The story of the man born blind in the Gospel of John is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Christ’s love and grace. It shows how even those who are blind to the truth can be enlightened and transformed through the waters of baptism and the Word of Christ.
The seventh commandment, which defends the right to private property, requires us to respect the goods of others, practice justice and charity, and be prudent and moderate in the use of resources. It also involves respecting promises, making reparations, and avoiding theft and other forms of wrongdoing. Additionally, we must treat animals with kindness and avoid excessive love or misuse of them. As the Catechism reminds us, private property exists to serve the needs of human beings, and wasting resources is akin to stealing from the poor and hungry.
Even in the midst of their own struggles with natural disasters, the Catholic communities of Bangladesh continue to extend a helping hand to those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Through prayer, donations, and solidarity campaigns, these communities are repaying the international aid they have received in the past. Meanwhile, in South Korea, Caritas is mobilizing for an emergency fund to support the earthquake victims, and the Catholic bishops are advocating for the abolition of the death penalty.
In an interview with O Clarim, Fr Cyril Jerome Law, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Macau, speaks about his participation in the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality. He highlights the multilingual and multi-cultural dimension of the local Church in Macau and the need for effective communication. Fr Cyril further believes that Catholics in Macau can contribute to the synodal process by engaging in spiritual conversation and promoting the Church’s teachings through pastoral outreach.
The reflection by Fausto Gomez, OP, explores his identity as a creature, human, Christian, and God’s adopted son. He emphasizes his responsibility to care for God’s creation and acknowledges the purpose of life as finding happiness through love. Fr Gomez also highlights the Christian view of the human person, where greatness comes from openness to God and others, and destruction comes from selfishness.
Fr Timothy Wan Kwok Kwong shares his encounter with Bom Jesus dos Passos and how it led him to consider his journey to the priesthood. He explains how the event inspired him to offer himself to Jesus and consider his vocation. Fr Tim talks about his experience with the procession and how Jesus called him, leading to a series of events that ultimately led him to enter the seminary.
Each one of us has the possibility to meet Jesus in the same way, especially in Lent, in the reconciliation which is offered to us in the Sacraments and in our life of prayer. During this Lent, by unmasking our hearts in front of Jesus, we too, like the Samaritan woman, might become the catalysts of this never-ending encounter between God and humanity.
The thirst of the Samaritan woman is the symbol of the most intimate needs that torment the heart of the bride-Israel: the need for peace, love, serenity, hope, happiness, sincerity, consistency, and for God. These are the needs that every person experiences.
The sixth commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” is comprehensive and encompasses all sins against chastity, according to the Tradition of the Church. These sins include adultery, masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, rape, and homosexual acts. Offenses against chastity also include the use of artificial means to control birth, such as direct sterilization or contraception, and artificial insemination and fertilization.
Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, emphasizes the urgent need for unity among Eastern Churches to safeguard the future of Christianity in the Middle East. Building bridges with Muslims is also essential, says the patriarch.