In our village Mass today Fr. Jose Arcilla, S.J. said, “The real poor people are those who have many things to share but can not give and the real rich are those who have nothing yet they can still offer something to share.” The poor/generous giver has the best to offer—an open and welcoming heart.
From my e-mail box: "This is the great truth that the bible teaches over and over. When we trust God who is nothing but giving, we can give and give but never run out.
But if we cling to poor substitutes for God (money, power, fame or pleasure), we can hoard and hoard but never have enough."
If only the materially rich are also rich in spirit and start giving and giving, cease hoarding and hoarding, no one will be wanting. It takes poverty of the heart and richness of the spirit to make everyone rich.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I Purchased Heaven & Felt like a Saint
All Saints’ Day caught me with eloquent reminders that we are called to be holy and that we belong to the community of saints—that we are potential saints and born to be saints.
Although awed by this insinuation I was excited with the possibility and made some research on what a saint is, or how it is defined. According to one Claretian priest, a youngster gave this definition: “A saint is a person whom the light shines through,” thinking of the beautiful stained glass windows in the parish church.
The Claretian commentary thus gave the following explanation.
Quote:
The saints whose images are depicted in stained glass and on holy cards are famous for allowing God’s light to shine through their words and actions. The apostles, martyrs, doctors, virgins, religious and other holy men and women whose feasts are celebrated through the Church year offer examples to us of how to live so as to bring God’s light into a world that knows all too much darkness.
That definition pulsated in my head during the All Saint’s Day Mass. Finally during the moments of silence after communion and while praying for all the souls of the departed, a wistful thought flitted like a passionate desire—I wanted to feel exactly like a saint even for that moment.
Then it happened. I thought of all the souls still waiting for final redemption and entry into the full glory of heaven. For the liberation of these souls I offered the pains caused me by the betrayal of the people I love—forgave the latter and told the Lord: Let my offering of forgiveness purchase the souls in need of redemption.
I imagined souls finally liberated and entering the pearly gates. This made me feel jubilant and light. It was a saintly experience. My offering let God’s Light shone on the souls still in darkness.
Although awed by this insinuation I was excited with the possibility and made some research on what a saint is, or how it is defined. According to one Claretian priest, a youngster gave this definition: “A saint is a person whom the light shines through,” thinking of the beautiful stained glass windows in the parish church.
The Claretian commentary thus gave the following explanation.
Quote:
The saints whose images are depicted in stained glass and on holy cards are famous for allowing God’s light to shine through their words and actions. The apostles, martyrs, doctors, virgins, religious and other holy men and women whose feasts are celebrated through the Church year offer examples to us of how to live so as to bring God’s light into a world that knows all too much darkness.
That definition pulsated in my head during the All Saint’s Day Mass. Finally during the moments of silence after communion and while praying for all the souls of the departed, a wistful thought flitted like a passionate desire—I wanted to feel exactly like a saint even for that moment.
Then it happened. I thought of all the souls still waiting for final redemption and entry into the full glory of heaven. For the liberation of these souls I offered the pains caused me by the betrayal of the people I love—forgave the latter and told the Lord: Let my offering of forgiveness purchase the souls in need of redemption.
I imagined souls finally liberated and entering the pearly gates. This made me feel jubilant and light. It was a saintly experience. My offering let God’s Light shone on the souls still in darkness.
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