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.

Spiritum, qui ex Deo (1 Cor. 2:12)

 

Before Jesus was lifted to heaven, He promised a helper to accompany his disciples while they travel and spread the good news. Jesus’s disciples felt it when the Pentecost day come. Holy Spirit came upon them. Consequently, they could speak in various languages so that many people understood them. For the Holy Spirit was their strength.

According to the letter of Apostle Paul to Corinthians, there are two kinds of spirit, namely, the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God. They contradict each other. People with the spirit of the world cannot accept the spirit of God without conversion. For that reason, Paul invited his listeners to move from the spirit of the world towards the Spirit of God. Paul asked them to accept the Holy Spirit and believe in Jesus Christ.

Nowadays, the spirit of the world can be understood as hatred and envy which separates people. The root of the spirit of the world is egoism which makes people destroy each other and even nature. We can see around us wars in many countries, vandalism, human trafficking, and poverty. Even, the innocent earth is broken by human egoism. On the other hand, the Spirit of God can be seen in love which establishes unity, solidarity, friendship, and other universal values.

To this world, God sends the Holy Spirit to recover human’s heart from egoism and hatred. His presence makes people more compassionate and sympathetic to one another. The Spirit of God helps all people comprehend God’s wisdom. Because humans have the responsibility to keep God’s commandments and promote love in the world.

Let us ask God to pour out the Holy Spirit upon us and all people, so we can love each other and protect our nature as a common home in which we could live peacefully.

By Fr. Aris Mada, SVD.

Spiritum daemonii immundi (Lk. 4:33)

 

In today's pericope of the gospel, Jesus moved to Capernaum. He taught on the Sabbath days. The people were amazed to hear His teaching because His words were powerful. Suddenly someone was possessed by a demon. Jesus rebuked him, saying: “Be quiet! “Come out of him!”  the demon obeyed and came out of the man.

It is very surprising that there are some demons in holy places like the synagogue where people gather and pray to God. These demons are waiting for the right moment to seduce humans while they are trying to focus on God.  The demons hate us and want to destroy us. They disturb people's attention to God. Nonetheless, Jesus is victorious over the demons. He casts a demon out of the possessed person and does not let the devil harm him.

When we are getting closer to God, demons will try hard to keep us away from God. We don't need to worry because Jesus has power over all demons. We do not need to be frightened. When the demon's temptation comes, be aware, discern it, and put Jesus in the midst of that temptation. Trust in Him and He will remove the temptation. Keep strong in faith.

By Fr. Fransiskus M. Diaz, SVD.