We hear today the reading form the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. It is about our parents who failed God in the Garden of Eden. Is the garden a real place? Where was it then?
“Even for those who are not Christian, the words “Garden of Eden” have become synonymous with a sort of paradise on Earth. In fact, the name in Aramaic means “fruitful, well-watered” and the Hebrew term is even defined as “pleasure.” But what do we really know about this place where God created the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve.” - Courtesy of uCatholic.com, Read the whole story here.
0 Comments
We can’t move too far from home this time; we can’t even have a proper Lenten mission but you yourself can do something very extraordinary this Lent. You can visit the Holy Land with the “Pilgrimage of Faith.” From February 15th to April 4th, the Easter Sunday. It is a virtual but real pilgrimage with the program and guides. You can sign up today, the journey starts in 2 days, and it is free. More details and registration are here. Atrio of Catholic groups has organized an extensive 40-day virtual Lenten pilgrimage through the Holy Land. The program, called “Pilgrimage in Faith,” begins on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and will culminate in an Easter Sunday reflection on the journey. The whole pilgrimage is free to attend, but virtual pilgrims must register for the event on the Magdala website. Read more here ... This news went unnoticed on many mainstream media, just a few days ago. It was however a great tragedy for the country and nation torn apart by civil war already. “Up to 1,000 people—including priests and other church leaders — have been killed in a series of attacks in Ethiopia, culminating in a massacre at a church where the Ark of the Covenant is believed to be kept.” (Courtesy of aletia.com, read below)
Someone commented on this tragedy asking why the Church in XXI century still interferes in the life of predominantly Muslim lands. We need to correct this statement. Before the Islam became a religion there was already people baptised in Ethiopia. It is the country that received Faith in Christ at the same time Emperor Constantine received Christianity in Europe. The church where the massacre took place is a scared Christian site, whereas the story goes on, the lost Ark of the Covenant is preserved. You can read more here. Whenever I read the story about the woman who comes to beg Jesus for her child, I pray to have a faith like hers. We need this faith and persistence to pray for the end of this pandemic, for life without masks, for a chance to hug a loved one, for an open church … for the respect for life, first for those who have no voice, for the unborn children, for the life that is close to its' end.
I remember watching Chuck Norris as the Texas Ranger when I was a boy. He is not in the Hollywood spotlight anymore but the comments he made recently in a private interview are worth sharing. (Read here or click on the photo below) The Old Testament was very peculiar about unclean things, that could make people unclean. Jesus is not looking anymore at what can be washed by water and fixed by doctors or priests. Jesus is looking at a dirt that can be only washed by Him, by His Blood. Sin means death, and it is much worse than any unclean thing. The roots of sin are within, in our mind and heart. And yet, only Jesus can cure those places and make us clean again. But the time for healing is now. Christopher Plummer passed away on February 5th, just a few days ago. May he rest in peace! This awarded Canadian actor will be remembered for many outstanding performances. I want to recall one of his first movies with Julie Andrews, the one that touched so many hearts, and will be remembered for ever: “The Sound of Music.” I wish we could have more movies like this one to watch in these days. An epic, family story with beautiful tunes and a timely message. A movie you are not scared to watch. Not like the movies now, that you can’t watch till the end and have nightmares long after. Nevertheless, we need the sound of music to come back and make us happier, especially in difficult times. "Climb every mountain Ford every stream Follow every rainbow Till you find your dream."
We can’t be ever sure that we will have our church next door. We can’t be complacent about our faith practices. Once with flourishing churches, Quebec is entering very challenging times. Within only ten years the number of parishes dwindled from 200 to 29 and now it will be only 17 pastoral units, but not all of them with regular Holy Mass according to the “Catholic Register”.
You can read more here. Why would the Bible commit one of its books to analyze only one’s misfortune and suffering? Because suffering in human life causes always many controversies. It is often used as an argument against God and his love. Does God want us to suffer? Why innocent people, like children suffer? Job has to face these questions and reality in his own life. “Remember that my life is but a breath, and then my eyes will never again see joy.” Really? If we follow Job until the end of his story we will be surprised. What can we find there? Suffering has an important meaning in human life, for all and it is not a punishment, even it may seem so when we look at the story of Adam and Eve deprived of their eternal life and paradise because of sin. We may not know the meaning of suffering until later, only God knows, but it is all about our redemption. The ultimate answer to human suffering is … God. The readings of Job this Sunday prepare us for the coming of Lent, when we will read more about him. You don’t need to wait thou, pick up your bible and read now ….
Imagining of Job by Jan Lebenstain ... St. Paul Miki (1565?-1597) and his companions were martyred in Japan at the end of the sixteenth century. Saint Paul was a Jesuit brother born in Japan. The Catholic Church initially well received by natives met extreme hostility and persecutions in later centuries. As a language school student, I met Sister Hirama from Japan, many eyars ago. I don’t remember the name of her congregation. She was older from all of us. But she was highly respected by other students. She was always prepared, and often helped others with homework. She spoke few words, and only when asked or when necessary. She was very kind and long after our ways parted, she used to write me postcards from the Philippines where she was sent. Until one Christmas no card arrived. Japanese people never give up easily. URGENT Father Donald Calloway MIC is an author of the bestselling book: “Consecration to Saint Joseph.” Pope Francis named SAINT JOSEPH as the patron saint for this challenging year. As Father Calloway says, "where shall we go to fix this if not to a carpenter who does fix the things." PREPARATION FOR THE CONSECRATION starts soon, on February 15th. The video to Canadians posted by Father Calloway does encourage everyone to take a chance and turn to Saint Joseph as soon as possible. Please share with your family and friends! See also: www.fathercalloway.com, and www.consecrationtostjoseph.org Saint Agatha is the patron saint of nurses.
There was a report in the Expositor last week: “Hospital visitors seen as 'essential”. According to the current hospital policy “Each patient can designate two people as essential visitors, who must make appointments to go to the hospital. In some cases, such as when a patient is in palliative care or a religious ceremony is planned, exceptions are made.” No one wants to be in the hospital, and when in there, to be alone. However, the report claims that the rules are often bent, and visitors don’t care much about them, staying too long, taking down face coverings, having meals etc. The roommates get anxious and the assisting staff members are afraid of being exposed to a greater risk. Their work, their ministry is already demanding as they see situations they had have never expected to see. Bishop Crosby in his recent Pastoral Letter highlighted the need of being more sacrificial in this time. There are things we have a right for, we can demand them, but we can also renounce them out of respect and care for others. May St. Agatha be with all those nurses who serve us in these difficult times. |
Fr. LukeThe closed door is not a barrier for prayer and love! Archives
June 2021
Categories |