knew exactly what God has called on him to do in his lifetime.
Defining our own purpose in life is a challenge we all endure but the most difficult part of this process is being able to hear and follow God’s lead on what is our purpose. When praying, I’ve found the noise of my self centered dialogue with God distracts me from being able to listen to Him. True humility isn’t just an act of modesty; it is a complete acceptance of God’s word, the truth and allowing His truth to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, ultimately forming our purpose. In carrying out God’s purpose, we will be filled with a climate of joy, just like John.
There are so many things in life, big and small, that preoccupy us but by keeping God at the center, we allow Him to take care of us and to bring us closer to being our true self. Our true self will do all things for the greater glory of God … God will increase and we will decrease.
Do outside influences determine how we should live our life or do we rely on God?
Lord, may Your love sustain us so we can discover and joyfully carry out the purpose you have laid out for us.
reflected by Greg Lontok
In prayer, I would often find myself focusing on my own wants in this life which would only distract me from what God wants for me as my true self. John expressed an abundant sense of humility by acknowledging God’s plan for him and God’s presence in his work. John knew exactly what God has called on him to do in his lifetime.
Defining our own purpose in life is a challenge we all endure but the most difficult part of this process is being able to hear and follow God’s lead on what is our purpose. When praying, I’ve found the noise of my self centered dialogue with God distracts me from being able to listen to Him. True humility isn’t just an act of modesty; it is a complete acceptance of God’s word, the truth and allowing His truth to guide our thoughts, words, and actions, ultimately forming our purpose. In carrying out God’s purpose, we will be filled with a climate of joy, just like John.
There are so many things in life, big and small, that preoccupy us but by keeping God at the center, we allow Him to take care of us and to bring us closer to being our true self. Our true self will do all things for the greater glory of God … God will increase and we will decrease.
Do outside influences determine how we should live our life or do we rely on God?
Lord, may Your love sustain us so we can discover and joyfully carry out the purpose you have laid out for us.
reflected by Greg Lontok
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday after Epiphany
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”. Lk4, 18-19
Christmas and New Year celebrations are ending. Many people are getting back to work. As the spirit of the birth of the Messiah fades away to be replaced with the daily routine, this passage that Jesus read gives a wonderful reminder for people like me about the true mission of our Lord Jesus, mission that he lives fully to the end during his stay with us.
As I am asked to follow our Lord’s steps, I am invited to reflect on my own mission in the world. What is my personal mission statement? As I look around me, I see that every business companies and communities have their own mission statement. And they try to follow it as close as possible. I really believe that each of us somehow incarnates the Word of God and that each of us reflects uniquely one aspect of God.
What is the biblical passage, the Word of God that defines me and drives me?
Dear Father! You know me more than anybody because you created me! So tell me, Father, what is Your Word that you invite me to be the incarnation for? I am so overjoyed to understand how unique I am to you Father! Because of the way you create me and the time, the place and the experiences I live, I am expressing uniquely your Word to the world!
Let your Spirit be upon me so you can reveal me my mission in the world as you did for your Son, Jesus.
reflected by Michel Nam Phan Huy
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord”. Lk4, 18-19
Christmas and New Year celebrations are ending. Many people are getting back to work. As the spirit of the birth of the Messiah fades away to be replaced with the daily routine, this passage that Jesus read gives a wonderful reminder for people like me about the true mission of our Lord Jesus, mission that he lives fully to the end during his stay with us.
As I am asked to follow our Lord’s steps, I am invited to reflect on my own mission in the world. What is my personal mission statement? As I look around me, I see that every business companies and communities have their own mission statement. And they try to follow it as close as possible. I really believe that each of us somehow incarnates the Word of God and that each of us reflects uniquely one aspect of God.
What is the biblical passage, the Word of God that defines me and drives me?
Dear Father! You know me more than anybody because you created me! So tell me, Father, what is Your Word that you invite me to be the incarnation for? I am so overjoyed to understand how unique I am to you Father! Because of the way you create me and the time, the place and the experiences I live, I am expressing uniquely your Word to the world!
Let your Spirit be upon me so you can reveal me my mission in the world as you did for your Son, Jesus.
reflected by Michel Nam Phan Huy
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Feast of Saint John Neuman
“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him [or her]. In this is love brought to perfection among us” (1 Jn:16-17)
Like many people, I am afraid of many things and events that are unknown to me. Some of these examples are: 1.) When am I ever going to get a stable, full-time job? 2.) When will I find the right person to love? 3.) When will I save enough money to buy a new car or a house? Since I am sensitive, I tend to be afraid of being hurt and hurting other people. I am also afraid of seeing my sins and admitting my wrongs because I feel terrible or humiliated after being aware of the not-so-wise things that I do. I judge myself often because I expect a lot of things out of myself, but at the same time, I am afraid of being judged. A lot of the time, I am not just afraid of the future, but I am also afraid of letting go of certain good or bad memories of the past. In short, some of the events or things that I feel scared of are not tangible and are not in my control!
I noticed that some of the times that I was fearful, I tend to be afraid of revealing myself to people because I make the wrong assumptions of them due to my mistrust of myself or them. Other times, I let my fearful moments and feelings take control of me and I feel angry, mad, worry, and sad towards events or things that I could not control. However, it is through these experiences of being frightened of certain feelings, things, or events that happened or never happen that I find God’s Spirit important and necessary in my life. It is in the times of fearing of not knowing how to forgive my sins because I feel humiliated that I learn to surrender to God and allow His Love and Spirit to dwell in my poor, negative, and fearful spirits. I learn to allow God’s positive spirits to dissolve in my negative spirits of self and others, so that I may be free.
Today’s readings remind me to let go of my fears and to trust in our Lord’s love. As John mentioned in the first reading: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him [or her]. In this is love brought to perfection among us” (1 Jn:16-17), you and I are not perfect and probably will never be, nor were any of Jesus’ disciples perfect. But because our Lord loved the disciples and loves us, He reveals His love to us all so that we are made to perfection. We are perfect in the Lord because He loves us and we are perfect as His beloveds. When I find myself perfect in God’s eyes (because I am loved), I tend to be able to let go of negative, fearful, hurtful feelings easily. I find myself more compassionate towards others and myself because I believe that God loves others and me equally and unconditionally. It is very challenging to remain in perfection (or love) most of the time, so I ask our Lord often to help me to see and feel His love for me so that I may forgive myself or others easily. Are you willing to make the effort to remain in our Lord’s love so as to let go of your fears and learn to forgive in Him?
Loving God, most of the fearful feelings I have come mostly within me due to my lack of trust in You, others, or myself. Teach me to remain in Your love and grant me the graces to let go of my fearful feelings in order to embrace You, others, or myself with love. Teach me to trust in You and be patient for your help instead of being fearful at any uncertain/unknown moments!
Reflected by One of the Beloveds of God
Like many people, I am afraid of many things and events that are unknown to me. Some of these examples are: 1.) When am I ever going to get a stable, full-time job? 2.) When will I find the right person to love? 3.) When will I save enough money to buy a new car or a house? Since I am sensitive, I tend to be afraid of being hurt and hurting other people. I am also afraid of seeing my sins and admitting my wrongs because I feel terrible or humiliated after being aware of the not-so-wise things that I do. I judge myself often because I expect a lot of things out of myself, but at the same time, I am afraid of being judged. A lot of the time, I am not just afraid of the future, but I am also afraid of letting go of certain good or bad memories of the past. In short, some of the events or things that I feel scared of are not tangible and are not in my control!
I noticed that some of the times that I was fearful, I tend to be afraid of revealing myself to people because I make the wrong assumptions of them due to my mistrust of myself or them. Other times, I let my fearful moments and feelings take control of me and I feel angry, mad, worry, and sad towards events or things that I could not control. However, it is through these experiences of being frightened of certain feelings, things, or events that happened or never happen that I find God’s Spirit important and necessary in my life. It is in the times of fearing of not knowing how to forgive my sins because I feel humiliated that I learn to surrender to God and allow His Love and Spirit to dwell in my poor, negative, and fearful spirits. I learn to allow God’s positive spirits to dissolve in my negative spirits of self and others, so that I may be free.
Today’s readings remind me to let go of my fears and to trust in our Lord’s love. As John mentioned in the first reading: “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him [or her]. In this is love brought to perfection among us” (1 Jn:16-17), you and I are not perfect and probably will never be, nor were any of Jesus’ disciples perfect. But because our Lord loved the disciples and loves us, He reveals His love to us all so that we are made to perfection. We are perfect in the Lord because He loves us and we are perfect as His beloveds. When I find myself perfect in God’s eyes (because I am loved), I tend to be able to let go of negative, fearful, hurtful feelings easily. I find myself more compassionate towards others and myself because I believe that God loves others and me equally and unconditionally. It is very challenging to remain in perfection (or love) most of the time, so I ask our Lord often to help me to see and feel His love for me so that I may forgive myself or others easily. Are you willing to make the effort to remain in our Lord’s love so as to let go of your fears and learn to forgive in Him?
Loving God, most of the fearful feelings I have come mostly within me due to my lack of trust in You, others, or myself. Teach me to remain in Your love and grant me the graces to let go of my fearful feelings in order to embrace You, others, or myself with love. Teach me to trust in You and be patient for your help instead of being fearful at any uncertain/unknown moments!
Reflected by One of the Beloveds of God
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
“When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd” Mk 6:34
Sometimes we all feel like lost sheep; but we are never without a shepherd. Jesus is our shepherd and no matter how lost, alone, scared, stressed or exhausted we feel, He loves us and is always with us and there for us.
This Christmas season was like no other I can remember; I don’t think I’ve been to Vietnamese mass so many times within two weeks. And any other year I would have found it a bit of drag…but this year was different, my heart was at peace. I was in shear awe when I looked at the Baby Jesus or the Body of Christ, sometimes on the verge of tears, thinking about how much God loves us that “God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him.” 1 Jn 4:9. How amazing is it that we are given such a gift, a gift that truly never ends?
Like the miracle of the five loaves and two fish in today’s gospel, Jesus provides us with more than enough of everything we need. It’s all there in front of us, although we might not always see it or recognize it. Sometimes we’re not sure if this is even true, that God provides for us, because we’re caught up in all the pain and suffering we’ve felt in the past. But, whenever we are ready to take that leap of faith, bit by bit, He’ll reveal His plan for us, and will we ever be the same?
Lord, let us always remember how much You love us and see everything You have provided for us, Your little sheep.
reflected by Ylan Nguyen
Sometimes we all feel like lost sheep; but we are never without a shepherd. Jesus is our shepherd and no matter how lost, alone, scared, stressed or exhausted we feel, He loves us and is always with us and there for us.
This Christmas season was like no other I can remember; I don’t think I’ve been to Vietnamese mass so many times within two weeks. And any other year I would have found it a bit of drag…but this year was different, my heart was at peace. I was in shear awe when I looked at the Baby Jesus or the Body of Christ, sometimes on the verge of tears, thinking about how much God loves us that “God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him.” 1 Jn 4:9. How amazing is it that we are given such a gift, a gift that truly never ends?
Like the miracle of the five loaves and two fish in today’s gospel, Jesus provides us with more than enough of everything we need. It’s all there in front of us, although we might not always see it or recognize it. Sometimes we’re not sure if this is even true, that God provides for us, because we’re caught up in all the pain and suffering we’ve felt in the past. But, whenever we are ready to take that leap of faith, bit by bit, He’ll reveal His plan for us, and will we ever be the same?
Lord, let us always remember how much You love us and see everything You have provided for us, Your little sheep.
reflected by Ylan Nguyen
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage. - Mt 2, 8
To find the King of the kings, the Magi went on a journey, asked questions and shared their knowledge. They have taken steps to find Him and were rewarded with the most wonderful gift: to give respect to the Incarnate Presence of the Word. Through their hardship the Magi were able to find baby Jesus, give respect and change the course of their life. It was 3 people not from God chosen people who went on a journey to find God Emmanuel.
Herod on the other hand stayed on his throne and was waiting for other to find the Savior. It is an irony that Herod a Jew who knows more about the coming of the Savior did not actively look for the Promise One. The search for God is not about only about knowledge only: it's about an experience of relationship with God, with other and with us.
Like Herod, how many times did I want people like priests or people who live their faith to promptly give me answers to my faith questions? And when they kindly ask me to pray, to listen to God and to discern, I felt impatient and disappointed. I come to realize that answers to my questions about faith are not what really matters. What matters are the many opportunities I have to encounter Jesus intimately through my questions, concerns, my fears, and my littleness. But did I seize these moments in my life to be closer to Jesus?
Dear infant Jesus, please give me the grace to stand up and search diligently for your Presence and be transformed by you like you did for the Magi.
reflected by Michel Phan Huy
To find the King of the kings, the Magi went on a journey, asked questions and shared their knowledge. They have taken steps to find Him and were rewarded with the most wonderful gift: to give respect to the Incarnate Presence of the Word. Through their hardship the Magi were able to find baby Jesus, give respect and change the course of their life. It was 3 people not from God chosen people who went on a journey to find God Emmanuel.
Herod on the other hand stayed on his throne and was waiting for other to find the Savior. It is an irony that Herod a Jew who knows more about the coming of the Savior did not actively look for the Promise One. The search for God is not about only about knowledge only: it's about an experience of relationship with God, with other and with us.
Like Herod, how many times did I want people like priests or people who live their faith to promptly give me answers to my faith questions? And when they kindly ask me to pray, to listen to God and to discern, I felt impatient and disappointed. I come to realize that answers to my questions about faith are not what really matters. What matters are the many opportunities I have to encounter Jesus intimately through my questions, concerns, my fears, and my littleness. But did I seize these moments in my life to be closer to Jesus?
Dear infant Jesus, please give me the grace to stand up and search diligently for your Presence and be transformed by you like you did for the Magi.
reflected by Michel Phan Huy
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Saturday, the Octave of Christmas: Like Mary we are Theotokos, God-bearers
"As proof that you are sons [and daughters] God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.” – Gal 4:6-7
People in Western world name this day as the first in the New Year: 1.1.11. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates one of its oldest traditions since the third century: the naming of Mary as “Mother of God.” Historically, the name given to Mary — the mother of Jesus — is in the Greek form Theotokos, or God-bearer. This name not only affirms who Mary is; it confirms who Jesus is, as God-with-us; it also attests to who we are: as children of God, as heirs of God.
It is easy to say that we are children of God, even as easy to proclaim it with our lips. But to believe this within our hearts, that is a challenge for a lifetime.
It occurs to me that an inception takes place in everyone’s life. As in the movie Inception, this simple idea can transform a person’s life. If planted deep enough within a person’s consciousness, it will change everything. The simple idea is this: God loves you as you are, personally, uniquely, without condition, without limit. Moreover, you are God’s Beloved, no buts and ifs. When we believe this and embrace it, our lives will be changed. For the past 25 years, this simple idea is taking deeper root within me – this inception through the Holy Spirit.
To be honest, I cannot say that most of my waking moments, or even everyday that I live out of this awareness. But I can say that it is happening more, through most days, and more and more moments of my life. I can tell the difference when it happens: I am more patient with the negative feelings that flow through me (anger, lust, jealousy…); I am more compassionate (willing to suffer-with) others and desire to live in greater solidarity (standing-with); I can laugh at myself more and give others the benefit of the doubt; I react less, respond more; I am less selfish and willful and more self-giving and willing to be lead; I put less pressure on myself and place more trust in God; I identify more with Mary’s “yes” in gratitude even though I do not know the “how” in uncertainty.
This inception to become God’s beloved takes a long time. Yet, the journey of a thousand leagues begins with one step. I find a joyful and hope-filled freshness to live this way, this first day of the year.
It is strange: when we take the risk to believe ourselves as God’s Beloved, we become like Mary, Theotokos, God-bearer.
Let us begin this first day of the New Year asking for this grace & embracing this gift:
“Lord, help me, this day, to trust that I am your Beloved. Help me to trust that you-are-with-me, especially in difficult moments today.”
People in Western world name this day as the first in the New Year: 1.1.11. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates one of its oldest traditions since the third century: the naming of Mary as “Mother of God.” Historically, the name given to Mary — the mother of Jesus — is in the Greek form Theotokos, or God-bearer. This name not only affirms who Mary is; it confirms who Jesus is, as God-with-us; it also attests to who we are: as children of God, as heirs of God.
It is easy to say that we are children of God, even as easy to proclaim it with our lips. But to believe this within our hearts, that is a challenge for a lifetime.
It occurs to me that an inception takes place in everyone’s life. As in the movie Inception, this simple idea can transform a person’s life. If planted deep enough within a person’s consciousness, it will change everything. The simple idea is this: God loves you as you are, personally, uniquely, without condition, without limit. Moreover, you are God’s Beloved, no buts and ifs. When we believe this and embrace it, our lives will be changed. For the past 25 years, this simple idea is taking deeper root within me – this inception through the Holy Spirit.
To be honest, I cannot say that most of my waking moments, or even everyday that I live out of this awareness. But I can say that it is happening more, through most days, and more and more moments of my life. I can tell the difference when it happens: I am more patient with the negative feelings that flow through me (anger, lust, jealousy…); I am more compassionate (willing to suffer-with) others and desire to live in greater solidarity (standing-with); I can laugh at myself more and give others the benefit of the doubt; I react less, respond more; I am less selfish and willful and more self-giving and willing to be lead; I put less pressure on myself and place more trust in God; I identify more with Mary’s “yes” in gratitude even though I do not know the “how” in uncertainty.
This inception to become God’s beloved takes a long time. Yet, the journey of a thousand leagues begins with one step. I find a joyful and hope-filled freshness to live this way, this first day of the year.
It is strange: when we take the risk to believe ourselves as God’s Beloved, we become like Mary, Theotokos, God-bearer.
Let us begin this first day of the New Year asking for this grace & embracing this gift:
“Lord, help me, this day, to trust that I am your Beloved. Help me to trust that you-are-with-me, especially in difficult moments today.”
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