Justice and Mercy

 

The apostle John ran to Peter and said, "I have good news and bad news!"

Peter asked, "What's the good news?"

John said, "He is risen. Jesus is alive again!"

Peter asked again, "What's the bad news?"

John replied, "He's really steamed up about what's happened last Friday."

Let's think about this for a moment.

After the Resurrection, the disciples and others were hiding in a house with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. (John 20:19 0nwards)

Jesus appeared and stood amongst them. He had every right to be angry that they ran away. That would have been justice.

Instead, He said, "Peace be with you," indicating that all is forgiven. That is mercy.

There's a great difference between justice and mercy. Justice is what we deserve for our sins. Mercy is what God offers.

Days later Jesus appears again. This time Thomas is there and Jesus shows him His wounds in His side, hands and feet. Thomas believes and Jesus shows him mercy too.

Unwittingly, Thomas did Christianity and the Church a great favour by not believing in the Resurrection when Jesus appeared the first time. I believe that it was all Divinely planned.

Had He not doubted, had he been there the first time Jesus appeared, Jesus would not have appeared again, and this whole episode would not have happened, and it would not have been recorded. 

Because it happened, the episode was witnessed by the other disciples, and written about for us to read and believe.

As Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

A new venture gone wrong

 

I started a new business venture which, I am sad to say, is not going that well. I decided to provide a horse-sitting service. It's a bit like baby sitting, or to be more precise, it's like dog or cat kennels where people leave their pets when they go on holidays.

We live near a racecourse and there's a number of stables around, so I thought this service would prove popular. 

I got a contract from someone to look after his horses. He plays polo and this is his set of six horses.

I thought that I would go to his stables and feed his horses, clean their stables and so on. Easy work and good money.

On the day in question a couple of big vehicles turned up at our home and his people delivered six horses. I asked why are they not at the man's stables, and was told he has gone away on business and the stables are being refurbished and repainted and the horses are to stay with me. 

I do not have any stables in my back garden. I do not have any in my front garden either. The horses have been in our living room for a week. They made quite a mess of the carpet and they insist on watching horse racing on TV and programs of Mr Ed; whoever he is. They stand there facing the TV and saying "Neigh ... Neigh ..." to each other. 

My wife is very upset about the whole thing. She said my business plan is flawed. I put the cart before the horse.

I showed her how much the man paid us and said, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth!" 

She got more upset and said it was more a question of Trojan horses who have taken over our whole way of life as well as the living room.

At this, one of the horses went "Neigh!!!" And that was his contribution to the argument. "Neigh ..." straight from the horse's mouth.

It was pointless closing the front door after the horses got in!

The Pope's Mistakes

 

Early one morning Father Ignatius received a phone call from Mother Superior. Sister Josephine had been called away to visit a very sick relative; would he take on her Catechism class of 7 and 8 year-olds.

He sat down at her desk and said, “Let’s start where Sister Josephine left off last week. What did she teach?”

A young boy put up his hand and said enthusiastically, “She said the Pope does not make any mistakes. He is unflappable!”

“No stupid …” interrupted a young girl, “Sister Josephine said the Pope is inflatable!”

“I remember it was inf something …” explained little Dennis to the priest, “in follicle I think …”

“I’m sure his Holiness would be pleased to learn that you consider him unflappable and inflatable!” said Father Ignatius gently, “I think Sister Josephine said that he is infallible.”

“It means he does not make any mistakes,” explained Dennis eagerly.

“Does it mean he can do all his sums right?” asked William.

“I don’t think so,” said Rose, “because algebra is very difficult. Everyone makes mistakes in algebra.”

“I hate algebra,” declared Derek, “and chemistry. Are you good at algebra Father?”

The priest tapped the ruler gently on the desk to get them to settle down.

“No Derek, I have never been good at algebra,” he confessed, “I found it a little difficult too.”

This had the desired effect of quietening them down.

“Now then,” he continued, “what did Sister Josephine mean when she said that the Pope is infallible?”

“He makes no mistakes,” said Sophie.

“Yes,” said Father Ignatius, “what I’m sure Sister Josephine explained is that the Pope, when speaking for the Church, and teaching about Christianity, he does so in a correct manner, which we should accept and obey.”

“Does this mean he is always right when answering Catechism questions?” asked Marcel.

“It means that he is guided by the Holy Spirit, who teaches him and tells him what to say. You know who the Holy Spirit is; do you?” Father Ignatius asked the youngsters.

“He is a pigeon,” declared Alfred, “because I have an image of Jesus in the water with John the Baptism and a pigeon. Dad said it is the Holy Spirit.”

“No …” replied Monica, “the Holy Spirit is fire which went on the Gospels heads when they were in the house, only it didn’t burn their hair. It made them speak many languages.”

“Yes … that’s true” confirmed Steve, “it made them speak in Arabaic.”

“No, it’s Aramaic …” corrected Dennis, “they spoke in all languages in the world except French!”

“Jesus spoke in English,” said Derek, “that’s why all the Bibles in the world are written in English!”

“No, He spoke in Latin. That’s why the priest says Dominus Vobiscum in Latin,” explained Harry who’d remained quiet up to now.

The priest tapped the ruler gently again on the desk to get them to stop talking. Obviously he had a lot of ground to cover to explain in simple terms to these enthusiastic youngsters the many mysteries of Christianity.

He told them how God at first spoke to us through the prophets, and then He sent Jesus to speak to us personally as a human being, although He is also God. It would have been difficult for people at the time to understand and fathom out the Holy Spirit, and the mystery of the Holy Trinity. So God allowed the Holy Spirit to appear in terms which people could perhaps understand, a dove, a voice from above, and indeed tongues of fire.

These mysteries are still difficult for some people to understand even today. That’s why we must pray often about them and ask God to help us believe, even if we don’t fully understand.

At this point the bell rang to signify the end of lesson.

As the children left Father Ignatius remembered that Sister Josephine was scheduled to take on his Catechism class this Friday.

“I wonder what booby traps she’ll lay for me with that lot?” he asked himself. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The Pope's infallibility is a subject sometimes raised by non-Catholics when discussing our Faith and beliefs. The Catholic Church needs to make clear what is meant by the Pope's infallibility.

It means that he is totally dependable and fail-safe when pronouncing Catholic dogma which Catholics  are to accept and believe. This is known as speaking "ex cathedra". 

That is: - when in the exercise of his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians he defines, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.

In the whole history of the Catholic Church this "speaking ex cathedra" has only happened twice.

In the "Constitution Ineffabilis Deus" of 8 December 1854, Pope Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

That is to say, the Virgin Mary was born without original sin.

This is not in the Bible, but a dogma of the Catholic Church.

About 100 years later, by promulgating the "Bull Munificentissimus Deus", on 1 November 1950, Pope Pius XII declared infallibly that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a dogma of the Catholic Faith.

That is to say that she was raised to Heaven both body and soul. Her body did not decay in the ground as would happen if buried.

Again, this is not in the Bible, but Catholic dogma.

At no other time did a Pope speak "ex cathedra".

Your Emmaus Valley

 

“Father, is it possible that God stops loving us?” Roger asked Father Ignatius.

The priest stopped what he was doing and asked, “What brought this on? It’s rather a strange question to ask.”

“Well Father,” continued Roger, “We’re told that God loves all of us. But is it possible that sometimes He turns His attention to someone else, and we’re not in His good books, or in His priorities anymore?”

“Feeling neglected are we … is that the problem?”

“No Father … it’s that … I don’t know … I seem to be down in the valley at this moment in time. Sometimes I’m right up there and I feel great and all is well … and then at times I feel really down and things aren’t going so well …”

“Aha … I see …” exclaimed the priest, “remember, that in order to be up there, as you put it, we must start from a low point.

“There are times when our Faith is really strong and we feel at one with God … and then at times, we begin to wobble and wonder and doubt …

“It’s usually when things aren’t going so well in our lives. Is that what is happening to you?”

Roger hesitated. “Perhaps … yes, I feel a bit fearful about life in general … will I still have my job this time next year, with the financial situation being what it is? How will I cope at my age? Would I get another job … you know the sort of worries we all have …”

Father Ignatius remained silent for a while, allowing Roger to think about what he had just said. Then he asked:

“I was reading Luke Chapter 24 Verse 13 onwards this morning. Do you know what it is about?”

Roger shook his head.

“It’s an unfair question I suppose … to expect you to know chapter and verse by heart … not even a priest can do that!” exclaimed Father Ignatius.

Roger smiled.

“Just after Christ’s Resurrection, two of His followers were going to Emmaus,” said Father Ignatius.

“They were totally distraught about Jesus’ death, and even though they had heard news that His tomb is empty and that Christ is alive, they were still down-hearted and confused.

“Jesus appeared to them on the way. They did not recognize Him. They spoke with Him and told Him their news. They said that their Lord and leader had been crucified, and there were rumors going around that He was raised from the dead and He was alive again.

“Jesus did not tell them who He was but explained to them the prophets’ predictions about Him. He walked with them all the way to Emmaus, but still they did not recognize Him. It wasn’t until He broke and blessed the bread that they recognized Him.”

The priest paused again for a while; and then he went on.

“Why? I ask myself.

“Why did they not recognize Him when they first saw Him, or when He took the time to explain to them the writings of the prophets?

“Could it be that their minds were more pre-occupied with their own problems and their dilemma rather than listening to Him?

“You can just imagine how their mind worked and how concerned they were about their predicament.

“Their leader is dead. What are they to do now? Is it all over? Every thing He said and taught comes to nothing? And what of the future? What are His followers to do now?

“Can you see how their mind was working Roger?”

“Yes … I suppose they were frightened about their future,” said Roger.

“Just like you …” said Father Ignatius with a gentle smile.

“We are all just the same as those two disciples at times …

“Sudden events may affect our lives and turn it upside down. Events perhaps of our own making sometimes … or events that we did not contribute to, but they affect us all the same.

“And we panic. We fear the future, we fear matters getting out of our control and we turn our attention to our problems and our dilemma. Just like those two on the way to Emmaus.

“And from being on a high up there with our Lord, we’re suddenly plunged into the valley you find yourself in right now.

“Yet, all the time we are panicking Jesus is there, walking right beside us. Quite literally! He is waiting for us to recognize Him, to trust Him, and hold His hand in the full knowledge that He will see us through our darkest hour.

“It is our doubts, our fears and our worries which prevent us from seeing Him.”

Father Ignatius makes a discovery

There are times when a light turns on in your head and you see something clearly for the first time and you understand something new you’d never realized before.

Father Ignatius was a studious type of person spending many hours reading the Bible as well as many books on theology, ancient history and similar subjects which would soon send any lesser head spinning wildly.

One evening he retired to the room he called “my meditation corner” and after reciting the Rosary he started reading the Bible and cross-referencing certain passages with other books to better understand what God is teaching through His Word.

One passage in particular caught his interest. After Christ’s death and burial, we are told that Mary Magdalene visited the tomb and found the stone rolled away from the entrance. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple and told them what she had seen. Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb. When Simon Peter got in and went inside he noticed the linen wrappings lying there, but the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded and lying to the side.

There it was, in the Gospel of John Chapter 20 Verse 7.

Father Ignatius puzzled about this for a moment or two. He’d read that chapter many times and nothing specific occurred to him. But this time, as if a small voice buzzing in his head, he kept wondering the significance of what he had read.

“Why are we told that the cloth which covered Jesus’ head was folded and lying to the side? What’s so important about that?” Father Ignatius asked himself.

Yet somehow, John thought it important enough to mention it. Why?

Father Ignatius checked the other three Gospels but they did not mention this fact. “But why did John consider it so significant to point it out” he wondered silently.

After hours of searching other books and checking on ancient traditions he came upon something he’d never known before.

In ancient Hebrew tradition the folded napkin was symbolic between the master of the house and his servant.

When the servant set the dinner table he made sure that everything was perfectly set out as the master wished and then he would wait out of sight until the master finished eating.

The servant would not clear the table until the master had finished.

When the master finished his meal he would wipe his fingers and mouth with the napkin and then toss the napkin on the table.

The servant would then clear the table, because in those days a tossed napkin meant “I’ve finished.”

However … and this is the significant bit which Father Ignatius discovered for himself, if the master left the table but neatly folded the napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not touch the table.

Because the folded napkin meant “I’m coming back!”



“He’s coming back …” mumbled Father Ignatius in wonderment.

That’s what John was trying to tell us in his Gospel.

The washing of feet

 

It was Holy Week - Holy Thursday to be precise. Saint Vincent Church was full to capacity. Father Ignatius was pleased to see that so many people had turned up for the first of the Tridiums, especially since it was a very cold day and it had been raining constantly since the morning.

The Easter Tridium is a period in the Catholic Church commemorating the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Special Masses are celebrated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and at midnight on Saturday celebrating Easter.

As usual on Holy Thursday Father Ignatius washed the feet of twelve members of the congregation as a reminder of what Jesus had done at the Last Supper to His disciples. Then, having read the Gospel, he waited until the congregation sat down and started his sermon.

"As you have just witnessed," he said, "and as I have read in the Gospel, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. This is very significant. In those days when Jesus was on earth streets were very dirty indeed; not like today. There was dust everywhere, mud when it rained, and no doubt various deposits from cattle, horses and camels. Washing of feet was an essential thing to do when you entered your house or visited someone. And this task was left to the servants or slaves to wash visitors' feet as they entered the house.

"Jesus came on earth to serve us, not to be served. He was ... He is a King. The Son of God. Yet He came to us in all humility and vulnerability as a baby and grew up amongst us. He spent His life healing the sick, the poor and destitute and raising people from the dead. He died for us. God, the King, came to serve not to be served.

"Our Christian faith does not teach that we should climb up to God for our redemption. God has come down to us, and offered Himself as sacrifice on the Cross and we are unwilling to acknowledge or accept His priceless gift."

Father Ignatius stopped for a while, as he had a habit of doing, to allow the message to sink home. Then he continued.

"What are we to learn from the washing of feet?" he asked. "Not so much from what Jesus did, but from Peter's reaction to the whole thing.

"Peter refused to have his feet washed by his Lord and Master. Did he do this out of respect and love for Jesus? Or did he do it because he wanted to be in control?

"Perhaps a bit of both. But let us consider the latter for a while. Peter was always self-assured. He was always the one who spoke first, impetuous perhaps, but always confident. At this very meal we see him so confident in himself that he declares that he will always remain by Christ's side; only to deny Him three times moments later.

"There is no way that this man was going to lose control and allow Jesus to wash his feet.

"A bit like us really," the priest said, "do we not like to feel always in control of events, in control of our lives and perhaps that of others too? Do we not act like that when we pray? We come to God not in humble prayers acknowledging who we are but approaching Him as if speaking man-to-man on a level playing field. Be honest now ... are not your prayers sometimes a list of demands ... or requests, to put it mildly, as if you are asking God to do as you wish rather than accepting that His will be done in everything in full trust that He knows what He is doing?

"If there is a lesson to be learnt from today's Gospel reading it is to remember who is in control. God, or you?

"I'll leave you to think about it!"

It was well past nine in the evening by the time Mass finished and the congregation had all gone home.

Father Ignatius locked the church and the sacristy and went to the church hall to lock up before going to Parish house. He visited the toilets in the church hall and noticed that they had been left rather untidy. So he rolled up his sleeves, picked up a toilet brush, and proceeded to clean the toilets before starting to wash and mop the floor.

He was there on his knees with his hand in the toilet bowl when a woman came in. She had finished cleaning the kitchen and had come in having noticed the lights in the toilets were on.

"What are you doing, Father?" she cried when she saw him on his knees.

"Cleaning the toilet," he said having been startled by a voice behind him.

"You can't do that!" she cried again, "you're a priest!"

He stood up shakily because of his painful knees and smiling he said, "there is nothing in the Catholic Rules to say I can't clean the toilets!"

"What I mean," she said rather embarrassed, "you are a priest. You should leave this work for the likes of us, people like me, or the cleaners ... you are  ... you are ..."

"A priest," he smiled, "I know what you mean, Edna ... have you forgotten my sermon this evening ... I tell you what ... if you want to help get another brush and you can do that bowl over there. Then we'll mop the floor together!"

And by his actions the kindly old priest preached a better sermon than the one he delivered at the pulpit.

Based on a true story.

Happy Easter

 

CHRIST IS RISEN

 

A BLESSED EASTER

TO ALL OUR READERS

GOD BLESS

 

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

 

WEBSITE HERE

Easter Message

 

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AN EASTER MESSAGE

FROM

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

 

CLICK HERE

 

WEBSITE HERE

Tantum Ergo

 

On Holy Thursday, following the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to a separate place, often called the Altar of Repose, where the faithful are invited to participate in adoration. This adoration continues throughout the night, allowing for a period of prayer and reflection as the faithful join Jesus in his vigil in Gethsemane.

The Tantum Ergo is sung as the Blessed Sacrament is transferred to the Altar of Repose.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et iubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail, Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen.

No stranger at the door

“ … and there we were both standing at the doorway of the Church,” said Father Ignatius, “and then he asked me if I could spare a cup of coffee. I didn’t think he drank coffee. What do you think he drank anyway?”

“St Peter?” asked Father Donald.

“Yes … St Peter,” repeated Father Ignatius, “what do you think he drank? Surely not coffee. It hadn’t been discovered then! When he was alive on earth.”

“Oh … boiled fish water, I shouldn’t wonder,” laughed Father Donald, “must have tasted really horrible I should think!”

“And then …” continued Father Ignatius after a short pause, “and then, as if by magic, we were here in my office. I was sitting at my desk, like now, and he sat in the very armchair where you’re sitting in!”

Father Donald looked around him in the armchair and said nothing. Father Ignatius continued.

“St Peter sat just where you’re sitting Donald. He looked just like we’ve seen him portrayed in the movies. Tall guy and well set. With a beard and wearing a brown tunic … and sandals. I remember distinctly the sandals. Big man, he was … I wouldn’t wish to be on the wrong side of an argument with him. He was here in this office.

“He asked what I thought of him.

“I mumbled the usual things we’ve been taught in seminary … Loyal follower of Christ, leader of the Disciples, Head of the Church … That sort of thing!

“He smiled and picked up a biscuit … he preferred the chocolate covered ones and commented that they tasted different to the ones he was used to in them days … That’s exactly what he said … in them days!”

Father Donald raised an eyebrow and smiled, whilst Father Ignatius went on.

“Then he asked me to be honest. Not repeat what I’d been taught. What did I really think of him?”

Father Donald smiled once more and said nothing.

“Well …” Father Ignatius went on, “I hesitated of course … it’s quite a shock seeing St Peter face to face and being asked such a direct question.

“I said that some theologians consider him to be a bit irresolute of character … Tends to speak first, sometimes acts quickly, yet … a bit hesitant when the chips are down!”

“Wow …” said Father Donald, “did he hit you for saying that? He has a bit of a temper our St Peter you know.”

“No … he remained calm,” replied Father Ignatius, “He said ‘I don’t care about what theologians think … what do they know? I’m asking for your opinion Ignatius!’ He called me Ignatius … so he knew full well who I was. Then he asked me if I had any more of those brown covered biscuits.

“I gave him the whole packet of chocolate biscuits which somehow I had here in my desk; and then I said that I sympathized with his predicament and how he’d been portrayed by some theologians. He was and I’m sure he still is very loyal to Christ. He spoke first because of his confidence and beliefs in our Lord.

“He hesitated a little when he jumped into the lake and tried to walk on water. But anyone would have done that … Jesus had asked him to come to Him … so at least he did show real Faith by jumping into the water … but his Faith faltered … understandable really!

“And that’s when St Peter sat a little forward in the armchair and calmly said to me … ‘Quite the diplomat aren’t you Ignatius?’ I remember distinctly those words … and they were not said in a complimentary way either. He asked me to go on … what did I really and honestly think of him.

“So I swallowed hard Donald … I knew what he wanted me to say but I was too scared to say it. He nodded gently to encourage me …

“And very quietly I mumbled that he had denied Christ three times …

“He looked me straight in the eye and all gentleness seemed to have gone from his face. He waved his hand gently at me, still holding a half-eaten chocolate biscuit, as if to reprimand me … you know, as we do with our finger when we point at a little child, and then he said, ‘After over two thousand years you people still hold that against me! And you call yourselves forgiving Christians … The Lord Himself forgave me with His knowledgeable look full of love and pity for me. But you Christians still bring this matter up …

“And it’s the same with Thomas … Whenever I meet him he says that the only thing that people remember about him is his doubting, and they can’t relate anything else he did after that.

“Well let me tell you something clever Ignatius that you are’ … That’s what St Peter called me, Donald. ‘Clever Ignatius that you are'.

“Let me tell you something … Have you ever considered what would have happened if I did not deny our Lord? I would have most probably been taken by the crowd and hung from the nearest tree …

“They were horrible they were … and angry and wild. Those same people who pretended to love Him, whom He had healed and taught over the years suddenly became very wild. They became angry, almost feral … And of course I was scared. They were probably scared too, you know. They had to act this way because acting any differently would have resulted in them being hanged too!

“And by denying Christ, the Son of our God, I unwittingly set in course the chain of events which followed. Jesus knew exactly why I had to deny Him at the time of His capture.

“After His Resurrection, when He appeared to us on the shore of the lake as we were fishing; it was the third time Jesus appeared to us after He was raised from death … We had just eaten together, and Jesus asked me three times if I loved Him. And every time I said yes He asked me to take care of His lambs and His sheep!’ ”

After a short silence Father Donald asked “What happened then Ignatius? When St Peter told you that?”

Father Ignatius replied.

“Well, he finished eating his biscuit and then he asked me whether I thought I had done a good job of looking after Our Lord’s lambs and sheep …

“Before I could answer … I just woke up!”

“That’s quite a dream …” said Father Donald, “and quite a message from St Peter.

“Christ knew precisely why Peter had to be spared at the time of His capture … in order to lead the Disciples and the Church!”

 MORE FATHER IGNATIUS STORIES - CLICK HERE

Easter lies ...

 

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JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

 

As we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord let us remember that this particular event gave rise to many speculations and rumours all those years ago, and indeed over the years since then.

Let’s consider the facts as we know them.

A man claiming to be the Son of God was crucified and died a most horrible death.

After His death, His followers claimed that He rose from the dead as He had said He would.

Now let’s look at the rumours and the conspiracy theories.

It is possible that Christ’s disciples and followers stole and hid the body of Jesus to perpetuate the story that He is the Son of God and that His Father raised Him from the dead.

But if that were the case; what benefit is there to them to disseminate this story knowing full well that it is a lie? Why suffer persecution, imprisonment, torture and death for something you know to be false? Would you do that?

The other theory is that the Jews, the Sadducees or Pharisees, removed the body in order to stop any beliefs that Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God.

But if that were the case; then why not produce the body once the disciples said that Jesus rose from the dead and invalidate the story of the Resurrection right from the start? Isn't that what one would expect in such circumstances?

Another hypothesis is that Christ never died at all. He just lost consciousness or was in a coma, and He woke up once again and walked out of the tomb.

But the Romans were very thorough people. They made sure that those crucified were indeed dead by breaking their legs whilst hanging there. They did not do so to Jesus because when they checked He was already dead. Even so, they did pierce His side with a spear just to make sure.

And then; there is of course the fact:

Christ died on the Cross and rose from the dead.

Here is a tradition from our church here locally.

On Palm Sunday we are all given the poster above to put on our front window at home so that people passing by in the street remember that this is a special week indeed.

Every year our house is the only one in our street with this poster.

Sadly, not many houses have the posters on show; but every so often I see some as I travel around.

Wishing you all and your families a Blessed Easter and may the risen Lord bless and protect you always.

Now please do me a favour, if you can. If you have a moment to spare please read this - CLICK HERE - and pass it on to others. Thanx. God bless.

Who is the Greatest?

 

WHO IS THE GREATEST?

Easter Traditions

Here are two Catholic traditions which I'd like to share with you.

Every year, on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, all Catholic churches celebrate the Midnight Mass. It actually usually starts at about 11:00pm because there are some preliminaries beforehand which serve as a good reminder of the real meaning of Easter.

The congregation meets outside in the grounds of the church and a small bonfire is lit and prayers said. This "new fire", symbolizing our eternal life in Christ.

A single Paschal Candle is lit from that fire. It is usually a large candle that symbolizes the risen Christ. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, (the beginning and the end), and the year in which Easter is celebrated. The term "Paschal" concerns Easter or Passover. Here is a selection:

The Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the World.

The pure beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body. Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.

After the candle is lit, outside the church, the congregation enters the church. When they are at their pews the lights in the church are switched off and they are in total darkness.

During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night the priest or deacon carries the candle, which has been lit from the new fire outside, in procession into the dark church.

The priest pauses three times and sings or says, "The light of Christ," and the people respond, "Thanks be to God."

As the candle is carried into the church, the priest stops temporarily and its flame is used to light candles held by members of the congregation. This symbolizes the spreading of the light of Christ into the congregation and the world. Slowly, one candle lights another and the whole church is lit by many candle lights alone as the priest and congregation sing.

The Exsultet is sung or said after the Paschal candle is placed in its stand. Once the lit Paschal Candle is placed near the Altar the Easter Midnight Mass commences.

It is customary for the Paschal candle to burn at all Masses from Easter through Pentecost. In some churches it is lit until Ascension Thursday.

After the Easter season, the Paschal candle is typically placed near the baptismal font. It should burn at baptisms, representing the new life in Christ that we share in baptism. The newly baptised person may be given a small baptismal candle that is lit from the Paschal candle. It may also be carried in procession at burials and placed near the coffin as a symbol of resurrection life.

Now let me tell you of a personal experience.

Remember, this is a very solemn occasion. The church is in total darkness with the congregation awaiting the entrance of the priest with the lit Paschal candle in hand.

One year I was one of the helpers at the Easter Vigil.

The candle had been lit from the fire outside the church. The priest carried the candle into the dark church. He chanted in Latin "Lumen Christi" (The light of Christ), and everyone responded, "Deo Gratias" (Thanks be to God).

He then stopped in the centre aisle and two altar servers lit small candles from the Paschal candle he was carrying and proceeded to light the many candles each member of the congregation held in their hands.

At this point, one member of the congregation got out his cigarette lighter and lit his candle and that of others near him.

The priest turned his head towards me and whispered silently, "There's always one ... isn't there?", then he moved a few more paces, stopped, and sang a second time "Lumen Christi".

 I could not control my giggles at the way he reacted to the situation.

Obviously, the significance of the whole event had escaped one Brain of Britain!

Another tradition in our church, and no doubt in many others is the washing of feet on Holy Thursday.

This is when the priest re-enacts the Bible passage during the Last Supper when Jesus washes the disciples' feet. (John 13:1-15).

In our church twelve people are chosen from the congregation and the priest washes their feet in memory of what Jesus did all those years ago.

At the time of Jesus, however, things were different. Streets were not as modern and clean as they are now in our towns and cities. They were dusty, muddy if it rained, and no doubt full of deposits from horses, camels and cattle. People wore sandals or even walked in bare feet.

So when they entered a house as guests washing their feet must have been an essential task rather than the symbolism it is in today’s churches. A task left to the servants to undertake.

When Jesus offered, insisted even, in washing His disciples’ feet He was teaching them, and us, a very important lesson.

Here is God Himself, born in poverty, raised in poverty, living in poverty, submitting Himself to perform a task reserved for servants.

Perhaps the disciples didn’t understand the significance of what Jesus had just done. Maybe we don’t understand it ourselves right now.

Yet, He was preparing for an even greater submission and humiliation for us.

Dying a most horrible and painful death on the Cross. Just for us.

Imagine for a moment if Jesus was in person in your home right now. Imagine He asked to wash your feet before sitting down for a meal.

How would you react? Would you agree that your Master and Lord got down on His knees to wash your feet? Or would you protest like Peter?

This is for real. Not something that happened to the disciples years ago. Right now, Jesus is asking to wash your feet. Your reaction is vital to your present ... and to your future ... for eternity.

Now does the significance of that event make sense?

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE

carrying the Paschal Candle

Who is this man?

 

His last days

 

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Do you want to see God?

 

“The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities” by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.

"Murillo, The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities, about 1675-1682 Photo © The National Gallery, London”.

The painting above is called the Heavenly and Earthly Trinities; and it has been painted in the sign of the Cross.

Looking vertically from the top downwards we see God, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and Jesus looking up to His Father in Heaven. That is the Heavenly Trinity.

Looking horizontally from left to right we see the Virgin Mary, Jesus and His earthly father Joseph. The Earthly Trinity.

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John 14:1-14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? 

The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.  

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

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There's a lot to read in the Gospel of John as quoted above. We may have to read it again slowly a couple of times to really understand what Jesus is saying here. Let's take it one bit at a time.

First, Jesus comforts His disciples by saying do not be troubled. He asks them to trust (believe) in God and to trust in Him. This is something we must always remember and believe whole-heartedly at times of troubles and difficulty. If we do not trust in God, as Jesus asks, then all is lost.

Jesus then promises to prepare a place for us in Heaven.

Thomas is confused and asks for the way to God. Jesus explains that He is the way to God. No one goes to the Father God except through Jesus. To see Him (Jesus) is to see God.  

Philip still does not get the point and asks to see the Father, (God).

Jesus re-iterates that to see Jesus is to see the Father. He, (Jesus) is in the Father and the Father is in Him.

Let's analyse this. God is a Spirit. An invisible Spirit inhabiting and invisible world around us. Let's call Him a Power, a living Being; all powerful. omnipotent, always existing. A loving Creator God full of mercy, compassion and forgiveness for His creations - us. We can all imagine Him as our minds can fathom and comprehend such a mystery.

The Bible, (which was inspired by the Holy Spirit), teaches that God created us "in His image".  

Many people over the years have miss-interpreted "God made us in His image". Because we are humans, people have assumed that God is human-looking. Because He has always existed, they have assumed He is old. So painters, like Michelangelo, Murillo and others have always painted an old man with a beard sitting on a cloud. 

But God is NOT human. He is a Spirit inhabiting an invisible world. So is Jesus. God, (and Jesus), always existed. When Jesus was born on earth this is when He took human shape; but He always existed as a Spirit. So is of course the Holy Spirit. And so are we - spirits/souls.

God created us in His image. Meaning we are also invisible spirits with the same qualities of love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness as God has; (if we want to use such qualities). God gave us these qualities to use through our own free will - or not to use them. We are invisible spirits, (souls), inhabiting a visible body. Our souls will live for ever after the body has perished. 

In this Bible passage Jesus explains to Philip that to see Jesus is to see God. Jesus is God personified. He is God, (the Spirit), in the form of a human Whom we can see, listen and speak to, and learn from Him as well as witness His many miracles. He is God Who offered Himself on the Cross for us.

Our Christian faith does not teach that we should climb up to God for our redemption. God has come down to us, and offered Himself as sacrifice on the Cross and we are unwilling to acknowledge or accept His priceless gift.

Jesus explains that what He has done on earth was not done through His own authority, (power), but it was the Father God, living in Him, (Jesus), Who does all these wonderful works. God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God. The two are one. Jesus is commanding us to believe this - even if we do not understand it.

He goes on to promise that if we truly believe this, then we too can perform such works. This is how the disciples performed miracles after they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It was through the power of Jesus and God; not through their own power.

Finally, Jesus promises that whatever we ask God in His, (Jesus'), name will be done in order to glorify God through Jesus.

Unique

 

There's a saying that goes, "God broke the mould when He made you!" It means that a particular person or thing is special or unique, and that there is nobody else or nothing else quite like them. He is a most remarkable man. They broke the mould when they made him. It could also be derogatory and mean that the person is so awful, stupid, or lazy.

Consider this. There are just over 8 billion people in the world today. Not millions, but billions. That's 8 and nine zeros behind it - 8,000,000,000.

And here's the miracle. No two people are alike. Even twins. Everyone of us is different. We may look the same physically, but inside us, what really makes us tick, our soul, is different from anyone else's.

Now some people do not believe in there being a soul. They don't understand it. They believe we are living creatures and when we die, we die. There's nothing else left. No thereafter. No Heaven or hell or anything like that.

C S Lewis said: You don't have a soul. You are a soul; you have a body.

What he meant is that we are all living souls inhabiting a body. God created us as souls - "In His own image" as a soul - a Spirit. God is a Spirit, so is Jesus and the Holy Spirit of course. 

We are all souls living within a body. And when the body dies the soul lives on for eternity.

And every one of those 8 billion souls is different. God created us this way. Isn't He wonderful?

Let us not waste time and try to be someone else. To copy someone else's style and behaviour. We are all unique. Different. Perfect in our own way. There are no rejects from God's production line.

When I was young in my early twenties working as a manager in a large company; I had people working for me old enough to be my parents. It was a daunting task. Some did not accept me as their boss. Some were better qualified than me in their particular expertise and subject. Why should they work for a young man in charge of a whole section?

I was in charge of a whole unit, and it is understandable that I could not be an expert on each individual aspect of the project. Like computing or electronics. I had to rely on experts in that field. No manager is an expert in everything. But some of them resented this; especially in view of my age.

I tried to be someone else. I copied the style of other older managers and tried to be them. I spoke more slowly, in a softer voice, walked slowly and tried to look learned and pensive. I guess I tried to change my voice too, because someone said to me, "What's the matter with you? Have you got indigestion or trapped wind?"

So I relaxed and became myself once again. I relied on my sense of humour where appropriate. I may have told you this story before, if so, please read the next few lines with your eyes closed to avoid repetition.

We were at a Team Building Conference. I hated those Conferences, and felt they were a waste of time taking me away from my work. 

The guy managing the event had us in small groups and said, "Imagine your SUV broke down in the desert. Do you move away on foot, and if so what three items do you take with you?"

My group decided that they should move away from the vehicle to a safer place, and started suggesting we take water with us, others suggested a torch, salt tablets, various tools, blankets and so on. 

I remained silent wishing I was back in my office finishing an important time-sensitive report. The instructor noticed me and asked, "How about you? What would you take with you from the vehicle if stranded in the desert?"

I just blurted out, "The car door!" He was confused, as well as the rest of the group, and he asked, "Why?"

I said, "Because I can open the window if it gets too hot!"

I survived. That Conference and a career thereafter. The point I'm making is we should be ourselves. Not copy others. We are all different. We all have unique different gifts given us by God when He created us. Let us use them for His glory.

Someone said to me once that I have a unique sense of humour; (whatever that means).

I hope God has a sense of humour. Because if He hasn't I am in very serious trouble!

Follow The Way

 

 

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6

But do we really know the way to Heaven and to the Father? Everyone wants to get to Heaven it seems; but not just yet. Maybe they are not ready to meet God. Or perhaps they don’t know where Heaven is; what it looks like; and what they will do when they get there … for eternity.

We all have different visions of Heaven. Is it a mansion as Jesus described, or a spiritual state of being? Will we really have our bodies back all perfect and without any illness or disabilities? Why, what would we need our bodies at all? And will this body be at the age we died or a younger more youthful one?

What will we do in Heaven for eternity; apart from praising God and thanking Him for what He has done for us?

Are there animals in Heaven? Will we see our pets again? Personally, I would hate to come face to face with the Sunday roast admonishing me for what I had done to it. Or that wasp I killed the other day.

So many questions cross our minds about Heaven and how to get there.

This book does not claim to have all the answers. Nobody can, because no one has returned from Heaven and told us what it’s like. No one has returned from hell either; but Jesus was very descriptive about the eternal fire that burns there.

This thoughtful book contains a series of questions and topics which may well have crossed our minds at one time or other but we never felt confident enough to ask for an answer or an explanation. Questions like who will ultimately enter Heaven? Will we? Will all our loved ones and people we care for be there? What if someone we love is missing? What would we do then?

Is God merciful and just? How does He balance both qualities and how does this affect us? Would He really send someone to hell for ever?

Consider and meditate on what Jesus said about loving one’s neighbours and enemies, about anger and revenge, about judging others, working on Sundays, fasting, about our faith and prayers and many others topics He taught about in the Bible.

These and many other issues are discussed and answered in easy to read style for you to ponder about, and to encourage you to explore your conscience and what you truly believe.

We hope you’ll enjoy this selection of devotionals to help you meditate on your Christian faith.

NOTE FOR READERS OF THIS BLOG: This book also contains the whole series of articles entitled "What Jesus said ... about" which featured here earlier this year.

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