Matthew 9:14-17 | 19th century Wine Glass | ...and then they will fast

Matthew 9:14-17 ...and then they will fast

Engraved Wine Glass, Blown and engraved by George Bacchus & Sons, Birmingham, UK Executed between 1849-1851, © Victoria & Albert Museum, London John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth on to an old cloak, because the patch pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are lost. No; they put new wine into fresh skins and both are preserved.’ READ MORE Reflection on the 19th century Glass Today, fasting is seen in wider society as a kind of ‘looking after one’s body’. It is a healthy and sane way to look after ourselves. A healthy mind in a healthy body. Gym instructors, health care workers and many others advocate fasting to calm us down, to help us think more clearly, to give us focus, to make us sleep better, etc… But for Christians fasting is a choice to abstain from food or other worldly pleasures in order to draw us closer to God. Through depriving our own bodies of the things we like, we connect with those who are less fortunate than us and hungry. It makes us one with our less fortunate brothers and sisters. One of the largest collections of ancient glass in the world is at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. I am sharing with you an empty wine glass (a familiar view when fasting!), of the mid 19th century. The history of glass making is a long one, with some antique glass dating back to 5000BC discovered in the region of Syria. Ancient Egypt, the Greeks, Romans all perfected the trade, culminating in the delicate, intricate and elaborate pieces such as the wine glass I am sharing with you today. The engraving we can see used to be done with a small splinter of a diamond mounted on the tip of a wooden stick. The engraver had to avoid scratching too deeply as this might cause the glass to crack. Jesus uses the example of the wineskins to make the point that Jewish traditions had to move along and be open to Christ’s newness of His message. And as regards to the fasting, occasionally it is good to fast…. so we can enjoy the feast… by Patrick van der Vorst

Fasting and Feasting

Fasting and Feasting July 4, 2020

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 9:14-17 The disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved." Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come to you in this meditation ready to do whatever it is you ask. Left to myself, I often take the easy and convenient path; yet I know the way of a Christian is through the narrow gate. In you I find the reason to abandon the easy path for a more perfect mission of love. I’m ready to learn the meaning of your command: “Follow me.” Petition: Lord, help me to value the place of fasting in my life. Creating Hunger for God: Fasting has its place in the life of holiness. Like the precept of poverty, fasting is the purposeful privation of a natural good to make the soul more sensitive to the supernatural goods of the Spirit. It is the silencing of the flesh in order to feel more intensely a spiritual hunger for God. Just as the Israelites had to grow hungry in the desert before they could worthily receive the bread from heaven in the gift of manna, so in our life there is place to put aside the distractions of what is good for that which is holy. In the practice of self-denial, we will find the spiritual receptivity of a new wineskin that will not burst when, through prayer, God pours in the new wine of the Kingdom. Respecting the End: The practice of piety is not an end in itself. Rather, it is oriented to the ultimate end of the spiritual life: union with Christ. Christ must unweave John’s disciples from an excessive rigor in their spiritual life, one that has lost God as its proper object. Spiritual pride can grow subtly in persons who take upon themselves forms of devotion or asceticism for their own sakes. In all things, even in the spiritual, we have to look at the end. If some spiritual practice does not lead us to live God’s will and his presence in a more loving manner, then it is of no use to us. Fasting and the Passion Lead to Spiritual Feasting: The moment of the Passion will come; the days of mourning will arrive. The fasting that the disciples lived and that the Church lives is one of uniting ourselves to the suffering Christ. Self-denial in order to do God’s will becomes a participation in Christ’s Redemption. Christ’s closest friends will want to share his sorrow, suffer his privations and make his holocaust visible to others through their sacrificial way of life. May I be ready to live union with Christ, embracing periodic acts of self-denial and the ongoing crosses of my duty for love of souls and his Kingdom Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me practice true devotion and sacrifice. Renew in me a holy desire to seek you above all things, so that all I possess in my life is ordered to serving you better and glorifying your name. Resolution: I will make a special sacrifice to fulfill a duty of my state in life, uniting myself more to the suffering Christ.

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MARIA RESSA PILIT SINISIRAAN SI PRES. DUTERTE PERO STEPHEN SACKUR DI MAOOTO NI MARIA

Fearless Writer on Maria Ressa's Conviction: "A Victory for the Filipino people"

GRP's writer Ilda Ignacio | Rappler's CEO Maria Ressa | CTTO

Popular blog site, Get Real Philippines, yet again published a very powerful opinion, this time regarding the controversial conviction of Rappler's CEO Maria Ressa and her former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr, following a cyber libel case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

Various media outfits, human rights groups and opposition lawmakers called out the conviction as an assault against press freedom and allegedly an attack against critics of the administration.

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa | Photo credit to the owner

However, GRP's prominent writer, Ms. Ilda Ignacio, thinks otherwise, and said that Ressa's conviction is actually a victory for the Filipino people.

Read Ms. Ilda's very powerful post below: 

They said the whole world was watching. If that was the case, then the whole world knows Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and her former writer Reynaldo Santos Jr are now convicted criminals. This was after a Manila court judge found both of them guilty of violating the cyber libel law. The question is, are members of the international community going to respect the decision of a local court or are they going to look down on this decision because they assume everything that happens in a Third World country like the Philippines is a “travesty”?

"Indeed, as soon as the decision was handed down, foreign journalists and high-profile individuals like former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed their outrage on social networking site Twitter. There was enough support for Ressa to convince us that she would have been more successful as a lobbyist than a journalist. She certainly had a lot of foreigners fooled — foreigners who already had preconceived notions about the Philippines being a “rogue state”, no thanks to Ressa herself who has been telling everyone who cares to listen that “it’s worse than a war zone”. They all think “democracy is dead” and that “press freedom” is being undermined by the current government. They all blame President Rodrigo Duterte and accuse him of “weaponizing” the law.

As expected, Ressa and supporters both local and abroad were all “shocked” by the verdict. They thought her PR blitz around the world would be enough to acquit her of the libel case filed by Wilfredo Keng – a private individual who was wronged when a 2012 Rappler article written by Santos published damning claims that Keng lent his sports utility vehicle to then Chief Justice Renato Corona. This was during Corona’s impeachment trial and Rappler played a big role in demonising the former magistrate. A series of articles painting Corona under a negative light were published during the trial including that particular one claiming Keng was involved in human and drug trafficking. They were trying to convince the public that Corona was hanging out with the “wrong” crowd.

I guess you could say the ghost of Corona is still haunting the people who wronged him. He died a broken man shortly after being removed from his post in the Supreme Court. Ressa and her Rappler team played a role in his removal by engaging in character assassination. Those who support Ressa, especially those who did not follow Corona’s trial almost a decade ago, have no idea what they are talking about. Rappler published libelous content against a private individual just to help convict a former Chief Justice. Ressa deserves what she got for supporting former President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s crusade against an innocent man he considers his enemy. Keng is not Ressa’s only victim, but Keng brought justice not just to himself but also to Corona and the public who saw the injustice Ressa was committing then.

Expressions of support for Ressa would have you believe that the judge who presided over the case is corrupt and only bowed to Duterte’s wishes. They are disrespecting the rule of law by saying this. It is quite baffling considering Ressa still needs the court for her appeal. A smart person would want the judges to be on her side. That’s not going to happen if she keeps saying they are in cahoots with Duterte. It would be stupid of her and her supporters to malign members of the judiciary and paint them as Duterte’s lap dogs. The judiciary is an independent branch of government. Duterte cannot dictate his wishes on the judges. To say Ressa’s conviction is because of Duterte is tantamount to saying the court judges are corrupt. Whoever is saying that should be prosecuted.

Ressa and her supporters do not feel sorry for Keng. Rappler damaged his reputation but they still do not want to accept that the article they published broke the cyber libel law. She is not remorseful and doesn’t seem to have any plans of apologising. She keeps insisting that she is entitled to “press freedom”.

The concept behind press freedom is having the right to print or publicise factual information that is vital to the interests or safety of the public. It is not about the right to malign others without suffering the consequences. As a matter of fact, Ressa abused her power as a so-called journalist. She violated other people’s right to due process. She condemned people like Corona and Keng by publishing unverified and false information about them.

Ressa also continues to condemn Duterte before the international community by insisting he stifles dissent and is killing democracy. But Ressa and the rest of the Opposition have been saying that since Day One of Duterte’s Presidency. They contradict themselves everytime they say that. They have been enjoying their freedom to complain under Duterte for years. Proof of this is the fact that Ressa’s jet-setting lifestyle was not affected despite her incessant accusations against Duterte. She can go in and out of the Philippines without any hassle

The members of the press will be fine as long as they don’t publish libelous content. I really hope other members of the media will learn from this. The conviction of former Rappler staff Santos Jr together with Ressa for violating the cyber libel law should serve as a warning to other Rappler staff. Ressa got Santos in trouble because she is a bad editor and her other cases still pending could prove she is a bad CEO. That could spell the end for Rappler. If I were them, I would look for another job now and not wait for the company to fold.

It’s getting tiring to read articles painting Ressa as a victim. She is not. She has a powerful tool — a media company that can and did ruin people’s reputations. She is just hiding behind the “press freedom” mantra. That freedom doesn’t include maligning others she doesn’t agree with.

I hate to rain on everyone’s parade, but it remains to be seen if Ressa will meet her cell mates any time soon. She is out on bail and will appeal before the highest court in the land. She is already using her conviction to advance her agenda to have Duterte removed by an international syndicate. We will see if her American citizenship will get her US support. But that can only mean the Philippine government can charge her with treason. I don’t think that is bailable.

http://www.freshnewspinoy.info/2020/06/fearless-writer-on-maria-ressas.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR3YJ6Lr0DiY2ufE4dwkN60AVhDT47eABPh3hTfpBRsSzkw5K-xQL5Fvcmc

John 20:24-29 | Andrea del Verrocchio | 'My Lord and my God!'

John 20:24-29 'My Lord and my God!'

Saint Thomas and Christ, Sculpted by Andrea del Verrocchio (1435–1488), Sculpted between 1467–1483, Cast bronze © Orsanmichele Church, Florence Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ READ MORE Reflection on the Sculpture Today is the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. He doubted the Resurrection of Jesus and had to feel the wounds of Jesus to be convinced, which we can read about in today’s passage. He utters some of the most important words of the whole New Testament: ‘My Lord and my God!’. With those words he confirms that Christ is fully human (My Lord) and fully Divine (My God). Thomas probably doubted, yes, but, out of extreme sadness and grieving of his friend Jesus. He had his hope in the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, and had followed Him for over three years. Now he thought Jesus was dead. The loss of his friend tested his faith. Just like it can do in our own lives. Our late 15th century sculpture by Andrea del Verrocchio, shows the beautiful interaction between Christ and St Thomas. We can almost hear their dialogue when looking at the sculpture. The difference between Christ’s immortal, regal, divine pose, contracts with St Thomas’ agitated, nervous and mortal state. As this sculpture was originally made to stand in one of the fourteen niches on the exterior walls of the Orsanmichele Church in Florence, the figures were cast without modelled backs (not in the round) as they were only to be viewed from the front. Saint Thomas, pray for us. by Patrick van der Vorst

"My Lord and My God"

"My Lord and My God" July 3, 2020

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle Father Robert DeCesare, LC John 20:24-29 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith I received with baptism. I believe all that you have revealed, though I recognize that my faith is still small. I now submerge my weak faith in your overflowing goodness and mercy, and I trust in you completely. I love you, my Lord and my God, with all my mind, heart, soul and strength. Petition: Lord, increase my faith. “I Will Not Believe.” Lord, I live in a culture where I have to know everything. If there are no facts, if I lack evidence, then I refuse to believe. At times, Lord, even with facts and evidence in front of me, I still refuse to believe. I know, Lord, that faith calls for man “to commit his entire self to God” (Dei Verbum 5). Thomas refuses to do this when the apostles share the exciting news: “We have seen the Lord” (John 20:25). But their news does not correspond to what Thomas knows. He knows that you died. Maybe he went to the tomb on Saturday. He would have seen the guards stationed there and would have imagined that there was no way to take you from the tomb. Do I come up with convincing reasons not to believe? If I do, how can I answer better through faith? “Do Not Be Unbelieving But Believe.” Lord, Thomas looks at you in the Upper Room as you say this. I recall the words: “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). You invite Thomas to take that step of faith: to leave behind what he knows and to accept your Resurrection. He had seen you raise Lazarus, and now you invite him to believe that you yourself are forever alive. You are God, both living and true. There in the Upper Room, you invite me, as you did Thomas, to believe that you are alive in my life. Lord, I want you to have a strong presence in my life. “Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Have Believed.” Lord, I cannot make it to heaven without faith. Your words to Thomas allude to what lies in store for me if I believe until death. I was not alive when you walked on the earth, but in the light of what you say to Thomas, I have all the more reason to exercise my faith and pray as Thomas did: “My Lord and my God.” You desire my faith, Lord, just as you desired Thomas’. How great you are, Lord! “Faith is first and foremost a personal adherence of man to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 150). I want to adhere to you, my Lord and my God. Conversation with Christ: Lord, I believe that you want to be a great part of my life. You want to be the Lord of it. My faith is so little. Help me to increase my faith. Give it what it needs to grow. Resolution: Today during the day I will read numbers 150-152 of theCatechism of the Catholic Church about faith, so as to work to increase my faith in God.

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Matthew 9:1-8 | Anthony Van Dyck | Jesus healing the Paralytic

Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus healing the Paralytic

Christ Healing the Paralytic, Painted by Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641), Painted in 1619, oil on canvas © Royal Collection Trust, Buckingham Palace, London Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men. READ MORE Reflection on the Painting Our painting today by Anthony Van Dyck is part of the Royal Collection. Van Dyck painted this when he was only 20 years old, already displaying his supremely brilliant painting skills. What was innovative at the time this was painted, are the half-length figures depicted. Before, largely, either portraits were painted showing head and shoulders only or else full length-figures. This painting displaying half length figures was highly unusual and innovative. The detailing of the paralytic man is beautiful. We can see his bodily imperfections such as the rounded back, gnarled muscle forms, raised veins and awkward physiognomy. Van Dyck's contemporaries would immediately have understood that this man was ill or paralytic. He is shown just after being healed, holding his blankets, and he is now moving from the darkness on the left of the canvas towards the light on the right, and towards the Apostle on the right, probably St James… Both St James and the healed paralytic will now walk out of the canvas on their pilgrimage to follow Christ… In our reading today, Jesus does three crucial things in one: He confronts his critics at the start of our reading; He performs a miracle; and He proclaims the forgiveness of sins… His right hand in our painting is reaching out to us too, so we can be healed too… by Patrick van der Vorst

Fathoming Christ's Mercy

Fathoming Christ's Mercy July 2, 2020

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 9:1-8 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there, people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men. Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come to you in this meditation ready to do whatever it is you ask. Left to myself I often take the easy and convenient path, yet I know the way of a Christian is through the narrow gate. In you I find the reason to abandon the easy path for a more perfect mission of love. I’m ready to learn the meaning of your command: “Follow me.” Petition: Lord, grant me a deeper experience of your mercy. Crippled by Control: For St. Jerome, physical paralysis is an image of man’s inability to return to God by his own efforts. It is man’s inability to create his own salvation, to set the terms by which he can say he has made peace with God. The paralysis is meant to speak more to the Pharisees about their souls than to the cripple who bears it. Christ saw stagnation in the Pharisees’ hearts. They wanted to put God in a box, where their relationship with him could neatly accommodate their status and comforts. We, like the Pharisees, like our routine. We like to coast in our spiritual life and dislike having to adjust to God’s asking for more faith, trust or charity. For saintly souls, Christ is ever new; they are always being asked for more, and new experiences of Christ fill them as a result. Their love never goes stale since they refuse to control what God can do with them. The Only Real Problem Is Sin: The paralytic and his companions arrive concerned only about his physical condition. This is not, however, what is first on Christ’s priority list. What is first, rather, is the man’s state of soul. For God, the problem of life is not about problems. Problems are merely the pretexts he sends us to heal and develop our relationship with him: “Your sins are forgiven.” The problem of life is all about holiness and about removing the chief obstacle to holiness: sin. Deep down, the only things that can hurt us are the obstacles of sin and an egoistic lifestyle. Awaiting God’s Replies: The pause between “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven you” and the cure of the paralysis initially may have caused disappointment in those unfamiliar with Christ’s way of working. In that wait our response to God comes, and our part in the plan of salvation is played out. Instant gratification of a child’s wants spoils the meaning of his parents’ gift of loving support. To arrive to Christian maturity, we must form the virtues of faith and trust. Seeking cures must be sought more as part of God’s will than as our own self-centered relief effort. This takes time. Yet even in that pause, in the dark night of faith, something is happening. While miracles are on the way, we are being changed. The command to rise seems only to confirm or make visible something that has already occurred in the paralytic’s soul: through faith and trust, Christ reigns over his soul. Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know that in you alone I shall rise, because only you can conquer sin in me. For my part, like St. Paul, I have sought to fight the good fight, strengthened by your grace and mercy. Help me to accept every difficulty as a new chance to purify my heart and sanctify my soul. Resolution: Today I will remember to avoid rash and judgmental thoughts of others. As I do so I will keep in my heart the merciful dispositions of Christ’s heart.

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MGA KASINUNGALINGAN NI MARIA RESSA HINDI NAKALUSOT!

A MINUTE WITH GOD

I spent a minute and hope you will too,

I LOVE THE OPENING SENTENCE:

With what is going on in the world these days, Heaven could end up a ghost town.

My name is GOD. You hardly have time for Me. I love you and will always bless you.

I am always with you. I need you to spen 60 seconds of your time with Me today.

Don't pray, just praise. Today I want the message to go across the world before midnight. Will you help? Please dp not delete it and I'll help you with something that you are in need of. Just dare Me. A blessing is coming your way. Please drop everything and pass it on. Why are prayers getting smaller, but bars and clubs are expanding? Why is it so easy to worship a celebrity, but very difficult to engage with God?

Think about it, are you going to forward this or are you going to ignore it because you think you will get laughed at? Forward this to zoo your friends. (I did), or just delete it.

80% of you won't. GOD said if you deny me in front of your friend, I will deny you on the Day of Judgment.

When one door closes, God opens two. If GOD has opened doors for you, send this message to everyone.

Forward if God's been good to you.

Matthew 8:28-34 | Briton Rivière | The Gadarene Swines

Matthew 8:28-34 The Gadarene Swines

The Miracle of the Gaderene Swine, Painted by Briton Rivière (1840–1920), Painted in 1883, Oil on canvas, Presented by Sir Henry Tate to the Tate Gallery in 1894 © Tate Britain, London When Jesus reached the country of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake, two demoniacs came towards him out of the tombs – creatures so fierce that no one could pass that way. They stood there shouting, ‘What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the time?’ Now some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding, and the devils pleaded with Jesus, ‘If you cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go then’, and they came out and made for the pigs; and at that the whole herd charged down the cliff into the lake and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off and made for the town, where they told the whole story, including what had happened to the demoniacs. At this the whole town set out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw him they implored him to leave the neighbourhood. READ MORE Reflection on the Painting Our artist today, Briton Rivière, was a British artist of Huguenot descent. He is mainly known for his animal paintings. Whilst animals feature in our painting, it is the story of the Gadarene swine which is central in our canvas. Each of the individual pigs are meticilously painted. Yes, they run together, but it is each single one making the decision to follow the other demonic-looking swine in tumbling over the edge of the cliff. They are trampling one poor fleeing swineherd, whilst another swineherd has managed to run away with his dog to safety. Also note the low faint clouds, with their touches of flame-reds and violets. The location of this story, as mentioned in the first line of our Gospel reading (‘Jesus went to the other side of the Lake') says a lot about Jesus. He has crossed the lake to go to Gentile territory, where Jews would not normally go. Jesus is always the man reaching out, inviting strangers, taking risks, getting out of His comfort zone… His mission transcends all boundaries. And when He does that, He doesn’t even hold back: here He is performing a full miracle driving out demons. As Christ prevailed against evil in our story of the Gadarene swine, He is asking us to never to give up in our own struggles against the evils around us. by Patrick van der Vorst

Casting Out Evil

Casting Out Evil July 1, 2020

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Father Steven Liscinsky, LC Matthew 8: 28-34 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?" Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons pleaded with him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go then!" They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town, they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their district. Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present within me. I want to live this day close to you and see everything through the prism of faith. I want to put my trust and confidence in you. You will grant me all the graces I need today. All I have to do is ask. I want to love you with all my heart, especially in charity; giving myself to everyone I meet today so that I can communicate your love to them. Petition: Lord, help me defeat the evil of sin in my life. Sin Keeps Us Away from God: We learn in the catechism that mortal sin takes sanctifying grace away from our soul and cuts us off from God. Today’s Gospel illustrates that separation, as the two possessed men keep their distance from Christ and want him to leave them alone. Our sin, whether mortal or venial, pushes God away from our lives. It is like telling him that we do not need him, that we do not want him in our lives. Have I willfully accepted sin in my life, thereby shunning God? Even in the slightest way? Sin Hurts Our Relationships with Others: Clearly the evil of the possessed men has hurt their relationship with their fellow men. They can no longer be a part of their community but have to live apart from society. Every sin, in a way, is a “social sin” because it has social consequences. Even our most personal sins – in our thoughts – injure the Mystical Body of the Church, and so have an effect on others. Those sins that others see are even greater because they cause scandal and could lead others into sin. Christ is inviting us to reject sin. Let us join him and cast out the devil from our daily lives. Sin Harms Us, Too: The evil that we do is harmful above all to ourselves. The demoniacs often gashed and cut themselves. The physical injury to their bodies signifies a deeper spiritual affliction. Our souls are made for God, and so separation from him is truly heart-wrenching. Sin avoids presenting its ugly face, but after we have committed it, our conscience begins to bother us. Then we realize that our wrong choice has separated us from the One we are drawn to by nature. We feel the pain of separation and of that rupture which divides us interiorly. Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to cast out sin from my life. I need your help since I cannot do it on my own. Just like the demoniacs who longed to be freed from their torment, I also long to defeat sin in my life. So often I am overpowered by my passions or the temptations of the devil. Grant me the strength I need, Lord. Resolution: I will promise Christ that today I will reject one specific sin or imperfection that I usually fall into.

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