We Become What We Love

We went to church last Saturday to join in the celebration of St Clare of Assisi's feast day. Attached to our parish is a monastery which currently houses four Poor Clare sisters. These sisters belong to the religious order founded by St Clare. 

The monastery has been existing for almost 91 years. All through those years, they have supported the parish in whatever way they can, but most especially through prayer. Hence, Fr John (our parish priest) told us that we are lucky to have a powerhouse of prayer.

The sisters live a very simple life. They depend on two things: the generosity of God and the generosity of people. And yet, they look so cheerful, so much at peace when you come across them. For most of us in the "outside world" this is a mystery.  For most of us so attached to our gadgets and all, this may cause us to wonder. However, I think the secret lies in the Eucharist. Part of their daily routine is the Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Drawn by the Father to the Son, the sisters have found life in abundance. And, having found that, they are able to radiate it to the rest of the world. Indeed, as St Clare once said “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” 

Has the worries of the world tired you down? Come back to the Eucharist where life can be found. Come back to the Eucharist and be like Jesus! Come back to the Eucharist and give life - life in Jesus - for the world!

Eucharistic Lord, we adore You. Help us to realize the love You have poured out on us through the Eucharist. Through our reception of Your Body and Blood, may we live and love, serve and reach out like You. 

We entrust to You all Poor Clare sisters spread all over the world, that through the inspiration and prayers of St Clare they may remain faithful in their calling and enthuse others to answer Your call. Amen.

Conversation with a Fellow Christian

I was waiting for the bus to arrive on late afternoon. I took a seat on the bus stop and took out my Magnificat prayer book to read that day's Mass reading. The lady next to me (probably noticing what I was doing) asked me "Are you a Christian?". I said yes. She seemed interested in what I was reading and introduced herself as a Christian too.  She later told me that it is only Jesus who can save me, not the Virgin Mary nor the Pope. I agreed. 

She went on by saying that neither the Mass or the bread and wine can save me. I told her that in my Catholic faith, we believe that the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus during Consecration. She disagreed and explained that the 'Body of Christ' is us. I said to her that indeed we, the Church, form the body of Christ, but Christ Himself said that He who eats His body will be saved. The woman disagreed again and told me that Judas ate the bread and drank the wine, but wasn't saved. I retorted "How about the other 11 (apostles)?". Still, she ignored the question reiterating that it's only Jesus who can save us.  With the bus arriving, I stood up and thanked the lady for offering her views.

This seemed to be the first time I spoke with a fellow Christian where there seemed no agreement of ideas except that Jesus is the only saviour of the world. While I do have some former work colleagues who are also Christians from other denominations such as Methodist and Baptist (with whom I could relate well), this conversation I have had looked challenging. While I do respect her views, there came a time that I have to speak up to what I believe in.

Looking at the bigger picture where leaders of the Catholic Church are in dialogue with their counterparts in other Christian denominations, I guess such a conversation that I had with my fellow bus passenger would have been present.  Indeed, it is a big scandal to see a division among the followers of Jesus, among Christians. I pray for my fellow Christian that she would at least respect my belief and, ultimately know the truth. I echo what Jesus' prayer to His Father: "that they will all be one" (John 17:21).

Considering too the division among Christians, it is also imperative for us Catholics to know and deepen our faith - this is our web's intention this month. I remember 20 odd years ago in the Philippines when fundamentalists posed a challenge for us Catholics.  I note how the Filipino Catholic bishops lamented, in their exhortation to the laity early this year, the shallowness of some laity's faith and urged them to know more and deepen their faith lest they be indoctrinated by other religions. The conversation I have had was a wake up call to speak up in defence of the faith. It also jolted me to revisit the same faith that have been passed on to me. Baka nangangalawang na kasi (as it might be gathering rust already). 

There is, however, a more jolting experience happening elsewhere: the violence happening in Iraq that, according to Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, could spell the end of Christianity in the country. The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church (Iraq's largest Christian community) also mentioned that Muslims are also suffering from this violence. What is heart warming is that these persecuted Christians "... are known to be a disinterested mediator seeking the good of the country.Where fighting groups refuse to meet outside, when we invite them to our Churches to talk, they come," according to Patriarch Sako. Let us be united in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering persecution for their faith.