Thought of the week

A. Back ground:
In advent we studied how to give birth to jesus in our lives. For that what actions we should follow. In christmas season, christmas day we reflected about Jesus Birth. The idea behind crib, carols and christmas tree to represent incidents about Jesus Birth. Today we are invited to reflect about the faith that should develop by us, in following God's will,as against our earth bound will. Catholic church has developed concepts of immaculate conception and about patron of church of holy mary and St joseph only after around 1850 years. Hence it is important for us to reflect about Holy family, with the newly formed dogma's for us to understand how holy family follow the God's will!.

B.1 importance of mary!
The divine and human natures of the person of christ lived in the womb of mary, God and man made one. In no person in this world was there ever such unity of God and man as Mary experienced within Her during 9 months in which she bore Him whom the heavens could not contain. Mary who was already one with Him in Body, as love reached its peak in mothering the wandering word!.

B.2 The role of St Joseph:

A belief that permeates the old testament and extend a major influence in Joseph's life is the existence of an invisible- spirits of world of angles and demons. 1st angelic apparation " angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream(Mt1:20) to resolve his mental anguish over mary inexplicable pregnancy. The 2 nd recall of angelic al activity was. Night of saviors birth,hearing the chorus of angels for the newborn king- first ever christmas carols.Meanwhile fallen angels were taking the active hand for aiding and abetting king Herods murderous plot to liquidate the new born king. Again angle appeared in a dream(3rd time) to him to flee immediately with mary and jesus to Egypt.
The 4th time an angle appeared to excile Joseph, asking him to return to homeland. Finally he was favored with 5 th recorded dream vision, the angel directed him to return to Galille instead Judea! Due to threat posed by Herods son.

Lessons for us to reflect:
(1)Mary did not took the upper hand, about giving messages to Joseph, rather than Her!
She trusted Joseph's directions!, though she is the starting point with Jesus.
(2) Joseph's mind was so clear to understand and receive the God's message
(3) Mary and Joseph overcame the practical fear and sorrow developed thru' the circumstances and never blame God in providing complex situations rather they both clearly accepts the God's will

The lessons Mary and Joseph shown us were applicable to our lives. Now there are no angles, no dreams, you are along with your family. How to find the God'S will for you?
Whether your wife will agree or children accepts? Very complicated story!

There were no records of disagreements with Joseph and Mary. How to lead a life without disagreements! Specially in a married life, where 2 different people with 2 different conditioning, with 2 different free will's try to follow 1 God's will, in a family will be much difficult than a single life!.

B.4. Delay in establishing dogma's
 of Mary & Joseph in Catholicism!

8/12/1854,dogma of Immaculate Conception was defined by pope Pius 9. Why did it took so long? In the course of history of church, this had been the object of some disagreement. Sources of these are 2 fold.1st was universality of original sin taught with such vigor by St Paul in his letters& universality of Redemption in which it seemed impossible to exempt one sole creature,even if she was mother of God. Council of trent shed light on this 1st point when it declared that it did not intend"to include Blessed & immaculate Virgin Mary in decree relative to original sin" with regard to 2 point,church introduced distinction between Redemption of victims of original sin&antecdent "Preservation" accorded to Virgin Mary in view of future Redemption. Despite these reservations this,feast spread gradually thru out church!.


8/12/1854 Pope Pius 1X proclaims the dogma of the Immaculate conception.25/3/1858 Mary gives her name"I am the Immaculate conception"to Bernadette at the16 apparition.8/12/1870 same pope declares St Joseph as the patron saint of universal church. In 1955 pope PiusX11declares St Joseph as "patron of workmen".why so long!. Christianity envisage to accommodate the technological advancement. Earlier we use horse carts, now we use motor vehicles, resulting an efficient method of traveling. Earlier post now e-mail. Similarly new concepts are being explored by the church as given in mat:9:14-17.

B.5 How mary protect humanity?

Miraculous medal

On27/11/1830,as a novice to become a sister, Catherine Laboure,witness Our Lady, with her feet crushing the head of a serpent. Mary introduced the oval shaped Miraculous Medal,On it were these words:'O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!On other side of  medal,a letter "M"(Mary's initials)was surrounded by the cross. Below there were2 hearts, one heart pierced with the sword (for Mary)& the other heart crowned with thorns for Jesus,12 stars-apostles(to symbolise our Faith & church).Mary said' HAVE A MEDAL WORN AROUND THE NECK, great graces will be given to all who wear it WITH CONFIDENCE'. At elevation time in Holy Mass, she PHYSICALLY SAW CHRIST at the HOST.She died on 31/12/1876 & beatified on 28/5/1933, after 57yrs of her burial, it was found to be completely incorrupt(now Rue de Bac PARIS).

B.6 Evidence of Mary's protection for humanity

Mary's support to humanity is clearly visible from the presence of 2 uncorrupt bodies of St catherine and St bernedethe. They are the present day witness to show mary's Immaculate conception. Immaculate conception is followed by the bodily assumption of mary.

Apparition of fatima (1917 may to october) clear shows, how she is being assigned by God, to look after the humans!


C. Today's readings:
Book of genesis(Gn 15;1-6:21:1-3) says" the word of the lord was spoken to Abraham in a vision," HAVE NO FEAR, ABRAHAM,I AM YOUR SHIELD;YOUR REWARD WILL BE VERY GREAT.....SO SARAH BORE A SON.......ISAAC..."
Letter to the Hebrews says(Heb11:8.11-12.17-19)" it was faith by Abraham obeyed the call....he set out without knowing where he was going.....it was equally by faith that Sarah......to conceive,she believed....It was by faith that Abraham, when put to the test offered up Isaac........."

Gospel(Lk2:22-40) says"when the day came for them to purified .......two young pigeons....named simeon....Now master your servant go in peace.... You see this child: he is destined to fall and for the rising of many.......Anna.......serving God night and day .....to praise God.

Reminds the importance of faith on God's message to lead a Happy life. Mary and Joseph has given good examples of leading our lifes in great faith of our creator God.



Conclusions:

Understanding about mary and Joseph is very important to lead a happy life as catholic. Jesus clearly shows how we should manage mental disagreements(Gethsemani) and physical sufferings(at the cross) that we will encounter, in leading our lives. This concept has been well established among christian denomination, without giving much consideration to Holy Family. The role of Mary and Joseph, allow us to develop faith to God,and essentially they set an example of leading our life according to God's will. As discussed in the advent: there are 4 steps to be followed for us to understand the God'S will. Peaceful,worry less & finally reach a happy mind is essential to achieve. Then you start converting your talents to energy for the benefit of the society- to show the grace of God in creating you. In this process, developing a worry less mind is very important and the example set by Mary and Joseph is very important. The delay in establishing  necessary dogma's with regard to Mary and Joseph, may have a negative influence to reach worry less mind among humans. Never too late, today catholic church has developed such dogma's, Hence anybody who wants to reflect more on Holy Family can constructively do so. Unfortunately our other christian denomination are missing this part, since they have departed much earlier than these dogma's are established!.

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Christmas season 1 sunday we were invited to reflect about the characteristics of HOLY FAMILY, specially how they lead their life in good faith of God.

​

A.  Back ground:

​
A.1 PURPOSE OF ADVENT

Today we remember the birth of Christ. Previous 4 sundays we reflected how to give rise to christ birth in our life. From today until 6 th January we will be reflecting about the characteristics of holy family and Jesus, comparing their earthly characters. In order to understand this one should have given birth to Jesus, by understanding and following the knowledge and actions given in advent season and be convinced about Catholicism. Otherwise the reflection need to carry out in christmas time will be difficult!.

What are the essential difference in character of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Jesus is the main outcome in this process. He has lead the human life which is both human and divine. Mary has clearly shown us, how she has been chosen by God to bring Jesus to this world, while Joseph character is allowing us to reflect more how he led his life as the foster father of Jesus. His character is somewhat hidden, for us to reflect more and see how he supported the God's plan!. Next 2 sundays we reflect more on characteristics of Holy family and characteristics of Jesus both human and divine nature.

A.2- CHRISTMAS SEASON

​

From December 25 th we start the Christmas season until January 6th. December 25 th we remember the historical event of Jesus birth. Jesus birth essentially remind us
(1) Promised messiah to relieve human to reach the intended happiness of God's creation
(2) How God beautifully send Jesus, like a normal human to this world. In order to do that how HE selected Holy Mary and Joseph
And of their virginal marriege.
(3)Jesus has shown the human + divine characteristics; Mary has shown how to follow God's will and Joseph represent all of human(including saints)how we should carry out God's will.

B. Preamble for today's reading:

B.1 Beauty of God's plan
God in HIS own wisdom, has decided how to send HIS own son Jesus to this world to show us a path for gaining happiness. the birth of Christ we remember age old prophecies that were made 500 of years in advance  fulfilled,that a virgin would conceive (Is7:14), and redeemer would be born of the tribe of Judah(Gen 49:10),

The season of advent which prepares for Christmas reminds us that God never ceases to come to us in order to create"New Heavens,new earth where according to his promise,the justice of God will reside"(2 Pt3:13)

But in order for God to come among us,we must welcome him."Here I stand,knocking at the door. If anyone hears me calling and open the door,I will enter his house"(Rv3:20) Each year Christmas allow us to realize again the necessity of creating a place for God to come &reside among us"&"create with us A NEW EARTH".

B.2 Historical Jesus and living jesus

We cannot separate the jesus of history for what some people call the Christ of Faith. They are one and the same. We need to put Jesus back to the first century context. If we disconnect Him from history or come up with some sort of New Age Jesus, who is detached from the cross or the resurrection, we have lost His real identity. The same goes with anti-Semitism in the name of a Jesus whose first century Jewish ness has been ignored or suppressed. How are we going out to sort out the real Jesus from the fake, unless Jesus anchored in the historical gospels?. There are countless people who has disconnected Jesus from reality and then manufactured their own version of Him.- A Jesus who teaches them what they want to hear rather than what they separately need to know. This Jesus is anemic- powerless and pale, because He exists only in their imaginations. All the while the authentic Jesus- with His love and strength, His miraculous power and saving grace- stand patiently by. So many people are creating Jesus who matches their preconceptions about what they think He should be like, but in the process they are missing the real Jesus!.

B.3 Back ground of Christmas:

The feast of christmas," the mass of christ" is not one of the church's earliest festivals; in fact birth of christ used to be celebrated on January 6th in union of the visit of the Magi. The feast of nativity became distinct in the eastern church during the 3rd century, and at Rome about the year 300. Here the date was december 25 th, but other parts of the church kept different days for a long time. It is likely that the selection of the december date was due to an effort to supplant the great Roman Solar feast'natalis solis invicti'(the birth of the unconquerable sun God, by the celebration of the earthly birth of "The light of the world", who indeed is so unconquerable as our lord? Wrote st chrysostom in the 4th century.'HE IS THE SUN OF JUSTICE'.

B.4. Pope's Masses on christmas


The pope used to say mid night mass of the angels in the great basilica of St Mary Major, where the relics of the manager are preserved, to recall our Lords Eternal Birth in the bosom of the Father' before the dawn of ages'.

The second mass at day break, 'The mass of the shepard' was said by the pope in St Anastasia's church.(Resurrection)basilica in Jerusalem, and it was the official chapel of the imperial Byzantine court at Rome. This Mass was to commemorate the human birth of the"Light of Light"

The 3rd and solemn mass of the feast is then celebrated in St Peters and was meant to symbolize christ's birth in the hearts of the faithful, and is coming in glory to every human. This 3rd mass came to be favorite one of the court ceremonies, such as the coronation of Charlenmagne by the pope in 800, or that of William of Normandy in westminister in 1066.

B.5. Popular catholic customs:

​

Crib
St Francis of Assisi, originated, to adore holy babe in 1223. He erected a representation of the stable and manger with a live ox and Ass in a forest-cave near the little town of graccio. During the Mass, the saint preached to the villagers on the limit less mercy, pity and love of God, and the image of the Babe in his arms was seen to come to life for a short space.

Christmas Carols and Trees

 In the 11th and 12th centuries the German. Christmas songs and 'Noels' came into being, and 'Carols' in 13th century. Jacopane da Todi at1306 AD is regarded as the composer of the charming 'stabat Mater Specioosa'. In the 10th century appeared the tradition that the trees and blosom on christmas night. Candles on a Christmas tree are 1 st mentioned in 13 th century epic. Our christmas tree seems to have of been German origin, and is symbolic both of the tree of life in the garden of Eden and of the tree of the Cross. It is earliest reference is 1605, but it did not attain popularity in Germany and England until about 1840.


C. Today's readings:

Vigil Mass:
Mt(1:18-25) " ...... The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call Him Emmanuel, a name which means' God-is-with-us'......."

Act of apostles(Ac 13:16-17.22-25) says
"............I am not the one you imagine me to be: that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undue His sandal"

Prophet isaiah(Is 62:1-5) says:"
"About Zion I will not be silent....."
All readings summerises how the propercy of birth of Jesus is fulfilled!

Mass during night:

Lk 2:1-14 says"........and suddenly with the angel there was a great thrown of the heavenly host praising God and singing
'Glory to God and highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy His favor"

Paul(Tt 2:11-14) says "God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race......"

Prophet isaiah says(Is 9:1-7)"the people that walked in darkness has seen a great light...."

All readings Reminds; about the good news of great Joy.


Mass at dawn:
Lk 2:15-20:
"Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepard said to one another 'let us go to Bethlehem..........and the Shepard went back glorifying and praising God for all......."

Paul says(Tt 3:4-7)" ...........it was for no reason except His own compassion that He saved us......."
 Prophet Isaiah says" say to the daughter of Zion, 'look your savior comes......."

All readings reminds that we have to give birth to christ in our lives!

Mass at day time:
Jn 1:1-18: " .... But to all who did accept Him
He gave power to become children of God......"

Letter to Hebrew(Heb1:1-6)" at various times in the past and in various different ways God spoke to our ancestors, through the prophets ; but in our own time, the last days, He has spoken to us through His son........"

Prophet Isaiah(is 52:7-10) says" how beautiful on the mountains,are the feet of one who brings good news........"

All readings reminds that when you follow the new message of jesus you will be relieved from fear and sorrow, in the present life!

Conclusion:

In advent we were requested to understand the basic actions needed to plant birth of christ. In christmas season we were invited to know further the historical background of how God has send His own son for our salvation. Special attention to be made about how Jesus came through Holy Mary
and St Joseph in to this world. The role of Mary and joseph in facilitation Jesus to come to this world.
Christmas day we will be mainly reminded
(1)Historical birth of jesus Christ
(2)Singing of angels at the birth of Jesus- carols
(3)Reminding the salvation for humans by christmas tree- introduction of original tree of life at the garden of Eden!.


Christianity is the new message of LOVE to all humans in this world. Until one feels the spirit of Christmas,there is no Christmas!.

Wish you a Happy Christmas!

GBU

For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

A. Back ground:
Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. In advent we reflect how to give birth of christ in our life. Birth of Jesus reestablish the Happiness to all human beings. God created all humans to be happy!
There are 4 sundays in advent to study as how to plant Jesus new teachings in our life.. Today is the last sunday

A.1 First sunday,

we reflect how to be a catholic. What we should know,and how to lead our life with catholic principles. The 4 basic pillars of catholicism; our belief-creed,our worship-7 sacraments,our behavior-10 commandments with pardoning and our spirituality-how to establish connection with God- Lords prayer and thru' intercessionary prayers with Mary and saints. In the end when you follow and practice, will lead to establish a happy mind in you.

A.2 Second sunday

we were reminded about difference introduced by Jesus, as against the earlier practices.(Judaism).
(1) Earlier God was directly talking to human thru' various means, now God is indirect and  listen to Him,you should develop a Happy mind.
(2)earlier 10 commandments were practice with Eye to Eye principle, now it is practice with Pardoning principle!.

This also very important. Most of the catholics, try to practice without their knowledge in the old testament

Third sunday we analyzed further the importance of Gospel in comparison to old testaments. These are only written documents available for anybody to learn and practice catholicism.

A.2.1. Back ground of Bible:
Hebrew Bible and christian old testament are more or less similar. First 5 books of old testament has been written by Moses.
Hebrew Bible and christian old testament, the following are similar:
GENESIS,EXODUS,LEVITICUS,NUMBERS,DEUTERONOMY.
The following are in christian Bible:
HISTORY: Joshua/judges/Ruth/1& 2 Samuel/ 1& 2 kings/ 1&2 chronicals/Ezra/nehemia/esther.
POETRY & WISDOM LITERATURE: job/pslams/proverbs/ecclesiastes/song of songs/
THE PROPHETS-major prophets: Isaish/jeramiah/Lamentations/ezkiel/Daniel
MINOR PROPHETS: Hosea/joel/amos/obadiah/Jonah/micah/nahum/habakkuk/zephaniah/haggai/zechariah/malachi
THE APOCRYPHA: catholic & orthodox churches consider Apocrypha as apart of bible.
THE APOCRYPA:
TOBIT:prayer of Azariah & the song of the 3 jews. JUDITH: susanna. ADDITION TO ESTHER: bel and the dragon: WISDOM OF SOLOMON: 1&2 Maccabees,ECCLESIASTICUS- 1& 2 Esdras, BARUCH-Prayer of manasseh,
EASTERN ORTHODOX ADDITION TO THE APOCRYPHA: 3& 4 maccabees/psalm 151.

A.2.2 THE NEW TESTAMENT:
The history of the new testament's composition is much briefer,it being written within a period of 50 to 75 years(as compared to 1000years for the Hebrew Bible).
The new testament consist of histories of life of Jesus/a history of early church-ACT OF APOSTELS/ letters written by leaders of early church apostle Paul & various other 1st century christians/ final book of new testament,REVELATION-called apocalptic literature, refering to end time prophecies.

BY TRADITION THESE WORK WERE WRITTEN UNDER DIVINE INSPIRATION OF GOD.(Number of new testament books as at now is 27)

HISTORY- gospels(life of Jesus) MATTHEW/MARK/LUKE/JOHN; LIFE OF EARLY CHURCH- acts of apostels; letters PAUL'S LETTERS; Romans,1&2 corinthians,galatians,ephesians,philippians,colossians,1& 2 thessalonians,1&2 Timothy,Titus,philemon,
General letters: Hebrews,James,1&2 peter,1,2&3 John,Jude
APOCALYPSE(future events)- Revelations.

A.2.3 value of new testament
New testament, specially Gospel, allow you to reflect in many angles to resolve your own problems to find the purpose of creation of human individual to them!. Reflections on the readings of sunday mass(Gospel) and reciting daily rosary with reflecting the Gospel is the best method to gain knowledge of God and lead a happy life.

A.3. 4th sunday(to day)
If you are trained to follow God's will, then you are assured about Happy life both in this world and outside. How do we know whether my will is the God's Will. This is the most difficult part in christianity. Now God will not send angles or give you dreams, directly instructing about HIS WILL. You should first prepare your self to accept HIS instructions. The previous 3 sundays gave you the basic that you should know,as well as what to practice in your life, in order for you to tune your will to HIS. Holy Mary was the first documented example for that, while st josep's life, you can reflect to add more experience to understand how he has managed to follow God's Will.

Preamble for today's readings:

B.1 mary's humility:
The great honor by the angel created a problem to Mary, who have vowed to give her body as well as her sole to God. Therefore she could never be a mother. As she put it"I know not man. I have willed not to know man". Mary did not say" I WILL NEVER MARRY,THEREFORE,I CANNOT BECOME THE MOTHER OF JESUS" that would have been disobedient to God. God was choosing her, not just because she was a virgin but because of her humility. Later mary herself declared this as the reason"HE LOOKED UPON THE LOWLINESS OF HIS HANDMAID"(luke:1:48) So Mary troubled. Nothing troubles a humble soul like praise, and here the praise comes from angel of God.:HAIL-(peace be with you/rejoice),FULL OF GRACE-(full of virtue).

B.2: Essential factor in catholicism

Catholism allows you to develop PEACEFUL mind, then worry free mind, then happy mind. The essential factor to develop upto happy mind is to avoid 7 Vices(Sloth,Anger,pride,Envy,lust,Gluttony,avarice). Mary had avoided all those in her life. One cannot do this without handing over his life to God. Any human in this world will develop a worried mind due to fear,sorrow and disagreements. If they try to clear worries by themselves, without spiritual support, it is going to be short lived solution. That is why catholicism has developed the concept of Holy Mary and communion of saints, your guardian angel etc, to handover such worries, and lead a Happy life. This is the only way that you can go for positive thinking!. Holy mary as a human,has practised that, and now she is assigned by God to assist us in clearing our worries!


C. Today's reading:
Paul(Rm 16:25-27) reminds you to give glory to God. Samuel says(2 S 7:1-5.8-12.14.16)
Says THE LORD WILL MAKE YOU GREAT!.
Lk(1:26-38) .........I AM HANDMADE OF THE LORD, said Mary"LET WHAT YOU HAVE SAID TO BE DONE TO ME" reminds that you are also handmade of God, and we should be prepared to follow the God's will like Mary!.Mary did a great difficult request of God. As human, who also having earth bound desires, Mary set a good example for us to follow. Not only that she maintained throughout of earthly life, in following God's will. Sometimes in our life we start with God(mostly in trouble times) then forget about HIM, when we are well off!.(First will be last and last will be first!).

Conclusions:

The last sunday of the advent, gives the final goal that we should achieve and practice to follow God's will. All sunday's reflections are aiming to reach this final Goal! One cannot think that he is following god's will unless he is properly educated and vigilant about his life. Aristotle says"unaware life is not fit for living"

GBU


For more pl visit:
http://weeklycatholicreflection.blogspot.com Or
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.blogspot.com

Back ground: