Reflections for the Week
Please Note: New reflections are not available this week in lieu of our special Anniversary celebrations.
Kindle the Light of Hope
Jesus warns us against being led astray by false messiahs who will arrogate his role and authority and announce the end of the world. Then he gives not one omen but several signs which refer to the end of the world. There will be wars, natural disasters, famines, and other terrifying events to signal the end of the world and his second coming. Before the Parousia takes place, Jerusalem will fall to the hands of the Romans and the disciples will be persecuted, man-handled, and dragged before pagan courts for preaching the Gospel.
Faced with the difficulties of our times, we should be encouraged by Luke’s message to the persecuted Christians of his time. Rather than bewail our seemingly hopeless situation or simply endure it, we should do what we can to transform the situation more and more into the likeness of God’s original design. By our faith-inspired work for the betterment of human life we kindle the light of hope for its final perfection when Jesus, our risen Lord, comes again.
God’s Word Fr Gil Alinsangan SSP
Faced with the difficulties of our times, we should be encouraged by Luke’s message to the persecuted Christians of his time. Rather than bewail our seemingly hopeless situation or simply endure it, we should do what we can to transform the situation more and more into the likeness of God’s original design. By our faith-inspired work for the betterment of human life we kindle the light of hope for its final perfection when Jesus, our risen Lord, comes again.
God’s Word Fr Gil Alinsangan SSP
Suffering in LIfe
Suffering will never be completely absent from our lives. So don’t be afraid of suffering. Your suffering is a great means of love, if you make use of it, especially if you offer it for peace in the world. Suffering in and of itself is useless, but suffering that is shared with the passion of Christ is a wonderful gift and a sign of love. Christ’s suffering proved to be a gift, the greatest gift of love, because through his suffering our sins were atoned for. Suffering, pain, sorrow, humiliation, feelings of loneliness, are nothing but the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close that he can kiss you.
No Greater Love Mother Teresa
No Greater Love Mother Teresa
Imperishable Vitality
Do not lose heart! The Church is greater than a professor’s chair in Tubingen or a handful of rebel clerics and false prophets who for the time being hold sway in the media. For she bestrides all the frontiers of the earth and draws her imperishable vitality from the Risen Christ, who has said, “When these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
100 Words of Father Werenfired Werenfried van Straaten
100 Words of Father Werenfired Werenfried van Straaten
A Catechist (S|RE Teacher) Story
It has been three years now since I answered my call to become a Catechist. Looking back, I honestly cannot imagine that I committed to something I was so not confident to do. I found myself praying to God for discernment – “What now, Lord?”
One Sunday at Mass, our parish priest announced the need for Catechists. I did not pay much attention to it as I felt it was not for me. At home, I read the parish newsletter and had another idea – I will convince my son to do altar service. I called the number to inquire about volunteering and spoke to Sister Judith Clark, who sweetly asked, “Are you also interested in becoming a Catechist?” This time, I felt a little nudging. To make the long story short, she became my mentor and inspired me in many ways. (By the way, my son also became an altar server).
In the beginning, I was hesitant because I did not have any experience in teaching and handling a classroom full of kids. Thankfully, comprehensive training and full support was provided. Another thing that worried me was, even though I grew up in a family of practicing Catholics, I still do not know enough about my faith, so how can I teach something I am not very knowledgeable about? Sister Judith showed me the children’s activity books and the teacher’s manual which has all the step-by-step instructions and lesson plans. Then I started to feel motivated by the fact that I would get to contribute to our parish by sharing Jesus with the children, while also learning so much along the way.
As I now reflect on my experiences of being a Catechist, I recognise the rich blessings I have been receiving. I am rewarded with my students’ excited faces when I tell them stories about Jesus. I have made wonderful and supportive friends and continue to meet new ones when I attend trainings and faith-formation workshops. Lastly, I feel fulfilled knowing I have inspired my own family to live their faith and glorify God in everything they do.
Anne, a Catechist at Concord catholicweekly.com.au
One Sunday at Mass, our parish priest announced the need for Catechists. I did not pay much attention to it as I felt it was not for me. At home, I read the parish newsletter and had another idea – I will convince my son to do altar service. I called the number to inquire about volunteering and spoke to Sister Judith Clark, who sweetly asked, “Are you also interested in becoming a Catechist?” This time, I felt a little nudging. To make the long story short, she became my mentor and inspired me in many ways. (By the way, my son also became an altar server).
In the beginning, I was hesitant because I did not have any experience in teaching and handling a classroom full of kids. Thankfully, comprehensive training and full support was provided. Another thing that worried me was, even though I grew up in a family of practicing Catholics, I still do not know enough about my faith, so how can I teach something I am not very knowledgeable about? Sister Judith showed me the children’s activity books and the teacher’s manual which has all the step-by-step instructions and lesson plans. Then I started to feel motivated by the fact that I would get to contribute to our parish by sharing Jesus with the children, while also learning so much along the way.
As I now reflect on my experiences of being a Catechist, I recognise the rich blessings I have been receiving. I am rewarded with my students’ excited faces when I tell them stories about Jesus. I have made wonderful and supportive friends and continue to meet new ones when I attend trainings and faith-formation workshops. Lastly, I feel fulfilled knowing I have inspired my own family to live their faith and glorify God in everything they do.
Anne, a Catechist at Concord catholicweekly.com.au