Diligo in veritate | I love in the truth

 "Whom I love in the truth" (3 John 1:1).

The foundation of a good relationship is love and the truth. It happens that there is romantic love which finishes quickly because lovers do not know each other very well. Even the family can be broken if people do not want to accept the truth about themselves. There are so many cases which we know from our own life. 

The third letter of John teaches us how to build a strong bond between people. He acknowledges that mutual love is the foundation of such a relation. But at the same time, he adds that prayer is necessary to support and understand each other. The beloved disciple of Jesus is aware that as human beings we consist of body and soul. For that reason, we are to pay attention and take care of the whole person. We also long for the truth. The truth is like water for the fish. We neither can exist nor live peacefully if we are surrounded by lies. 

On the other side, if we live in the truth and love, we are happy and fulfilled with the Holy Spirit. The truth of Christ enables us to do good and help others, even though they are strangers to us. Furthermore, the community of believers becomes stronger when the members work together for the truth.  It is not about being the wisest or holiest in the group or in the church. We are to imitate Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Truth who comes from God. Because we are children of God who travel through the world towards the heavenly kingdom. Let us keep the truth and love of Christ in our hearts.

By Fr. Józef Trzebuniak, SVD.

Soluta in caelo (Mt. 18:18)

Jesus knows the heart of every human being and life situation in a community. That is why Jesus teaches what should be done when someone has done something wrong. This teaching is called Community Discourse. A true Christian community should be characterized by this teaching.

In this teaching, Jesus points out that making mistakes is human nature and forgiveness is the nature of God. Jesus likes that sinners must be saved not to be punished. Therefore the stress is on reconciliation and healing broken relationships. Reconciliation always goes beyond solving problems and resolving conflicts. It involves welcoming and integrating a totally guilty person or the wrongdoer into the activities and the life of the community.

We pray and hope that our community and every Christian community should manifest the teaching of Jesus. And may our hearts be a place where the forgiveness, peace, and love of God reign and have the power there. Therefore, we can proclaim the true love, serve each other, and maintain our unity as one family and members of Christ’s Body. Brothers and sisters, a Christian community that has forgiveness and reconciliation will experience God's liberation and presence.

By Fr. Risco Batbual, SVD.

Si tetigero tantum (Mt. 9:21)

I am struck by the ways that these two people approach Jesus in today’s gospel reading. The synagogue leader approached Jesus in a public space on behalf of his daughter’s healing and bowing low before Jesus and others. The woman approached Jesus in a very private way, coming up behind him to touch the fringe of his cloak for her healing. She would have been quite happy not to be noticed by anyone. We each approach the Lord differently because we are all different, and our circumstances are different. Our relationship with the Lord is deep and personal. Even when we are praying together, as we do at Mass, reciting the same prayers together, we do so in a way that is personal to each one of us.

The Lord respected these different ways that these two people approached him in the gospel reading and responded to each of them equally. The Lord respects us in our uniqueness. He recognizes and rejoices in the personal nature of our faith. He calls us by name and respecting our individuality. The Christian faith is communal; we journey together to the Lord whose is always at work to form a community of believers. Like the woman, we often come before Him in our own need, seeking to touch the Lord in faith, in our prayer. Like the official, we sometimes come before the Lord in prayer, interceding with him for others, asking Him to come into the life of someone dear to us. Both forms of prayer, the prayer for our own needs, and the prayer for others are expressions of our faith in the life-giving touch of Jesus.

By Sr. Mary, CM.