What does the Council of Chaledon teach us in regard to Nicene Creed ( No 88) Compendium Series.

COMPENDIUM SERIES

JESUS THE TEACHER: COMPENDIUM SERIES ICON

No 88 What does the Council of Chalcedon (in the year 4511) teach in this regard (467)

Compendium states:

The Council of Chalcedon teaches us to confess óne and  the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, perfect in his humanity, true God and true man, composed of rational soul and body, con-substantial with the Father by his divinity and con-substantial with us by His humanity, like us in all things but sin ( Hebrews 4:15) begotten from the Father before all ages as to His divinity, and in those last days, for us and our salvation, born of Mary, the Virgin Mary and Mother of God, as to His humanity.

What does this mean for me?

1.    Each time I say the Nicene Creed at Mass or in my own prayer time, I can be thankful that many people have wrestled with the teachings of the Catholic Church but have arrived at the truth as we say it in the Nicene creed.

2.    I can constantly be thankful for Jesus becoming man for our salvation. With this we have the assurance that Jesus understands how we feel as He experienced it all except sin.

3.    I can be thankful too that Jesus did not lose His divinity whilst on earth and because of that embrace the divine nature He shares with me every day and learn to experience His infinite love for me each day.

Questions to consider.

1.    Why was the Council of Chalcedon held?

2.    Why is the Council of Chalcedon relevant for me in the 21^st century?

3.    When people poke fun of the ‘’Virgin Mary’’, what response can I make to educate them and to remain faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church?

4.    Knowing that Jesus is like us in all things except sin, what impact does that have for my life?

Change of Heart 12 step Catholic Spirituality Series.

WELCOME BACK TO MY 12 STEP CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY SERIES.

I started this series in September 2018 and will continue with the series this year.  If you have not read the first posts, click here to read.  This series is based on the 12 Steps of AA and could have easily been called 12 Step Christian Anon programme.  However, I prefer to think of it as a 12 Step guide to Catholic spirituality

CHANGE OF HEART

Today we continue on with Step 1 looking at Change of Heart. Last Week we discussed Human Longing.   You may wish to read that post before continuing on with today’s post as it relates to it. 

Those who want to accept Jesus as leader must learn to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow in the steps of Jesus. (MK 8:34), If we want to grow into the fullness of our human potential in Christ, we have to make the decision to turn away from behaviours and thinking patterns which have kept us ‘selfish’.

However, we first need to identify these behaviours and thinking patterns which are destructive before we can turn away from them. We need to know what they are and their effects in our lives before we can activate a change of heart through the grace of God helping us.

Here are some examples of behaviours and thinking patterns which are destructive to consider. They are of course not an exhaustive list. However they are in fact what the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church would identify as the ‘’7 deadly sins’’.

1.    Anger: There are 2 types of anger- just anger when it is possible to be angry for a just cause and unjustified anger which is, in the end destructive. I am referring here to unjustified anger.  Anger comes from unfulfilled expectations which, we are honest are often self-centred at their root. Anger in itself is an emotion but it is what we do with our anger and why we do it that can lead us into sin.

2.   Sexual irresponsibility: refers to sex outside the context of a committed relationship. Even if the other party consents to the arrangement, the capacity for developing a trustworthy, meaningful relationship with the opposite sex is weakened. Recreational sex and even sex addiction is fuelled at its root in the fire of self-indulgence.   Adultery leads to mistrust in a marriage or relationship and once trust is broken, it is enormously difficult to restore (not impossible but with serious counselling therapy).

The other aspect of sexual irresponsibility is that it is not just the physical element of sex as strong as that can be.  It is purging it from our mind as well.  It is the mind that is so very powerful. Watching TV, reading book, /magazines which promote sexual irresponsibility should also be avoided as it can weaken our own moral compass and our imagination/thoughts can lead us in the wrong direction.

3.    Gluttony: Over indulgence in food or mood-altering substances is a definite sign that we are living more on the physical than spiritual level. The way back from this is with spiritual renewal for our health and sanity.

4.    Jealousy: By lusting after the possessions of another, we erect a wall between ourselves and them. Also, materialism spawns many of our of envious desires, and materialism is usually a form of greed.  A good litmus test for jealousy is this: When one of your friends/social circles are doing well in life/ have a promotion etc and your own life at that point is having a downward turn, can you be truly happy for them? Do you say I wish it was me? You may wish it was you as everyone wants their life to be on the upward cycle.  Can you truly be pleased for them regardless of your own circumstances. If you cannot, then there is some root of jealousy at work (even if it is tiny speck- it takes root. and then there is more etc).

5.    Greed: The concept of greed means wanting more than we need and refusing to share it with others. Take for example the rich man who used to hold great dinners and yet would not offer a crumb to the beggar at his gate in the gospel.

If you are financially well off because you work hard and have legitimately earned it, greed can occur when you use your wealth to buy more than you need and/or refuse to share your good fortune with others.  Many celebrities use the expression pay it forward.  They give large donations or have a trust for an organization or two. The problem with that for them is that they let people know what they are doing. Remember we should not broadcast our good works to gain any value/grace for our own souls.

The problem with not sharing our wealth with the attitude like’’ I earned it so why should I share it with lazy people etc’’ is that it creates a morose attitude which takes root in our hearts. The point to remember here is that no man is an island- you might be doing well because you work hard and are seeing the result of your hard work but it may also change overnight- what then.. will someone come to your aid then?  Even if your financial good fortune continues because God allows it, ask yourself why you do not want to share. Often this art of sharing/not sharing is based in a childhood pattern.

6.    6. Ambition: Ambition is acceptable when we strive to do better. It becomes a problem- a selfish attitude when we do it at the expense of others. Ambition can become a pitfall when it moves us to be manipulative and oppressive as we pursue our goals.

7.    
    7..Laziness (Sloth) the opposite of ambition is equally destructive because it allows our talents to stagnate from disuse.  By refusing to develop and utilize our potential, we deny ourselves the energy and respect that comes from engaging in life. The consequence apathy and inertia are counter spiritual.

8.   8. Self-righteousness: This is the over valuing of our opinions and self-regard which leads inevitably to an inflexible righteousness. This is one of the most insidious forms of selfishness because it robs us of openness to changing other destructive behaviours.  There should be a very clear distinction here made between self confidence and healthy respect for oneself. We are not meant to be door mats either. That is not healthy either.

9.   9. Self-pity: Occasions for legitimate grief and anger can lead to self-pity if we allow them to rob us of a renewed effort to engage ourselves in life. Self-pity is usually based on deservingness that is proud and narrow minded and of course is counterproductive.

‘’Self-pity parties’’ where we have a good weep or growl about life, my life and all that is going on and which has an attitude of ‘’woe is me’’ can be useful and healthy as a means of clearing the air provided, they are not used extensively and for an extended period of time.  Where self-pity is continued on for a length of time and we do not get back into our life and attempt to make necessary changes, then this is where the problem lies.

Any of the above attitudes or combinations cause mental fragmentation and factions among our inner self and with others.  They retard our thought process and divide us from ourselves and from others.  Unless we move away from these kinds of behaviours and thought patters, we shall never achieve true inner happiness at being with right with God and with others.

What do we need to do now? At this stage in our journey we must take the important step of recognising and being aware of our attitudes and behaviours especially those which are selfish which lead to short term gain and pleasure and long-term pain.

By taking this journey we are making the commitment to spiritual growth. We must be convinced though that the life we currently have is destroying us- physically, mentally and spiritually and that there is a need for change. We cannot appreciate God’s way if we see no need to change. A change of heart is required.

So, this week you may wish to write in your journal- examine your life truthfully- what is working and give God praise for that.. ask Him to show you what needs to change- and ask for the help to change.  Remember we cannot change everything at once as this is a life long process in the end. We are making a start. We decide we want to change – we need a change of heart in these areas (name them) and we ask God to show us what these areas are that need His love and grace.

Some people do this step by examining their lives in decades or key times in their lives- like a time line to give them a basis in which to start. Others start with a review of the last day/week/ or month. 

There is some good news in the process apart from the many changes that are possible.  For every major deadly sin, there is an opposite grace to be received- The Virtues.  I have written a series on this  topic, so you might like to let this series accompany you as well on this journey of change of heart.  I IP to find the link).

A reminder: We are doing very personal work here so when using a journal, keep it in a locked/private place where no one can find it except you. We do not need our privacy violated whilst doing this important work. We need to protect ourselves so that we can be truly honest in what we write. This is between God and myself only. Sharing it with a spouse or best friend at this point is not advised.

Five sayings of Jesus on scandal Mk 9:42-50

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES

THE BIBLE: GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES ICON.

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.

My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 9:42--50 which is called 5 sayings of Jesus on scandal.

5 SAYINGS OF JESUS ON SCANDAL

This is the first of the passages (9:42-10.31) which Mark has arranged together, containing episodes that something about the ‘way’ ‘for disciples as a way for little ones (9:35). After the first passion prophesy and the new teaching about the way as a way of the cross (8:34-35), there were also added appropriate teaching and stories (8:36-9:29).

The five sayings of Jesus, which Mark places in this passage, are linked by the theme of scandal towards little ones. Little ones symbolise the true followers of Jesu made little in the eyes of the world and vulnerable towards others around them by the dept of their faith in God and their wholehearted commitment to the way of Jesus.

Scandal here is understood d not in its modern sense of sharing gossip of harming another’s good name, but in the biblical sense of putting obstacles and hindrances to true faith in another or in oneself.  Anyone who harms the faith of another deserts the worst of penalties (9:42).

The teaching of Jesus puts dramatically before His disciples, in images that would certainly shock them, their central need to humble themselves as little ones before God and God’s plan for the world.  It would be better to lose a hand, a foot or an eye than to lose their faith in God.  Gehenna, originally, it seems a rubbish- dump continually burning outside Jerusalem, became a Jewish symbol of hell as a place of personal destruction and separation from God the life- giver and saviour.

The saying that everyone will be salted by fire (9:49) could mean that the faith of a true disciple is tested by suffering.  The next verse is clearer.  Salt without taste is useless.  Faith that does not touch one’s life is equally useless.  The words of Jesus point to a close connection between faith in God and harmony in our live together.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?

• Imagine that you are one of the disciples- What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?

• Imagine being Jesus telling the disciples and knowing that they did not understand- what would you have felt?  

• What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?

• How does Jesus show Himself as the ‘’the way’’ to me?
• Consider how much my faith gives a special ‘taste’ to my day to day living as a Christian, that is, one who follows  Jesus as the Christ?

• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus? What questions do I want to ask Him?

• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 

• Is my faith in the divine power of Christ, whom we follow, large enough to make us ready to follow the teachings of Jesus?

• In the light of this passage, how will you respond to Jesus as a true disciple?

• If a fellow parishioner had read this passage, what might he/she say about this passage?
• Think of a time I may have harmed the faith of others by what I did or failed to do?

• In the light of this Gospel passage what positive change will you adopt in your life and in your spiritual life.  How will you implement these changes?

Collect for 3rd Sunday of Year C and Gospel Reflection

COLLECT SERIES

THE MASS 

The Collect for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C reads as follows:

Almighty ever- living God,

Direct our actions according to Your good pleasure,

That in the name of Your beloved Son,

We may abound in good works,

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.    What does God’s good pleasure mean to me?

2.    What actions will I direct to God’s good pleasure?

3.    What is meant by good works and how might I abound in them this coming week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel is from St. Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21. In the first four verses of St. Luke's Gospel which we hear at Mass, listen carefully to what is read. As you hear it read, find yoru reason to be grateful to St Luke. He went to considerable trouble in order to put in a permanent form, in a written record, the essential facts concerning Christ, his words and his works, so that we "would understand (like Theophilus) the certainty of the faith in which we have been instructed."

The remainder of the Gospel read at Mass today is

"Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all (Luke 4:14-15)."

A number of questions emerge when I read these 2 verses for pondering during this week.
1. What is our relationship with the Holy Spirit?

2.Do we rely on His power for our lives.?

3. What is the meaning of the power of the Holy Spirit to me?

4. How do I spread the good News of Jesus Christ in my life? How will I spread it this coming week>?

5.How well do we listen to the priest giving the homily- teaching us about the word of God and helping us to understand more.

6. How often do we grumble/ give praise to the priest for the content and delivery of His homily. 

And that is all from a couple of verses to give us food for thought and to take action.

As we begin another week, may we be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, abound in good works and  take action to spread the word of  God.

Happy Australia Day

AUSTRALIA- A COUNTRY  I AM PROUD TO CALL HOME.

Today is Australia Day-26 January.  there are always plenty of celebrations around the country for its citizens to join and celebrate. Many Australians become citizens of our country on this day at many ceremonies around the country.

On a personal note, today I played the organ for Mass first, playing  the 3 verses of the National Anthem, the third verse being the Christian verse, which sadly we, as a country do not sing regularly.

There is a lot to be thankful for in our country and a lot of issues that need God's grace.

My prayer for all my fellow citizens comes from the feast of our patroness- Our Lady Help of Christians, but I like this prayer for today also. I hope that you will pray it with me.

Lord, You place deep in our hearts the love of Mary Help of Christians,

Through her prayers grant wisdom to our leaders,

and integrity to our citizens,

Under her protection, may Australia be granted 

harmony, justice and peace.

Happy Australia Day to all my readers.

PS Have you ever wondered why people are fascinated  by fireworks?  

Have you wondered how fireworks and emotions are connected and the role music can play. Read all about it in my post on this topic by clicking on the link fireworks and emotions.

The proof of His grace- Reflection and Prayer Series.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit.

My Scripture reflection is 

''Put your finger here, see My Hands,
Stop doubting and believe”’ 
(John 20:27)

Christ The Redeemer.

My post is called:

                                                       The proof of His grace.

For those who say " There is no Christ-
No man would in my place"

God's Son extends His nail- scarred hands

As evidence of His grace.

A way of little ones Mk 9:35-41 Gospel of Mark Series

GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES

THE BIBLE  GOSPEL OF MARK SERIES ICON

During 2019, each week, I will write a weekly post about the Gospel of Mark, as I review and explore each of the 16 chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. If you are following this series for the first time, you will find this series under Scripture- New Testament- Gospel of Mark. 

Click here to read the first post in the series. I have written this series in different years (2012, 2015, 2018) with some irregularity, but am determined to complete this series this year since I am more than half way through this Gospel.
My goal is to understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this journey as we travel through the liturgical season.  In today's post we explore chapter 9:35--41 which is called A way of Little Ones.

A WAY OF LITTLE ONES.

After the first passion prophecy when Peter failed to understand what He said, Jesus called His disciples to give them teaching about His way.  Then it was a teaching about a way of the cross (8:34-35). Here it is a teaching of a way of the little ones.

This means find a new position for oneself a leader in a community- the last place! Two incidents recall ed from the life of Jesus are added to illustrated this teaching.

The first is a story of the little child whom Jesus stand in the midst of His disciples and tenderly hold in His arms (:36-37). Whoever receives, that is, listens, to the little ones among the disciples of Jesus receives Jesus as the Messiah, and whoever receives the Messiah receives God, the one who sends the Messiah.

The second story is of a person who drives out demons in the name of the Messiah, but is not a member of their own group of disciples (9:38-41).  The outsider is doing a work of divine power in the name of Jesus which freeing human lives form evil always is.

Such a one cannot be acting against the mission of the Messiah and God's plan for the world.  The disciples of Jesus will not always be the ones to initiate the good that God seeks to accomplish in the world.

The last place is not a popular place.  It is the position of one at the call of others.  The last is one whose life is largely controlled by others.  A little one relies on the care of others to survive.  A little one is vulnerable to all.

REFLECTIONS QUESTIONS

In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:

• Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
• Imagine that you are one of the disciples- What do you see and hear and feel. What can I learn from this?
• Imagine being Jesus telling the disciples and knowing that they did not understand- what would you have felt?  
• What is reading the Gospel passage with the eyes and ears of disciple mean to me?
• How does Jesus show Himself as the ‘’the way’’ to me?
• What are the areas in my life I need to bring to Jesus? What questions do I want to ask Him?
• Am I willing to look into myself with honesty and ask how much do I grasp what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus in the light of this teaching? 
• Is my faith in the divine power of Christ, whom we follow, large enough to make us ready to walking faithfully as a little one?
• In the light of this passage, how will you respond to Jesus as a true disciple?
• If a fellow parishioner had read this passage, what might he/she say about this passage?
• How tolerant and welcoming am I to children and outside groups (those not in my group). Am I open to them or is my attitude similar to the disciples in this passage?
• In the light of this Gospel passage what positive change will you adopt in your life and in your spiritual life.  How will you implement these changes?

Collect Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

COLLECT SERIES

Sea of Galilee 

The Collect for the 2^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C reads as follows:

Almighty ever- living God who govern all things,

Both in heaven and on earth,

Mercifully hear the pleading of your people

And bestow your peace on our times.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.    What is my relationship with God as creator of the universe?

2.    How do I feel about being created by God?

3.    What is your pleading to God this week at Mass?

4.    What are the areas of peace needed in my life for this coming week?

5.    How can I bestow peace on our times this coming week?

Today’s Gospel is from John 2:1-12. There are numerous messages which we can learn from this Gospel story in Christ's life:  Such lessons may include:

1.  Christ's approval of marriage–there were some heretical sects later who said marriage was sinful, unfit for a Christian.

2.  See in it the intercessory power of our blessed Mother. Christ anticipated his "hour" for working miracles in order to grant her request.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

However, the theme of today's readings is the goodness 'and kindness of God and we surely have a convincing proof of that loving kindness in today's gospel story.

Christ worked his first miracle in order to grant a temporal favour, an earthly gift, to save the newly-married groom from embarrassment. It had the other effects of convincing his very recent disciples of their belief that he was the expected Messiah, and also it convinces all Christians of the efficacy of our Lady's intercession for us, but its primary purpose was to confer a temporal benefit on the groom.

By this. Jesus showed that he is interested in our earthly affairs also. He became man in order that we could become sons of God, he came on earth so that we could go to heaven, but this miracle at Cana proves that he has a deep interest in our many and varied activities during the course of our journey to heaven.

He told us "ask and you shall receive." That "shall" is very definite, our prayers will be answered, and what we should ask for is not only spiritual gifts, but the temporal aids also which we need. The "shall" applies to them too, as the miracle of Cana proves. We shall get our temporal requests, provided of course that they won't impede us on our journey to heaven.

No kind father would give his child a gift that would hurt him–God is the kindest of fathers and he sees what will or will not impede or endanger our eternal happiness. We can and should therefore make our temporal needs known to God in our prayers, confident that he will give us what we ask if it is for our real good.

You may be thinking that I prayed to God for temporal favours that I needed badly and my prayer seemed to go unanswered. Was it unanswered really? Often, we pray for something we think we urgently need but God knows better and gives us something better, something more useful, more necessary, something you never thought of asking for, but the good God saw your need of it.

It is important to remember and believe that we have a Father in heaven who really loves us, and cares for us, let us make our temporal, as well as our spiritual needs, known to him in confident prayer. Our requests will not go unanswered.

For example: recently a friend of mine told me that he had applied for job that he really wanted at one level, and yet, deep in his heart, he knew that working with this person was going to be, if he got the job, very difficult, challenging and would ultimately affect his health, well-being and reputation.

He told me that even though he prayed incessantly about it, he was actually relieved when I 

he was unsuccessful. I\He told me '' I  knew that God had loved me very much and had saved me from a lot of suffering and pain. It did not take away the pain of what might have been if the circumstances had been different, but I knew that God had loved me enough to care for temporal and spiritual needs. It would have been detrimental to both of these areas of my life''.

Jesus told us "ask and you shall receive." That "shall" is very definite, our prayers will be answered, and what we should ask for is not only spiritual gifts, but the temporal aids also which we need. The "shall" applies to them too, as the miracle of Cana proves. We shall get our temporal requests, provided of course that they won't impede us on our journey to heaven.

God is a kind father, so He gives us, His children a gift that would injure him–God is the kindest of fathers and he sees what will or will not impede or endanger our eternal happiness.

God wants us to make known to Him our temporal needs  in our prayers, confident that He will give us what we ask if it is for our real good.