demands

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Friday, 23 May 2014 : 5th Week of Easter (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 15 : 22-31

Then the Apostles and elders together with the whole Church decided to choose representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.

They took with them the following letter : “Greetings from the Apostles and elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We have heard that some persons from among us have worried you with their discussions and troubled your peace of mind. They were not appointed by us.”

“But now, it has seemed right to us in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We send you then Judas and Silas who themselves will give you these instructions by word of mouth.”

“We, with the Holy Spirit, have decided not to put any other burden on you except what is necessary : ‘You are to abstain from blood from the meat of strangled animals and from prohibited marriages. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.’

After saying good-bye, the messengers went to Antioch, where they assembled the community and handed them the letter. When they read the news, all were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.

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Wednesday, 21 May 2014 : 5th Week of Easter, Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Companions, Martyrs (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White or Red (Martyrs)

Acts 15 : 1-6

Some persons who had come from Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers in this way, “Unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Because of this there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments with them. For Paul told the people to remain as they were when they became believers.

Finally those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and Barnabas and some others go up to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the Apostles and elders. They were sent on their way by the Church. As they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they reported how the non-Jews had turned to God, and there was great joy among all the brothers and sisters.

On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, the Apostles and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. Some believers, however, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, stood up and said that non-Jewish men must be circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses. So the Apostles and elders met together to consider this matter.

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Friday, 13 December 2013 : 2nd Week of Advent, Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet or Red (Martyrs)

Matthew 11 : 16-19

Jesus said, “Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain : ‘We played the flute for you, but you would not dance. We sang a funeral song, but you would not cry!'”

“For John came fasting, and people said, ‘He is possessed.’ Then the Son of Man came, He ate and drank, and people said, ‘Look at this Man! A glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet the outcome will prove Wisdom to be right.”

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On Priests and Smartphones

http://www.ucanews.com/news/forget-the-smart-phones-pope-tells-seminarians/68712

With reference to Pope Francis’ comment on smartphones and with due deference, smartphones can be very useful for priests and even religious, for use in evangelisation and reach out especially to youths. Because we are at a time when the communication system has grown so rapidly that if priests and the Church does not adapt to it, or even reject it, may bring catastrophic consequences in the future.

I can understand that old people tend to be uncomfortable with new gadgets and technologies, as we can see in old people around us, but some of them are indeed eager to embrace them and learn so that they can be more in touch with the youths, their own grandchildren and other youths in general.

Telling priests not to have smartphones is like a ‘technological suicide’ because smartphones are no luxury! In the near future, many people will have smartphones in one way or another, even many among the poor. The smartphones will be a great help, because priests are ever given greater and greater responsibilities, first because of the decrease in priest : laity ratio, and the general increase in demands and responsibilities expected of a priest.

Smartphone can allow priests, especially the new generation of priests to react quickly to any situation. Imagine that one priest can rapidly react to any issues relating to parishioners through a well established connection system in a parish, not unlike what I have observed in classes, with the teacher contacting several students whom are entrusted with ‘continuing the chain’ down to the last student.

The same could be used with great efficiency, from the priest, parish priest in particular, to the parish groups, and rapidly to the people. Whatsapp and other applications like BlackBerry Messenger after all can reach many more people and much faster than traditional phone.

And ultimately, smartphones does help priests to organise themselves and are great help, especially for priests who are always bombarded with so many responsibilities that they may forget to attend an appointment, just because they do not have a smartphone to aid them.

So once again, while I agree with the luxury cars, that they should not be bought by priests, but to categorise smartphones with them is simply self-defeating.

The key is self-control. If you are a priest, and you are obsessed with getting every latest smartphones, a.k.a. getting the next model barely months after you bought the previous one, then it is wrong.

But if you are a priest and you have a decent smartphone that is potentially very useful. I would say : “Why not?” Indeed, one should say : “Well done! Use it as a great tool for new evangelisation! Especially for the youths in the Church!”

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Wednesday, 22 May 2013 : 7th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Rita of Cascia, Religious (First Reading)

Sirach 4 : 12-22

Whoever loves her loves life. Those who rise early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy. Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes blessings will follow. Those who serve her are ministers of the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord. He who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will rest in safety.

Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after him will inherit her. For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, causing him to fear and be terrified; she will plague him with her discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the test by her demands.

Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him. But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and allow him to be lost.

In every situation weigh the pros and cons and avoid evil. A wrong kind of shame could harm you. There is a shame which leads to sin and there is a shame which merits praise and respect. Do not act against your better self to win favour from others. Do not let this kind of shame lead you into sin.