News - September 2021

“But He replied, ‘More blessed still are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!’” Luke 11:28

Is not true that we become lax after receiving special graces? Even though Mother Mary was blessed to be the Mother of God, she never became complacent, but she worked hard to confirm God's graces by treasuring the Word of God and putting it into practice. Saint Jerome, who translated the entire Bible, also stands before us as one who faithfully kept the Word of God. May each one of us who hear the Word of God, make every effort to ponder over it and put it into practice.

“Adore the Lord in the splendour of His holiness. Tremble before Him, all the earth.” Psalms 96:9

The Psalmist reveals that an important duty of human beings is to adore the Lord. Adoration unites us with God. Sadly, very few people are ready to offer God the loving adoration He deserves. Let us humbly ask His forgiveness for our pride in refusing to adore Him, and let us offer Him our heartfelt adoration in fear and trembling together with the holy angels who continually stand in the Lord’s presence.

“The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace.” Psalms 29:11

The source of all our strength is the Grace of our Lord. When we are filled with His grace, we will experience tremendous peace in our lives. When we approach our Lord with humility and trust, He will strengthen us. Therefore, whenever we are tired, worried or depressed, let us run towards Him for strength and Grace.

“Every moment of my life is in Your hands, rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me.” Psalms 31:15

Sometimes, we may feel that human beings are very insignificant and unnoticed in this vast world, but our Heavenly Father knows each one of us personally. He is the only one who can be with us from the beginning of our life till the very end. Let us, therefore, entrust our life completely to our Lord and Saviour so that every moment of our life may be in His hands.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts. I have been helped; my body has recovered its vigour, with all my heart I thank Him.” Psalms 28:7

The Psalmist drew strength and courage from the Lord during all his battles. In our life too, we battle everyday against our human weaknesses and against the Devil. It is our Lord who will give us strength and victory to those who trust in Him. Even if we fall, God will help us to rise again. Therefore, with a firm heart, let us trust in God and fight the good fight, and in every circumstance, wholeheartedly give Him thanks!

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts. I have been helped; my body has recovered its vigour, with all my heart I thank Him.” Psalms 28:7

The Psalmist drew strength and courage from the Lord during all his battles. In our life too, we battle everyday against our human weaknesses and against the Devil. It is our Lord who will give us strength and victory to those who trust in Him. Even if we fall, God will help us to rise again. Therefore, with a firm heart, let us trust in God and fight the good fight, and in every circumstance, wholeheartedly give Him thanks!

"Those who fear You rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in Your Word." Psalms 119:74

Those who place all their hope in the Lord are filled with confidence and joy because they know that the Lord is strong and dependable, and that nothing is impossible for God. Our Lord knows those who have put their hope in Him and He watches over them with special care. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us also put our hope in God's Word. Let the Word of God be our strength!

“Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

The Lord warns us that we should never rejoice in miracles or great works performed through us by God. This kind of joy would breed pride. Many Saints performed great miracles in the Name of Jesus, but in all circumstances, they kept their eyes fixed on the Crucified Christ who died for them. Following the example of the Saints, let us have this holy joy of being redeemed by His mercy, the joy that constantly overflows from the heart of a true disciple of Jesus.

“Let Your face shine on Your servant, save me in Your faithful love.” Psalms 31:16

Just as we need the light of the sun to help us see our way in this world, we need the light of Christ to guide us on our path to our Heavenly Homeland. Without this Heavenly Light radiating from the Face of Christ, we will not be able to see our way and we are overcome by darkness. Therefore, let us look ever more closely at the Face of Jesus Crucified, and allow Him to light up the darkness of our lives!

“For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:20

The uprightness of the Scribes and Pharisees was merely an outward show, and Jesus tells us that this superficial uprightness will never get us into the Kingdom of Heaven. Saint Matthew learnt that true uprightness is not something external, but is within the heart, and was thus transformed into a faithful Apostle of Christ. Let us also aim to be upright in God’s sight, striving to live by the greatest commandment, which is love of God and love of neighbour.

“Give the Lord His due, sons of God, give the Lord His due of glory and strength, give the Lord the glory due to His Name.” Psalms 29:1-2

Dear brothers and sisters, today the Psalmist invites each one of us to return to the Lord what is His due. God is our Creator and a great King over all the earth; He has created us and the world around us by His mighty power. He is also our loving Father who sent His own son to redeem us from slavery to sin. At every moment, let us acknowledge the fact that we are His children, and thus give glory, praise, honour and thanksgiving to God our Creator and Father.

“Lord, You have lifted me out of Sheol, from among those who sink into oblivion You have given me life.” Psalms 30:3

Very often we forget the blessings of the Lord. Instead of turning to God our Creator and giving glory to Him, we turn to creatures, seeking glory from them and giving glory to them. As a result, we fall into darkness and into the depths of Sheol. However, the Lord’s mercy is so great that He shows us His unfailing love and mercy whenever we call to Him. He lifts us out of the darkness and gives us a new life. Let us never tire of glorifying Him so that may remain with Him forever.

“But the souls of the upright are in the hands of God, and no torment can touch them.” Wisdom 3:1

Upright people are always protected by our Lord. The Lord strengthens them and gives them the grace and power to overcome all trials. In our lives, too, let us not be discouraged when we are struck by sudden hardships and sorrows. With the Psalmist, we can rest assured that no torment can touch us if we aim to be upright in all our thoughts, words and deeds.

“You have stripped off your old behaviour with your old self and you have put on a new self which wil

l progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10 Saint Paul tells us that we have been sanctified by the Blood of Christ and we should now strive to be holy. Those who persevere in leading a holy life will progress more in spiritual knowledge than those who try to read and study many books. Everyday, let us strive to be renewed in the image and likeness of our Creator and thus, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

“I find my delight in Your Will, I do not forget Your Words.” Psalms 119:16

The Psalmist found great delight in doing God’s Will because he truly loved God and His Word. We too can grow in God’s love and discover His Will by reading and meditating on the Holy Scriptures. Let us conquer our own short-sighted will and focus on doing God’s Will. We can be certain that by constantly pondering the Word of God, we will gradually find great delight in doing the Will of God.

“Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His Mother, 'Look, He is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce your soul too - so the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’” Luke 2:34-35

The entire Life of Jesus was marked by suffering, and Mary His Mother was united experienced the pains of Her Son at every moment, too. In the Garden of Eden, at the foot of the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, the first man and the first woman sinned, but on Mount Calvary, at the foot of the Cross, the New Man and the New Woman perfectly obeyed the Will of God. Today, we ask our Blessed Mother to teach us how to remain united to the Crucified Christ and so enter into glory. (Amen.)

“He was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

The Cross was a symbol of death, shame and defeat, but Jesus transformed the Cross into a symbol of life, salvation and victory. Our Lord chose the Cross to redeem creation from its slavery to sin. By the Will of the Heavenly Father, Jesus embraced the Cross and carried it on His shoulders to His death. It is by the Holy Cross of Jesus that each one of us is saved. O Holy Cross of Jesus, be our salvation! (Amen.)

“You were to put aside your old self, which belongs to your old way of life and is corrupted by following illusory desires. Your mind was to be renewed in spirit so that you could put on the New Man that has been created on God’s principles, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:22-24

God calls us to put aside our old self, which signifies our sinful nature. Our sinful nature can be put aside only when we turn to the Lord in true repentance which is inspired by God. This true repentance wins for us the grace of conversion, and God clothes us in a new nature. Our Lord is so good to us! He makes our hearts and minds completely new. May we make an effort to keep growing in His grace, living a new life of holiness and uprightness.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.” Luke 1:26-27

All who call on the Holy Name of the Mary receive singular graces from her, for she is always attentive to those who address her or seek graces from her with a sincere heart. This is why the “Hail Mary” is such a powerful prayer. Those who recite this prayer meaningfully will draw the attention of the Blessed Mother. This is also the reason why the Devil hates the “Hail Mary”. He fears that the very mention of the Holy Name of Mary should attract her attention and thus cause her to snatch the soul into the realms of grace. (Hail Mary, full of Grace! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for thy children! Amen.)

“For the Lord will not reject anyone for ever. If He brings grief, He will have pity out of the fullness of His faithful love.” Lamentations 3:31-32

How comforting those verses are! We are assured that no matter how great our sins are, there is always hope because the Lord will not reject us forever. Even though He may correct us, or bring grief, but His mercy soon overcomes His anger. But only those who remain humble will experience His mercy. Therefore, whenever we feel rejected by God, let us humble ourselves and wait patiently for His mercy knowing that His faithful love is sure to visit us very soon.