This morning, Fr. Milanese celebrated the 11 a.m. mass with us. The Rite of Acceptance was also held. 58 catechumens took part and the Church officially accepts them to receive an eighteen-month period of instruction to prepare them for baptism. God calls them and they respond with an open mind. We pray that in the process, they will open their heart to receive the salvation of God. Fr. Milanese adapted his homily to cater for their needs.
Fr. Milanese focused on the conversion of heart. He made it clear to the catechumen that there would not be any dramatic change after baptism. They would continue their ordinary life, going to work, studying their books, doing house chores, taking care of their children etc. But they would do it with a transformed heart.
The gospel reading was a continuation from last week's. The congregation was amazed by the words of Jesus. Still some expressed their doubt.
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22)
All of them were familiar with Jesus, seeing him grow up as a child, doing Joseph's carpentry work. Jesus was their ordinary boy next door, this Joseph's son. How could he claim to be the Messiah?
The Messianic work mentioned in Isaiah was socio-political in nature. Yet, Fr. Milanese led us to look at it on the personal level.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).
It was not enough for Jesus to bring good news to the economically poor, to release the prisoners, to heal the blind etc. Jesus came to enrich our spiritual poverty, to free us from the bondage of sin and to restore our sight to see God in daily chore. Fr. Milanese was speaking to both the catechumen and the whole congregation. He invited all of us to open our heart to receive the grace of God, to see with Jesus' eyes and to do God's will.
The gospel reading was a continuation from last week's. The congregation was amazed by the words of Jesus. Still some expressed their doubt.
And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22)
All of them were familiar with Jesus, seeing him grow up as a child, doing Joseph's carpentry work. Jesus was their ordinary boy next door, this Joseph's son. How could he claim to be the Messiah?
The Messianic work mentioned in Isaiah was socio-political in nature. Yet, Fr. Milanese led us to look at it on the personal level.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).
It was not enough for Jesus to bring good news to the economically poor, to release the prisoners, to heal the blind etc. Jesus came to enrich our spiritual poverty, to free us from the bondage of sin and to restore our sight to see God in daily chore. Fr. Milanese was speaking to both the catechumen and the whole congregation. He invited all of us to open our heart to receive the grace of God, to see with Jesus' eyes and to do God's will.
In the afternoon, Erminia and I brought Symphorian to paint the Noah's Ark at Caritas Lok Kan School in Tin Shui Wai. The school serves severely mentally handicapped children. It began in 1981 and moved to the new campus in Tin Shui Wai in 2007.
This activity was organized by the Deaconate. A Mr. Anthony authors the picture, depicting the coming out from the Ark. The activity began at ten in the morning. Different families came and went to finish this project before five in the evening. Symphorian and his mother immediately immersed in the work and enjoyed it very much. It was an afternoon well spent. The wall becomes colourful. A rainbow stands out, radiating life in different forms, be it handicapped or handy.
This activity was organized by the Deaconate. A Mr. Anthony authors the picture, depicting the coming out from the Ark. The activity began at ten in the morning. Different families came and went to finish this project before five in the evening. Symphorian and his mother immediately immersed in the work and enjoyed it very much. It was an afternoon well spent. The wall becomes colourful. A rainbow stands out, radiating life in different forms, be it handicapped or handy.
Dear Lord, infuse our life with grace. Transform our ordinary life into extraordinary so that we may become Your handy instruments. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment