March 14

Matthew 1:17-19

 

In this gospel passage, Jesus makes references to the Ten Commandments and laws in general.

What does the law of God or the laws of our government do to us? It guides us on how to properly live our lives—without laws there will be chaos and there will be no order; criminal acts will just be an ordinary daily occurrence.  This is the reason why God through Moses, Jesus and our government gave us laws to guide us on how to properly live our lives.  However, in spite of these laws there are still crimes but what we need to realize is that God has also given us the freedom of choice; the choice to follow these laws or not! In order to live in divinity and peace the wise choice would be to follow these laws and we must not only follow it we must also choose to echo it to others by our words and deeds.

Jesus also stresses on the value of the Old Testament. It is the word of God; because it has a divine authority it deserves total respect such that even Jesus will not amend it. Its moral precepts still holds well in the New Testament. However, our Lord gives them greater weight and meaning.

The law through Moses and explained by the prophets was God’s gift to His people. Thus, Jesus was not only given to men as a redeemer in whom they are to trust, but also as a law-giver whom they are to obey

So let us pray that the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to be able to follow these laws and if we do falter give us the courage to pick our self-up, reconcile and start anew. Amen

- Anonymous

March 9

Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

In today’s gospel, Jesus presents us with the parable of the vineyard. He was teaching in the temple one day, when the high priests and elders came up to him and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things?” In response, Jesus told them a story about a landowner who leased his vineyard to some tenants. Through this parable, the Lord was not only addressing the questions of the elders, but He was also sending us a powerful message.

When Jesus was talking about the landowner, he was referring to God, who sent his messengers down to earth. However, like the tenants, who beat or killed them, the people on earth had killed the prophets or messengers, such as John the Baptist. Then, the landowner sent his only son, who symbolizes Jesus Christ, believing that the tenants would listen to him. Yet, the people killed Him, as well. Jesus then asked the elders what they thought the landowner would do to the tenants. They knew that the tenants would be killed and thrown out of the vineyard. Similarly, Jesus explains that those who do not listen to the Lord’s word will not enter thekingdomofGod.

Jesus later reminds the chief priests about the Scriptures and tells them about the cornerstone. This special brick’s real purpose is to be the foundation of buildings. Sometimes, however, builders find no use for it and throw it away. Likewise, Jesus was explaining that the people were going to reject him. They did not see his true purpose, which was to be the foundation of God’s people and the first brick upon which the Church was to be built.

Accordingly, this gospel is preparing us for what the Lord has foretold in this parable: Jesus Christ will be rejected and soon die in the hands of God’s people, similar to how the landowner’s son was killed by the tenants. This gospel also encourages us to reflect on obedience to the Lord and his teachings. There was one time or another in our lives where we have turned away from God and committed sin. For example, when we failed to love one another, we have failed to follow Jesus’ teachings, which signifies that we have rejected Him. Unlike the tenants, we should turn away from sin and look towards God- only then will we be redeemed and enter God’s kingdom. We should also be grateful for the gifts the Lord has given us- our lives, our family, and our friends, and not be selfish like the tenants. However, how can we show the Lord that we are thankful for all that He has offered? Setting aside some time everyday from our busy lives to pray and talk to God is a great way to give thanks. We can also express gratitude by following his teachings. Every time we fail to do this or plan to do something that we know is harmful to ourselves, others, or our relationship with God, let us all pause for a moment, and think about the man who died on that cross- the man who suffered and laid down his life so that we can be happy.

March 8

The Gospel for today is very relevant to the Lenten season we are in now. During Lent, we are called to give alms even more than we usually do. Look around you. Who are the Lazaruses in your lives? The homeless guy on the street, the friend who failed a midterm, the old woman who needs a seat in the bus… These people need your help be it in donations, a listening ear, a smile, or kind deeds. However, do not do it because you fear Hades and the consequences in the afterlife. Do it because you care, because you want to use God’s gifts and talents to bring joy to the world and to show God’s love to people around you.

In this Lenten season, keep a lookout for the Lazaruses around you, and give… with love.

“The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.” –St. JohnChrysostom

 

Constance Yuen

March 2

Matthew 5:20-26

 

The fifth Commandant reminds us that “you shall not murder”. However, in today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that anger can also be dangerous. Anger, rage, and profanity are just some of the examples he includes. Now, the question is: how do anger and murder relate? Can they even be compared? Isn’t one worse than the other? While that may be true, the point is that anger often leads to the same emotions that cause a person to do such grave sins as murder. Sin does not just happen. It starts somewhere and grows, and, if left unchecked, has the potential to create greater sin. Therefore, it is because of this potential that Jesus warns against anger.

Can you remember a time when you were really angry? Possibly you got into an argument with a close friend or family member and said some things that you regretted. That regret only comes with a reflection of your actions. So, let’s say that you were still angry and let that anger fester. Anger in the heart is the same as anger in one’s words or actions. It is possible that either your anger will disrupt your relationship with that friend or lead to further action. This is why Jesus condemns anger as well. It not only creates short-term problems, but if arguments are not resolved, it could lead to greater problems later on.

What, then, is the solution to anger? The answer is simple: forgiveness and love. Just as God has forgiven us for our sins, we must also extend that mercy towards others. That mercy is then strengthened by love. With careful reflection of our past moments of anger and even frustration, let us strive for a different approach and be mindful of not only our words and actions, but our thoughts as well.

-VictoriaWan

February 24

In today’s gospel, the disciples of John question Jesus about fasting. They ask Jesus why his disciples do not fast like them. To this question, Jesus replied that they will fast when the “bridegroom is taken away from them”. His response may be puzzling to some of you. Who is this bridegroom Jesus is referring to?

After a deep and thorough reflection of his answer, it would come to your understanding that the bridegroom, in fact, symbolizes Jesus. Similar to how wedding guests celebrate the presence of the bridegroom and do not mourn by fasting, the disciples rejoice Christ’s presence on earth. When He is with them, how could they fast? It is a time of celebration and happiness with Him.¹ Jesus then insinuates that the time will come however when He will be taken away from them. When that moment comes, the disciples will then begin to fast.

Fasting is an integral part of the Lent season. It does not simply involve going without food for an extended period of time. It is about the spiritual development and harmony that it grants. When we fast or abstain from certain things, such as drinking in excess, we are strengthening the two cardinal virtues of temperance and prudence. We practice to restrain ourselves from unhealthy desires, feelings, or thoughts such as vanity, which in turn strengthens our virtue of temperance. We also perfect our ability to make the right decisions and strengthen our will, which cultivates prudence. Accordingly, these virtues help nourish our souls, and in turn, we become closer to God. Moreover, fasting gives us the opportunity to create balance and harmony in our lives where there is an excess or deficiency.

In our university lives, we are granted a lot of freedom and independence. This leaves room, however, for temptations such as not going to class, not cleaning our rooms, or eating too much junk food. Through fasting, we can restore balance by telling ourselves to either do more or less of something. If we do not spend enough time studying, then this Lent season might be a time for you to devote more of yourself to this. After reading this gospel, let us all take a moment to reflect on what we can each do to restore balance in our lives, and thus, grow closer to God.

Anita Sivabalan

February 23

Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him (A) deny himself and (B) take up his cross daily and (C) follow me.”

This was Jesus’ instructions to those who want to be his disciples. Just three simple steps, as easy as ABC, and you’ll be God’s disciples! Hmm… but wait, what does A, B, and C really mean?

As a university student who frequently looks up words in the dictionary, I was quick to apply this strategy for my bible study. So… according to Dictionary.com, (A) ‘to deny oneself’ means ‘to refrain from satisfying one’s desires or needs’. OK, that means no shopping for that designer handbag that I don’t actually need.

Next, what does it mean to (B) ‘take up my cross’? This question has been bugging me for as long as I can remember. To understand this phrase, we need to look at what happened when Jesus was crucified on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, he gave up his life for you and for me – the amazing love, a total self-sacrifice. Likewise, by taking up our cross, we are called to sacrifice ourselves and our lives, totally and with love for God and his people.

For me, (C) ‘follow me’, is the easiest to understand. It means that we are called to imitate Jesus by loving unconditionally like he did, by forgiving our enemies, and by serving God and our neighbours.

So putting ABC together, how do we ‘deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him’? I propose that we first examine those desires that please ourselves but contradict God’s commandments of love e.g. the desire to gain acceptance from our friends by bad-mouthing a person, the desire to show our group members that we are angry by shouting at them, the desire to want to look cool by swearing etc. Then, let us take up our cross by sacrificing ourselves and our desires, and use our lives to serve God and man by imitating Christ’s unconditional love for all. Let us make ABC our goal as we journey to become better disciples of Christ especially during this Lenten season.

 

Constance Yuen

February 22 – Ash Wednesday

“See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” With these words from today’s second reading Christ’s Church launches into its season of penance, its season of renewal and restrengthening, its season of Lent. And what a great season this is!

Growing up, Lent was always presented as a time for giving up something in order to get ready for Easter. This is certainly a good start when it comes to our Lenten observance, but if we truly immerse ourselves in the meaning of this time of transformation, we realize it offers us the opportunity for something far greater, something more fruitful, and ultimately something more satisfying. Yes, Lent is a period of fasting when we are asked to distance ourselves from the novelties and pleasures of the world, especially those things which distract us or deter us from living good, Christ-centered lives, or which distance us from God. But fasting should never become one single isolated obligation to avoid this kind of food or stop using that kind of technology; rather, it must become an attitude, a way of living that enables us to see ourselves and see our own lives in relation to that of Christ. We unite ourselves with his forty days in the desert and at the same time to the Passion we know will ensue, in the hopes that in doing so we will ready ourselves to celebrate the glory of the resurrection, just as he readied himself to enter into his Pascal Mystery, the mystery of our faith.

To do this, to truly unite ourselves with Christ, our Lenten journey must mirror the precepts of today’s Gospel: We must give alms, we must perform acts of mercy and charity, we must pray, we must fast; but in doing so, we are to beware of practicing our piety publicly. For it is the Lord we serve, it is him and him alone we imitate, it is he whom, as St. Paul reminds us, is working together with us this Lent. That, dear Newmanites, is the key. We do not work alone, we do not labour and toil and suffer and persevere in isolation: Christ is with us. We do this for him, with him, and in him, and so none of it no matter how difficult is done in vain. We deny ourselves not so that we may deaden ourselves to the world but so that in HIM we may be fully alive.

These ashes on our foreheads are a sign of that life. Yes, they signify penance and self-denial, but we do not do penance for penance’s sake, we do not deny ourselves for the sake of denying ourselves. We say “no” to ourselves only to more fully say “yes” to Christ. We place his cross on our foreheads in order to more fully welcome him into our hearts, to more fully integrate him into the business of our lives, and to demonstrate our commitment to spend these days with him constantly on our minds.

And so during this season of penance, of reconnecting with Christ in a meaningful way, let us deny ourselves, take up his cross, and follow him. May we fast with great gusto and zeal, may we intensify and rejuvenate our prayer lives, may we act with mercy and be charitable towards our neighbour, may we see the face of Christ in all those we meet, and may we imitate Jesus with great devotion, great faithfulness, and great humility, as he leads us towards the sorrow of Calvary and the joy that lies beyond. May God bless each of you as you journey through these forty days and await the sacred mysteries they anticipate. A blessed and fruitful Lent to you all!  – Julian Paparella