Think positively.
Eat healthy.
Exercise today.
Worry less.
Work hard.
Laugh often.
Sleep well.
Repeat…
Source:
http://www.lifebuzz.com/8-things/#!3QXT3
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Reflection from last week
I try to go to Church every Sunday, but very rarely I get to hear a good homily.
Last Sunday, I was touched by this homily. I built up the courage to speak to the priest after mass and requested for a copy. He faxed it to me and so I would like to post it on my blog, so I can read it again and again (and share with anyone who cares to read it). :)
I would like to thank Bum2x for typing it up for me! You're the best! :)
Someone asked him: “Lord will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:22)
This question as we just heard, does not receive a direct answer. Our Lord answers the question with a short parable and the discourse ends with a cryptic saying: “Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” What is certain is the fact that the question rises out of the context of our Lord’s mission “to preach the good news to the poor... to proclaim release to captives and set at liberty those who are oppressed” (of Luke 4:18). What is also certain is the nature of our Lord’s mission for it addresses man’s need for salvation and indeed, the salvation of the world itself.
While not all religions speak explicitly of salvation, all address the human condition and the need in some manner or form to establish a connection with the divine. As such they address the universal need for a right relationship with God. Both the Old and New Testaments speak of this as salvation and both the word and the idea of salvation are basic in the faith and theology of the Bible. What is the meaning of salvation? The word itself in Hebrew signifies primarily the possession of space and the freedom and security gained by the removal of constriction. It is a helpful visual image. At its short basic meaning the word salvation implies freedom. Rightly then, when we Christians speak of salvation we understand this to mean in its religious sense, freedom from the bonds or constriction of sin and ultimately death. Understood as freedom, the question and meaning of salvation are not peripheral or irrelevant though it may seem that many never consider the question.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” To ask this question it seems that another question is implied; “Lord, will I be saved?” To ask this question, not theoretically; not in relation to others but in relation to me, personally, brings us or I should say me, brings me to the very heart or essence of faith. Faith or belief is supposed to provide the basis of our spiritual life; that is our relationship with God. this is to say that we have to learn to grasp the truths of faith in such a way that it affects the way we approach God, the way we face life as well as help us if needed, to change the way we act.
One of the recurring heresies or errors in the history of Christianity has been the belief that salvation could be finally and completely achieved by a single act whether that act is understood as the predestination of God, the death of Jesus Christ or the reception of faith and baptism. In our times, now besetting heresy (neo-Pelagianism) that denies human sinfulness altogether entices many to ignore the question altogether. Man, many say, does not need to be saved and yet we seem never to tire of speaking of the need to save the environment. Yes, the world is no less in need of salvation because it too along with each one of us is governed by God who governs history completely and is leading it to the end that he has chosen. Sacred Scripture records what we term salvation history. And it is clear that the universe was created by God in a state of journeying towards an ultimate perfection yet to be attained. In fact, we call divine providence the dispositions by which God guides his creation towards this perfection. And this providence is immediate and concrete. God cares for all from the lease things to the great events of the world and its history.
This is what Catholics believe or are supposed to believe about God’s creation and providence. This is not easy especially when [we] are faced with trials and events beyond our control. One thing is certain: the love of God, His mercy is everlasting and “He has mercy in every generation on those who fear him;” that is to say, on those who seek to live in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” “Lord will I be saved?” It is not for us to know the answer to these questions now. It seems from the answer given to the question by our Lord that it suffices for us to make every effort to be faithful to his teaching, to live in the freedom from sin that He alone can guarantee us and to know that He is with us. He is never far from us; God is near.
Last Sunday, I was touched by this homily. I built up the courage to speak to the priest after mass and requested for a copy. He faxed it to me and so I would like to post it on my blog, so I can read it again and again (and share with anyone who cares to read it). :)
I would like to thank Bum2x for typing it up for me! You're the best! :)
Someone asked him: “Lord will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:22)
This question as we just heard, does not receive a direct answer. Our Lord answers the question with a short parable and the discourse ends with a cryptic saying: “Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” What is certain is the fact that the question rises out of the context of our Lord’s mission “to preach the good news to the poor... to proclaim release to captives and set at liberty those who are oppressed” (of Luke 4:18). What is also certain is the nature of our Lord’s mission for it addresses man’s need for salvation and indeed, the salvation of the world itself.
While not all religions speak explicitly of salvation, all address the human condition and the need in some manner or form to establish a connection with the divine. As such they address the universal need for a right relationship with God. Both the Old and New Testaments speak of this as salvation and both the word and the idea of salvation are basic in the faith and theology of the Bible. What is the meaning of salvation? The word itself in Hebrew signifies primarily the possession of space and the freedom and security gained by the removal of constriction. It is a helpful visual image. At its short basic meaning the word salvation implies freedom. Rightly then, when we Christians speak of salvation we understand this to mean in its religious sense, freedom from the bonds or constriction of sin and ultimately death. Understood as freedom, the question and meaning of salvation are not peripheral or irrelevant though it may seem that many never consider the question.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” To ask this question it seems that another question is implied; “Lord, will I be saved?” To ask this question, not theoretically; not in relation to others but in relation to me, personally, brings us or I should say me, brings me to the very heart or essence of faith. Faith or belief is supposed to provide the basis of our spiritual life; that is our relationship with God. this is to say that we have to learn to grasp the truths of faith in such a way that it affects the way we approach God, the way we face life as well as help us if needed, to change the way we act.
One of the recurring heresies or errors in the history of Christianity has been the belief that salvation could be finally and completely achieved by a single act whether that act is understood as the predestination of God, the death of Jesus Christ or the reception of faith and baptism. In our times, now besetting heresy (neo-Pelagianism) that denies human sinfulness altogether entices many to ignore the question altogether. Man, many say, does not need to be saved and yet we seem never to tire of speaking of the need to save the environment. Yes, the world is no less in need of salvation because it too along with each one of us is governed by God who governs history completely and is leading it to the end that he has chosen. Sacred Scripture records what we term salvation history. And it is clear that the universe was created by God in a state of journeying towards an ultimate perfection yet to be attained. In fact, we call divine providence the dispositions by which God guides his creation towards this perfection. And this providence is immediate and concrete. God cares for all from the lease things to the great events of the world and its history.
This is what Catholics believe or are supposed to believe about God’s creation and providence. This is not easy especially when [we] are faced with trials and events beyond our control. One thing is certain: the love of God, His mercy is everlasting and “He has mercy in every generation on those who fear him;” that is to say, on those who seek to live in the freedom of the sons and daughters of God.
“Lord, will only a few be saved?” “Lord will I be saved?” It is not for us to know the answer to these questions now. It seems from the answer given to the question by our Lord that it suffices for us to make every effort to be faithful to his teaching, to live in the freedom from sin that He alone can guarantee us and to know that He is with us. He is never far from us; God is near.
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