The Catholic Church honours the Blessed Virgin Mary because she has been a model for all Christians. From all the gospels, we learn that her life has always been Christ-centred. Contemplating on the events of her life will always lead us to Christ. Though we can unearth flaws in most of the people mentioned in the Bible, be they heroic, saintly and holy ones, we cannot find a single fault in the life of the Blessed Virgin.
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48).
Her life has never been easy. Therefore, it is not easy to lead a blessed life. The Church teaches us to contemplate, in particular, seven sorrows of the BVM. This is what today's feast is all about.
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48).
Her life has never been easy. Therefore, it is not easy to lead a blessed life. The Church teaches us to contemplate, in particular, seven sorrows of the BVM. This is what today's feast is all about.
This morning there was no school because typhoon signal number 8 was still hoisted. The Observatory switched the signal to number 3 at ten so that banks and the stock market might operate in the afternoon. This evening, we could still attend the Moral Theology class in the Seminary. Fr. Ng was still talking about the historical development of moral theology in the Church. He came to the post-Vatican II period. Morality has evolved from keeping the laws to responding faithfully to God's call.
Because of time limit, Fr. Ng had explained two kinds of call. The first kind is the call to repent, a call of conversion. He illustrated this with the story of Adam.
Adam hid himself away from God after eating the fruit of knowledge.
But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9)
Of course God knew where Adam was hiding. But Adam had lost his way after sinning. Therefore, God's call was a call to repent, to turn back to the right path. God had given the man ample opportunities to turn back. However, Adam had failed to repent.
The second kind is the call of election. Fr. Ng illustrated this with the story of Abraham. It is a different kind of call from that of conversion. The focus is not on the defects of the person called but on the opening up of a new horizon, a new destiny for the person. It would be adventurous because the future is unknown. Abraham had succeeded in responding to this call of election.
I think the Blessed Virgin, and thus all Christians, are a similar case in point. God sent Archangel Gabriel to announce to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ. Mary responded positively (Luke 1:26-38). You may argue that at that time, Mary was overwhelmed and did not understand the call at all. She did not know the consequences of becoming the mother of Jesus.
But who understands? Who would understand first and become a Christian later? I am afraid nobody ever does this because faith in God can never be totally rational. Like Abraham, answering God's call of election is venturing into the unknown. Faith and hope in God's promise are our only support.
Because of time limit, Fr. Ng had explained two kinds of call. The first kind is the call to repent, a call of conversion. He illustrated this with the story of Adam.
Adam hid himself away from God after eating the fruit of knowledge.
But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9)
Of course God knew where Adam was hiding. But Adam had lost his way after sinning. Therefore, God's call was a call to repent, to turn back to the right path. God had given the man ample opportunities to turn back. However, Adam had failed to repent.
The second kind is the call of election. Fr. Ng illustrated this with the story of Abraham. It is a different kind of call from that of conversion. The focus is not on the defects of the person called but on the opening up of a new horizon, a new destiny for the person. It would be adventurous because the future is unknown. Abraham had succeeded in responding to this call of election.
I think the Blessed Virgin, and thus all Christians, are a similar case in point. God sent Archangel Gabriel to announce to Mary that she would be the mother of Christ. Mary responded positively (Luke 1:26-38). You may argue that at that time, Mary was overwhelmed and did not understand the call at all. She did not know the consequences of becoming the mother of Jesus.
But who understands? Who would understand first and become a Christian later? I am afraid nobody ever does this because faith in God can never be totally rational. Like Abraham, answering God's call of election is venturing into the unknown. Faith and hope in God's promise are our only support.
Dear Lord, You gave us Your mother to be our mother to back us up on earth on our pilgrimage home. We cordially thank You. May the intercession of our heavenly Mother help us lead a Christocentric life. Amen.
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