This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) tells of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man, symbolizing the call to open our hearts and minds to God’s word. The Aramaic word “Ephatha,” meaning “be opened,” invites us to seek personal encounters with Christ that go beyond the crowd, freeing us from spiritual deafness. True faith grows through these intimate moments with the Lord, where He opens us to His message of love and salvation.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) shows that Jesus’ miracles go beyond physical healing; they restore dignity and save the whole person, body and soul. By healing the deaf-mute, Jesus first restores his worth and dignity as a beloved child of God. This reminds us that God’s grace often works to strengthen our faith before meeting our physical needs.
At 60 years old, Father Justin Solistiadi, assistant parish priest at Saint John Mary Vianney, embodies the vibrant spirit of Indonesiaโs Catholic community as they celebrate Pope Francis’ visit to Jakarta. In a city with a predominantly Muslim population, Father Solistiadi has played a pivotal role in fostering inter-religious dialogue and preparing his parish for this historic event. His efforts, including setting up a special committee of journalists and creating a new website, highlight the significance of the visit and its impact on both local and national levels.
Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great, navigated the Church through a tumultuous era marked by the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire and profound theological controversies. Known for his theological brilliance and pastoral care, he defended the Church against heresies such as Pelagianism, Manichaeism, and Monophysitism. His actions, including meeting Attila the Hun to prevent the sacking of Rome, highlight his role as both a spiritual leader and a peacemaker.
โFidelity is not the virtue of our time.โ These words by Pope Paul VI resonate powerfully today as we navigate a world where commitments often waver. His unwavering stance on priestly celibacy, despite immense pressure, reflects a deep commitment to the integrity and continuity of the Churchโs teachings.
The Diocese of Macau rejoices in the ordination of two new priests, Father Adriano Serro Agostinho and Father Chan Pak Lam Bosco, on August 31, 2024. Surrounded by family, friends, and the faithful, the ordination was marked by profound moments of prayer, dedication, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, questioning the value of traditions that do not align with inner purity. Traditions should not be fossilized rituals that have lost relevance but dynamic expressions of living the Gospel in our time. Jesus challenges us to keep traditions that promote true holiness and justice, not those that serve as mere external displays without inner sincerity.
War brings destruction and suffering, whether in Ukraine, Gaza, or other parts of the world. Amidst this violence, the international community seems hesitant to act decisively for justice. The absence of God in our conscience leads to moral decay, as we fail to recognize His standards of goodness. Without courageous voices advocating for the victims, we risk a global disaster. In these troubled times, let us remember to seek God’s help and comfort Him, who is so unjustly offended by our actions.
Grace is the divine seed planted in our souls, a gratuitous gift from God that calls us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Through the sacraments, the practice of virtues, and prayer, we nurture this grace, allowing it to flourish and bring us closer to God. As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, it’s not the grandeur of our works but the love with which we perform them that matters.
Cardinal Bergoglio’s letter urges us to pray with boldness and persistence, echoing biblical figures like Moses, David, and the Canaanite woman who fought with God in prayer. Prayer is not just a ritual; it’s a bold, daring dialogue with God, pressing Him to act in our lives and in the world.