Angelus | The Angel | EN | IN

During the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out – Acts 5: 17-33.

Dear Sister and Brother, 

Maybe you are in the night of your life now. You are going through difficult experiences. You cannot see the light. Everything seems too complicated to solve. You are not strong enough to control the reality. 

In this state of mind, you need the angle of the Lord. Your life will benefit from the mysterious and powerful help of this angel. From the beginning until death, you are surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Besides you stands an angel as protector and shepherd. So here on earth, your life shares in the company of angels united in God. 

The Lord does not leave you alone. But through the help of your guard angel opens the doors of your prison and wants to lead you out. The question is if you allow him to support you. Because you often prefer to take care of everything on your own. You still think that you can manage by your own strength. Yet, it is impossible. 

Many wise men and scholars will tell you that you should listen to them more than God. They control your life and lock you in their prisons again and again. They do not allow you to be free. 

The Acts of Apostles remind us that we have to stand face to face those people. We cannot follow their strict orders but the commandments of God. We must teach and preach in the name of Jesus Christ. We want to obey God more than men. Only in this way, we will rejoice in the heavenly Kingdom. We are witnesses of these things as is the Holy Spirit God has given to us (v. 32).  

Reflection on Acts of the Apostles 5: 17-33 by Fr. Józef Trzebuniak  SVD

(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)