High light:
(1) What is the difference between REPENTANCE and CONVERSION?
(2) How to convert your sorrow/fearful life to happy life?
(3) How to convert your trust with God to faith with God?
(4)What is the basic unit of society?how to convert unhappy society to happy society?
(5)Why people say church management model is best operational model of the world? What is the basic characteristics of that model?. How to apply that model to you and to your family?
Pl spend 11 minutes to listen to the following:
http://www.sinhalagospel.lk/
Reflection for 22nd january 2017, celebrating 3rd Sunday mass of ordinary season,of cycle 1, inviting us to know the basic actions of Catholicism, in order to lead a happy life. When you were baptized you were given a flower seed. You plant this seed in the soil, that is your living society. You treat the seed every day like manuring, watering to see the growth of the seed. You protect the tree from diseases it is like sin. Then you will see, every day you will get flowers.
For that we as catholic, know that we have to please the God. In order to please Him, we should know what HE has asked us to do. This we analyzed last sunday, the laws that need to follow. 10 comms,avoid 7 vices, follow church rules, which we believe given by Holy Spirit. When we go against these rules,even by thinking, it is a Sin. Then when you sin, is there Any process to clear the effects of sins?. When you understand that you have sinned against God, you have a guilty feeling or called guilt and punishment for that sin. Catholicism gives very simple
Method to how to treat these 2 aspects. To remove guilt, Repent about your sin,determine not to do it again,go to a priest and confess your sins(at least once a year you have to do this). Once you do this you can forget of your sin, when advising specially children. For example you have stolen money from your fathers pocket, when you are young: but you have confessed these sins and stop stealing: now you see your young son is doing same. when you advice your son, you can pretend that you have not done stealing in your life. This will avoid, others to find an excuse to against God. Once you repent and clear the sin, you convert your life to please the God. Then by doing merciful acts you can reduce the punshment for that sin.
In repentance, you clearly identify what is your fault without any ambiguity. For example when you believe in karma, when a problem comes to your life, you know it may be due to a fault in your previous or present life. But naturally, you tend to excuse the present life and tend to attribute that fault to previous life. Then you don't know which previous life or which birth or what is the exact sin that you have done. Christianity believe only in one life,since Jesus has risen from death not as a baby!, hence it is easy for you identify your sin, and repent and decide honestly not to do it. Once you are clear what is your fault, you have to confess to a priest and determine not to do it again, then only you can be converted as a new person. One can argue why you need a priest. Christianity process given by Jesus in Jn 20:23 is clear. This is how you convert your repentance to change to a happy life.
Every person in this world will have fear and sorrow embodied into their life. How to manage this situation to lead a happy life is the method shown by Jesus Christ.
What is the treatment for fear and sorrow from Catholicism?
When you are sick, you go to a medical doctor, to recover. When there is worm in your stomach, you take a pill to kill the worm. Always you depend upon 3rd party to recover yourself. Similarly God in His own wisdom, has introduced Mary and saints for us to hand over our fears and sorrows, so that those saints to intercede with God, for our happiness. Holy spirit will introduce saints to the society. There is a clear beautiful process for that. This process will have dual effect. (1) introduction of saints for profession wise, so that faithful can learn about the life of saint and take examples of his life, for you to follow.(2) this process is dynamic towards end of this world. In cana (jn 2) jesus clearly shows the importance of intercessionary prayers to produce happiness in your life or to produce new wine in your life.
When you are worried with life problems and when you don't have much solutions, you cannot think about life progress. Then God's Will cannot be implemented! In your life.
When you follow what God has asked you to do with handing over your problems/sorrows to Holy Mary and saints, you start with converting you talents. When you are born, why they have put a saint name to you?. When you grow up,as an adult, you get enough spiritual support to lead your life thru' your patron saint.
Let us summarize Today's readings:
Isaiah 8:23-9:3 says" a people in darkness see a great light which will shine on those in a land of gloom.
Paul says to corinthians(1 Cor 1:10-13.17)" make up the difference between you instead of disagreeing among yourself.
Matthew 4:12-23 says"HE went and settle in Carpernaum in this way the pro percy of Isaiah to be fulfilled.
Reflection:
The heart of Jesus proclamation is given in today's gospel. As is often noted the word Repent is always followed by "Convert"
It really means a new way of looking at every thing,or new mind or outlook. It may of course include being sorry about the past, but the real energy is towards the future." Convert and put your trust in good news" We could put it like this. From what we are called to conversion is important, more importance is towards what are being called!. In summary Repentance has to be followed by conversion. If you don't repent and change your life, there is no conversion.
Most difficult sins, that needs lot of will power for real repentance and conversion will be lust. Sin against flesh, is normally misunderstood as love. Unless you, yourself identify, having illicit connection with opposite sex, is against going God's law, and try to avoid such yourself,in your life. It will be difficult to get God's will for you, since this kind of illicit love, will occupy majority of your mind.
How you convert your trust to faith with God.
Once you control yourself, to follow God's law, you develop a peaceful mind. With peaceful mind when you practice handing over your worries to Mary and saints, you develop worry less mind. when you develop worry less mind, it will attract God's will for you. Then God will convert your talents to energy to serve His Will to society. Then you get to know your happiness and achievements in society is solely due to God; that means you have converted your trust to faith with God.
Once you develop happiness within yourself,it is easy to develop happy society. Family is a basic unit of a society. When you are happy,all your family members most probably follow you, so that your family will convert to happiness. Like wise it will convert to a happy society.
In conclusion: you should be aware, that you don't know 100% outcome for your actions, you don't know what is happening inside your body,you cannot read the other person mind. Under this situation, any sensible human will develop fear and sorrow in his life. This will create un healthiness within yourself. What is the solution for this. Catholicism gives you, clear short cut answer. See how the catholic church operates.
Let us analyze how God formed the Church
Jesus has started this new management style by forming a team. He showed the strength of developing knowledge
(2) strength of developing actions
(3) strength of developing relationships. Jesus commenced work,by gathering disciples. Mt(4:12-23)Jesus worked with a staff{(illiteral,poor background,fractious feelings- bad tempered/difficult to control & cowardice- lack of courage:)that was totally human NOT divine. He trained 12 humans who so influenced the world,that time itself is now recorded as being before(B.C)or after (A.D)-Amino Domini
HE showed good ideas, noble intentions,brilliant inventions & miraculous discoveries GO NOWHERE unless somebody forms a team to act
Even HE knew HE cannot change world alone,He formed a team(CHURCH) to achieve a goal(extend God's kingdom till end of world).
CHURCH EVEN TODAY IS CLAIMED TO HAVE THE BEST MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD!
It all depends upon how successful the team operate!.
One of the most important keys to success of a team work is AGREEING TO AGREE!.As a church we agree to follow Cannon law(ecclesiastical law that governs the church),Catechism(the teaching of the church),Roman Curia(bureaucratic & orgernisational infrastructure), laid down!. It provides how the current church is moving forward!.
What is the Mission statement of Church.
Success of a team will depend upon simple, unambiguous mission statement. For example America's mission statement is Freedom. For Christians mission statement is LOVE!.
What is LOVE?
Paul reminds success of team is LOVE-means carrying out a job happily without waiting others to do(complaining)unlike Martha/Maria(Lk10:38-42). This story doesn't mean that Since Maria is listen to the Jesus she is wiser!. It means that Martha was not having Love for Jesus, hence she complained!. Jesus statement indicate that if you don't have LOVE, you are worried about your contribution,start judging others & start complaining! Under LOVE if both Maria & Martha invited Jesus for a meal,one should talk & other should cook! Otherwise no meals
God will not drop' Manna' in the new testament! But He will multiply your talents, if you work out of love(multiplication of loaves)
God has revealed. Thru prophet isaiah (700 BC) formation of church to bring happiness to all people!. Finally, in your life identify how to manage (1) knowledge (2) fnancial(3) discipline. For this (1) reflecting sunday readings (2) developing your life thru charitable activities (3) identify your sins and always follow pardoning process. Identify a mission statement for your life. See that God is active in your life.
Thank you!
GBU
For more pl visit:
http://
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.
