Figura futuri | A pattern of the one

“Adam is a pattern of the one to come” (Romans 5:14).

Who, then, is man? What is the true dignity of the human person? We may often feel our weakness and fragility. Yet, through divine grace, we are children of God, created in His image and likeness. This is a profound truth that should shape our understanding of ourselves and our purpose.

Like Adam, we are all subject to sin. We are, indeed, children of Adam, inheriting the consequences of his fall. However, we must never despair. As St. Paul also reminds us, 'where sin increased, grace increased all the more' (Romans 5:20). This is the heart of the Gospel: the boundless mercy of God, always offering us hope for holiness and chastity.

The season of Lent is a sacred time, a time for introspection and conversion. It calls us to examine our hearts and to turn away from sin. It is a time for personal transformation. We are called to change our ways of thinking, our attitudes, and our actions. This conversion, this turning back to God, is the most powerful solution to the conflicts that plague our world, our societies, our families, and our communities.

We are not alone in this journey. Jesus Christ is with us, always. Through our obedience and good example, as St. Paul says, 'many can be made righteous' (Romans 5:19). This echoes the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that "Christ's redemption won for us a new possibility: that of living in the Spirit of his love (CCC 1741)."

Do not be discouraged by past failures. Do not say, 'I have tried and failed.' Perhaps this very moment is your moment of grace. The grace of God desires to reign through you, in the world, in your family, and in your community. Jesus Christ desires to live through you in this present time.

We know that sin will always be present in the world. But the grace of God is infinitely more powerful. As St. Paul writes in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Though we may experience the death of sin, we can also experience the resurrection of grace. This victory is not achieved through our own strength or wisdom, but through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Pope Francis has reminded us, “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” Let us, therefore, embrace God’s mercy, allow His grace to transform us, and become instruments of His love in the world. Amen.

Reflection on Rom 5:12 – 21 by Józef.

(Listen to podcast here)

Fac Veritatem | Live the Truth

"Whoever live the truth comes to the light" (John 3: 21)

 

Photo Yves Bernardi from Pixabay

 Lent is the special time when we can change ourselves. We can change our routine, behavior, and way of thinking.

From the passage about Nicodemus and Jesus, we learn how difficult it is to change our point of view. Because as Nicodemus we know a lot about life. Sometimes we are teachers or parents who are responsible for others. So we tend to think we don’t need to ask anyone to instruct us. Yet Jesus has always something to tell us. The thing is to accept the new lesson about life and truth. So we need to prepare our minds for this change. We cannot be stubborn and claim we already know what is best for us. We should become humble to listen to Jesus, who often speaks through others. There are such friends of ours who care and love us. That’s why they don’t want us to perish but have a life and live the truth.

Like the mirror, we also need another perspective to look at ourselves. Nicodemus could not see any solution because he focused on himself too much. I can recognize myself in Nicodemus who speaks much and teaches others how to live the truth. For I also studied for many years and I’m a perfectionist. Jesus comes to me in the night and says: “I loved you so much that I gave myself so that you who believe in me might live the truth” (v.21). Jesus sends his apostles into my life who are my parents, close friends, and colleagues.

Thank you, o Lord, for everyone and everything you taught me. Please, help me to change my attitude and way of thinking. I’d like to accept your grace and love which can heal my egoism. Only your light of truth can enlighten my life in the love of the Divine Word.

Reflection on John 3:1-21 by Fr Jozef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)

In Domum | House

"Go back to your house, to the people from your village, and tell them everything that God has done for you and how He has pity on you!" - Mark 5:19.

Photo by Miki Czetti on Pexels.com

Almost every day we hear God's message telling us to go home immediately. "Going home" has a very broad meaning, not only returning to where we came from, but also a gentle invitation so that we could always love ourselves day after day. Go home and return to ourselves which are sometimes far from other’s attention, far from the warm embrace of God's love too. Because we ourselves choose to leave the comfort and warmth of ourselves.  Sometimes we convince ourselves that we were not loved. We were rejected by our neighbors and at the end by these kind of thoughts, we fall into depression, alone and despair. By being so pessimistic, we bring ourselves away from the warmth of God's love which is real in others.

Truly God loved us very much because everything needed for life is always provided. How often we ignore the goodness He gives. Lenten is the right time to spend a little time reflecting on God's love and grace that we receive every day. 

Simple things are very important and are always considered as extraordinary things like the breath of life which is an example of God's great kindness. If the breath of life is taken from us, then all that is left is vanity. Because everything is not eternal. Only one thing will never end, that is God's love.

Reflection on Mark 5:11-20 by Sr. Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Salva Ero | Be Cured

"If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured" — Mark 5:28 (NAB).

Photo by Pexels from Pixabay

During the Lenten Season we come closer to Jesus. We want to touch him and be cured from our weaknesses and sins. If our relatives and friends are in need, we also ask for them.

Crowds always gathered around Jesus, but only a few people could experience their healing. What was special about Jairus and a woman afflicted with hemorrhages?

Jairus came forward and fell at the feet of Jesus. He went out from the crowds. He wasn't afraid of sharing in public about his daughter's condition.

But we are often shy to express our needs and troubles. We prefer to talk about our successes and joys. We do not like to share our problems and difficulties. We are not humble enough to talk about our true feelings and suffering.

For that reason, we can learn a lot from the brave man Jairus. Also, an afflicted woman can encourage us. We do not have to hide our worries for a long time. We should open our hearts and ask Jesus to lay his hands on us. Only in this way we can get well and start to live again.

We are fragile humans who suffered greatly at the hands and words of others. We were disappointed and left alone when it happened. So now we can become wiser and more prudent because we heard the Good News.

Moreover, he touched us many times through other people. He taught us through the Scriptures and healed us through the ministry of the Church. We can be cured by him immediately and preach the goodness of our Lord forever and ever.   

Reflection on Mark 5:21-30 by Józef Trzebuniak

(Listen to the Podcast here)