BEGIN THE YEAR WITH MARY, THE MOTHER OF THE LORD

NEW YEAR: 1^ST OF JANUARY: Lk 2:16-21

Today is a day of reflection and self-examination, as we come to the end of 2012, and it is at the same time, a day to revive our hope, as we make resolutions for the in-coming year.

Celebrating Mary, the mother of God

The liturgy of the Church proposes to all of us that we start the new year in the company of Mary, the mother of the Lord. Indeed, as she was blessed, may we be blessed too.

On the 1^st of January, we celebrate Mary, the mother of God, as we pray for peace. Calling Mary the mother of God may sound strange to many, and lot of Christians reject thus title outright. However, we must remember that such a title as a long history behind it, being accepted in the first Council of Ephesus (431 ad) as an affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

The dispute about the title

For a long time, people had been calling Mary Theotokos (the Greek title meaning Mother of God). Then Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, started teaching that we should call Mary simply the mother of Jesus or the mother of Christ, and he explained that, in Jesus Christ, human and divine natures are not united in one person that is the Son of God. People reacted, and the Council of Ephesus was called to solve the dispute. Nestorius’ teaching was condemned to the great rejoicing of people.

A profession of faith in Jesus, the Son of God

This title speaks about Mary and speaks about Jesus, her son. About Mary, it is an honorific title, reminding us of Mary's special role, given to her by God. It is in line with the words of Elizabeth, when she said: "And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" (Lk 1:43).

By calling Mary the Mother of God, we do not mean that she conceived and generated God in her womb, or that God was born from her. In fact, the title is a profession of faith, not about Mary, but about Jesus, proclaiming that her Son, Jesus the Christ, is God. Nestorius started teaching that, in Jesus Christ, the two natures - the human and the divine - are just somehow put together. The Council of Ephesus teaches that the human and divine natures are united in one person (one true self) - the person of the Son of God. 

"If anyone does not confess that God is truly Emmanuel, and that on this account the Holy Virgin is the Mother of God (for according to the flesh she gave birth to the Word of God become flesh by birth), let him be anathema." (Can. 1.of the Council of Ephesus).

CELEBRATING OUR FAMILY

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: Lk 2:41-52

Raphael: The Holy Family

As we celebrate the Holy Family, we must remember that we are part of that family, since we are God's children. In a way, this is a strange family, similar to all other families, but also different. Jesus was like any other child, and yet so different.

Jesus is overwhelmed by his visit to the Temple

Celebrating the Holy Family, we remember Jesus going to the Temple for the first time, as a young boy. He was so overwhelmed and so deeply touched, that he forgot everything else. 

He had the desire and the attitude of the psalmist who said: 

"I have asked one thing from the Lord;

it is what I desire:

to dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

gazing on the beauty of the Lord

and seeking Him in His temple." (Ps 27:4)

He did not want to go anywhere else. 

He belonged there, in the house of the Father.

Jesus behaved like a naughty boy

It is not surprising that he felt at home in the Temple. What is surprising is that he behaved a little like a naughty boy, putting his parents in serious trouble. They could not explain his whereabouts, looking like irresponsible parents, who lost their child. They trusted his sense of wisdom and maturity, but he forgot them. In a way, that is normal in a boy who is twelve years old. 

Finally, they found him in the Temple, discussing with the doctors of the Law, who were astounded with his knowledge and understanding. With nice words, his mother reproached him: Why have you done this to us? We were so worried.

Jesus' answer sounds like the answers of so many of our youths: Why were you looking for me? It is as if Jesus was trying to affirm himself before his parents and in front of people. However, he gave the reason for his question: I must be busy with my Father's affairs. Surely, you know that.

God is supreme

Jesus' answer is like a prelude of his future teaching, when he said: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Mt 10:37). And when he said: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? And pointing to his disciples, he said, Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Mt 12:48-50).

Jesus puts it very clear: God his supreme; there is nothing and nobody who can supersede him.

As I said at the beginning, we are part of this family. In his first letter, John makes it very clear: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are." (1 Jn 3:1, from this Sunday's second reading). Being God's children, we are destined "to be like him".

There are, however, two essential conditions:

a) We must believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ;

b) We must love one another.

So simple and yet so difficult. We celebrate, so that we renew our commitment to live as the true family of God.

GLORY TO GOD AND PEACE ON EARTH

Together with the Angels
may we sing Glory to God.
It belongs to Him,
and it was revealed to us
in the birth of a little baby,
born to be the Prince of peace.
We sing God's glory with our voices,
and commit ourselves to manifest
that same glory in our lives,
building communities where
justice and love reign.

Glory to God in the highest
and peace on earth.

The video presents Lubengele Parish, in Chililabombwe, Zambia, singing the traditional tune Gloria in Bemba.
May God bless you all and bring peace to our hearts and our society.

I BRING YOU GREAT NEWS

A child to us is born,

bringing light and hope

to a people living in darkness,

lost in their evil ways.

He is the Prince of peace

and the giver of life.

May all of us 

welcome him

in our hearts 

to heal our pains

and find salvation.

They sing: Shimoneni Icengelo bane. Let us come to the Light, because the glory of the Lord has revealed itself to us.

To you all I wish a Merry Christmas, and may all rejoice in the coming of the Saviour.

WITH MARY’S FAITH, LET US WAIT FOR THE LORD

IV SUNDAY OF ADVENT:Lk 1:39-44

HE WILL BE OUR PEACE

This Sunday's liturgy moves around two main themes: Mary, who is proclaimed blessed by Elizabeth, and Christ, who willingly offers himself to come to do God's will. And what is God's will? - we may ask. The prophet Micah puts it in a very short sentence: "He himself will be peace", as he comes to "feed his flock with the power of the Lord" (Micah 5:1-4).

CHRIST OFFERS HIMSELF TO COME

The letter to the Hebrews speaks of God being tired and disgusted with all the oblations and sacrifices that people offered: "You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin". They were offered with a magic mentality, thinking that they work automatically and effectively, even without reflecting any inner attitude of the heart. God does not need the blood of animals or even less the blood of people. Remember that human sacrifices were strictly forbidden by the Law, being considered an abomination. What God expects is a pure a heart, filled with love and compassion. And Christ offered himself to do just that. Being faithful to God's will, he was rejected by the people who prefer selfishness to love and revenge to mercy.

MARY, THE MOST BLESSED

In this Sunday's gospel, Mary is proclaimed by Elizabeth "the most blessed". At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel had addressed her as the "favoured one". This favour and this blessing is a gift of God's love. It is not something that Mary possess, as if it rightly belongs to her. It is a gift of God's mercy; a gift given to her for our sake. However, not forgetting what has just been said, Elizabeth proclaims Mary "the most blessed", because she believed. Mary is a woman of faith, ready to do God's will. In that respect, she is completely different from the first woman, Eve, who rejected God's will, thinking that she knew better than God. Mary believed; that's why she is great. She is the mother of the Lord!

Let us accompany her in expectation, filled with hope and love, ready to welcome the baby Jesus in our hearts.

REJOICE IN THE LORD!

III SUNDAY OF ADVENT:Phil 4:4-7

What are we looking for? Pleasure or joy and peace?

In todays world, many people confuse joy with pleasure. Indeed, they may go together, as two partners walking hand in hand; however, time and again, pleasure is but a mask of true joy, leaving a sour of aftertaste, filled with disappointment, which may turn into despair. The search for pleasure is seen as a supreme good that should be looked for at all costs. This search for pleasure is many times an attempt at hiding the emptiness and drowning the sorrows deep down in the heart. We refuse to face ourselves and to recognise how much our hearts are confused and anxious, in turmoil. Sometimes, it seems as if the more we look for pleasure, the more true joy stays away from us.

Looking for joy in the wrong place

Why all that? May be we look for joy in the wrong place. Already in his time, the prophet Jeremiah reproached his people, because "they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jer 2:13). 

Nowadays, the broken cisterns that hold no water are the in drugs, alcohol, sex, wealth and power, inn which we take refuge. They bring some pleasure, but after a while, they become our masters, and we their slaves, with our lives destroyed and wasted.

In this Sunday, we hear a call to rejoice. The prophet Zephaniah shouted in a loud voice: 

"Shout for joy, daughter of Zion,

Israel, shout aloud!

Rejoice, exult with all your heart,

daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has repealed your sentence;

he has driven your enemies away.

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;

you have no more evil to fear." (Zeph 3:14-15).

Why should we rejoice? Because the Lord is in our midst, and he has defeated our enemies. We have no reason to fear. We are in his hands, in his safe and caring hands.

Be happy: the Lord is near!

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul repeats a similar message:

"I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near.

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:4-7).

It is easy to be tolerant, when our hearts are at peace. And God is a God of peace. There is no need to worry, because God will guard our hearts and our thoughts. We must not fear God; we can approach him with confidence, putting before him our needs, our worries and our sufferings.

JOHN THE BAPTIST CALLS FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE

All kinds of people came to John, to be baptized and to receive guidance from him. Luke presents John as an upright man, who stood for the truth and who was not afraid of speaking out. He presented himself as a Voice, the voice that calls out in the desert, asking people to repent, to convert and to adopt new attitudes - attitudes of fairness and of justice. He spoke against exploitation, extortion and oppression.

To the tax collectors he said: "Exact no more than your rate." And to a group of soldiers who came to him, he advised:"No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!"

John reminds us that the coming of the Messiah must bring about a society based in fairness, justice and peace.

JOHN THE BAPTIST IS AN HISTORICAL FIGURE

II SUNDAY OF ADVENT:Lk 3:1-6

“In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrach of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.” (Lk 3:1-2)

In this Sunday’s gospel, Luke is very careful in situating John the Baptist historically. The gospels are not first and foremost books of history. They are proclamations of the Good News of salvation brought to us by Jesus Christ and, at the same time, they are catechesis - the catechesis  given in and to the Christian communities, in order to deepen the knowledge of Jesus Christ and of his way of life and in order to guide and strengthen them, so that they stand as true witnesses to the love of God. The writers of the gospels were neither secretaries writing a report nor journalists putting down the detailed facts observed by them. Empowered by a deep and strong love of Jesus Christ, they felt obliged to help many others to have a share in that love.

The Greek and Roman world were full of stories of heroes and of gods, which expressed the most deep human desires, revealed through the most vile or the most honourable and glorious actions. Luke makes it very clear that John the Baptist and the Messiah that he announced were not fairy tale stories. They were real people who lived among other people. Their lives can be situated in a certain time and in a certain place. John started his ministry during “the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign” (Lk 3:1).

As Christians, we do not believe in fairy tales. Jesus and Jesus’ gospel have their feet well grounded on the soil of human living. And that is what we are preparing ourselves to celebrate at Christmas: the mystery of the Son of God who came to share our life and our suffering, in order to bring salvation.

My prayer

“My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best.” (Fil 1:9-10)

A TIME OF EXPECTANCY AND HOPE

I SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Jer 33:14-16

This Sunday, we start the season of Advent, which is a time of expectancy and hope.

The daily news are a litany of natural disasters and wars, compounded with an economy in recession and people suffering from all kinds of strange diseases, leading many to loose faith and to despair. This time of Advent comes to remind us that, in spite of all the hardships and sufferings, we must look forward, because better times are coming.

Stand erect and hold your heads high!

In this world, where most people are full of apprehension, misgivings, and suspicion, the Christians must be a beacon of hope. Even if the end of the world is near,  as some preach, Christian must “stand erect and hold their heads high” (Lk 21:28), because the PROMISED ONE is coming with salvation.

The prophet Jeremiah was considered a prophet of doom, because he was constantly warning the people about the incoming catastrophe. His call was for change and conversion, so that the disaster might pass them by. However, in his later life, he transformed himself into a prophet of hope, helping people to see beyond the present suffering. 

In his old age, St. Augustine saw the Vandals enter his city, bringing destruction and death. Many people thought that it was the end of the world, and they looked to Augustine for guidance. And his answer was: It is the end of this old world, and the birth of a new world.

Honesty and integrity in the land

A Christian can never lose hope. Let us listen to Jeremiah’s words, full of promise: 

The “Promised One” (the Messiah) 

“shall practise honesty and integrity in the land.

In those days Judah shall be saved

and Israel shall dwell in confidence.

And this is the name the city will be called:

The-Lord-our-integrity.” (Jer 33:15-16)

The hope that fills our hearts will gives the courage and boldness to practice “honesty and integrity” and to work for justice and peace in the land.

Psalm 25:8-10,14

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

He guides the humble in the right path,

He teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

The Lord’s friendship 

is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

CHRIST THE KING, a king of love and mercy

XXXIIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Jn 18:33-37

In the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate Christ the King. Everyday, as Christians we proclaim Jesus as Lord. Indeed, he is Lord of lords and King of kings.

What kind of king is Christ?

If Jesus Christ is king, then, we may ask what kind of king is he? The title of king, applied to Christ, can be very misleading, if misunderstood. Jesus himself never claimed to be a king, except during his trial, when he was being questioned by Pilate. Asked by Roman governor, if he was a king, Jesus answered with a question: You yourself, do you think that I am a king? Or are you accepting as a fact what others told you about me? 

In chains, before the Roman tribunal, the affirmation that he is a king sounded like a joke, and Jesus himself referred to it by saying: Where is my army? Where are my soldiers? And where are our weapons? 

How could the Roman State feel threatened by such a king? In court, Jesus was straightforward in his statement: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

His kinship is of service

Jesus is a king, but not like human kings. According to the book of Revelation, he is “the faithful witness” (Rev 1:5). He is a witness to God’s love. He is the truth, and in him, we find the truth. His rule is not imposed by oppression and injustice. His kingship is of service. He is a king of love, who “loved to the end” (Jn 13:1), who gave himself totally for the ones he loves.

Jesus had been accused of high treason, and Pilate ordered that to be stated clearly on the cross: Jesus, the Nazarene, king of the Jews.

He was proclaimed king on the cross

Jesus was proclaimed king on the cross. The cross, on which he gave the supreme proof of his love, is the throne from which he calls everybody to share the life that he gives.

He “made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:6). He shares with us his kingship, and he will allow us to sit on his throne of glory, but for that we have to walk in the same path: to fill our hearts with love and to put ourselves at the service of others.

TO WHERE DOES A TREE FALL?

XXXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: MK 13:24-32

The end of the world

We are reaching the end of the liturgical year, and, this Sunday, we are presented with readings about the end of the world.

The message, both in the Gospel (Mk 13:24-32) and in the first reading (Dan 12:1-3), is a prophetic message, not so much as a prediction of the future, but as a call for the present. Yes, the readings are concerned with our present attitudes, and try to motivate us to look critically at ourselves and the society in which we live, so that we make a radical change. 

A prophetic call

The world will end. Even science admits that. However, the texts of the Scriptures have nothing of scientific about it. Instead, they are a prophetic warning: do no take God for granted! There will be a time of judgement, in which we will be called to answer for our deeds. That must be taken seriously. Indeed, our relationship with God and the implications of it for our daily lives, must be taken seriously. Or we may loose it all. There is a Bemba proverb that says: the trees fall the side where they are inclined to. That’s is obvious about trees. However, the proverb is about people, not about trees, meaning that our end will depend on how we deal with our daily attitudes. So we must ask ourselves: Where are we inclined to? To which side are we going to fall?

Our future is decided now

Jesus advises us no to spend our time and our energies trying to guess when the end of the world will be, because that is God’s secret. We must concentrate on making our daily life meaningful. Then, we will recognise the signs of the coming of the Son of Man, and we will welcome him with joy, not with fear. We will fear, if we have been moving in the wrong direction; then, we will fall to the wrong side, and we will not find life, rejoicing in God’s love, but we will find the pain and agony of loneliness, and the burning fire of hatred.

The end of the world will be the end of this world and the beginning of a new world, in which God will be “all in all” (Eph 1:23). We must think about the end of the world, and mainly our own end, with hope, not with despair. However, we must always remember that the choices are made now, and we will reap what we are sowing now. 

MONEY DOES NOT BUY THE KINGDOM OF GOD

XXXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: MK 12:38-44

In a world dominated by the big finance, money can achieve nearly everything. We may even think that it has taken  the place of God, or at least, we can buy a place in God’s kingdom with it. There are people, and they are many, who have an insatiable hunger for money and for wealth. It is never enough. They always need more.

Never satisfied

Surely, human beings are always in search of more, whatever it may be. And they are never satisfied. This dissatisfaction should lead us to God, because only in him we can find peace and fulfilment. However, wealth and power have hijacked this deep desire of our hearts, misleading us and transforming what should be a tool at the service of all into a tool of oppression and exploitation.

In this week’s Sunday Gospel, Jesus tells us clearly that we cannot get God’s approval with the amount of money we offer. It is not like in auction, where the highest bidder gets his prize. Seating in front of the treasury box, Jesus observed people depositing their offerings. And then a poor widow approached and threw in a little coin. Humanly speaking, she offered nothing, and her contribution would not make any different. In spite of that, in God’s eyes, she was the one who offered most, because she offered all that she had, with a pure and sincere heart and with total confidence in God’s compassion and care.

God does not count the money

God does not count the money that we give; he doesn’t need it. We are the ones in need of money, and then trust money more than God. But God doesn’t look to our hands to see how much they are carrying; he looks to our hearts to see how much we are ready to share and how much we entrust ourselves into his hands.

ESSENTIAL VALUES AND ATTITUDES

XXXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mk 12:28-34

An important question

People can ask all kinds of questions. And the same question may be asked time and again, sometimes just to test you, most of the times, to get understanding and reassurance.

Jesus was asked many questions by common people, by his disciples, by people of influence and by his enemies. The Pharisees asked Jesus many questions about his doctrine and his mission. In this Sunday’s gospel, the question came from a scribe. The scribes were teachers and interpreters of the Law of Moses. And he asked: “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

A profession of faith: Only God is God

As a scribe, he knew the answer. Maybe, he just wanted to make sure that Jesus knew the answer as well. Jesus answered quoting Dt 6:4-5, which was (and still is) part of the morning and evening daily prayer of the Jews, called Shema. It is not only a prayer, but it is also a profession of faith: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

We do not believe in many gods. To believe that there is only one God is the most fundamental article of faith, which has profound consequences for our lives. He is life and the source of life. In truth, only He can say “I am!” Nothing can take his place; everything else is relative and only he is absolute. He must occupy the centre of our lives: it is from him that we come, and to him we go, unless we get lost in the way.

Before God, only love matters

Already in the Old Testament, it was stressed that the correct attitude towards God is an attitude of love. God is love, and he calls us to live in love. Once we recognise and accept God, we are filled with his love, and that must be shown in our attitude of love towards our neighbours (see Lev 19:18). That is what matters before God. 

In the end, the scribe praised Jesus, stressing that concern, care and love for our neighbour constitute the true worship, much more important than any sacrifices we may offer to God. Our faith must be expressed in attitudes of love. Only then we will resemble our Father in heaven. 

PREACHERS OF HOPE

XXX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Jer 31:7-9

Jeremiah by Michelangelo

Jeremiah’s call

As a prophet, Jeremiah had not an easy life. He heard God’s call while still very young. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to carry out God’s work. As time passed, he realised that he was acting like a prophet of doom, announcing punishment and destruction, and all people of influence were rejecting and persecuting him.

Jeremiah’s political acumen

Being a prophet of God and a citizen of Judah, he was aware of the political forces at work, during his life time, and he was able to read accurately the political situation. That put him in conflict with the ruling elite. Jeremiah understood that, under king Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonia was the dominant force in the Middle East and that the survival of Judah with a certain degree of autonomy depended on accepting Nebuchadnezzar’s suzerainty. The king of Judah and his court preferred to play Babylonia against Egypt, hoping to guard their independence by doing so. They were blind to the reality and all efforts of Jeremiah to bring them to their senses was in vain.

Jeremiah denounced the betrayal of the covenant

As a prophet, Jeremiah denounced his people betrayal of the covenant, their idolatry and the structural injustices against the poor committed by the state. They would not listen and they would not convert, no matter how harsh and threatening Jeremiah’s message might have been. Deaf to God’s word, they lacked wisdom (even political wisdom) to read the situation and to see the need for change. They took it for granted that YHWH (the LORD) was their God, and that he would never desert them, because his temple was in Jerusalem and there they were offering daily sacrifices to him. Jeremiah called foolishness that false sense of security and announced that the temple would be destroyed. 

Jeremiah complained to God for the role he had to play in denouncing a government that engaged itself in policies of self-destruction, instead of turning back to God and putting all their trust in him.

A message of hope

However, as catastrophe was approaching, Jeremiah became a prophet of hope, announcing that it would be followed by a bright future, brought about by God’s love and mercy:

“The Lord says this:

Shout with joy for Jacob!

Hail the chief of nations!

Proclaim! Praise! Shout:

‘The Lord has saved his people,

the remnant of Israel!”

“They had left in tears,

I will comfort them as I lead them back;

I will guide them to streams of water,

by a smooth path where they will not stumble.”

The Church proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is to say that she proclaims the Good News, bringing hope to the sorrowful hearts of people. From the Bible we learn that God’s last word is not is not a word of curse and condemnation, but a word of salvation and life.

JESUS REJECTED POLITICAL POWER

XXIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mk 10:35-45

Jesus rejected political power as a means to achieve his mission. However, to have and to use political power with the idea that it can be put at the service of the Gospel has been, throughout the centuries, a big temptation to the Church. That is not surprising, since it was a big temptation to Jesus Christ, coming from the tradition of the Old Testament, from the expectation of the people and from the inner desires of the heart. In the end, the temptation comes from Satan, and Jesus opposed it in no uncertain terms: only God is God, and only his power can save.

A share in Jesus’ passion

James and John had the courage and the audacity of asking Jesus for a position of power. By the indignant attitude of the other apostles, we know that all of them were after the same power and the same positions. In the end, Jesus told them that, by following him, they only could expect a share in his passion: to drink from the same cup and be baptised in the same baptism of suffering and death.

The suffering of the Servant of the Lord

Is 53:10-11, speaking about the Servant of the Lord, speaks of his suffering as redeeming:

“he offers his life in atonement” for our sufferings.

“By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself”. 

Since the first generation of Christians, this passage has been read as offering an interpretation of Jesus’ death. And Jesus himself hinted to that, when he said:

“For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45).

IS MONEY A BLESSING?

XXVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 10:17-30

In the line of thinking of a good part of the Old Testament, many preachers proclaim that wealth is a blessing bestowed by God on those who believe and keep his commandments. However, after reading the Gospel of this Sunday’s liturgy, we may ask ourselves if, according to Jesus, riches are a BLESSING OR A CURSE?

A source of temptation

We may say that, in the very least, they are A CONTINUOUS SOURCE OF TEMPTATION. Wealth goes hand in hand with influence and power. And they can easily corrupt our souls, hearts and minds, in such a way that they become our masters and we their servants (even slaves).

Jesus tells us very clearly that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. According to him, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich to enter the Kingdom of God; and that for sure is impossible.

The Apostles were so astonished that they asked: “Who can be saved?” And Jesus answered that God’s grace and power may make the miracle of giving a rich man a heart that is detached from the vanity of wealth, allowing itself to be touched by the suffering of the poor and being open to sharing. He must behave like a steward entrusted with the riches that belong to all and must be shared by all. As soon as he becomes the master, he will be ready to oppress and to exploit in order to keep and increase his riches.

In our capitalist society, profit is the king

Jesus’ words are an accusation against our capitalist modern society, where profit is the king which rules our political, economic and social world. To maximize the profits is the most fundamental principle that guides the big companies and the policy makers, even if that implies moving the factories somewhere else and dismissing thousands of workers.

First and foremost, wealth must have a social dimension, because it must be put at the service of the community and of all those that contributed for its creation.

Jesus warns us in very stern language: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Mt 6:24; see also Lk 16:13).

Jesus rejected the proposal of wealth and power

Remember that, immediately after his baptism and before beginning his mission, Jesus rejected definitely the proposal of acquiring wealth and power as the way to bring about the Kingdom of God (Mt 4:9-10). During his ministry, he was always open to everybody, rich and poor, but he preferred the company of the poor, the sick and the sinners. He put in practice what he preached: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:3; see also Lk 6:20).

THE YEAR OF THE FAITH

Today, is the beginning to the year of faith. This is a year to proclaim, to celebrate and to live our faith.

In an effort to deepen our faith and to recognize that we are united in the proclamation of our faith, we are given the Nicene Creed as a daily prayer.

THE NICENE CREED

IS THE PRAYER FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH

It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved. (Ro 10:9)

The Profession of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father almighty,


maker of heaven and earth,


of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,


the Only Begotten Son of God,


born of the Father before all ages.


God from God, Light from Light,


true God from true God,


begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;


through him all things were made.


For us men and for our salvation


he came down from heaven,


and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,


and became man.


For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,


he suffered death and was buried,


and rose again on the third day


in accordance with the Scriptures.


He ascended into heaven


and is seated at the right hand of the Father.


He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead


and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,


who proceeds from the Father and the Son,


who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,


who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.


I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins


and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead


and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

THE MYSTERY OF LOVE AND MARRIAGE

XXVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Gen 2:18-24

Taking Gen 2:21 literally, once some youths told me that men have one rib less, because it was taken to form the woman. It seems as if God acted like a surgeon, first inducing man (Adam) into a deep sleep and then operating on him to extract one rib. 

Instead of reading it in such a way, it must be understood as a story dealing with the mystery of love and marriage. The deep insights of this story apply to us as much as they did to the first human beings.

Reading the story, it comes to mind that God forgot something, and he realised it when he noticed that being alone, man was not happy. He lacked companionship and someone to share with. God put him in charge of creation and brought all living creatures under his care; but that was not the solution.

From the side means from the heart

From the side of man, God made the woman, meaning that relationship between them must be a relationship of love, and not one of dominion and exploitation. Reading this passage, we must remember that it was from the pierced and opened side of Christ that the Church was brought forth.

In Zambian traditional culture, the bride is taken to the groom and given to him. And that’s what God did, when he took the woman to the man.

Made of the same flesh, with the same dignity

Looking at the woman, man recognised himself as if he was seeing himself in a mirror. Indeed, “this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23), meaning that she is what I am. Both men and women share the same dignity! Being of the same kind, they can be partners and they can join in marriage.

Throughout history, there has been plenty of discrimination against women, as if they were less human beings than men; but they are of the same flesh, the same bones and the same soul, with the same dignity and the same rights. The differences that exist between them are there to make possible a fruitful relationship of love.

The three earthen stones of marriage

Finally, in a short sentence, the writer of this passage expresses the basic requirements of a relationship of love in marriage: 

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” (Gen 2:24).

In traditional mentality, the clay pot is a symbol of marriage, and it needs to be set upon three earthen stones in order to stand and allow the fire of love to transform what is inside.

• Leaving father and mother is the first step (the first stone). The spouse must occupy the first place. If the family left behind is more important than one’s spouse, the relationship will not last; and if it lasts, it will never be a happy relationship.
• Clinging to one’s spouse is the second and essential stone. It is the relationship itself based on mutual respect, dialogue, cooperation and sharing.
• Becoming one body means total communion in total sharing. The sexual relationship expresses and strengthens that communion, but being one body is more than just sex. Only true love can bring it about. 

This passage makes it very clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. Only such a relationship is according to God’s plan and God’s will.

Woe to those who abuse the little children!

XXVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 9:41

The disciples must be like little children, in their simplicity and innocence. However, like little children, they can easily stumble upon an obstacle and fall. The goodness of the children is that they rush into the protection of their mother/ father’s arms.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus concentrates on those who put an obstacle in the path of the “little ones”, scandalizing them and causing them to lose their innocence; and he uses extremely strong language to denounce them and to state the disgrace brought upon themselves by their own actions.

Comparing his disciples to little children, Jesus is speaking about both of them, and curses all those who cause them to fall and lose their way:

“it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mk 9:41).

Throughout the ages, children have been abused in all kinds of ways. In many societies, in old times, the father could dispose of his children at will. In fact, children had no rights and they should surrender in total obedience to their parents. In many old societies, children could be sacrificed to the gods, in order to placate them and obtain their good will and their blessings.

Humanity has come a long way from those cruel times, and Jesus’ teaching and attitude were one the main factors in that change. Today, we have a greater awareness of the children’s dignity and rights. However, in spite of that awareness, the children still suffer plenty of abuse in today’s society. And most of the times that abuse comes from where they less expected. The Church is paying dearly for the sin (crime) of so many who have sexually abused children; and nothing can justify that, even when we know that the problem of child abuse is far bigger in the wider society in which we live than what we find in the Church.

Jesus stands up against all kinds of abuse, threatening the culprits with terrible judgment. His words are a warning to all of us: we must protect the children from all kinds of predators, who are always ready to destroy them.

“LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN”

XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 9:30-37

Obsessed with the question for greatness

Among themselves, the Apostles argued about “which of them was the greatest” (Mk 9:34). In a way, it is good to discover that they were like all of us.  They cherished what we cherish and consider most dear. They were obsessed as we are with the quest for greatness. We find plenty of people ready to do anything to become the first and get the top position in whatever it may be. In all kinds of activities, people struggle to be the most sensational and the most famous.

Jesus made it clear that “if anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” (Mk 9:35). And he advises us to be like little children. We may ask how can it be, and does it make sense? In fact, all children struggle to become youths and all youths want to be considered adults.

Children do not know resentment and revenge

Are we to become like little children in their lack of understanding and their inability to take responsibility? Surely not. But children can show us that are important, even essential, for us to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and to find salvation. They do not care about who is first, all of them are at the same level; and they do not discriminate, because of colour, race, sex or creed. They may do wrong, but it is not planned and premeditated. They do not know resentment and revenge. They may quarrel and fight, but they do not keep a grudge and their heart is not filled with hatred. As soon as the tears dry out, reconciliation comes and they enjoy each other’s company again.

Simplicity and innocence

From the children, we must learn simplicity, innocence and trust. They are weak and powerless. They cannot defend themselves, and so they run to their parents for protection. Close to the mother or father’s heart, they feel at peace, and a smile may return to their faces.

Totally dependent

Children cannot survive on their own; in fact, they are totally dependent on their parents. It is their parents’ love that enables them to recognise and affirm their dignity. 

Like children, we must throw ourselves in God’s arms, accepting our weaknesses and shortcomings, and knowing that we are totally dependent on God’s love and mercy.

THE CONFRONTATION OF TWO EXTREME ATTITUDES

Violent demonstrations throughout the Muslim world

For these past days, all the news agencies, through the TV, newspapers and the Internet, report about the rage of the Muslim world against the irreverence of an insulting film called “Innocence of Muslims”.

Similar films have been made about Jesus Christ, and the Christian world hardly react to such insults and blasphemies. The Muslims have a completely different attitude. For them, the slightest word or gesture that may be interpreted as an insult is considered a big offense and big crowds come to the streets demanding retribution and punishment.

The perception of being dominated

They have the perception that the Western world despises them and tries to dominated and exploit them, and they react with violence, taking justice into their own hands, destroying the property of innocent people and even killing people who have been their friends (like the American ambassador to Libya).  They cannot understand that a democratic government has no power to control the media or to decide which films may be made or not.

Rejection of Western culture

The violent demonstrations that we have taken place are also a rejection of a society that lost its way, where nothing is sacred and where the only procured values are convenience, profit, fame, influence and power. Everything and everybody can be laughed at and be treated irreverent and disrespectfully.

Jesus and Muhammad: two different attitudes

Jesus and Muhammad had completely different attitudes and approaches to society, and this may help to explain some of the different attitudes that we find nowadays: 

• Jesus presented himself as a servant, humbling himself to the point of death on a cross.

In an effort to explain Jesus’ attitude, the first Christians used the prophet Isaiah’s poem about the Servant of the Lord (YHWH):

“For my part, I made no resistance,

neither did I turn away.

I offered my back to those who struck me,

my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;

I did not cover my face

against insult and spittle.” – Is 50:5-6

Like their master, throughout the ages, many Christians have suffered abuse and persecution. Jesus warned his disciples, telling them that they are not more than their master.

• Muhammad was not only the founder of a religion, but also the founder of a state, which in a short while became an empire. In Islam, state and religion are the sides of the same coin. Any disrespect to religion is seen as a threat to the state and to society. 

Irreverence and disrespect

The prevalent attitude in most of the Western societies, where irreverence and disrespect are the trademark of modernity (or postmodernity), is full of arrogance, always ready to trample under their feet what is considered sacred by many people. Those who do so cause injure and inflict pain on many people, and lead them to violence. And all that is done in the name of  human rights. Maybe, we should speak less about our rights and speak more about our duties towards the others.

Radicalism and fundamentalism

On the other side, crowds are being manipulated by radicals and fundamentalists, who reject everything that is different and that challenges their understanding of the world. All those who don’t accept their religious and political code are considered enemies and should be destroyed. And all that is done in the name of God. We may ask if God is a bloody God, because if he is, then he is not God at all.

We must remember that the majority of Muslims are peaceful people, who look with dismay at what is being done among them by a small group of radical people.