United with Christ | In Christo Iesu

Now you have been united with Christ Jesus (Eph 2:13).

We sometimes live apart from Christ. It happens when we are dissatisfied with ourselves, when we give up, fall into sin, or sink into despair. Generally speaking, it occurs when we focus too much on ourselves rather than on Jesus Christ living within us. On the contrary, when we draw close to the Lord, we become calmer, more peaceful, and filled with love. Our vocation is to remain always united with Him.

In the Catholic Church, we receive Holy Communion for the first time as children. Usually, children at this age are so thrilled to participate in the Eucharist that their eyes shine with wonder. They truly live with Christ, in Christ, and through Christ. The sad reality is that as we grow older, we often lose that excitement. We try to live on our own strength because we are no longer children. Yet, the truth is that we remain children of God throughout our entire lives. Jesus reminds us of this in the New Testament when He points us toward the promises God has made to us (v. 12).

We are not meant to live in the world without God and without hope. We are invited to live with Christ, holding fast to the hope that we are always God's beloved children. Therefore, we no longer desire to be far from Him. We gather in the Church to participate in the Body and Blood of Christ, receiving through Him peace, happiness, and the fullness of life.

Jesus Christ alone can unite us inwardly and bring us into harmony with our brothers and sisters. His mission is to make us one in Himself and to break down the dividing walls of hostility that separate us from one another (v. 14). He blesses us and pours peace into our hearts and minds. Together with Christ, we are reconciled to God the Father and to neighbor. This is our Good News. This is our eternal covenant.

We are no longer far off; we truly live in Christ Jesus. We come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit (v. 18) as members of one family of God (v. 19). United, we are His heavenly Kingdom and His holy temple, where God dwells by His Spirit (v. 22). Amen.

Reflection on 2 Ephesians 2:11-22  by Jozef.

(Listen to podcast here)

Dominus salus mea (Ps. 27:1).

 

COVID 19 turned our plans upside down. By the fourth week of March, Maumere was placed under total lockdown. The church that used to be filled with believers had gone empty.

However, by God's grace, churches were reopened to the faithful in the first week of July.  People started going to church again. The crisis did not quench the people's thirst to hear God's words and receive the Holy communion. What consoled me during this challenging situation was the presence of young people in the church, attending mass and devotions not only on Sundays but also on weekdays. Every Friday and Saturday of the first week of the month, people also come for adoration and Rosary.

Seeing this fervor in people strengthens me and gives me hope. The responsorial Psalm of today which says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation” reminds us of our total trust in Him. Despite many challenges and crises that we are now facing in our religious vocation, yet God always enlightens us.

By Sr. Imelda, SMBS.

Beati pauperes spiritu (Mt. 5:3)

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” When I read this passage, it reminded me of my experience in the first week of August. I had a chance to give communion to the elderly and the disabled. Actually, I was a little bit thirsty and hungry because right after the Mass I went from house to house. This did not bother me. The important thing was to bring Jesus to our brothers and sisters who long to receive Him. That day, I visited the house of the disabled boy. I could feel the joy he felt as I looked at his face. He kept on shouting even though he could not speak and he smiled at me. I could not express what I felt at that moment. I felt a garble of emotions in my heart but one thing I’m sure that seeing him made me happy. Then I uttered a special prayer for him. After I gave him communion, I asked permission from his mother if I could carry him and have a picture with her son. The mother was a little hesitant, perhaps because I look so thin and she doubted whether I could carry her boy. She told me that her son is heavy. I insisted and I carried the boy in my arms, embraced, and kissed him. He was so happy despite his condition and when we took the picture, he was looking at me and laughing with pure joy. That moment really touched me and left a deep impression in my heart. In my heart, I said, “thank you Lord for allowing me to experience your presence within this little boy.”

 I am so grateful for this experience and as we celebrate today the solemnity of all saints that comes to my mind is the message of Mo. Teresa of Calcutta: “Do ordinary things with great love. Do something beautiful for God.” So, my dear brothers and sisters, some of us might not be declared saints but we are all called to live out and imitate the life of the saints. Let us challenge ourselves to help people around us especially in this pandemic, help them experience the presence of God in our little ways, through our words and deeds.

By Sr. Imelda, MSBS.

In desertum locum (Lk. 4:42)

 

In our Gospel today, Jesus shows us how we should do as his followers amidst a busy situation and full of various jobs and services. Even though Jesus is busy because he goes around doing good deeds, by healing the sick and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, he does not forget to draw strength from God the Father through prayer. Through prayer, Jesus establishes personal communication with his Father. His ministry is reinforced and recharged by his personal communication and communion with his Father as he goes to spend time in a ‘lonely place’.

Now we are living in a busy, competitive, and noisy world. Many times we are tired and we are discouraged.  Even we experience stress because of the many tasks we have to accomplish.  We have a life burden that we cannot bear and it seems the world is pressing on us. 

Probably we don't have communication and communion with God and that's why we experience these unpleasant things. Probably, we don’t go to a ‘lonely place’ and for that reason, we don’t get strength, comfort, and courage.

Today, Jesus gives very good advice for us. We need to find the time and place for our personal communion and communication with God. We need to pray and draw strength from God, our Father. When we are in a ‘lonely place’ with God, we will experience the joy of healing, freedom, comfort, and strength.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.

Ex hoc pane (Jn. 6:51)

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ, Today we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, which we normally call Corpus Christi. Happy Feast Day to you all.

Corpus Christi is a day in honor of the Eucharist, a day for contemplative focus on the gift that Christ has given us. This is a special feast day, which the Church asks us to reflect on the fundamental mystery of our faith, the greatest of all the sacraments, which is Christ Himself, the Holy Eucharist.

We read in the first reading how the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. Were they so hard-hearted that God tested them for more than a generation?  We’re not even 40 weeks into this pandemic here and already the signs of strain are evident.  God fed the Israelites; he gave them manna and water. He provided the sustenance they needed to continue their journey.

As we celebrate today the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we reflect on how we are given the sustenance we need on our journey in Holy Communion. It is beyond doubt that the Eucharist abounds with layers of rich meaning. As we continue to go through this terrible global crisis, we are not able to be physically present at Mass; but we can still participate in the Mass and we can receive Spiritual Communion.  Thanks be to God!

We come to the table and bring ourselves; and God finds us just as we are.  Just as he changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, he can change us if we are humble enough, ready enough, open enough to receive him.

The Eucharist has all the power of issues that affects life and death. The Eucharist is celebrated by real people in the midst of everything that makes up our human existence.

No wonder the Eucharist is often described as the awesome mystery, the layers and layers of rich meaning are indeed precious gifts to us. The Eucharist makes us become, what we receive.

As Pope Francis so beautifully puts it, this is medicine for the sick and all of us need medicine for our journey.

May we today and everyday ‘revere the sacred mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood’, and may these have their full effect in us and through us.

By Father Rajesh, UK.

Unum corpus multi sumus (1 Cor. 10:17)

We are looking for beauty, truth, and goodness. We are waiting for love, peace, and happiness. We engage ourselves in relationships. Nonetheless, we feel that we are lacking something. Something is missing. Deep inside our soul is eager for God. 

Do people, things, experiences fulfill or satisfy this desire? Probably not because even if we get everything we want, we still miss something. 

Apostle Paul explains that as human beings we need communion with Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. We are capable of achieving this spiritual union in the Church. Especially when we receive holy sacraments, namely Body and Blood of Christ. As long as we are on the earth, we cannot see God face to face. However, we feel God among us and in our hearts. Although we are One Body in Christ, we experience the difference between us. 

Let's partake in Christ and become one with him. Let's pray for each other so we could have a share in the Kingdom of God.

By Józef Trzebuniak SVD