Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Is it proper to venerate Mary, Mother of JESUS?
We never adore Mary. Adoration is reserved to God alone. But we venerate Holy Mary and saints. To venerate means to give respect, honour, praise etc. We Catholics give higher veneration to Mary than to the saints.
There are many reasons to venerate Mary. She was God's favoured one, the chosen virgin to be the mother of His Son Jesus. In her and through her, God became Immanuel (God with us) and dwelt among us (Mt. 2:23). She was conceived not by the power of man (Lk. 1 :35) but by the power of the Holy Spirit (V. 35). Even after her conception of Jesus, she remained faithful to her Divine Spouse all throughout her life.
Some people misinterpret Mt. 2:25 to argue that Joseph had conjugal relations with Mary, after Jesus' birth. But the verse, "Joseph did not know her till she had brought forth her first born" doesn't mean it. It only emphasizes Jesus' divine origin nothing more or nothing less. What the text conveys is that no one else is responsible for Jesus' birth except the Holy Spirit.
Some people misinterpret Mt. 12:48 to argue that Jesus had no respect to his mother. But this is not true if we evaluate the verse in its background (VV 46-50). When Mary and his brethren came, Jesus was teaching his disciples. When somebody informed of their arrival, Jesus took it as an opportunity to teach the audience the urgency of becoming the doers of the word rather than hearers of the word. Hence he asks, "who is my mother and who are my brothers?" (V. 48). Stretching out his hand towards His disciples Himself answered, "Here are my mother and my brothers" (V. 49). For, whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother (V. 50). In this passage, there is nothing derogatory to Mary. On the contrary it could be taken as a compliment. That is, Mary became His mother not only because she gave birth to Him,- but also because she submitted herself to God's word (Lk. 1 :38). She was a hearer (1 :2837) as well as a doer of the word of God (V.38).
The theme - "to be doers of the word" is stressed elsewhere. After the sermon on the mount, Jesus asked his disciples to be the doers of law, if they really wanted to be saved (Mt. 7:21-27). "Not everyone who says 'Lord', 'Lord', shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father" (Mt. 7:21, Cf. Lk. 6:46). In Rom 2:53, Paul says, "Not the hearers of the law are justified in he sight of God, but the doers of the law". James too repeats the same, "But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (1: 21, Cf. V. 27). Mary obeyed the Word of God totally and fully when she said "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word" (Lk. 1 :38).
Similarly Mt.11: 11 b, "but he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he (John)" is not a depreciation of John, but an appreciation for him (as evident from V. 11 a) and a demand from the audience to be like him working for the Kingdom of God.
Mary is to be venerated and praised by all. Gabriel praises her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women (Lk. 1:28). If an archangel could praise Mary, why cannot we human beings? It is true that she was made praiseworthy among women only because of God's immense favour and constant presence with her (the Lord is with you). Yet she is blessed. Elizabeth too calls her "blessed" (V. 45.). All the generations are going to call her blessed (V. 48). Even in Jesus' time people called her "blessed". "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you", shouted a woman (Lk. 11 :27) Jesus answered, "more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it (V. 28). Here too the meaning is, Mary is praiseworthy not because she bore me or fed me, more than that, since she heard the Word of God and obeyed it. By hearing the Word of God and keeping it, you could also become "blessed".
Some Christian denominations teach that Mary's "highly favoured" position was over by Jesus' birth or at least after her death. But they have no sound arguments for this except their prejudice and obstinacy in holding to their wrong perceptions. How can a person who gave total and full FIAT (consent) to God's will in this life be demoted in the Heavenly life? Christian teaching holds the contrary. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord... for their work follows them" (Rev. 14:13). St. Paul expects "a crown of righteousness" in the life to come for his suffering for the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Mathew also talks in terms of reward and punishment, reward for the doers of good, and punishment for the doers of evil (Mt. 25:31-46). Hence one may rightly infer that Mary's position is enhanced in heaven, she is "crowned as the queen" of Heaven. Hence she deserves our veneration.
Mary is the new house of God, "the poor of the Lord" (Lk. 1 :48, 52; Cf. Is. 57:15). In Is. 66:1-2, we read thus, "Thus says the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where is the house you build for me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things my hand has made, and all those things exist, "says the Lord, but on the ONE will I look: on him who is poor and contrite spirit,and who trembles at my word". More than man-built temples what the Lord prefers to dwell in is ONE who is Poor and Contrite in spirit and who trembles at his word. Mary is this "favoured one" (Lk. 1 :28), poor and lowly in spirit 0N 48,52) who trembles at His word (V. 29). Hence the annunciation of Jesus' birth is directly addressed to Mary, the new House of God, where as the annunciation of John's birth is given in the Jerusalem Temple. In Mary, God dwells among us. She is the new House of God to be venerated by all of us.
Mary is the new Tabernacle. In Ex. 40:35, it is said, "the cloud covered the Tabernacle of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle". What is intended is that God made the tabernacle his dwelling place. The same verb "covered" is used in the angels' annunciation to Mary. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, that means, God made her his dwelling place, she became the new tabernacle. Since she is the new house of God, and new tabernacle, the fruit of her womb is the real presence of God among us.
Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant. The words of Elizabeth when Mary comes to her, "But why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk. 1 :43) echo the words of David when the Ark of the covenant comes to him, "How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?" (2 Sam. 6:9) Thus Mary is introduced as the New Ark of the covenant or the Ark of the New Covenant. Both the journeys of the Ark of the covenant (2 Sam. 6:2) and the New Ark of the Covenant (Lk. 1 :39) took place in Judah. As David was leaping and dancing before the Ark (2 Sam. 6:14), so also before Mary, John the Baptist leaped in his mother's womb for joy (Lk. 1 :44) should we not leap with joy, before Mary, the new ark of the covenant?
Mary is the new Israel. In Mary God's expectations regarding his Elect are realized. Mary's magnificat reveals this fact. The magnificat is made up of two parts, each one ending with a celebration of the "MERCY' of God, towards all generations (Lk. 1 :50; 54-55). The first concerns Mary, and the second concerns Israel. The first part (VV 47-50) presents the humility of Mary (being poor, lowly) and God's fruitful work in her. The second part presents Israel's pride (V. 51) and presumption (thinking mighty and rich), God's punishment for the same (V. 52-53), yet finally God's helping them in remembrance of His Mercy (V. 54). What He required from Israel (Cf. Mic. 6:8) is fully realized in Mary, the heiress and figure of Israel as well as the path to the future.
Mary is the mother of all the faithful. Though Abraham submitted himself fully to God and became the father of all the faithful (Heb. 4:16, Is. 51 :2), his descendants miserably failed to give such submission to faith. Even Zacharia who was righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Lk. 1 :6), was no exemplary in faith (V. 20) and hence was punished. But in Mary the tide of unbelief and punishment is reversed. There is a new beginning of faith and salvation. Mary submits herself fully and totally to God in faith. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word" (Lk. 1 :38). Because she believed that nothing is impossible to God (V. 37). Indeed Elizabeth rightly commented her faith. "Blessed are you who believed that whatever the Lord promised will be fulfilled" (V. 45). It was this faith that strengthened her to remain calm and composed when the son of the Most High (V. 32) was born in a manger (2:7), when the heir of the throne of David (1 :32) got no room in the inn (2:7), and had to flee to Egypt (Mt. 2:14), when he who was to reign over the house of Jacob (Lk. 1 :33) was reviled by His own (In. 1 :11, Lk. 19:14) and when the expectations of His lasting Kingdom (Lk. 1 :33) was being shattered at his death on the cross (Lk. 24:21). Her faith surpassed the faith of Abraham in that she had to offer her only begotten Son to God, whereas Abraham finally had not to do that (Gen. 22:12). Mary is the mother of all the faithful who have been saved through faith in Her son shall we not honour Mary, our model in faith?
Mary is the mother of the Church. Mary was with the Apostles when they waited in Jerusalem, in prayer and supplication, for the descend of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). It was on the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit descended with the sound of a rushing mighty wind and sat upon them in the form of divided tongues of fire (2:1-4) and the Church was officially inaugurated (V. 41). Mary is the prime member of the Church, and the mother of all who received the Spirit and the Word. Indeed she is the first evangelizer who went "with haste" into the hill country (Lk. 1 :39) as soon as she received the "good news" (VV. 26-33). As church is the body of Christ (Eph. 5:25,30; 1 Cor 13:27; Rom 12:5), and Mary is the Mother of Christ, she is also the Mother of His body, the Church. She is the prime member of the Church, in whose pattern other members are to be moulded. Can anyone question us in giving honour to Mary, our mother and model?
Mary is the mother of all who have been saved. Since Church is the community of the saved, Mary is the mother of all who have been saved. Indeed Jesus gave her as our mother at the zenith of His salvific act, his death and glorification (In. 19:27). He said to the disciple, "behold your mother!" (VV 26-27) "And from that Hour that disciple took her to his own home (V. 27). Here and elsewhere (In. 2:4) we find Jesus calling His mother "woman", and some denominations of Christians interpret it as Jesus' disrespect to His mother. This is a false inference from a misunderstanding about the nuance of the word "woman". Only in John's gospel this term is used to refer to Mary. The first instance is in Cana, at the beginning of the signs Jesus did (Jn. 2:1-11). Though His "Hour" had not yet come (2:4), by the intercession of the "woman", He inaugurates the salvific work. We know that the "Hour" of Jesus is the 'Hour' of his death, the 'Hour' of his glorification (In. 17:1; 12:23; Cf. Act 3:13), the Hour of our salvation (In. 3:14-15). Hence we may note that Jesus calls His mother "woman" at the beginning of His salvific act (In. 2:4) and at the culmination of His salvific act (Jn. 19:27). When we go back to the promise of salvation in Genesis, there too we find the term "woman" is used (Gen. 3:15). "And there would be enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and his seed, and she shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Gen. 3: 15). We know that the names of our first parents are Adam and Eve. Adam means man and Eve means woman, 'the mother of all living' (Gen. 3:20). Eve, the woman became the 'mother of sinners' by her co-operation with the evil. Mary became the mother of all saved by her co-operation with the Holy Spirit, by her submission to the Word of God, and by her offering her son on the cross for the salvation of all. And from that Hour, that is the Hour of Jesus' death and our salvation, Mary became the common possession of those who were saved, of his disciples, of those whom he loved (Jn. 19:27 b). She became the New Eve, the mother of all who possess eternal life'. Let us give due respect to our mother.
There are many reasons to venerate Mary. She was God's favoured one, the chosen virgin to be the mother of His Son Jesus. In her and through her, God became Immanuel (God with us) and dwelt among us (Mt. 2:23). She was conceived not by the power of man (Lk. 1 :35) but by the power of the Holy Spirit (V. 35). Even after her conception of Jesus, she remained faithful to her Divine Spouse all throughout her life.
Some people misinterpret Mt. 2:25 to argue that Joseph had conjugal relations with Mary, after Jesus' birth. But the verse, "Joseph did not know her till she had brought forth her first born" doesn't mean it. It only emphasizes Jesus' divine origin nothing more or nothing less. What the text conveys is that no one else is responsible for Jesus' birth except the Holy Spirit.
Some people misinterpret Mt. 12:48 to argue that Jesus had no respect to his mother. But this is not true if we evaluate the verse in its background (VV 46-50). When Mary and his brethren came, Jesus was teaching his disciples. When somebody informed of their arrival, Jesus took it as an opportunity to teach the audience the urgency of becoming the doers of the word rather than hearers of the word. Hence he asks, "who is my mother and who are my brothers?" (V. 48). Stretching out his hand towards His disciples Himself answered, "Here are my mother and my brothers" (V. 49). For, whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother (V. 50). In this passage, there is nothing derogatory to Mary. On the contrary it could be taken as a compliment. That is, Mary became His mother not only because she gave birth to Him,- but also because she submitted herself to God's word (Lk. 1 :38). She was a hearer (1 :2837) as well as a doer of the word of God (V.38).
The theme - "to be doers of the word" is stressed elsewhere. After the sermon on the mount, Jesus asked his disciples to be the doers of law, if they really wanted to be saved (Mt. 7:21-27). "Not everyone who says 'Lord', 'Lord', shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father" (Mt. 7:21, Cf. Lk. 6:46). In Rom 2:53, Paul says, "Not the hearers of the law are justified in he sight of God, but the doers of the law". James too repeats the same, "But be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (1: 21, Cf. V. 27). Mary obeyed the Word of God totally and fully when she said "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word" (Lk. 1 :38).
Similarly Mt.11: 11 b, "but he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he (John)" is not a depreciation of John, but an appreciation for him (as evident from V. 11 a) and a demand from the audience to be like him working for the Kingdom of God.
Mary is to be venerated and praised by all. Gabriel praises her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women (Lk. 1:28). If an archangel could praise Mary, why cannot we human beings? It is true that she was made praiseworthy among women only because of God's immense favour and constant presence with her (the Lord is with you). Yet she is blessed. Elizabeth too calls her "blessed" (V. 45.). All the generations are going to call her blessed (V. 48). Even in Jesus' time people called her "blessed". "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you", shouted a woman (Lk. 11 :27) Jesus answered, "more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it (V. 28). Here too the meaning is, Mary is praiseworthy not because she bore me or fed me, more than that, since she heard the Word of God and obeyed it. By hearing the Word of God and keeping it, you could also become "blessed".
Some Christian denominations teach that Mary's "highly favoured" position was over by Jesus' birth or at least after her death. But they have no sound arguments for this except their prejudice and obstinacy in holding to their wrong perceptions. How can a person who gave total and full FIAT (consent) to God's will in this life be demoted in the Heavenly life? Christian teaching holds the contrary. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord... for their work follows them" (Rev. 14:13). St. Paul expects "a crown of righteousness" in the life to come for his suffering for the Word of God (2 Tim. 4:7-8). Mathew also talks in terms of reward and punishment, reward for the doers of good, and punishment for the doers of evil (Mt. 25:31-46). Hence one may rightly infer that Mary's position is enhanced in heaven, she is "crowned as the queen" of Heaven. Hence she deserves our veneration.
Mary is the new house of God, "the poor of the Lord" (Lk. 1 :48, 52; Cf. Is. 57:15). In Is. 66:1-2, we read thus, "Thus says the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where is the house you build for me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things my hand has made, and all those things exist, "says the Lord, but on the ONE will I look: on him who is poor and contrite spirit,and who trembles at my word". More than man-built temples what the Lord prefers to dwell in is ONE who is Poor and Contrite in spirit and who trembles at his word. Mary is this "favoured one" (Lk. 1 :28), poor and lowly in spirit 0N 48,52) who trembles at His word (V. 29). Hence the annunciation of Jesus' birth is directly addressed to Mary, the new House of God, where as the annunciation of John's birth is given in the Jerusalem Temple. In Mary, God dwells among us. She is the new House of God to be venerated by all of us.
Mary is the new Tabernacle. In Ex. 40:35, it is said, "the cloud covered the Tabernacle of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle". What is intended is that God made the tabernacle his dwelling place. The same verb "covered" is used in the angels' annunciation to Mary. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, that means, God made her his dwelling place, she became the new tabernacle. Since she is the new house of God, and new tabernacle, the fruit of her womb is the real presence of God among us.
Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant. The words of Elizabeth when Mary comes to her, "But why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk. 1 :43) echo the words of David when the Ark of the covenant comes to him, "How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?" (2 Sam. 6:9) Thus Mary is introduced as the New Ark of the covenant or the Ark of the New Covenant. Both the journeys of the Ark of the covenant (2 Sam. 6:2) and the New Ark of the Covenant (Lk. 1 :39) took place in Judah. As David was leaping and dancing before the Ark (2 Sam. 6:14), so also before Mary, John the Baptist leaped in his mother's womb for joy (Lk. 1 :44) should we not leap with joy, before Mary, the new ark of the covenant?
Mary is the new Israel. In Mary God's expectations regarding his Elect are realized. Mary's magnificat reveals this fact. The magnificat is made up of two parts, each one ending with a celebration of the "MERCY' of God, towards all generations (Lk. 1 :50; 54-55). The first concerns Mary, and the second concerns Israel. The first part (VV 47-50) presents the humility of Mary (being poor, lowly) and God's fruitful work in her. The second part presents Israel's pride (V. 51) and presumption (thinking mighty and rich), God's punishment for the same (V. 52-53), yet finally God's helping them in remembrance of His Mercy (V. 54). What He required from Israel (Cf. Mic. 6:8) is fully realized in Mary, the heiress and figure of Israel as well as the path to the future.
Mary is the mother of all the faithful. Though Abraham submitted himself fully to God and became the father of all the faithful (Heb. 4:16, Is. 51 :2), his descendants miserably failed to give such submission to faith. Even Zacharia who was righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Lk. 1 :6), was no exemplary in faith (V. 20) and hence was punished. But in Mary the tide of unbelief and punishment is reversed. There is a new beginning of faith and salvation. Mary submits herself fully and totally to God in faith. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word" (Lk. 1 :38). Because she believed that nothing is impossible to God (V. 37). Indeed Elizabeth rightly commented her faith. "Blessed are you who believed that whatever the Lord promised will be fulfilled" (V. 45). It was this faith that strengthened her to remain calm and composed when the son of the Most High (V. 32) was born in a manger (2:7), when the heir of the throne of David (1 :32) got no room in the inn (2:7), and had to flee to Egypt (Mt. 2:14), when he who was to reign over the house of Jacob (Lk. 1 :33) was reviled by His own (In. 1 :11, Lk. 19:14) and when the expectations of His lasting Kingdom (Lk. 1 :33) was being shattered at his death on the cross (Lk. 24:21). Her faith surpassed the faith of Abraham in that she had to offer her only begotten Son to God, whereas Abraham finally had not to do that (Gen. 22:12). Mary is the mother of all the faithful who have been saved through faith in Her son shall we not honour Mary, our model in faith?
Mary is the mother of the Church. Mary was with the Apostles when they waited in Jerusalem, in prayer and supplication, for the descend of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). It was on the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit descended with the sound of a rushing mighty wind and sat upon them in the form of divided tongues of fire (2:1-4) and the Church was officially inaugurated (V. 41). Mary is the prime member of the Church, and the mother of all who received the Spirit and the Word. Indeed she is the first evangelizer who went "with haste" into the hill country (Lk. 1 :39) as soon as she received the "good news" (VV. 26-33). As church is the body of Christ (Eph. 5:25,30; 1 Cor 13:27; Rom 12:5), and Mary is the Mother of Christ, she is also the Mother of His body, the Church. She is the prime member of the Church, in whose pattern other members are to be moulded. Can anyone question us in giving honour to Mary, our mother and model?
Mary is the mother of all who have been saved. Since Church is the community of the saved, Mary is the mother of all who have been saved. Indeed Jesus gave her as our mother at the zenith of His salvific act, his death and glorification (In. 19:27). He said to the disciple, "behold your mother!" (VV 26-27) "And from that Hour that disciple took her to his own home (V. 27). Here and elsewhere (In. 2:4) we find Jesus calling His mother "woman", and some denominations of Christians interpret it as Jesus' disrespect to His mother. This is a false inference from a misunderstanding about the nuance of the word "woman". Only in John's gospel this term is used to refer to Mary. The first instance is in Cana, at the beginning of the signs Jesus did (Jn. 2:1-11). Though His "Hour" had not yet come (2:4), by the intercession of the "woman", He inaugurates the salvific work. We know that the "Hour" of Jesus is the 'Hour' of his death, the 'Hour' of his glorification (In. 17:1; 12:23; Cf. Act 3:13), the Hour of our salvation (In. 3:14-15). Hence we may note that Jesus calls His mother "woman" at the beginning of His salvific act (In. 2:4) and at the culmination of His salvific act (Jn. 19:27). When we go back to the promise of salvation in Genesis, there too we find the term "woman" is used (Gen. 3:15). "And there would be enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and his seed, and she shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Gen. 3: 15). We know that the names of our first parents are Adam and Eve. Adam means man and Eve means woman, 'the mother of all living' (Gen. 3:20). Eve, the woman became the 'mother of sinners' by her co-operation with the evil. Mary became the mother of all saved by her co-operation with the Holy Spirit, by her submission to the Word of God, and by her offering her son on the cross for the salvation of all. And from that Hour, that is the Hour of Jesus' death and our salvation, Mary became the common possession of those who were saved, of his disciples, of those whom he loved (Jn. 19:27 b). She became the New Eve, the mother of all who possess eternal life'. Let us give due respect to our mother.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Why God allows pain and sufferings....
This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and
suffering..............
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go
out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he
didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with
long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the
barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because
if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and
untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him
for help.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
If you think God exists, send this to other people---
If you think God does not exist, delete it!
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS !!!!!!!
suffering..............
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:
"I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go
out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children?
If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain.
I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he
didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with
long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the
barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because
if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and
untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist!
That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him
for help.
That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
If you think God exists, send this to other people---
If you think God does not exist, delete it!
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS !!!!!!!
Will God answer all our prayers?
Surely, if we ask in His name and according to His will. "And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (Jn. 14:13). "Now this is the confidence we have in Him, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 In. 5:14).
If we are sure that he hears, then we have already attained when we have petitioned (V. 15). "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Pet. 3:12) Cfr. Jn. 9:31. Reconciliation with our brethren is a must for any prayer or offering to be accepted by God (Mt. 5:23-24, Mk. 11:25, Cor. 3:13).
If we are sure that he hears, then we have already attained when we have petitioned (V. 15). "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Pet. 3:12) Cfr. Jn. 9:31. Reconciliation with our brethren is a must for any prayer or offering to be accepted by God (Mt. 5:23-24, Mk. 11:25, Cor. 3:13).
Thursday, November 15, 2007
What is the use of praying for the dead?
There is no doubt that there is a judgment after death and in the second coming Jesus Christ will reward salvation 'to those who eagerly wait for him' (Heb. 9:27-28) to those who did works of charity fort he poor (Mt. 25:31-46). There is no direct exhortation in the Bible to pray for the Lord. However, in 2 M c 12:4245 we find Judas Machabeus collecting money and sending it to Jerusalem for sin-offering to blot out the sins of the soldiers who died in the battle. "If he had not believed that the dead would be raised, it would have been foolish and useless to pray for them" 0/44). In his firm and devote conviction that all God's faithful people would receive a wonderful reward, Judas made provision for a sin offering to set free from their sin those who had died. As Christians we too believe in the resurrection of the body and the life ever lasting. So we have to pray for the remission of sin of all the faithful departed from this world.
The reference in Mt. 12:32, regarding "sin against Holy Spirit" tells that it will not be forgiven "either in the age or age to come". The phrase 'age to come' could mean 'life after death'. The statement the 'sin against Holy Spirit' will not be forgiven even in the 'age to come', could mean that there are some other sins which could be forgiven in the 'age to come'. Hence the need for prayer.
The Church teaches us that it consists of three components - the struggling church, the suffering church and the victorious church. We are the struggling church, struggling against the world, flesh and devil. Suffering church is the departed faithful, in the purification process, whose sins are to be blotted out by our prayers. The victorious church, is the faithful enjoying eternal bliss in Heaven. Since we believe in the communion of all the faithful (saints) all the components of the Church are expected to help one another by their prayer and intercession.
The reference in Mt. 12:32, regarding "sin against Holy Spirit" tells that it will not be forgiven "either in the age or age to come". The phrase 'age to come' could mean 'life after death'. The statement the 'sin against Holy Spirit' will not be forgiven even in the 'age to come', could mean that there are some other sins which could be forgiven in the 'age to come'. Hence the need for prayer.
The Church teaches us that it consists of three components - the struggling church, the suffering church and the victorious church. We are the struggling church, struggling against the world, flesh and devil. Suffering church is the departed faithful, in the purification process, whose sins are to be blotted out by our prayers. The victorious church, is the faithful enjoying eternal bliss in Heaven. Since we believe in the communion of all the faithful (saints) all the components of the Church are expected to help one another by their prayer and intercession.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thanksgiving Day Prayer: Psalm 111
Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Have we got Guardian Angels?
It is our belief that all of us have guardian angels. In Heb. 1:14, there is a reference that the angels are sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation. Angels are God's hosts, His ministers, who do His pleasure, do His word (Ps. 103:20-21). They protect us from evil (Cf. 5:20-21, 6:3).
Abraham told his servant that in his journey to Mesopotamia in search of a wife to his son Isaac, God will send His angel before Eleazer (Gen. 24:7). Hungry Elijah was fed by an angel who touched him at the peak of desperation (I Kings. 19:4-8). It is said 'the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and deliver them (Ps. 34:7, Cf. Acts 5:17-19); 8:26).
God-fearing Daniel was miraculously saved from the Lion's den by the angel (Dan. 6:16-22). In Ps. 91:10-11 we read, "No evil shall befall you for he shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways". In a strong warning against giving scandals to little ones (in faith), Jesus says 'Take heed you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 18-10). At the end of the world, the angels sent to gather the elect (Mt. 24: 31) could be our own guardian angels.
Abraham told his servant that in his journey to Mesopotamia in search of a wife to his son Isaac, God will send His angel before Eleazer (Gen. 24:7). Hungry Elijah was fed by an angel who touched him at the peak of desperation (I Kings. 19:4-8). It is said 'the angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and deliver them (Ps. 34:7, Cf. Acts 5:17-19); 8:26).
God-fearing Daniel was miraculously saved from the Lion's den by the angel (Dan. 6:16-22). In Ps. 91:10-11 we read, "No evil shall befall you for he shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways". In a strong warning against giving scandals to little ones (in faith), Jesus says 'Take heed you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 18-10). At the end of the world, the angels sent to gather the elect (Mt. 24: 31) could be our own guardian angels.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Jesus Loves You .........
The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life". But The problem is that All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago, God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago, God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life -- of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."
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