Jesus Christ was not King of the Jews, nor of this world, in the ordinary sense. His kingdom is the Church, the assembly of all those who willingly follow his teaching and observe his laws.
The Church is in the world, but not of it. She came down from heaven, and earth is but the place of her pilgrimage and her trials. She will return to heaven where the glorious and everlasting kingdom of Jesus and his disciples shall last forever.
This was the kingdom he meant when he said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36); and again, when he says to his disciples, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Lk 12:31).
How great is our happiness in becoming, by holy Baptism, children of the Church and subjects of Jesus Christ by professing the Christian faith! If we choose, the kingdom of heaven is ours. Though ‘in’ the world, we are not ‘of’ the world. We must live in spirit in heaven, as the Apostle says, ‘Our conversation is in heaven’.
Pilate’s conduct is a striking example of human instability. He really desired to know the truth about the wonderful Being whom the world thought of so differently, and who was now before him. This desire increased after he had heard him say, “For this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth” (Jn 18:37).
Naturally he asked, “What is truth?” (Jn 18:38) Apparently, he eagerly awaited the reply. Yet, when given, he ignored it and quickly left the judgment-hall.
We fully condemn Pilate’s weakness and vacillation; but has our conduct been similar? Before acting or deciding in difficult circumstances, we usually invoke: ‘Come, Holy Spirit’, thus begging to know his will. But, we often decide hastily without awaiting to hear his reply. Do we thus imitate Pilate’s lack of resolve?
Pilate, wise and experienced, initially was sure the crimes alleged against Jesus could not be proved. As judge, however, he questioned Jesus about his kingdom. Jesus’ answers clearly showed that his kingdom was not opposed to the earthly rulers. Thus, he pronounced -- “I find no case against him” (Jn 18:38).
Pilate, though vacillating, was just and a lover of truth. If he had been as firm as he was just, he would never have condemned Jesus. Afraid to get into trouble, human respect prevailed on him. Weak and timid, the Jews craftily worked upon his fears, and extorted the unjust sentence from him.
This is the devil’s way with us -- he studies our weak points, and takes advantage of them. Once we are off our guard, he entraps us with subtle snares.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp126-8
Learning to see the good in others
Charity makes the heart find room in it for all men, even those who don’t understand us or who fail to respond to our love. With the Lord beside us no one will be our enemy. We will learn not to judge the covert personal intentions of others. The few external signs we see often do not reflect their true motives.
“Although you might see something bad, do not instantly judge your neighbour, advises St Bernard; but, rather, excuse him interiorly. Excuse the intention if you are unable to excuse the action. Consider it as done in ignorance, or unawares, or through weakness. If the matter is so weighty that you cannot possibly overlook it, then try to believe the following and say to yourself: the temptation must have been very strong!” (St Augustine, “Sermon 40 on the Song of Songs”)
Our Lady will teach us, if we ask her, how to forgive -- in Cana, Mary does not deplore or criticize the lack of wine, ‘but helps find a solution to the need’ -- and to struggle to cultivate in our personal lives these very virtues which, on occasion, may seem to us to be lacking in others. We will then be in an excellent position to offer a helping hand to them.
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:132
On Making Disciples
Jesus Christ said: “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)
Since then, there has been ceaseless organizational or communal response from those who believe and are baptized. In the “Acts of the Apostles" we read: “Those who accepted his message devoted themselves to the apostles’ instruction and the communal life ...” (2:41-2) Here we already see the Church’s communitarian nature. ...
“This is how all men will know you for my disciples: your love for one another.” (Jn 13:35) The communal dimension of your Christian vocation was strongly emphasized by the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. Every liturgical act is an act of the entire Body of Christ ... and every Mass is an act of Christ in his Body.
Every good deed done by a member is to the advantage of all the members together, and every sin is not only an offense against God but is also a wound inflicted on Christ’s Body ... Clearly, it is not even thinkable that a Christian should live solely for himself.
A Christian who has not learned to see and love Christ in his neighbor is not fully Christian. We are our brothers’ keepers; bound to each other by the bond of love ... This communal or organizational nature of our vocation ought to be directed toward the universal Church. We are a local Church instituted by Christ the Lord only to the degree in which we are part of the universal Church.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p56
Our Lady
“Love of our Lady is proof of a good spirit, in works and in individuals. Don’t trust the undertaking that lacks this characteristic.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 505)
“Before, by yourself, you couldn’t. Now, you’ve turned to our Lady, and with her, how easy!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, Op cit, 513)
Our Lady of Bruges, in Flanders, where a lock of the Blessed Virgin’s hair is exhibited, given by a Syrian bishop, named Moses. — Hugo Farcitus, lib. i., Miracul. B. Virg. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Bruges, Flanders (1150), where a lock of Our Lady’s hair is preserved. (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment