Only one thing is necessary. Therefore anything which does not draw you closer to God is vain and futile.
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(I Have Met Him)
Preca Publications has recently published the second edition of the book Jien Iltqajt Miegħu (I Have Met Him). The Society of Christian Doctrine had published this book for the first time in 1985, on the occasion of the International Year of the Youth. In this book, penned by Joe Fenech, a member of the Society, we read about thirteen characters of the Gospel, where they talk about their meeting with Jesus Christ, how he touched their heart and changed their life. These thirteen characters are not fictitious or imaginary, but true men and women, and they really met Jesus. Their testimonies are an invitation to us, that we, as well, draw closer to him, to know him and love him more.
Read MoreLord Jesus Christ, how is it possible that the spirit who comes to know you doesn’t think of you day and night? How is it possible that a person who loves truly doesn’t think of you, who are the sole object of the heart? Therefore I think of you and my thought centres so easily and so quickly on your Divinity, because you are the only Man predestined to be the Son of the true and living God. You are God from God, light from light, true God from true God; and at the thought my spirit delights in you. Nourished by a true and strong faith, my spirit believes that you are almighty, existing from eternity and enduring forever, infinite, unchanging. You are all goodness, all knowing, all truth, life itself, all merciful and just. Lord Jesus Christ, I think of you so vividly at the Last Supper surrounded by the twelve apostles, when you instituted the Holy Eucharist. My spirit desires eagerly and continually to enjoy you really and substantially by means of this Sacrament. Lord Jesus Christ, I think of you so vividly in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating blood all over, and my spirit understands the ugliness of sin which is the only enemy of your will. Lord Jesus Christ, I think of you so vividly as you were nailed to the cross between two thieves and my spirit is fortified to endure patience and appreciate suffering. I cannot help but think of you because everything lifts me up on to you. If I see someone who is merciful, I think of you and silently I say: how much more merciful are you his creator! If I see someone who is gentle and meek, I think of you and silently I say: how much more gentle and meek are you his creator! If I see someone who is righteous, I think of you and silently I say: how much more righteous are you his creator! Man is what he thinks: if he thinks of earthly things, says Saint Augustine, he is materialist; if he thinks of heavenly things, he is spiritual, a man of God. Man is therefore alike to the object of his thought. Whatever man loves, that is the object of his thought, that is the god of his heart. “Where there is your treasure there is also your heart.” How is it possible then that one has not put on Christ if he thinks about him day and night? Our maker has commanded us to love him with all our mind: therefore let us keep his presence in our mind, and offer everything for his glory, doing everything with the intention of pleasing him and closely guarding ourselves in the observance of his law.
Read MoreBrother Roger of Taizé (1915-2005) is the founder of the Taizé Community, where thousands of young people from every continent and Christian denomination gather in a monastic and ecumenical spirit. In his book, God is Love Alone, he wrote seven reflections that left a mark on him. Here are some of these reflections. God can only love "Perhaps Christ did not come into the world so that everyone would know that they are loved?" says Brother Roger. Because "God is love" (1 John 4:8), so if we ask: "What is God doing now? God is loving" (St. George Preca). Christ is not the accuser Brother Roger says: "Even when he was being treated badly, Christ never accused anyone." Sometimes we teach children that God is a kind of tyrant or policeman, in fact, he writes: "Where does this feeling of error come from, sometimes even in childhood?" We need to learn that God's commandments are not a means of making our lives miserable but a guide for humans to live contentedly, because after all, whoever wants to live in a world of murder, theft, and rampant adultery? Brother Roger says: "It was not that parents or teachers ever used their authority to make them grow out of goodness towards a child", because "in a child's heart, which knows it is loved tenderly, which is also forgiven, it knows to be a source of peace throughout its life. "Whoever lives for God chooses to love...a decisive heart that loves can spread goodness around it without realizing it. A heart like this often wants to alleviate the suffering of those who are near and far." Understand the word "unconsciously". So the love we give is for everyone (unconditionally) and offered in any situation we find ourselves in. Carl Zahra SDC Candidate
Read MoreHoly Week is the pinnacle of the liturgical activity during which Christians relive the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout this week, there are many manifestations of popular religiosity, such as the processions of Good Friday. Peru is not exempt from this. Many traditions brought by the Spaniards continue with the Peruvians to this day. The most prominent place associated with Holy Week is the city of Ayacucho, located in the Andes, at an altitude of around 2,500 meters. Here, Holy Week is celebrated grandly. The tradition began at a time when the Spaniards ruled Peru. Then it blended with Andean customs. In 2022, this special week in Ayacucho was declared a national cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. The Holy Week program begins with the procession of the Crucified on Good Friday, the week before Easter. It continues with the Palm Sunday procession, during which people make small crosses from palm leaves. On Wednesday, the procession of the Nazarene departs from the Church of Santa Clara. Thursday involves the visit to the altars of repose in the form of a procession. On Good Friday morning, the procession with the images of Jesus linked to the column, the one of Christ nailed to the cross, Jesus dead, and the Madonna of Solitude (representing the same idea as the Sorrows) takes place. On Easter Sunday morning, the procession of the Risen Jesus is held, which leaves from the Cathedral. It is worth mentioning that Peruvians live their second Easter in October when the Lord of Miracles (Señor de los Milagros), a crucifix image painted on a fragile wall (like fresco), of African descent, which remained standing even after two strong earthquakes that hit the city of Lima. Throughout this month, the color purple dominates. This is part of the country's cultural identity. Alejandro Huapaya Infante SDC Candidate (Peru)
Read MoreThe episode of Jesus in the wilderness is presented to us on the first Sunday of Lent. In the wilderness, Jesus is alone in the eyes of men, and he meets the devil who tempts him to be comfortable, rich and to have power. One might ask: What about it? The Founder gives us a tentative answer in the Spiritual Gymnasium when he writes: "It is necessary that takes off all one’s clothes in order to wrestle: because if... he is dressed in even a small thing, the enemy will easily find a place to grab him from and knock him to the ground." The devil knows which path he should take... and that is why he puts before us things that at first glance seem beautiful and good. But how will I give of my energy to walk after Jesus if I find myself comfortable with my daily routine? How will I offer the time and use the wealth I have for others if my mind is on money and part-time work? How will I obey; how will I be humble and serve others if I am attached to my ideas and want things to be done the way I wish them to be done? Like Jesus in the wilderness we need to get rid of those things that don't leave us free to love. The Founder writes that it is necessary we only wear the armour of prayer. Let us be convinced that everything we have comes from God and in that way it becomes easier for us to do everything for his sake. Daniel Micallef SDC Member
Read MoreIn the celebration of the liturgy, we are participating in the Paschal mystery of Christ. Christ’s saving action was available to all, and therefore all worshippers are expected to participate actively in the liturgy. Saint Benedict of Nursia points out that “nothing may have priority over the liturgy.” This is because it is centred on the Holy Trinity, the Alpha and the Omega. The liturgy is not made or invented. Instead, it is something living that grew over millennia of faith. Its celebration differs around the world but its focus is still on the Holy Trinity. One of the Vatican II documents, the Sacrosanctum Concilium, strongly emphasized that the liturgy be closer to the people. That’s why liturgy in Africa is celebrated differently from Europe. For starters, mass in Africa takes a longer time than in Europe. The reason is that Africans are not in a rush and therefore, the homily takes much time. Also, the music in African mass makes it more lively. The music, including the Agnus Dei, Kyrie and Sanctus are all done in native languages. Different instruments are used and the sacred music in an African mass will leave you dancing, something quite rare in Europe. Also, masses, especially the special ones, have liturgical dancers, making the mass lovelier. In Kenya, the church is essentially a family of believers. Family in Kenyan culture is the foundation of everything. A group of families form a Small Christian Community (SCC) and the church is made up of several SCCs. Therefore, everyone in the family, from the youngest to the oldest, is part and parcel of the liturgy. This ensures that no one is left behind in God’s work. Stephen Oloo SDC Candidate Ruiru, Kenya
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