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10-Dec-2006
Dear Friend,
Everyone wants to be happy, we dont desire a few pleasurable moments but
lasting happiness. We live much of our life anticipating things that are to
happen. We eagerly anticipate happy moments, and events like graduations and
weddings and jubilees. Do we anticipate His coming? Have a looking forward
weekend! Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Third Sunday of Advent Be happy, dont worry! 17-Dec-2006
Readings: Zephaniah 3: 14-18; Philippians:4:4-7;
Luke 3:10-18;
Todays reading from the Book of Zephaniah was written around 640 B.C. when
Assyrian gods were being worshipped even in Jerusalem. Although most of
Zephaniah is gloomy, here he presented hope, to reside in the remnant of the
Jews that would remain faithful. The city and the people are to rejoice because
the Lord is coming to save them. Twice he states that despite sad things that
are happening, God is in their midst. God is in the midst of our sadness too,
and like the people of that time, we must remove our arrogance and pride in
order to receive him. To rub it in, the psalmist, despite our fears and
weaknesses, cheerily demands that we cry out with joy, that we be confident and
unafraid. Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of
Israel.
The Source Of Joy Folklore tells the story of a Guru who sought to learn
from the Master the stages he had passed through his quest for the divine. He
said, God first led me by the hand into the Land of Action, where I dwelt for
several years. Then he returned and led me into the land of Sorrows; there I
lived until my heart was purged of every inordinate attachment. Thats when I
found myself in the Land of Love, whose burning flames consumed whatever was
left in me of self. This brought me to the Land of Silence, where the mysteries
of life and death were bared before my wondering eyes. Was that the final
stage of your quest? they asked. No, the Master said. One day God said,
Today I shall take you to the innermost sanctuary, to the heart of God
himself. And I was led into the Land of Laughter.-Harold Buetow
Paul in his letter to the Philippians asks them to be happy. I want you to
be happy in the Lord always. What I want is your happiness. He asks them to be
unselfish and keep away all worries, for there is no need to worry. If there is
anything that we need we only have to ask the Lord who always answers our
prayers. In every situation we should be thankful, in tears as well as in
laughter. The experience of his peace which surpasses all understanding will
guard our hearts.
Praising In Pain Hanna R. Higgins, the author of the book Clouds and
Sunshine was a bedridden invalid for over fifty years. As a young girl she was
afflicted with a strange bone disease, and her legs had to be amputated. She
lived through intense suffering and pain, bearing everything patiently and
cheerfully as she was a completely committed Christian. Everyone who came to
meet and talk to her went away feeling blessed. She used to call her bed the
Thanksgiving Corner. She rejoiced in the Lord and radiated Christian joy,
peace and glory. Her prayer list for missionaries and workers included over 200
names and she prayed without ceasing. Her book was written when she was 77 and
she says, I long for all to prove, as I do, that with our loving Saviours
help, it is possible to be happy even under trying circumstances.
Daniel Sundararaj in Manna for the Soul
Todays gospel expands the theme of joy. This joy is born out of the belief
that the Lord is very near. He stands among us. John the Baptist points out the
way to Christ, which is also the way to happiness. The crowds ask him, What
must we do to be happy? John tailored his answers to the questioners. Johns
answer to the crowds in general had to do with charity; that they share what
they have with the less fortunate. The answer to the tax collectors concerned
social justice: they are to avoid dishonesty, greed and ill-gotten wealth. The
answer to the soldiers and the power-holders was that they should stop
bullying, and blackmailing. All these questioners liked what they heard though
the answers were blunt and forthright. This was good news that John gave them.
Could he be the Messiah?
But John was clear about his identity. He received his identity in
relationship to Christ. I am not the one, I am unfit to untie his sandal. He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John is a witness, his
role is to point away from himself to the Other, the one more worthy by far.
The greatness of the Baptist is manifested in the utterly unselfish way he
hands over to Jesus. He says it is his joy to be friend of the Bridegroom,
and to hand over the bride to him. John is the voice, Jesus is the Word. John
is the lamp, Jesus is the light. Like John the Baptist we are not asked to be
anything beyond ourselves. I am not and need not pretend to be the Christ, nor
a great prophet. Our task is to offer ourselves to be his witness, his voice
and his lamp. We are to recognize his presence within us.
Listening to the words of John the Baptist, the people realize the necessity
of changing something in their way of life. Like them, we ask: What must we
do? The first condition of any conversion is to abandon our self-sufficiency
and to recognize the need to be profoundly touched by some word, which will
take us out of ourselves. Let each of us then take stock of our situation and
see how best to fulfill our obligations of social justice, mutual support and
charity in our particular circumstances and work. The many individuals who cast
a first glance at themselves and accept to open themselves to the unforeseeable
ways of god in the concrete reality of their daily lives become a people with a
feeling of expectancy. Someone is coming who will continue within our hearts
the itinerary, which is already begun. Today too precursors arise who prepare
the way, asking in our day the fundamental question about life and death. Gods
prophets point always to another more powerful
than themselves: Jesus Christ, who still comes to baptize each one in fire,
to burn the chaff, and in the Spirit, to gather the ripe wheat.Glenstal Bible
Missal
What Should We Do? How Should We Live?
There was a certain kingdom that had been blessed with kings who were both
wise and good. The explanation was thought to lie in a magic ring, always worn
by the oldest son who inherited the throne. But then a problem arose as the
present king had twins, whom he loved equally. As he fell ill and thinking he
was about to die, he hit on a plan. He got another ring made exactly like the
first. Then he called his two sons separately and gave them each a ring. When
one of the sons, Peter, found out that his brother had also received a ring he
made a terrible scene. The king consulted a wise man to help him decide the
issue. After examining the rings the wise man declared: I cannot tell which of
you is wearing the magic ring. However, whichever of you displays the greatest
amount of goodness in his life will prove beyond doubt that he possesses the
magic ring. It was agreed. As it happened, the king recovered and after years
when he was nearing his end, he called his sons to
decide which one had the magic ring. Peter claimed he possessed it. But the
people who knew him best thought differently. His wife said he had shown her
very little affection and his children said he was never at home. His servants
claimed he was hard on them and his neighbours complained that he was forever
stirring trouble among them. When Paul came in he made no claims whatever of
having the magic ring. The people who knew him said he was kind and they were
full of praise for him. He proved a loving husband and a kind father to his
children. He treated his servants with respect and he had been a force for
peace among his neighbours. Finally the King asked Peter to produce the ring.
I no longer have it answered Paul, as I gave it many years ago to a poor
woman to sell and buy some food and clothes. Far from being angry, the king
was pleased on hearing this. It merely confirmed him in his belief that the
verdict he had reached was the correct one and in due course Paul
ascended the throne and donned the crown. Our deeds witness to our lives.
Flor McCarthy in Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies
May our lives rather than deeds prepare us for His coming!
Fr. Jude Botelho
www.netforlife.net
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net Thank you.
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