THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 15

CREDO--- "DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU"

Brethren in Christ, we have come to yet another captivating season, where we digested the Word of God, the Incarnate Son of the Father. This season promised to invite both Catholics and non-Catholics to appreciate the role of the Mary, Mother of God... and I hope it did too.

I thank you for allowing me to flood your walls, groups and timelines via Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and the like to reach out with my short teachings on the faith. I thank you my cherish readers and those who shared my short teachings.

Today, we conclude the series which began six years ago while I was in the seminary. I would like to conclude with these insights from Fr. Oscar Lukefahr.

We are all meant to share in the mission of Christ, coworkers with Christ in the work of salvation. When Paul said, "In my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (Col 1:24), he was describing how he, and all believers, share in the redemptive work of Christ. Bearing this in mind, we are surely being faithful to the Bible and to Christ when we call Mary our Mother, Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix.

She is an Advocate who supports and encourages us in our efforts to follow Christ in our prayers to him; A Helper who assist us by her own prayers and example; A Benefactress who invites us as a patron to receive the graces only her son can bestow; And a Mediatrix who brought Christ into the world two thousand years ago and who forever brings him to us. And as she does, she says to us, "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5).

Through the Church, we have learned that God's power is capable of conquering sin to such an extent that Mary could be kept free of sin by her son. We have honored Mary as Mother of God, and so have been strengthened in our belief that Jesus is our Lord and God.

In conclusion, by acclaiming Mary as Mother of the Church, Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix, we have been opened to the many ways Christ's grace is showered upon us and to the opportunities we have to bring Christ to others. May our Mother continues to intercede on our behalf. Amen!

Don't forget to join Roman Catholic Church near you to conclude this year's edition of the October Rosary and Extraordinary Mission Month.

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Ps_23📖

#Grace_Abounds💫

©2019

NB: I also want take this opportunity to thank Pope Francis for conferring on me the Apostolic Blessings, which was a surprise, delivered to me. Thank you Pope Francis for the Divine graces, not forgetting Fr A. Anthony.

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 14

THE FULLNESS OF TIME!

Out of the 13 Pauline Letters, one of them gives us an idea about the Mother of God. Would you guess the title of that Letter? It used the phrase "fullness of time" in chapter 4 verse 4. I hope you got it correct?... Well, the title is "The letter of Paul to the Galatians"!

The Pauline Letters or Epistles include the collection of letters either written by or attributed to the apostle Paul that are part of the New Testament. They include 13 writings: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Galatians is one of the letters of St Paul, composed around A.D. 54 to emphasize that salvation came from Jesus Christ, not from observance of the Old Testament laws. 

One passage relating to Mary derives from this context. Paul wrote that Christ came to make us God's children. Christ alone had the power to do this because he was both divine and human. It reads: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children" (4:4-5).

The expression "born of a woman" is intended to show Christ's real humanity. The Son of God is also the Son of a human mother. It may seem strange that Paul says no more about Mary.

Paul relates almost nothing about the life and miracles of Jesus, so its not surprising that he says little about Mary. His preaching ministry began six years after Christ's Resurrection. But the very fact that Paul shows Christ to be the Son of God and of a human mother intimates a great deal about Mary. She is the mother of God's Son.

The principle that the Holy Spirit guides the Church gradually to a fuller understanding of truth is relevant to our study of Mary. Our exploration over the days have made us discover how, in the fullness of time, the early Church led by the Holy Spirit, gave rise to a deeper appreciation of Mary's role in our Redemption.

To be Continued ...

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Pray for us!

Don't forget to be part of this year's climax of the October Rosary and Extraordinary Mission Month.

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 13

BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!

John the Son of Zebedee or the Beloved Disciple,  has his own style of writing. You would notice that he doesn't employ explicitly the synoptic writers' (Matthew, Mark and Luke) styles of writing. John wrote in his old age to supplement the synoptic Gospels, with his own, more meditative memories.  

John presents Jesus as the Eternal Word of God who became a human being (Incarnation) and lived among us (1:14). This book was written to show that Jesus is the Promised Saviour, the Son of God, and eternal life through faith in him. John also wrote the Epistles (1,2,3 John). Apocalypse (Revelation) was written by a "certain John" who is neither the beloved disciple nor the Son of Zebedee. However,  we shall study it under "John".

For our purpose today, we shall look at the Gospel and the book of Revelation and their messages on the Mother of God.

John affirms the incarnation but does not mention Mary's role but the prologue attests that Mary's child, Jesus Christ, is God. Mary is introduced at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee (2:1-11). In this episode, Mary calls Jesus' attention to the fact that the hosts have run out of wine. Jesus apparently refuses to intervene, but then changes six large containers of water into "fine wine". This passage presents Mary as one who believes in Jesus and who intercedes for others.

John also presents the relations of Jesus (2:12). He states Jesus' brothers didn't believe in him (7:5). A theme often used by John is "misunderstanding". After Jesus speaks of himself as the bread that came down from heaven, the audience retorted  how can he say so? (6:42) This is because, the audience know only of his human nature( as the Son of Mary and perhaps Joseph) but not his divine nature.

Mary makes a final appearance in John's Gospels at the crucifixion of Jesus (19:25-27). The other writers do not include Mary among those women who witnessed Christ's death, but John places her near the Cross. With her is the disciple whom Jesus loved and Jesus entrusted them to each other. (Behold your mother,... Behold your Son)!

The book of Revelation was written after AD 90 to give reassurance to Christians during a persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian. Chapter 12 of it draws its imagery from a number of Old Testament passages and makes several complex parallels between individuals and groups. Mary becomes an image of the Church, and the "woman clothed with the sun" (12:1), seems to be both Mary and the Church.

The Gospel writers  portrayed Mary as the mother who miraculously conceived the Son of God and gave birth to the Saviour of the World. Will you also appreciate her as your mother in the words of Jesus "Behold your Mother"?

To Be Continued.... 

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 12

TO DO YOUR WILL

As we have been journeying, in our quest for insight into the Scriptures and, in particularly the relation of the Son of God to the mother, we shall look at what the writer of Luke and Acts of the apostles has to say on Mary. These are revelatory moments I wish you to cherish and keep reading about. The Church is so rich with the treasures of the Word of God undiluted. As usual, we shall do a brief look at the the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. Because it is the same person who wrote both books.

Luke begins his gospel showing that Mary heard the word of God and kept it. She received the Holy Spirit, and Christ came into the world. Luke begins Acts by noticing the presence of Mary with the apostles and the other believers. With them she receives the Holy Spirit, and the Church goes forth into the world. She has a unique relationship of Jesus as his physical mother. She has a special place in Christ's body, the Church.

Luke testifies to the virginal conception of Jesus as Matthew does, but he also witnesses to the Church's growing awareness of Mary's singular place in God's designs. As the humble servant of God, Mary responds obediently to God's will, and her response occasions the miraculous conception of God's Son. 

As Luke begins narrating the public ministry of Jesus, he alludes to the virginal conception of Jesus by referring to him as "the son of Joseph" (3:23). He places the rejection of Nazareth at the beginning of Christ's Galilean ministry.

She is praised by the angel and by Elizabeth... She sung her canticle of praise known as the Magnificat. The Magnificat is carefully woven from many Old Testament passages and highlights a number of themes such as joy, God's care for the poor, and the Lord's faithfulness in fulfilling Old Testament promises. She is seen by Simeon as one who must suffer along with her son. Twice, Luke describes her as one who treasures the mysterious words and works of God.

Firstly, Luke's high estimation of Mary is even more obvious when he relates the family's visit to Jesus during his public ministry. (8:19-21). When Mary and the family were unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, they sent words to him. And the response .... "Hear and Act upon God's Word" are my mother and brothers and sisters. Luke's infancy narrative will immediately recognise Mary as one who heard God's word, reflected on it and obeyed it. Secondly, Luke does the similar report in 11:27-28.

Therefore, Luke praises Mary because she is Mother of the Lord and because she hears and observes God's word.

To Be Continued....

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 12

TO DO YOUR WILL

As we have been journeying, in our quest for insight into the Scriptures and, in particularly the relation of the Son of God to the mother, we shall look at what the writer of Luke and Acts of the apostles has to say on Mary. These are revelatory moments I wish you to cherish and keep reading about. The Church is so rich with these treasures of the Word of God undiluted. As usual, we shall do a brief look at the the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.

Luke begins his gospel showing that Mary heard the word of God and kept it. She received the Holy Spirit, and Christ came into the world. Luke begins Acts by noticing the presence of Mary with the apostles and the other believers. With them she receives the Holy Spirit, and the Church goes forth into the world. She has a unique relationship of Jesus as his physical mother. She has a special place in Christ's body, the Church.

Luke testifies to the virginal conception of Jesus as Matthew does, but he also witnesses to the Church's growing awareness of Mary's singular place in God's designs. As the humble servant of God, Mary responds obediently to God's will, and her response occasions the miraculous conception of God's Son. 

As Like begins narrating the public ministry of Jesus, he alludes to the virginal conception of Jesus by referring to him as "the son of Joseph" (3:23). He places the rejection of Nazareth at the beginning of Christ's Galilean ministry.

She is praised by the angel and by Elizabeth... She sung her canticle of praise known as the Magnificat. The Magnificat is carefully woven from many Old Testament passages and highlights a number of themes such as joy, God's care for the poor, and the Lord's faithfulness in fulfilling Old Testament promises. She is seen by Simeon as one who must suffer along with her son. 

Twice, Luke describes her as one who treasures the mysterious words and works of God. 

Firstly, Luke's high estimation of Mary is even more obvious when he relates the family's visit to Jesus during his public ministry. (8:19-21). When Mary and the family were unable to reach Jesus because of the crowd, they sent words to him. And the response .... "Hear and Act upon God's Word" are my mother and brothers and sisters. Luke's infancy narrative will immediately recognise Mary as one who heard God's word, reflected on it and obeyed it. Secondly, Luke does the similar report in 11:27-28.

Therefore, Luke praises Mary because she is Mother of the Lord and because she hears and observes God's word.

To Be Continued....

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 11

"MISUNDERSTOOD AND PERSECUTED"

Part 10 concluded with a question. The preamble reads: Mary's singular role is further highlighted by the presence of four other women in the genealogy of Jesus. What are their names?

Their names are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Each had a special place in the line which led to Jesus. They point to Mary as Mother of the Messiah.

Today, we shall look briefly at the Gospel of Mark and it's message on the Mother of God, dubbed "Misunderstood and Persecuted". 

The Gospel writer of Mark wrote for Christians who faced misunderstanding and persecution. He chose to paint a portrait of Christ as one who was misunderstood and persecuted, thereby helping his audience to identity Christ. The colours he used to paint such a picture were applied even to Mary.

Mary appears in the gospel with relatives of Jesus who are called his Brothers and Sisters example, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas.

By the time the relatives of Jesus appeared on the scene in Mark, Jesus has been teaching for some time. He has been grieve by misunderstood on the part of most of his hearers and by opposition from various Jewish factions.

Mark clearly wanted to present the relatives of Jesus as an other group of people who misunderstood him. Mark wished to state that the real family of Jesus is made up of those who do God's will. 

He does not name Mary  among those who said that Jesus was out of his mind (3:21). He merely includes her among the relatives who wanted to see Jesus. But Mark places her outside with those relatives, contrasting them with the disciples around Jesus.

Mary is mentioned again by name in chapter 6:2-3, where Jesus returned to his native place to teach in the synagogue. The reaction he gets from his hearers is understanding and resentment. 

Will you also leave because you are misunderstood and persecuted for doing what's right and true?

To Be Continued...

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!🙏🏽

# Ave_Maria

#Grace_Abounds💫

You can download the app using this link to read more: https://goo.gl/A4f8rB

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 10

THE COMPENDIUM

Last week, we ended by saying "the four gospels give us most of the information we have about Mary's life on earth, and they initiate Mary's role in our salvation."

Today, we shall start synthesizing what the four Gospels have, dubbed "The Compendium". We shall contrast Matthew and Mark briefly, and our focus shall be the public ministry of Jesus.

When Jesus was about thirty years, John the Baptist started to preach in the Judean wilderness. Jesus saw John's preaching as a sign that it was time to undertake his ministry. He went to John for baptism, spent forty days in fasting and prayer, then began to teach throughout Judea and Galilee. Cf Mt.3-4

Matthew, like Mark, says little about Mary once Jesus begins his public ministry. He follows Mark in reporting the effort by Jesus' relatives to see him (Mt12:49-50). However, Matthew omits the statement that Jesus' relatives intended to restrain him because they though he was out of his mind. In doing so, he softens the negative impression created by Mark.

Matthew describes the rejection of Jesus in his hometown in the same way as Mark. Matthew speaks of Jesus as " the carpenter's son" instead of "the carpenter". In the list of the brothers of Jesus, Matthew changed Joses to Joseph, perhaps a variant spelling of the name (Matthew 13:54-58).

Matthew makes no further mention of Mary. But this gospel written about ten years after Mark, by its positive picture of Mary as Mother of the Messiah and by its softening of Mark's approach to Jesus' family, shows that the early Church was moving towards a greater appreciation of Mary's role in God's plan for our salvation.

The author of this gospel wrote for Christians with Jewish backgrounds. He wanted to show that Jesus was the Messiah for whom faithful Jews had long hoped. He accomplished this by not only quoting Old Testament prophecies (Mt 1:23, 2:6) but by subtle allusions to the Old Testament personalities and events.

By saying that Jesus was born of Mary, but not Joseph, Matthew hints at the virginal conception. Mary's singular role is further highlighted by the presence of four other women in the genealogy. What are their names?

To be Continued....

Mary, Mother of Christ, pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 9

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

 At times, Catholics may seem overly enthusiastic in their devotion to Mary. But if we consider the kind of adulation commonly paid to movie stars, sports figures, and singers, we would probably have to admit that Mary comes second best. The real problem is that we do not honor Mary too much, but that we honor her too little.  

Why are you afraid to say "all generations shall call Mary blessed"? That's actually the joy of the Gospel. Because her blessedness is linked to her Immaculate Conception.   The four gospels have for their main purpose the proclamation of Christ as Son of God and Savior of the world. They offer few details about the first thirty years of Christ's life, focusing instead on his public ministry, death and resurrection. They speak infrequently of Mary, and when they do, their aim is to shed light on Christ and his mission. But the gospels still tell us enough about Mary to reveal her as the most important woman in the history of the human race.  

Since our knowledge of Jesus Christ and his mother is drawn largely from the gospels, we should be aware of the gospels' nature and purpose. Some people have supposed that the gospels are simple documents written by four individuals shortly after the resurrection to retell the life and teaching of Jesus. But recent advances in Scripture scholarship have shown that the gospels are much more.
 
The four gospels give us most of the information we have about Mary's life on earth, and they initiate Mary's role in our salvation.  

To Be Continued...  
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Pray for us

   #Ave_Maria
 #Grace_Abounds💫  

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 8

THE MOTHER'S ROLE

This is the Catholic vision of life, drawn from the teaching and life of Jesus Christ that, Mary's place in it is both essential and unique. She stands precisely at the focal point of human history. She was one of those who lived before Christ and hoped for the Messiah. She was the first person to accept Jesus Christ in faith and to welcome him into human existence. Because Jesus was miraculous conceived in Mary's womb by God's power, she is the only person through whom Jesus Christ is related to us and to the rest of the human race.... Wow! What a mother!

God chose Mary, therefore, for the most important role in history after that of Jesus. Her obedience to God and her dedication to Jesus set her above all others. It's true, of course that Mary could not have become the Mother of Christ without the grace of God. But God depended on Mary's consent to the incarnation and without Mary's faithful obedience, Christ would not had entered our history as he did.

So the first reason Catholics honor Mary, Mother of God is that she played the most important part in God's plan to bring Jesus Christ into the world.

Because Mary is a woman, she models those aspects of God's goodness which we usually recognize as feminine. God is always addressed as "Father" rather than "Mother" in the Bible, but both paternal and maternal roles are ascribed to God. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you says prophet Isaiah (66:13) as God's address to Israel. Jesus compares himself to a mother hen protecting her chicks under wings (Luke 13:34).

Scripture used images which assign feminine characteristics to God in both the Old and New Testament. These images find their finest expression in Mary, Mother of God.

I agree with Oscar Lukefahr when he said: Mary, the "virgin-handmaid" of the Lord, portrays trust and humble submission to God. Mary, the Madonna, cradling the baby Jesus in her arms, depicts God's loving tenderness. Mary, the Pieta, receiving the broken body of Christ from the cross personifies compassion and hope. These and countless other images of Mary have put the human family in touch with God in unique and powerful ways...

To be Continued...

Mary Mother of God, pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 7

Welcome to yet another interesting day and fascinating episode. For some time now, we have been looking at mental prayer, the rosary and silence. This week, we shall take another mention of the Catholic faith. Fasten your seatbelt and stay glued. I believe you are following keenly and educating yourself? ...

Today we shall look at:  REDISCOVER YOUR MOTHER

"For Mary fills the pages of Scripture from the beginning of the first book through the end of the last. She was there, in God's plan, from the beginning of time, just as the apostles were, and the Church, and the Savior, and she will be there at the moment everything is fulfilled. Still her motherhood is a discovery waiting to be made." ~Scot Hahn

Mothers are most difficult people to study. They elude our scrutiny. By nature and by definition, they are relational. They can be considered as mothers only in their relationship with their children. Yet as close as nature keeps us to our mothers, they remain mysterious to their children.

As the mother of God, Mary is the mother par excellence. So as mothers are elusive, she will be more so. As mothers give of themselves, she will give more. As mothers point beyond themselves, Mary will to a much greater degree.

A true mother, Mary considers none of her glories her own. After all, she points out, she is only doing God's bidding: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). Even when she recognizes her superior gifts, she recognizes that they are gifts: "All generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48). For her part, Mary's own soul magnifies not herself but the Lord.

For all that She does and all that she is, flows from her relationship with God and her correspondence to His divine plan. She is His mother. She is His spouse. She is His daughter. She is His handmaid.

Let's ponder on these few insights from Scot Hahn in what he termed "Step Up"!

Let's walk with God's people through the moments of creation and fall and the promise of redemption, from the giving of the Law to the establishment of a kingdom. At every turn, we'll find the promise of a homeland, complete with a dazzling queen who is also a mother to her people.

At every turn we'll also find the promise of a home, complete with a mother who is also a powerful intercessor for her children.  At the most important stage, we will find a queen mother who alone can complete Christ's kingdom and His Home.

Even if you feel you must start this journey of rediscovering your mother a few space behind, at a distance from history's Most Blessed Mother--- I beg you to keep walking with me, and with Mary, towards our common destination, our common home in the heavenly Jerusalem.

This is just beginning of Mary, Mother of God in the Scriptures.


Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 6

A SECOND SIDE OF SILENCE

“It is difficult to get at the meaning of silence, for, though a kind of power is signified through its quality, the power of silence is so unlike the power of words that we have no words to express it", Charles Long asserts.

Don't be put off by mental prayer. It's something more humble and homey. St Teresa of Avila summed it as "nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us." We acquire the mind of Christ by spending time in his company, in quiet, intimate conversation.

Silence permits the kind of reflection that is beyond mere introspection. It promotes the ability to connect threads in a seemingly disorganized, disconnected world. After meditating in silence, you may be more motivated to mend significant relationships that have become strained, embark upon a self-improvement program, pursue a more challenging career path, vow to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Silence promotes psychological and emotional benefits. Taking a break from difficulties at home, work or school is often best accomplished with a conscious choice to entertain silence.

Sometimes, though we may be distracted by things that should not be our concerns: impure thoughts or memories, but if we can call on God's help and preserve, we will win many graces in the struggle. The Blessed Virgin Mary can be of great help. She wants us to succeed.

To Be Continued...
Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!

#Ave_Maria
#Grace_Abounds

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 5

THE SILENT HEALING BALM OF THE ROSARY

Many people have been encouraged to think about the supernatural and to let Jesus Christ into their hearts after they have seen evidence of miracles at other approved shrines of Mary. We know these miracles are real signs of God's loving care.

There is miracle of the Eucharist, where Jesus changes bread and wine into his own body and blood; there is miracle of the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation where Jesus Christ, through the prayer of his minister, forgives sins and offers the new life of grace. There are miracles of baptism, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. Through these miracles, Jesus Christ does today what he did two thousand years ago.

In the words of Oscar Lukefahr, "there is also the miracle of prayer. As we thank Jesus Christ for sending his Mother to wake up the world from time to time, we ought to thank him also for the miracles that occurs every time we calm our restless minds and hearts and speak to his Mother. Earth is united to heaven. Mary gives us a personal audience. By her love and prayers, we joined more closely to her son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and God." This, of course! Is a miracle of grace.

The meditative and contemplative nature of the rosary teaches us the calm and tranquility that this powerful prayer does to those who devotedly and fervently seek the intercession of our Mother. You don't necessarily need to shout for God to hear you! You don't need to jump and throw your arms for Jesus to hear you. Can you drop those gadgets for a while and listen to Him? Can you have your devotions in silence without playing music at the background? For God's touch is as gentle as silent!

Of all these, let us rediscover in everyday, and where'er, the richness of silence in prayer, the richness of Catholicism, the old treasure map. It may be old but it's still a healing balm. Together, let's discover and help others do the same.

To Be Continued....

Mother of our Redeemer, Pray for us 🙏🏽

#Ave_ Maria
#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 4

THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER

I believe God wants us to be happy. I believe God gave us this yearning for happiness that constantly preoccupies our hearts. It seems He has placed this yearning within each human heart as a spiritual navigational instruments designed to lead us to our destiny. God himself is the author of our desire for happiness.

The life that Jesus invites us to live is very different from the lifestyle our modern culture invites us to live. Individualism, hedonism, minimalism and their various sibling philosophies, such as relativism and materialism. These encourage us to do whatever we want, wherever we want, whenever we want. Jesus on the other hand invites us to discipline and discipleship.

Taking some clues from the mother and disciple of Jesus Christ, docile and humble as she was, was at prayer with the rest of the disciples during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 2:4). A family she presented as the firstborn that opened her womb(cf. Luke 2:22-23); a family she presented during the celebration of the Jewish passover that cost her the lost but found Son in the temple (cf. Luke 2:46); a family in union with the father, Joseph.

Family prayers makes our families united and happier. Of course, there is the danger to look externally for happiness in the midst of the family. Prayer is that binding and life-wire which eliminates vices in the family and causes a deeper reflection on our identity. Even in family prayer, the fruits of individualism are no secret to any of us: greed, and exploitation. What would become of a family in which each member adopted individualism as his or her own personal philosophy?

One of the practical spiritual benefits of the rosary is the ability to help us grow in virtue. We must keep in mind that prayer doesn't change God; prayer changes us. It is more rewarding to approach prayer seeking to understand God more. Therefore, if you want a change in you family from vice to virtue, lift the family up to God through the maternal intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help. She will do it for you as she did at the wedding feast at Cana. (cf. John 2:1-5)

To Be Continued...

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for us🙏🏽

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
#Grace_Abounds💫

THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 3

WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN

We continue our catechises on silence.

Mother Theresa once said "The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The first line of this teaching considers silence as something given or attainable. Yet, where does one find silence? It is covered over by competing sounds and voices, the tug and pull of competing desires. One question remains, what is silence?Silence resounds in our ears as the absence of an ever-present cacophony of sound. Should we consider silence as a negation, something akin to absolute zero, darkness, or evil?

Many people get confused, when it comes to silence during prayer. To some, this isn't achievable. They want to sing, worship, dance, pray and listen to the preacher; no room for silence!Yet still, some say 'I'll fall off if I keep silence for a view moment". To them it's simply unachievable!Some are struggling to make it work by using their cars, lavatory, and private Eucharistic adoration.

What at all is silence during prayer? Prayer is a communication, a lifting of one's mind and heart to the Lord. I simply define prayer as "the connection of one's heart and mind to the heart of Jesus."  God blesses the human heart, it can in return bless him who is the source of every blessing. (C.C.C 2645). Therefore, the heart can't get connected when there is no silence. The heart can't get connected when there is all around you noise, when all you hear is the music from earpiece plugged into your ears.

Silence is achievable during prayer. Silence is achievable during the praying of the rosary. Isn't it interesting that Prophet Jeremiah had to encounter God in the still cool air?
       The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
(1 Kings 19:11-13)

The Rosary engages the whole person. It involves our speech and our hearing. It occurs our minds and incites our emotions. It assigns a task to our fingertips, those sensitive organs of touch. If we pray before a sacred image, we feed our meditation through yet another bodily sense.

The rosary is a beautiful resource for silent prayer and reflection. The name Jesus is at the very center of the rosary as prayer and sacramental.
Silence in prayer is by which one enters prayer by narrow gate of faith.

What of family prayer in silence?

To be Continued...

Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for us!


#Ave_Maria
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THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 2

A TIME FOR THE ROSARY, A TIME FOR SILENCE

Today, let's look at an important dimension of the prayer of the Holy Rosary: SILENCE! Solitude and meditative prayer.

Speaking of the importance of silence in prayer, our Holy Father said, “Only in silence can find the Word a place to dwell within us. This principle holds true for individual prayer, but also for our liturgies which, to facilitate authentic listening, must also be rich in moments of silence and of non verbal acceptance. Silence has the capacity to open a space in our inner being, a space in which God can dwell, which can ensure that His Word remains within us, and that love for Him is rooted in our minds and hearts, and animates our lives".

In praying the Rosary, we join Mary in prayer in her contemplative silence. Mary prayed in the silence of her heart contemplating on God’s words to her and this is recorded by Saint Luke, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19).

How do I know that silence is the best way of being with God? Firstly, the masters of all religions agree that the most intimate union between God and the soul happens in silence. Secondly, the Bible confirms the value of silence. Here are just three examples: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7) "Be silent all flesh before the Lord." (Zephaniah 2:13) Thirdly, Mother Mary requested in Fatima that when we pray the rosary, we spend fifteen minutes in silence. Thus, "In the silence of the heart, remain with Jesus, so that He may change and transform you with His love."

Why then should we not skip all those words and mysteries and just remain in silence? We may look silent from the outside, but inside our mind is often chatting up a storm or falling asleep. It is more efficient to follow God into silence. On the other hand, it takes practice and discipline, no matter what method of prayer the Spirit leads you to achieve total silence in prayer.

In the words of Thomas Merton, "May we all grow in grace and peace, and not neglect the silence that is printed in the centre of our being. It will not fail us."
Amen

To be Continued...

Our Lady, Help of Christians, Pray for us

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THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL, SEASON IV, PART 1

I welcome you back to this year's edition. We will begin by looking at the last article of season III, Part 31. As I said earlier, we will begin from known to unknown.

"FINDING PEACE IN THE PRAYING OF THE ROSARY"

_Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)_

The word "peace" invokes a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife, such as, of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root “shalom”.

The general meaning of the root word is of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship. It also conveys a wide range of nuances: fulfillment, completion, maturity, soundness, wholeness, harmony, tranquility, security, well-being, welfare, friendship, agreement, success and prosperity.

The biblical concept of peace does not focus on the absence of trouble. Biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances; it is a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside. The New Testament speaks of two kinds of peace—the objective peace that has to do with your relationship to God, and the subjective peace that has to do with your experience in life.

The Rosary is by its nature a prayer for peace, since it consists in the contemplation of Christ, the Prince of Peace, the one who is “our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). Anyone who assimilates the mystery of Christ, and this is clearly the goal of the Rosary, learns the secret of peace and makes it his life’s project. Moreover, by virtue of its meditative character, with the tranquil succession of “Hail Mary’s”, the Rosary has a peaceful effect on those who pray it, disposing them to receive and experience in their innermost depths, and to spread around them, that true peace which is the special gift of the Risen Lord ( John 14:27; 20.21).

The Rosary is also a prayer for peace because of the fruits of charity which it produces. When prayed well in a truly meditative way, the Rosary leads to an encounter with Christ in his mysteries and so cannot fail to draw attention to the face of Christ in others, especially in the most afflicted.

How could one possibly contemplate the mystery of the Child of Bethlehem, in the joyful mysteries, without experiencing the desire to welcome, defend and promote life and to shoulder the burdens of suffering children all over the world? How could one possibly follow in the footsteps of Christ the Revealer, in the mysteries of light, without resolving to bear witness to his “Beatitudes” in daily life?
And how could one contemplate Christ carrying the Cross and Christ Crucified, without feeling the need to act as a “Simon of Cyrene” for our brothers and sisters weighed down by grief or crushed by despair?

Finally, how could one possibly gaze upon the glory of the Risen Christ or of Mary Queen of Heaven, without yearning to make this world more beautiful, more just, more closely conformed to God’s plan? In a word, by focusing our eyes on Christ, the Rosary also makes us peacemakers in the world.

By its nature as an insistent choral petition in harmony with Christ’s invitation to “pray ceaselessly” (Luke 18:1), the Rosary allows us to hope that, even today, the difficult “battle” for peace can be won. Far from offering an escape from the problems of the world, the Rosary obliges us to see them with responsible and generous eyes, and obtains for us the strength to face them with the certainty of God’s help and the firm intention of bearing witness in every situation to “love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14).

https://ekplorla1.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-rosary-is-compendium-of-gospel_31.html

Mary, Mother of Peace, Pray for us!!!

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽
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THE ROSARY IS THE COMPENDIUM OF THE GOSPEL SEASON IV

Dear friends, it's been two years now since we continued with this series. We went on a break in order to reevaluate what we have been doing, thus equipping every reader with Sound Catholic catecheses.

Thanks be to God, this year we are back to continue with these in depth teachings on the Catholic faith. This year's edition also hopes to be nourishing and faith impacting towards evangelization.

As a reminder, we will continue from where we left off...learning from the known to the unknown. Each write up will be blogged for easy access anytime.

www.ekplorla1.blogspot.com

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Finally, these teachings come your way on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

May our mother Mary lead us to contemplate on the mysteries of the Son, Jesus Christ.

#Ave_Maria🧕🏽

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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES 5

THE VEIL OF VERONICA, THE TRUE IMAGE.

The tradition of Veronica and her veil has been passed down through the centuries. It was not recorded in the List of books (Canon) of the Bible, although the story was written by an early Christian into the apocryphal “Acts of Pilate.”

Heinrich Pfeiffer, professor of Christian art history at the Vatican's Gregorian University, says that the veil in St. Peter's is only a copy, however. ( Remember we stated the various versions of this veil in the previous series). The original, he says, mysteriously disappeared from Rome in 1608.

According to records in the monastery, the wife of a soldier sold the veil to a nobleman of Monoppello in 1608 to get her husband out of jail. The nobleman, it turn, donated it to the Capuchins. In 1618, it was placed in a walnut frame adorned in silver and gold between two sheets of glass. It remained in the monastery every since. Fr. Pfeiffer invested 13 years of searching through archives to prove that this is the same cloth that disappeared in 1608.

In John 20:7, a piece of cloth was used to wrapped around Jesus' head. This is supposedly the cloth which the inhabitants of Manoppello have always regarded as the one they have in their town. This cloth is sometimes known as the "SWEAT CLOTH." So the Manoppello Image may not be the Veronica's veil but the napkin used to wrap the head of Jesus in the tomb after the embalmment. 

"To conclusively prove the origin of the cloth, scientific tests will be necessary. However, these could easily destroy the small and delicate cloth without solving the mystery, much as the negative Carbon-14 tests have failed to conclusively disprove the authenticity of Shroud of Turin."

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek. Psalm 27:8 (NRSV)


To be Continued....


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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES 4

THE VEIL OF VERONICA/ THE VERONICA/ THE TRUE IMAGE.


In the previous lesson, we got to understand that Veronica is a translation from Latin, which means the True Image in reference to the veil. Likewise, the name is identified with the woman who wiped the face of Jesus and the woman who was cured of   hemorrhage.

According to Church tradition, Veronica was moved with sympathy when she saw Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha and gave him her veil that he might wipe his forehead. Jesus accepted the offering, held it to his face, and then handed it back to her—the image of his face miraculously impressed upon it. This piece of cloth became known as the Veil of Veronica and was kept inside the old St. Peter's Basilica built by the Emperor Constantine.

A reliable recording of the veil only begins in 1199 when two pilgrims named Gerald de Barri (Giraldus Cambrensis) and Gervase of Tilbury made two accounts at different times of a visit to Rome that made direct reference to the existence of the Veil.

Professor Donato Vittori of the University of Bari and Professor Giulio Fanti of the University of Padua have discovered, through microscopic examinations, that there is no trace of color or paint at all on the entire cloth. Only in the black pupils of both eyes does there appear to be a slight scorching of the threads, as if they had been heated.

In 1207, the cloth became more prominent when it was publicly paraded and displayed by Pope Innocent III in 1297, who also granted indulgences to anyone praying before it. This parade, between St Peter's and The Santo Spirito Hospital, became an annual event and on one such occasion in 1300 Pope Boniface VIII, was inspired to proclaim the first Jubilee in 1300. During this Jubilee, the Veil was publicly displayed and became one of the "Mirabilia Urbis" ("wonders of the City") for the pilgrims who visited Rome. For the next two hundred years, the Veil was regarded as the most precious of all Christian relics.

Many artists of the time created reproductions of the Veil, but in 1616, Pope Paul V prohibited the manufacture of copies of Veronica's Veil unless made by a canon of Saint Peter's Basilica . In 1629, Pope Urban VIII not only prohibited reproductions of Veronica's Veil from being made, but also ordered the destruction of all existing copies. His edict declared that anyone who had access to a copy must bring it to the Vatican, under penalty of excommunication.

There are two main traditions for the iconography of the face depicted on the veil. One tradition (Type I), common in Italian art, shows the face of Christ as full-bearded, in pain, scourged and perhaps crowned with thorns. Another (Type II), common in Russian and Spanish art, shows Christ's face more often in repose, hair extending to shoulder length and a bifurcated beard, often surrounded by a halo quartered in a cross.

Some of them are: The Vatican Veronica,The Holy Face of Vienna, The Holy Face of Alicante, The Holy Face of Jaén, Holy Face of Genoa, Holy Face of S. Silvestro and The Manoppello Image.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2006, visited  Manoppello in order to view this piece in person. He made reference to the symbolic and ongoing search all Christians should make in relationship to their savior, Jesus Christ. He concluded by saying "Searching for the face of Christ must be the desire of all Christians."

 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
Psalm 27:8 (NRSV)

To be continued....

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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE 3

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS.

The sixth station of the Via Dolorosa has been under scrutiny for some centuries now. I recently found an apologia of it being shared on Facebook and Whatsapp. From all that was said, I wish to go a little further by adding to your depth of knowledge.

There is no reference to the story of Veronica and her veil in the canonical Gospels. The closest is the miracle of the woman who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment (Luke 8:43-48); her name is later identified as *Veronica* by the apocryphal "Acts of Pilate." The story was later elaborated in the eleventh century by adding that that Christ gave her a portrait of himself on a cloth, with which she later cured Emperor Tiberius.

It seems unlikely that the medieval authors, well known for their pious creativity, could have known something that the author of Luke did not know.

It is even more unlikely that the woman's name, Veronica which means "True Image", happened to coincide with what she was famous for in this story of wiping Jesus' face and receiving a true image of his face.

According to the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, at Our Lord’s trial before Pilate, a woman named Veronica testified, “Twelve years I was in an issue of blood, and I only touched the edge of his garment, and directly I was cured.” Apparently, the tradition of St. Veronica being the "Haemorrhissa" (victim of hemorrhage) is more popular in the East than in the West.

This event is being immortalized in the sixth station of the Via Dolorosa/The Way of the Cross. “Your face, Lord, do I seek. Hide not your face from me” ( Ps 27:8-9). Veronica embodies the universal yearning of the devout men and women of the Old Testament the yearning of all believers to see the face of God.

On Jesus’ Way of the Cross, though, she at first did nothing more than perform an act of womanly kindness: she held out a facecloth to Jesus. She is the image of that good woman, who, amid turmoil and dismay, shows the courage born of goodness and does not allow her heart to be bewildered.

While she is not included in the Roman Martyrology, she is honored with a feast day (July 12). Her symbol is the veil bearing the face of Christ and the Crown of Thorns. St. Veronica is the patroness of laundry workers and photographers.

Could we know the whereabout of the veil after 2000years?

To be continued...

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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES 1

THE DYSMAS & THE GESTAS IN ME

On the Cross on Calvary, were two thieves also crucified; one to the left and the other to the right of Jesus, as narrated by the Evangelist St Luke. (23:32-43).

The names of these two men were Dysmas (Dismas) and Gestas. Their names can be found in the apocryphal writing of the Gospel of Nicodemus.

It was Dysmas who asked Jesus to remember him when he (Jesus) enters into his kingdom.

This repentant thief has a saintly character and therefore named Saint Dysmas.

I can't but to agree with Matt Friedeman (2016), when he said, from St Dymas, we learn these four points:

 1. Dysmas directed his own sword at the side of Jesus -a sword of love and repentance–that opened the heart of Jesus in mercy and forgiveness even before the centurion’s spear tore it asunder.

2. Dysmas’ face was closer to that of Jesus in His last agony, to offer Him a word of comfort, closer even than that of His own mother’s or any of his disciples.

3. Dysmas knew well how to pray (He looked at Jesus and talked!–that is what prayer is). The Church wanted to learn from Dysmas how to pray simply to gain pardon and the grace of perseverance.
 
4.The Church then taught that Dysmas was now close to Jesus in Heaven. This is where we all want to be, in the presence of Jesus. Now and for all eternity.

The holy quality of these days approaching Good Friday rest on our ability to learn from Dysmas, itself would seem. What about Gestas?

To be continued....

PS: These short teachings come your way this and every Friday of the Season of Lent.


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Fr Kplorla

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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES 2

THE DISMAS AND THE GESTAS IN ME

All four Gospels tell us that Christ was crucified between two thieves. In St. Luke's Gospel, we get a more complete story. As the three hung dying on their crosses "the bad thief" mocks Jesus saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" At which point "the "good thief" speaks up. "Do you not fear God?" he asks his companion. "We are receiving the due reward for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." Then addressing Christ he says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingly power." "Truly I say to you," Jesus replies, "today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

About the time 600CE, a collection of sacred fables called The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Savior tells how the Holy Family, as they fled into Egypt to escape King Herod, discovered that they would have to pass through country infested with robbers. Mary and Joseph decided to travel by night, hoping they would avoid being seen. But two thieves - Dismas and Gestas - stopped them on the road. Gestas would have robbed Mary and Joseph, but something moved Dismas to stop him. "I beg you," Dismas says, "let these people go free." Mary, touched by Dismas' compassion, tells him, "The Lord God will sustain you with His right hand and will grant you remission of your sins."

It's a wonderful story, but no one would argue that it actually happened.

Although Dismas was by birth a Gentile and the eldest son of a rich Jewish merchant and could have a pleasant and comfortable life, he was corrupted by his cousin Gestas and became an outlaw.

The accusation which had been proved against them (Dismas and Gestas) was that of having assassinated a Jewish woman who, with her children, was travelling from Jerusalem to Joppa. On being arrested, he confessed everything. They were imprisoned for a long time before being brought to trial.

Gestas is derived from the Greek Gesta, that means to complain or to moan. Dismas was adapted from a Greek word meaning "sunset" or "death."

Interestingly, St. Dismas is the patron saint of thieves and celebrated on March 25th on the Roman Calendar, which also happens to be the date for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To be continued...

*NB: These short teachings come your way this and every Friday of the Season of Lent.*

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GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES

I welcome you to the season of Lent. As we reflect on the mercy of God and persevere in true repentance, kindly make allow me to journey with you as we dwell on the reach teachings of the church under the titled : *GOOD FRIDAY MUSCLE SERIES*.

Kindly make way this and every Friday of the season of Lent to learn, refresh and nourish yourself on the teachings of the Church.

You can also download my android App *"Anchor of Faith"* using this link:
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I remain your humble servant
Fr Eric Kplorla Dagbui.

#Grace_ Abounds💫