Originally to be held on the 19th of June, the day on which Macau health authorities identified more than a dozen local COVID-19 infections, the First Holy Communion ceremony of the children that attend the Portuguese-language catechesis in the Cathedral parish will finally take place on September 25th.
Joy abounds as the Virgin of Peñafrancia once again finds her place among the people of Bicol, invigorating the faithful with new-found hope.
Internal and external forces may cause us to lose our way, but God never ceases to seek us, to open avenues to save our souls. In being found by God, we must in turn become the instruments of His seeking, saving souls for Him just as He saved us.
We stand cautioned against judging and condemning others, whatever their faults might be. Our true value lies in the fact that we are all children beloved of God, irrespective of our spiritual or social status.
Are passions good or bad? St Thomas writes: “We may consider the passions of the soul in two ways: first, in themselves; secondly, as being subject to the command of the reason and will.
Prayer is the spiritual manna for the soul, essential to cement our bond with God. Prayers said in faith, love and charity are prayers said unceasingly, marking a mature relationship with our Maker.
Complete renunciation of all that holds us back from belonging intimately to Christ is the only means to fulfilling His mission for us. It is only by ridding ourselves of interior and exterior attachments that we can truly be God’s children.
This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the historical and practical reason why Jesus laid such stringent conditions before his followers while also challenging us with the metaphorical context as to how much are we willing to sacrifice to follow Christ.
Luke emphasizes the need to go beyond just observing the Lord from afar. One must quell any fear or pride that might hold one back from following Christ, in whose footsteps alone can salvation be found.
Jesus calls us to break with the convention of the earthly rules of hierarchy and champion humility that embraces all, without exception.
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