May 30, 2012 – Mark 10:42-45 – The Request of James and John

"Therefore, Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their ruler’s lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. But, it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”"

Bishop Richard Greco told about Jesus’ message that greatness and authority in the kingdom of God are to be redefined in terms of service. James and John, the disciples of Jesus, desired recognition. But Jesus wanted his disciples to realize to look at life not at the top downward rather to share the point of reference to look not up but down to those who are poor, needy, and suffering. We should offer service to others with compassion, humility, respect, and dignity. He mentioned that there are different kinds of services to build Christian community:

1. Service of holding one’s tongue – to prevent criticisms
2. Service of humility – to honor opinion for the well-being of another before oneself
3. Service of listening – to listen carefully; to use our ears for the Lord and not to what others will say
4. Service of bearing one another’s burden
5. Service of proclamation – communicating consolation or admonition about speaking the truth

In summary, the authority given to us in the kingdom of God is to be humble, speak words that give life, ask to be helpful, bear the burden of others, and speak the words of love to others.

May 27, 2012 - Mark 10:23-27 – The Rich Man

"But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortal it is impossible, but not for God, for God all things are possible.”"

Fr. Michael Busch spoke about the three things why possession can take things out of our life. The first is self-indulgence when a person asks for more. The second is control and the third is self-centered which is to focus on our talents, rights and privileges.

We should change our focus of attention from materials things to Jesus who is the basis of our faith. Instead of worrying things when we encounter difficulties, we should think of what we can do to serve others. Life is a battleground, win or lose, we should be strong even we have weaknesses because the control of power is in our hands. We have to follow Christ, whether we are rich or poor, by being God-centered and not self-centered.    

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Mary's Pharmacy Blog: May 25, 2012 – John 21:17-19 – Jesus and Peter

Mary's Pharmacy Blog: May 25, 2012 – John 21:17-19 – Jesus and Peter: May 25, 2012 – John 21:17-19 – Jesus and Peter In his homily, Fr. Joe Gorman spoke about the incident of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Peter...

May 25, 2012 – John 21:17-19 – Jesus and Peter

May 25, 2012 – John 21:17-19 – Jesus and Peter

In his homily, Fr. Joe Gorman spoke about the incident of Peter’s denial of Jesus. Peter   found himself unworthy to be his apostle when he denied Jesus three times. Scripture tells us that God’s thoughts are not our own thoughts, which mean that we cannot decipher what are in God’s mind. Despite Peter’s frailty, God appointed Peter to be the builder of the Church and gave Him the keys to the kingdom of God.  

On Pentecost Sunday, we will be reminded about the importance and role of the Holy Spirit in our world. The Holy Spirit penetrates and gives us the gift of faith. We can use the Holy Spirit to work in us by serving others. But we should recognize first our weaknesses in the sight of the Lord and pray to the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and bring us the fire of God’s love in our world. 

May 22, 2012 – John 17:1-5, 11 – Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Fr. Glenn McDonald expressed his opinion on the gospel about the “sense of separation” between us and those gone into the kingdom of God pertaining to those who departed in this world. When we experience losing our loved ones as they go to the next level of life, we should continue to take our walks in life even if we are alone because there is God who will help us.

He also mentioned about the “sense of self”,i.e.,  a person being conscious of one’s life, house, friends, and things. This becomes the barrier in our relationship with other people because we isolate ourselves from God and focus our attention on material things. However, we pay the price of being selfish because it creates loneliness and despair. Our spiritual life will teach us to let go of ourselves and remove the artificial barriers of selfishness. We need to meditate on our gifts and blessings like our family, healthy body or career. Our gift of faith will tell us that all gifts we received are from God. 

MOTHERS' DAY

       In gratitude and in memory to all of my loving mothers, I composed and  dedicated  a prayer for them. I am lucky to have mothers with different roles to play: a biological mother at birth; a physiological mother who reared me since childhood; a mother-in-law and a supportive second mommy who strengthens my faith to succeed in life. Mothers are martyrs in their own right for their work and sufferings they underwent.

           Prayer to my Loving Mothers

Give thanks to the God of praises, the mighty name of Jesus, for His mercy endures forever;

Give thanks to God for giving me a magnificent mother who brought me to life from her womb; for her tolerance endures forever;

Give thanks to her, who nurtures me with food and words of wisdom like the one a garland in my head, for her knowledge endures forever;

Give thanks to my wonderful mother who embraced and hug me, for her happiness endures forever;

Give thanks to my gifted mother  for teaching me the value of religion and never fails to say her daily prayers, petitions and masses, for her perseverance endures forever;

Give thanks to her who gives me hope to succeed in studies and career; for her faith sustains forever;

Give thanks to my amazing mother who heals and comforts me when I am ill, depressed, and sad in times of sickness, trouble, and trials, for her strength endures forever;

Give thanks to her who supports my children and husband, for her understanding endures forever;

Give thanks to her, who cares and maintains her beauty, for her joy lasts forever;

For my children, my husband and the people close to all of my mothers, I will also share the same kind of love and affection I felt from  my mothers.

 

Praise be to God!

May 8, 2012 – Acts 14:23 – The Return to Antioch in Syria

Father Glenn McDonald talked about the journey of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch in planting seeds, i.e., spreading the good news. The reading highlights that it is through prayer and fasting that we can cultivate detachment from material wealth and entrust the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. When we die, we cannot take our wealth in another world but leave it on earth. We need to be generous and give others a share of our material possessions and use our gifts of talents to make our lives more meaningful and productive.