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November 21, 2014

Our church, God’s house, is indeed a house of prayer. One question we must ask ourselves today and sincerely try to answer is this: How do we regard the church? Do we pray and worship the Lord when we are inside the church? This reading challenges us to review the things we do in the church and how we respond to the things other people do in the church. Do we use our cell phone inside the church? Do we make noise or cause distractions while attending Mass or other liturgical celebrations like baptisms and weddings? Are we brave enough to correct the misbehavior of our family members, and other people inside the church? We must observe decency in our behavior and in the way we dress up when we go to church because we are going there to meet our Lord.

Our house can also be an expression of our faith. Is God present in our home? Or have we commercialized our domestic life? How shall we decorate our home this Advent and Christmas seasons? One suggestion is to set up an Advent wreath or a nativity scen. Put Christ in the center especially this Christmas. Wouldn’t it be beautiful if all Christians, one way or another show their faith with every season

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 6

<< Friday, November 21, 2014 >>

Presentation of Mary

Revelation 10:8-11
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Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

Luke 19:45-48
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PROPHECY

"You must prophesy again for many peoples and nations, languages and kings." —Revelation 10:11

A prophet is one who speaks out in God's name for his present generation. Prophecy is not about the future, but about the present. A prophet calls people to repent and to come back to Almighty God.

St. John is invested with his role as a prophet in our reading from Revelation. Up until this point he has been an observer, but following our passage he becomes active and measures the temple (Rv 11:1). The little scroll (Rv 10:9) is the open message of the New Testament. Anyone who speaks out in the Lord's name must digest that biblical scroll so that it becomes a part of him. The sweetness of the message leaves an aftertaste so that one can better deal with the bitterness that must necessarily come (Rv 10:10).

Anyone who thoroughly digests the message of Jesus Christ is bound to be misunderstood and persecuted. Jesus gave a fuller understanding to the Old Testament message (Lk 19:46). For His pains the leaders of the people were trying to put Him to death (Lk 19:47).

At Baptism, every Christian is called to be a prophet (Catechism, 1546), a champion of truth to his or her own generation. Are you a prophet? Are you willing to accept the bitterness that will necessarily come? Say "yes" by accepting your baptismal commitment seriously.

Prayer: Lord, let my response to Your call always be "yes, yes" so that I might better bring others to You.

Promise: "The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces." —Ps 119:72

Praise: Our Lady of Presentation was pure from her conception and was presented to God in the temple as a living sacrifice.