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POPE'S MISSION AS PETER'S SUCCESSOR: TO PROTECT CHURCH'S UNIVERSALITY

2008-08-31T14:41:00.011+08:00

POPE'S ROLE IS TO PROTECT CHURCH'S UNIVERSALITY

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 24, 2008 (Zenit.org)

Pope Benedict XVI says that his mission as the successor of St. Peter is ensuring that the Church never identifies itself with just one nation or culture.

The Pope affirmed this today after he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.

Referring to the Gospel reading for today's Mass, the Holy Father reflected on the mission of Peter, who received from Christ "the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

Like Peter, he said, "we too today desire to proclaim with deep conviction: Yes, Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God! We do this knowing that Christ is the true 'treasure' for which it is worth sacrificing everything; He is the friend who never abandons us, because He knows the most intimate longings of our heart."

"Jesus is the 'Son of the living God,' the promised Messiah, who has come to earth to offer salvation and to satisfy the thirst for life and love that inhabits every human being," the Pontiff added. "How much humanity would gain by welcoming this proclamation that brings joy and peace with it."

Pope Benedict XVI noted that in this dialogue with Peter, Christ mentions the Church for the first time," whose mission is the actuation of the great design of God to gather the whole of humanity into one family in Christ."

He added: "The mission of Peter, and of his successors, is precisely to serve this unity of the one Church of God made up of pagans and Jews; his indispensable ministry is to make sure that the Church never identifies herself with any particular nation or culture, but that she be the Church of all peoples, to make present among men -- who are marked by countless divisions and contrasts -- the peace of God, the unity of those who have become brothers and sisters in Christ: This is the unique mission of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter."

The Holy Father concluded by asking the faithful to pray for him as he shoulders such an "enormous responsibility," so that, "faithful to Christ, together we can announce and bear witness to His presence in our time."

CHOSEN TO BE A SOLID ROCK: PETER'S SUCCESSORS, THE POPE

2008-08-28T18:04:00.011+08:00

"TO YOU, I WILL GIVE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"

Simon Peter did nothing special to attract Jesus’ attention and deserve “preferential treatment.” He only put his fishing boat at the disposal of the Master, and accepted to carry out Jesus’ questionable instruction to cast the nets again when the sun was already high on the horizon – a most unlikely hour for a good catch. (See Lk 5:4f.) Yet Jesus loved him with a special love. There were reasons for that . . .

Simon was a simple, unschooled fisherman. He was well aware of all his limitations and moral failures. (See Lk 5:8.) But when the crucial moment came to express his opinion on Jesus, he showed a unique perceptiveness which outshone all others. He had no doubt: Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).

The learned and the clever had formed their opinion about the Christ from what they had studied or heard or seen with their material eyes. Their answers could only be conjectural. They were all inadequate. But Simon’s deep conviction – his faith – was deeply rooted in another kind of knowledge: Divine Revelation. It was God Himself who had implanted that certitude in him. Hence, Jesus’ reaction: “Blest are you, Simon! . . . No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Mt 16:17).

This fisherman from Bethsaida was the object of the Father’s special love. God knew him through and through: his weakness as well as his generosity and sincerity. God had plans for him. He who put the right answer on his lips, would still enlighten him, time and time again, whenever needed for the good of His Church.

Peter would outlive his Master only by thirty years, but the mission of being “rock” and steersman would outlive the fisherman from Galilee and would last till the end of time. It would live on in his successors, regardless of their personal worth, century after century. Peter’s role would be fulfilled by others, called by different given names, but always bearing the same root name of “Peter/Rock.”

On each of them, as on the fisherman from Bethsaida Jesus has been conferring His authority to bind and loose, and the strength and wisdom needed to steer the fragile but unsinkable boat of the Church. Ever assailed by hell’s fury, this Church is ever victorious over storms and reefs, as it is steered by the God-steadied hand of Peter’s successors.

As members of the Catholic Church – the Church established by Jesus Christ, and by Him entrusted to the visible stewardship of Peter and his successors – we should, first of all, feel grateful to the Lord for having given us a visible leader who guides us with the authority and power received from Christ. This is no small advantage, in the cacophony of so many discordant voices which create uncertainty and confusion, all that we have to do is to listen to the voice of Peter’s successor and act on it, knowing that the Lord constantly guides the Pope and preserves him from committing errors in matters of faith and morals.

In the light of this premise, it is sadly surprising to meet self-styled Catholics who dare to take positions in the doctrinal or moral fields that are not in agreement with the teaching of the Holy Father. A real Catholic has to be a loyal follower of the Supreme Shepherd assigned by Jesus Christ. This may not be so easy, sometimes. But when all is said and done, we have to remember that it was to Peter (and not to individual believers) that Jesus said, “To you (thee!) I will give the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:19)

Nor should we reduce our duties toward the Pope to loyalty and obedience. He is our spiritual Father, our “Gentle Christ on earth,” as St. Catherine of Sienna called him. As such, we must love him affectionately and sincerely. And we must, likewise, pray for him, as we pray for the people most dear to us. So heavy a burden has been placed on his shoulders. He needs all the help he can get, and prayer is the most effective help when offered with living faith and a loving heart.

PONTIFF MESSAGES: YOUTH CAN FIND ANSWERS IN CHRIST

2008-07-15T00:38:00.008+08:00

"IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN YOUNG, SEEK CHRIST."

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the message Benedict XVI wrote ahead of his trip to Australia to the people of the nation and the young pilgrims who will take part in World Youth Day, to be held in Sydney from July 15 to 20. The note was released today in Australia.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses." (Act 1:8)

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you! In a few days from now, I shall begin my Apostolic Visit to your country, in order to celebrate the Twenty-Third World Youth Day in Sydney. I very much look forward to the days that I shall spend with you, and especially to the opportunities for prayer and reflection with young people from all over the world.

First of all, I want to express my appreciation to all those who have offered so much of their time, their resources and their prayers in support of this celebration. The Australian Government and the Provincial Government of New South Wales, the organizers of all the events, and members of the business community who have provided sponsorship – all of you have willingly supported this event, and on behalf of the young people taking part in the World Youth Day, I thank you most sincerely. Many of the young people have made great sacrifices in order to undertake the journey to Australia, and I pray that they will be rewarded abundantly. The parishes, schools and host families have been most generous in welcoming these young visitors, and they too deserve our thanks and our appreciation.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses" (Act 1:8). This is the theme of the Twenty-Third World Youth Day. How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit! There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognized in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts. The Psalmist prays: "when you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth" (Ps 104:30). It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they too will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from our heavenly Father.

Many young people today lack hope. They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ever more urgently in a confusing world, and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers. They see poverty and injustice and they long to find solutions. They are challenged by the arguments of those who deny the existence of God and they wonder how to respond. They see great damage done to the natural environment through human greed and they struggle to find ways to live in greater harmony with nature and with one another.

Where can we look for answers? The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. There is a saying attributed to Saint Augustine: "If you wish to remain young, seek Christ". In him we find the answers that we are seeking, we find the goals that are truly worth living for, we find the strength to pursue the path that will bring about a better world. Our hearts find no rest until they rest in the Lord, as Saint Augustine says at the beginning of the Confessions, the famous account of his own youth. My prayer is that the hearts of the young people who gather in Sydney for the celebration of World Youth Day will truly find rest in the Lord, and that they will be filled with joy and fervour for spreading the Good News among their friends, their families, and all whom they meet.

Dear Australian friends, although I will only be able to spend a few days in your country, and I will not be able to travel outside Sydney, my heart reaches out to all of you, including those who are sick or in difficulties of any kind. On behalf of all the young people, I thank you again for your support of my mission and I ask you to continue praying for them especially. It remains only for me to renew my invitation to the young people from all over the world to join me in Australia, the great "southern land of the Holy Spirit". I look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you all.

From the Vatican, 4 July 2008

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

FOR THE WILL TO CARRY ON: I TURN TO YOU

2008-07-02T16:57:00.002+08:00

I TURN TO YOU
CHRISTINA AGUILERA

When I'm lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I'll find the light
To light my way.

When I'm scared,
And losing ground,
When my world is going crazy,
You can turn it all around.

And when I'm down,
You're there pushing me to the top.
You're always there,
Giving me all you've got.

For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
To keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.

For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
For everything that's true
I turn to you.

When I lose the will to win,
I just reach for you and
I can reach the sky again.

I can do anything
'Cause your love is so amazing,
'Cause your love inspires me.

And when I need a friend,
You're always on my side
Giving me faith
Taking me through the night

For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
To keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.

For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
For everything that's true
I turn to you.

For the arms to be my shelter
Through all the rain,
For truth that will never change,
For someone to lean on,

For a heart I can rely on through anything,
For the one who I can run to...

For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
To keep me safe and warm
I turn to you

For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
For everything that's true

For everything you do,
For everything that's true
I turn to You.

Lord, I turn to You.

Lyrics by Dianne Warren
Performed by Christina Aguilera

COME AS YOU ARE: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM

2008-05-27T01:03:00.007+08:00

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM
SARAH BRIGHTMAN
FROM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

I don't know how to love Him
What to do, how to move Him
I've been changed, yes really changed
In these past few days
When I've seen myself
I seem like someone else

I don't know how to take this
I don't see why He moves me
He's a man
He's just a man
And I've had so many
Men before
In very many ways
He's just one more

Should I bring Him down
Should I scream and shout
Should I speak of love
Let my feelings out?
I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?

Don't you think it's rather funny
I should be in this position
I'm the one who's always been
So calm so cool, no lover's fool
Running every show
He scares me so

I never thought I'd come to this
What's it all about?

Yet
If He said He loved me
I'd be lost
I'd be frightened
I couldn't cope
Just couldn't cope
I'd turn my head
I'd back away
I wouldn't want to know
He scares me so
I want Him so
I love Him so

Sinners though we are,
Return to God and repent of our sins
For the Divine Love of Jesus
With God our Loving Father
Is merciful and full of compassion
Who loves you without any condition
Just the way you are!

SECRET OF THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY

2008-03-26T23:11:00.020+08:00

Since 1940 (she was then aged 25), a privileged soul, named Maria Simma, has had regular visits from the souls in Purgatory to explain their sufferings and to ask for prayers and Masses to be released from Purgatory. Her local Bishop and parish priest told her she could make known these visitations as long as there were no theological errors.

One day, Sister Emmanuel Maillard, a French nun known for her Apostolate in favor of the Apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje, came across Maria Simma's book, called The Souls in Purgatory told Me... and read it with great interest: “This book struck me so much because it related very recent testimonies, and also explained very well the Church's doctrine on the subject... Straight away, I wrote to the editor who told me that Maria Simma is still alive. Quickly, I contacted her, and she agreed to meet me to answer my questions, which were many!”

This interview took place in 1997 at Maria's house in Sonntag, a very lovely village in the Vorarlberg Mountains in Austria. The following are excerpts from this interview of Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje with Maria Simma, taken from a booklet entitled: The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory, published by Queenship Publishing Co., P.O. Box 220, Goleta, CA 93116, USA (Phone 800-647-9882, Fax: 805-967-5843):

(Note: Maria Simma died on March 16, 2004, in Sonntag, at the age of 89.)

Maria, can you tell us how you were visited for the first time by a soul in Purgatory?

Yes, it was in 1940. One night, around 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, I heard someone coming into my bedroom... I saw a complete stranger. He walked back and forth slowly. I said to him severely: "How did you get in here? Go away!" But he continued to walk impatiently around the bedroom as if he hadn't heard. So I asked him again: "What are you doing?" But as he still didn't answer, I jumped out of bed and tried to grab him, but I grasped only air. There was nothing there. So I went back to bed, but again I heard him pacing back and forth.

I wondered how I could see this man, but I couldn't grab him. I rose again to hold onto him and to stop him from walking around; again, I grasped only emptiness. Puzzled, I went back to bed. He didn't come back, but I couldn't get back to sleep. The next day, after Mass, I went to see my spiritual director and told him everything. He told me that if this should happen again, I shouldn't ask, "Who are you?" but "What do you want from me?"

The following night, the man returned. I asked him: "What do you want from me?" He replied: "Have three Masses celebrated for me, and I will be delivered."

So I understood that it was a soul in Purgatory. My spiritual director confirmed this. He also advised me never to turn away the poor souls, but to accept with generosity whatever they asked of me.

And afterwards, the visits continued?

Yes. For several years, there were only three or four souls, above all in November. Afterwards, there were more.

What do these souls ask of you?

In most cases, they ask to have Masses celebrated and that one be present at these Masses. They ask to have the Rosary said and also that one make the Stations of the Cross.

Maria, do the souls in Purgatory have, nevertheless, joy and hope in the midst of their suffering?

Yes. No soul would want to come back from Purgatory to the earth. They have knowledge which is infinitely beyond ours. They just could not decide to return to the darkness of the earth.

Here we see the difference from the suffering that we know on earth. In Purgatory, even if the pain of the soul is just terrible, there is the certitude of living forever with God. It's an unshakable certitude. The joy is greater than the pain. There is nothing on earth which could make them want to live here again, where one is never sure of anything.

Maria, can you tell us now if it is God who sends a soul into Purgatory, or if the soul itself decides to go there?

It is the soul itself which wants to go to Purgatory, in order to be pure before going to Heaven.

Maria, at the moment of death, does one see God in full light or in an obscure manner?

In a manner still obscure, but, all the same, in such brightness that this is enough to cause great longing.

Maria, can you tell us what the role of Our Lady is with the souls in Purgatory?

She comes often to console them and to tell them they have done many good things. She encourages them.

Are there any days in particular on which She delivers them?

Above all, Christmas Day, All Saints Day, Good Friday, the Feast of the Assumption, and the Ascension of Jesus.

CHARITY COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS

Maria, why does one go to Purgatory? What are the sins which most lead to Purgatory?

Sins against charity, against the love of one's neighbor, hardness of heart, hostility, slandering, calumny — all these things.

Here, Maria gives us an example which really struck her which I would like to share with you. She had been asked to find out if a woman and a man were in Purgatory. To the great astonishment of those who had asked, the woman was already in Heaven and the man was in Purgatory. In fact, this woman had died while undergoing an abortion, whereas the man often went to church and apparently led a worthy, devout life.

So Maria searched for more information, thinking she'd been mistaken — but no, it was true. They had died at practically the same moment, but the woman had experienced deep repentance, and was very humble, whereas the man criticized everyone; he was always complaining and saying bad things about others. This is why his Purgatory lasted so long. And Maria concluded: "We mustn't judge on appearances."

Other sins against charity are all our rejections of certain people we do not like, our refusals to make peace, our refusals to forgive, and all the bitterness we store inside.

Maria also illustrated this point with another example which gave us food for thought. It's the story of a woman she knew very well. This lady died and was in Purgatory, in the most terrible Purgatory, with the most atrocious sufferings. And when she came to see Maria, she explained why.

She had had a female friend. Between them rose a great enmity, caused by herself. She had maintained this enmity for years and years, even though her friend had many times asked for peace, for reconciliation. But each time, she refused. When she fell gravely ill, she continued to close her heart, to refuse the reconciliation offered by her friend, right up to her deathbed.

Maria, please tell us: who are those who have the greatest chance of going straight to Heaven?

Those who have a good heart towards everyone. Love covers a multitude of sins.

What are the means which we can take on earth to avoid Purgatory and go straight to Heaven?

We must do a great deal for the souls in Purgatory, for they help us in their turn. We must have much humility. This is the greatest weapon against evil, against the Evil One. Humility drives evil away.

THE HOLY MASS

Maria, can you now tell us what are the most effective means to help deliver the souls in Purgatory?

The most efficient means is the Mass.

Why the Mass?

Because it is Christ who offers Himself out of love for us. It is the offering of Christ Himself to God, the most beautiful offering. The priest is God's representative, but it is God Himself who offers Himself and sacrifices Himself for us. The efficacy of the Mass for the deceased is even greater for those who attached great value to the Mass during their lives. If they attended Mass and prayed with all their hearts, if they went to Mass on weekdays — according to their time available — they drew great profit from Masses celebrated for them. Here, too, one harvests what one has sown.

A soul in Purgatory sees very clearly on the day of his funeral if we really pray for him, or if we have simply made an act of presence to show we were there. The poor souls say that tears are no good for them: only prayer! Often they complain that people go to a funeral without addressing a single prayer to God, while shedding many tears; this is useless!

EARTHLY SUFFERINGS

There is another means, very powerful, to help the poor souls: the offering of our sufferings, our penances, such as fasting, renunciations, etc., — and of course, involuntary suffering, like illness or mourning.

Maria, you have been invited many times to suffer for the poor souls, in order to deliver them. Can you tell us what you have experienced and undergone during these times?

The first time, a soul asked me if I wouldn't mind suffering for three hours in my body for her, and that afterwards I could resume working. I said to myself: "If it will all be over after three hours, I could accept it." During those three hours, I had the impression that it lasted three days, it was so painful. But at the end, I looked at my watch, and I saw that it had only lasted three hours. The soul told me that by accepting that suffering with love for three hours, I had saved her twenty years of Purgatory!

Yes, but why did you suffer for only three hours to avoid twenty years of Purgatory? What did your sufferings have that was worth more?

It is because suffering on earth does not have the same value. On earth, when we suffer, we can grow in love, we can gain merits, which is not the case with the sufferings in Purgatory. In Purgatory, the sufferings serve only to purify us from sin. On earth, we have all the graces. We have the freedom to choose.

All of this is so encouraging because it gives an extraordinary meaning to our sufferings. The suffering which is offered, voluntary or involuntary, even the smallest sacrifices we can make, suffering or sickness, mourning, disappointments... if we live them with patience, if we welcome them in humility, these sufferings can have an unheard-of power to help souls.

The best thing to do, Maria tells us, is to unite our sufferings to those of Jesus, by placing them in the hands of Mary. She is the one who knows best how to use them, since often we ourselves do not know the most urgent needs around us. All this, of course, Mary will give back to us at the hour of our death. You see, these sufferings offered will be our most precious treasures in the other world. We must remind each other of this and encourage each other when we suffer.

Let me add something important: the souls in Purgatory can no longer do anything for themselves; they are totally helpless. If the living do not pray for them; they are totally abandoned. Therefore, it is very important to realize the immense power, the incredible power that each one of us has in our hands to relieve these souls who suffer.

We wouldn't think twice about helping a child who has fallen in front of us from a tree, and who had broken his bones. Of course, we would do everything for him! So, in the same way, we should take great care of these souls who expect everything from us, attentive to the slightest offering, hopeful for the least of our prayers, to relieve them from their pain. And it might be the finest way to practice charity.

Maria, why can one no longer gain merits in Purgatory, when one can on earth?

Because at the moment of death, the time to earn merits is over. For as long as we are living on earth, we can repair the evil we have done. The souls in Purgatory envy us of this opportunity. Even the angels are jealous of us, for we have the possibility of growing for as long as we are on earth.

But often, the suffering in our lives leads us to rebellion, and we have great difficulty in accepting and living it. How can we live suffering so that it bears fruit?

Sufferings are the greatest proof of the love of God, and if we offer them well, they can win many souls.

But how can we welcome suffering as a gift, and not as a punishment (as we often do), as a chastisement?

We must give everything to Our Lady. She is the one who knows best who needs such and such an offering in order to be saved.

We should not always consider sufferings as a punishment. It can be accepted as expiation not only for ourselves, but above all for others. Christ was innocence itself, and He suffered the most for the expiation of our sins. Only in Heaven will we know all that we have obtained by suffering with patience in union with the sufferings of Christ.

Maria, do the souls in Purgatory rebel when faced with their suffering?

No! They want to purify themselves; they understand that it is necessary.

What is the role of contrition or repentance at the moment of death?

Contrition is very important. The sins are forgiven, in any case, but there remains the consequences of sins. If one wishes to receive a full indulgence at the moment of death — that means going straight to Heaven — the soul has to be free from all attachment.

Maria, I would like to ask you: at the moment of death, is there a time in which the soul still has the chance to turn towards God, even after a sinful life, before entering into eternity — a time, if you like, between apparent death and real death?

Yes, yes! The Lord gives several minutes to each one in order to regret his sins and to decide: I accept, or I do not accept to go and see God. Then we see a film of our lives.

I knew a man who believed in the Church's teachings, but not in eternal life. One day, he fell gravely ill and slid into a coma. He saw himself in a room with a board on which all his deeds were written, the good and the bad. Then the board disappeared as well as the walls of the room, and it was infinitely beautiful. Then he woke up from his coma, and decided to change his life.

Maria, does the devil have permission to attack us at the moment of death?

Yes, but man also has the grace to resist him, to push him away. So, if man does not want anything to do with him, the devil can do nothing.

Maria, what advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a saint here on earth?

Be very humble. We must not be occupied with ourselves. Pride is evil's greatest trap.

Maria, please tell us: can one ask the Lord to do one's Purgatory on earth, in order not to have to do it after death?

Yes. I knew a priest and a young woman who were both ill with tuberculosis in the hospital. The young woman said to the priest: "Let's ask the Lord to be able to suffer on earth as much as necessary in order to go straight to Heaven." The priest replied that he himself didn't dare to ask for this. Nearby was a religious sister who had overheard the whole conversation. The young woman died first, the priest died later, and he appeared to the sister, saying: "If only I had had the same trust as the young woman, I too would have gone straight to Heaven."

Maria, are there different degrees in Purgatory?

Yes, there is a great difference of degree of moral suffering. Each soul has a unique suffering, particular to it; there are many degrees.

Maria, are the sufferings in Purgatory more painful than the most painful sufferings on earth?

Yes, but in a symbolic way. It hurts more in the soul.

Maria, you know, many people today believe in reincarnation. What do the souls tell you concerning this subject?

The souls say that God gives only one life.

But some would say that just one life is not enough to know God and to have the time to be really converted, that it isn't fair. What would you reply to them?

All people have an interior Faith (Conscience); even if they do not practice, they recognize God implicitly. Someone who does not believe — that doesn't exist! Each soul has a conscience to recognize good and evil, a conscience given by God, an inner knowledge — in different degrees, of course, but each one knows how to discern good from evil. With this conscience, each soul can become blessed.

What happens to people who have committed suicide? Have you ever been visited by these people?

Up to now, I have never encountered the case of a suicide who was lost — this doesn't mean, of course, that that doesn't exist — but often, the souls tell me that the most guilty were those around them, when they were negligent or spread calumny.

At this moment, I asked Maria if the souls regretted having committed suicide. She answered yes. Often, suicide is due to illness. These souls do regret their act because, as they see things in the light of God, they understand instantly all the graces that were in store for them during the time remaining for them to live — and they do see this time which remained for them, sometimes months or years —– and they also see all the souls they could have helped by offering the rest of their lives to God. In the end, what hurts them most is to see the good that they could have done but didn't, because they shortened their lives. But when the cause is illness, the Lord takes this into account, of course.

Are there priests in Purgatory?

Yes, there are many. They didn't promote respect for the Eucharist. So Faith overall suffers. They are often in Purgatory for having neglected prayer — which has diminished their Faith. But there are also many who have gone straight to Heaven.

What would you say, then, to a priest who really wants to live according to the Heart of God?

I would advise him to pray much to the Holy Spirit — and to say his Rosary every day.

Have you been visited by souls who, on earth, practiced perversions? I am thinking, for example, about the sexual domain.

Yes, they are not lost, but they have much to suffer to be purified. For example: homosexuality. This truly comes from the Evil One.

What advice would you give, then, to all those people afflicted by homosexuality, with this tendency in them?

Pray a lot for the strength to turn away from it. They should above all pray to the Archangel Michael; he is the great fighter par excellence against the Evil One.

What are the attitudes of heart which can lead us to losing our soul for good, I mean going to Hell?

It is when the soul does not want to go towards God, when it actually says: "I do not want."

Jesus said that it was difficult for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you seen such cases?

Yes! But if they do good works, works of charity, if they practice love, they can get there, just like the poor.

What do you think of the practices of spiritism? For example: calling up the spirits of the departed, Ouija-boards, etc.?

It is not good. It is always evil. It is the devil who makes the table move.

What is the difference between what you are living with the souls of the departed, and the practices of spiritism?

We are not supposed to summon up the souls — I don't try to get them to come. In spiritism, people try to call them forth.

This distinction is quite clear, and we must take it very seriously. If people were only to believe one thing I have said, I would like it to be this: those who engage in spiritism (moving tables and other practices of that kind) think that they are summoning up the souls of the dead. In reality, if there is some response to their call, it is always and without exception Satan and his angels who are answering. People who practice spiritism (diviners, witches, etc.) are doing something very dangerous for themselves and for those who come to them for advice. They are up to their necks in lies. It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to call up the dead. As for me, I have never done so, l do not do so, and I never will do so. When something appears to me, God alone permits it. (End of interview.)

Related reference article on Maria Simma's Proposition on how not to go to Purgatory discusses the various options available to obtain a straight path to Heaven at the hour of one's death.

THE LOST FLOCK: A CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE

2008-03-18T00:41:00.018+08:00

The recurring political dilemma besetting our country has brought forth the existence of a harsh reality confronting every Filipino, the lack of or loss of a moral guidance from our conscience.

While it is true that we reap what we sow, history has shown that the seemingly unending misfortunes and quagmires we continue to suffer are a direct consequence of our apathy and indifference to the evil that pervades in our society.

The usual reaction from the common man on the street is one of individualistic indifference and total sarcasm to the point of helpless resignation. “Why should I care, even if I were to get involved, what good can it do anyway; they are all the same!”

This is a flawed misconception and a fatalistic attitude on the part of the beholder. It is in this kind of permissible environment where evil pervades and continues to thrive unabated. For evil to triumph, it is enough that good men do nothing.

Surely, we are not lacking in good men. Even if we did have a few good men to jumpstart the much needed moral righteous governance, we shouldn’t forget that Jesus Christ Himself even to the point of death, willingly fought with His own life to win the moral war waged for mankind against sin.

And as an effective weapon against evil, He left us with a very inspirational and equally powerful commandment; to love our neighbors as ourselves. How then do we relate this commandment to our earthly lives?

Logically, the harsh realities of our materialistic world necessitate the kind of survival-instinct, everyman for himself mentality promoting the philosophy of self-prioritization before others. “Ako or kami muna” (Me and my family first) or “Bahala ka na sa buhay mo” (You’re on your own) is the silent code by which we go about on our daily affairs.

This everyday principle of individualism, self-preservation as practiced daily becomes some sort of regular manthra that becomes deeply rooted in our consciousness and is engrained in the moral fiber of our character.

So what is wrong with this prevailing common attitude, one may ask? It is simply the loss or lack of an active conscience. Surely, we need not be reminded of the parameters of what actions consist of right or wrongs. The Ten Commandments are there to morally guide us on the Laws of God and His desire for each and everyone to live according to His standards.

The crisis of conscience that our nations suffers stem from the fact that we have become so jadedly indifferent to the rights of others in the selfish pursuit of our own material comforts at the expense of our neighbors.

To my mind, the selfish love of oneself to the exclusion of others is the greatest transgression one can commit against God. This blind love of oneself at the expense of others is the highest form of idolatry that is not only acceptable but also unforgivable to the Almighty God. For He has declared as the First Commandment, that He is the only true God and that He alone you shall worship.

This exclusive love of oneself over and above God will translate to a self-serving attitude that justifies the manipulation and exploitation of others to the selfish exclusion of the common good. But what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but in the process loses his very own soul?

Where is our conscience? Is it numb or is it just indifferent? Is it totally lost? The spiritual battle for our own soul’s salvation is not over yet till we say it’s over. Resignation or inaction before our earthly time is up is tantamount to defeat for which we shall be surely held accountable for on judgment day.

While in some sins, there can be no absolution without restitution; there is definitely no absolution without acknowledgment. How can one be pardoned for a sin where there is no prior admission of the fault? Acceptance of absolution first necessitates admission of guilt and a repentant remorse to restore the wrong that had been inflicted with the fervent resolution not to commit these faults again.

We Filipino Catholics can be likened to a lost flock suffering from a crisis of conscience. But it isn’t a hopeless situation. For if we sincerely repent of our greatest sin, the idolatrous love of ourselves to the exclusion of God and our neighbors and call upon the Lord, He will hear our cries of mercy and heal our land to restore the Philippines according to His design.

Though initially difficult to understand, we must re-orient our way of thinking that it is only by loving others first that we can truly love ourselves in the process. True Christian love is the transcending love of others before oneself. The cosmic karmic consequence of action and reaction simply translates this powerful commandment to be: "To do unto others as you wish others to do unto you."

The negative karma; manifests in the form of widespread corruption, poverty, undue suffering and continued exploitation we are now reaping are but just a consequential reaction of our conscious decision of inaction, our continued apathy and indifference to the injustices committed against us.

It is high time, we realize that we can be as good men, who can do something to stop the evil inflicted upon us. But we must first come to the difficult realization that indeed there is evil within and that we must not tolerate it any longer.

LENTEN REFLECTIONS FROM
THE CONSCIENCE EXAMINER
Manila, Philippines

COMPASSIONATE LOVE FOR THE PRODIGAL SON

2008-03-13T01:16:00.012+08:00

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON
[ Also known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son ]
Luke 15:11-32

[11] Then he said, "A man had two sons, [12] and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. [13] After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. [14] When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. [15] So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. [16] And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. [17] Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. [18] I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." [20] So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' [22] But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, [24] because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. [25] Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. [26] He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. [27] The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' [28] He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. [29] He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. [30] But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' [31] He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. [32] But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

INTRODUCTION

This third parable in the series of three parables (the first is the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the second is the Parable of the Lost Coin) repeats the principal point of the former two: that God gladly receives repentant sinners. However, the third parable stresses still other important points: The joy of the father in the first part of the parable contrasts with the grumbling of the elder brother in the second part. The love of the father was equal for both his sons. Thus the parable teaches that God wants all people to experience salvation and to enter the kingdom. "This parable is often called ‘The Prodigal Son,' but it is really about different reactions to the prodigal. The key reaction is that of the father, who is excited to receive his son back. Thus a better name for the parable, according to some commentators, is 'The Forgiving Father.' A sub-theme is the reaction of the older brother, so that one can subtitle the parable with the addendum: 'and the Begrudging Brother’.

VERSE BY VERSE ANALYSIS

THE YOUNGER SON (15:11-24)

Verses 11-12

The man in the story had two sons, a younger and an older one. Therefore the younger son's inheritance would normally have been one-third of his father's estate since the older son would have received a double portion or two-thirds (Deuteronomy 21:17). Since the father is still alive, the sons have no right to ask for their inheritance. They will inherit only after the death of the father. The younger son, in disregard not only of the law but also of the culture of their time, shamelessly demands from the father his share of the inheritance. It is like saying to the father, “I cannot wait for you to die. I want my share now.” The father's willingness to accommodate his younger son's request shows that he was gracious and generous.

In the parable, the younger son represents sinners and the father represents God. Here, the attitude of the younger son reveals the nature of sin as a selfish desire to live independently of God.

Verse 13

The younger son converted his share of the inheritance to cash and went abroad, where he squandered his money on debauchery and riotous living. He led a life of sin.

Verse 14

He spent all his money and became penniless. This is what usually happens to people who overindulge in vices of all sorts.

Verse 15

Feeding pigs was, of course, unclean work for a Jew and a job that any self-respecting Jew would only do out of total desperation (Leviticus 11:7). The fact that the prodigal son was reduced to tending pigs in order to survive --- he became defiled by coming into contact with the pigs --- shows that he had reached the extreme limit of poverty and degradation. He had sunk so low that no one showed him any compassion. The Pharisees and the scribes would have recognized this young man as representing the sinners and tax-collectors whom they despised.

Verse 16

The prodigal son wanted to eat even the feed for pigs, which is not fit for human consumption. But even this feed for pigs, nobody would give him.

Verse 17

"Coming to his senses" is an idiom that indicates repentance. He changed his mind about his attitude and decided to make a change in his behavior.

Verses 18 and 19

He decided to go back to his father to ask forgiveness. He thought out what to say: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." The young man meant that he viewed his actions as sin against his father and against God. The son's proposal to his father shows the genuineness of his humility and repentance. He was willing to serve his father as a hired worker since his father had a reputation for paying his servants generously.

Here, there is a division of opinion among commentators. Some believe that the repentance of the prodigal son was motivated by the fact that he was hungry and he needed to return to the father’s home so he could work and survive. In this view, there was yet no genuine repentance. The genuine repentance will come later when the father will receive the prodigal son with love and, only at that point, will the prodigal son come into genuine repentance.

Other commentators believe that the prodigal son’s confession that he has sinned against heaven and against his father, coupled with his willingness to receive the punishment for his sin of being demoted from a son to a hired worker is a manifestation of genuine repentance. I agree with this point of view, especially because the prodigal son represents sinners and tax-collectors and their coming to Christ in repentance paves the way for their salvation. The prodigal son’s coming back to the father to ask forgiveness, after a life of sin, dramatizes the coming to Christ of repentant sinners.

Verses 20, 21 and 22

While the prodigal son was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. The father ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him repeatedly. When the prodigal son left the father in the circumstances described in the parable, we can reasonably assume that the incident became the talk of the village. What the prodigal did was reprehensible and he must have earned the odium of the village folks. The father ran to meet the son and kissed him repeatedly so his son will not walk alone under the sarcasm of the village folks. The father also wanted the village folks to see that he was not angry with his son and that he wanted the village folks to welcome his son.

The father ordered the servants to put on his son a robe, a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. The robe is a symbol of honor. The ring signifies authority. The sandals signify that the prodigal son was being welcomed as a son and not as a servant. Servants went about barefooted.

Verse 23

The father ordered the servants to slaughter the fattened calf. A fattened calf is too big for just a family celebration. This means that the father wanted a village feast where he was going to invite the village folks to celebrate with him the return of his son who was lost and is now found.

Verse 24

The reason for the feast, according to the father, was “because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” This statement of the father means that the prodigal son was forgiven, was restored to the status of a son and was fully reconciled with the father.

THE OLDER BROTHER (15:25-32)

Verses 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30

The elder bother resented the feast and inflicted an insult on his father by refusing to participate in the feast hosted by his father and quarreling with him. The older son boasted of what he had done for his father, unlike his younger brother who took his inheritance and squandered it all in loose-living. Clearly he felt that the father's response should reflect justice rather than grace. He was counting on a reward commensurate with his work (cf. Matthew 20: 1-15). This hardly reflects a loving relationship. He hasn't stayed home because he loved his father, but because working in his fields was a way to get what he wanted. The parable pictures the older brother, symbolic of the Pharisees and scribes, as working hard for the father. The Jews as well as the Jewish religious leaders likewise enjoyed the privileged status of an older brother in the human family because God had chosen them for special blessing (Genesis 19:5-6). Similarly the Pharisees grumbled because God received sinners and welcomed them into His Kingdom.

Verses 31 and 32

The father, instead of castigating his elder son for his insolence, responded with a show of humble love. Leaving the guests already assembled, the father personally went out of the house to plead with his elder son. “My child” is an affectionate response of the insulted father. The words “you are always with me” and “all I have is yours” have a double purpose. First, they are meant to correct the purely legalistic approach of the elder son to ownership within the family; if the young man really loved his father and trusted him, he would know that he needed no permission to kill a goat or a fattened calf in order to feast with his friends, since true love between father and son necessarily meant mutual sharing of everything. Secondly, they are meant to reassure the elder son that he will not lose any of his hereditary rights with the return of his younger brother.

The father concludes by inviting the elder son to the feast to “celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” Here we see the invitation of Christ to the listeners --- the Pharisees and the scribes --- to join him in welcoming repentant sinners.

Thus the parable teaches that God loves sinners; that God searches for sinners; that God restores repentant sinners; and that God confers the privileges and blessings of sonship on those who repent and return to Him.

APPLICATIONS AND REFLECTIONS

First Reflection. Sin is always fundamentally a selfish desire for independence, a desire to live our life far from God, instead of receiving it from his hand. God appears as the one thwarting our fulfillment, as an enemy instead of a father. Hence, there is a yearning to leave him in order to go away and enjoy life far from his embarrassing presence, taking with us everything he has given us since our birth.

This description may seem harsh, but it is true. In theory, we know very well that God wants our true happiness, that his law is wholly directed towards securing our authentic fulfillment, that his love is unconditional and that the need for our obedience to him is for our own good. But all this fades into the background and loses all power of persuasion at the moment of temptation. For it is the specific effect of temptation to present to our eyes the forbidden fruit as a delicious and infinitely desirable object. And then in comparison, God's law seems very hard and arbitrary. Why does he forbid this pleasure, this relationship, and this behavior? To the prodigal son who was dreaming of the distant land and its enticements, the presence of his father could only have a dampening effect.

However, sin soon reveals itself for what it is. The marvelous distant land, at the beginning so full of delights and exhilarating experiences, proves little by little to be a desert. The mirage of the distant land fades away and is substituted by an awful emptiness, without love. For how indeed can there be love in the sphere of sin, when "love comes from God" (1 John 4:7) and when sin is the rejection of God? Actually every sin, because it is a choice in favor of the self, is always an act of selfishness, the very opposite of love. That is why, in the distant land where the prodigal son emigrated, there was only the desert of pleasure without love. And as the human heart is made to love, it ultimately finds in this land utter disenchantment. One has only to frequent certain "fun" spots to measure how much sadness there is in sin. This is the bitter lesson the prodigal son had to learn.

By forbidding us sin, God is merely seeking to spare us these bitter experiences. For "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23).

Second Reflection. The parable teaches us that God is a loving Father. If the loving fathers on earth know how to forgive, how much more so does God. He is the one who ceaselessly welcomes His prodigal sons without ever tiring from it. Now Jesus, the perfect revelation of the Father, is like him. His enemies accused him of being “the friend of tax-collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). They were right. Jesus was and still is the friend of sinners. This means that, if I am a sinner, Jesus is my friend.

Third Reflection. Once settled in the distant land, the prodigal began to live with bad company. His life became a string of clamorous revelries, parties and orgies. Everything was drowned in noise, agitation, frenzy. With money and wine being poured out so freely, he was surely never alone. One always finds friends in such circumstances.

Besides, what would he have done with a solitude he did not in the least desire? It might have reminded him of his father, and him he wanted to forget. There is therefore the need for constant noise, comings and goings. And there was also the fact that the "jet set" of the big city was so fascinating with its fashions and its peculiar chic! How many things he had to learn in order to have people forget he was at bottom only a country lad with no urban sophistication. His new friends told him how to go about it.

This is what the prodigal son has become: a pleasure-seeker and a noise-addict, a puppet in the hands of his so-called friends, a too generous young simpleton whom everyone takes advantage of shamelessly. From the free man he was in his father's house, he has become the slave of a social class, and soon a hired hand tending pigs.

Are we not sometimes like that, naively at the pursuit of pleasure? Don’t we sometimes have a yearning to being entertained, amused and feted? Solitude scares us. We think we are freeing ourselves in order to be ourselves, and we discover that we are less free than ever, at the mercy of the latest fad or fashion or slogan --- the so-called “in-thing.”

Man cannot be without a master. If he chooses himself as his master, he will be the slave of his whims and egotism. If he chooses God as his master, he will know "the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).

Fourth Reflection. We all know the type of persons who are wholly dedicated to their duty, but in a way which is peculiar to them. They are not content with executing their duty in the best way they can. They are "nailed" to their duty, "victims" of their duty. And the worst of it all is that they draw from this a secret satisfaction, self-complacency from the fact that in their own eyes they are haloed with the glory of martyrdom. In the last analysis, when they serve others "out of duty," it is themselves they serve; it is their statue they sculpt. They serve, but they do not love.

The elder son belonged to this category of people. As regards his father, he describes himself in terms of a servant: "Look how many years I've been serving you." He does not love his father, he serves him. If he really loved his father, he would be able to understand his joy at the return of the prodigal, and he would even rejoice with him from the bottom of his heart, without mental reservations or envy. But because he does not really love his father, he is unable to enter into the father's paternal feelings. He sees his brother as a renegade, instead of seeing him as the loved son of his father.

A Christian who professes to love God cannot close his heart to those whom the Father loves. Now the Father loves all his children. Just as "he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good" (Matthew 5:45), he makes his love rise on his children who have stayed at home and on his lost children.

And we cannot love him without at the same time; sharing the feelings of his heart for those who are afar. When our Father tells us, "all I have is yours," he is referring not only to all the things of this world, but also to all persons of this world. All of them whoever they may be, whatever their spiritual or moral state, are his and --- if we are prepared to accept the lesson of this parable in its fullest sense -- ours too.

Fifth Reflection. The elder son remonstrates against his younger brother. He at least has never left home unlike that good-for-nothing young brother of his. He at least stayed permanently at their father's side. Many of us are also inclined to think like that, when we compare ourselves with those we consider as being "lost." We at least have never left the Church, denied our faith, led a wanton life. We have always frequented the Sacraments, given to charities, became personally involved in support of worthy causes, and prayed regularly. For years we have always remained at the side of our Father.

All this is well and good. But that is not the point. The point is rather this: how have we done it, in what spirit do we do it still? If, while remaining a "good Christian," I am eyeing all the time the loose-living and the good-timers, envying their freedom, secretly aspiring to go through similar "experiences" but not daring to do so, then I am not any better than the elder son who dreams only of carousals far from his father. It is possible that I have exteriorly stayed with my Father, but my heart was as far from Him as was that of the elder son. In order to be with God, it is not enough to inhabit His House, one must inhabit His Heart.

Sixth Reflection. Whatever our state of estrangement from God, this can be true only from our side of the picture. If sometimes we are far from God because of our sin, he is never far from us. On his side of the picture, distance does not exist. To each one God can say, as the father said to the elder son: "My child, you're always with me." How indeed could He be far from us, since "in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Unceasingly He gives us his heart: "All I have is yours." This constant nearness of our Father, this supreme gift of love He gives to us (Romans 8: 37-39), is like a spring of water. It is up to us to drink from it. All the yearnings of our hearts for nearness to God draw us to it.

EDUARDO R. CENIZA, JR
Makati City, Philippines

INSTRUMENT OF DIVINE INSPIRATION

2007-04-12T22:35:00.005+08:00

The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart truly has a national treasure in its midst. Gracing the front of the Altar is an artistic lifelike painting of a 10-feet massive portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.

This special portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is unique in that it cannot be found anywhere else in the world except only at the Philippine National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

This warm portrait of a friendly and smiling Jesus joyfully handing out His Sacred Heart to mankind is a masterpiece impression by world class painter Father Armand Tangi, SSP.

Father Armand A. Tangi is an extremely gifted and talented Filipino artist-painter and an active priest from the religious group of Society of St. Paul. Always busy in his San Antonio Makati office, he is in charge of mini-media, responsible for dissemination of God's Word in non-traditional forms of media.

Despite his natural artistic gift, Father Armand is quick to dismiss the praises and compliments that many of his religious masterpiece paintings command. He acknowledges his gratefulness to God for this special talent which he gladly uses without hesitation to glorify Him in any way he can.

He reveals the power of intimate prayer as his secret ingredient to a successful painting. Whenever he sets out to do any religious painting, he makes it a point to always pray and seek enlightenment so that he may be guided in what God wants to be done for the finished work.

As soon as he starts brush painting, he senses his hands move spontaneously as they work on the canvass as if the master strokes flow from within. Uninterrupted and inspired, the final work becomes classic art pieces worthy of national treasure status coming from a humble painter yet unrecognized but worthy of national artist status.

KNOWN BY HIS FRUITS

If a tree can known by its fruits, then Fr. Armand can be intimately known by his past accomplishments. The most important artistic work he considers to have done so far are the interior artworks for the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

Though little is known by the parishioners that a Filipino painter priest who works within the San Antonio Village Community was the artist responsible for the Shrine's beautiful interiors, it is not by coincidence but by Divine Intervention that God had called him to do the difficult work of refining the interiors according to His Plan.

After celebrating the 7:00AM Mass at the Shrine, Bishop Crisostomo Yalung invited Fr. Armand to share breakfast with him. It was then that Bishop Yalung raised his greatest concern about the probable obstacle by which the renovation works of the Shrine may be delayed for some time beyond the expected date of completion.

Bishop Yalung lamented the fact that they had commissioned a Filipino-Spanish painter to do the mural of the Sacred Heart which was fronting the Altar. But since he had a busy and hectic schedule, the Spanish painter gave the minimum estimate of six months working time for all the interior artworks to be completed.

It was then that Bishop Yalung asked him if he could take on the job. Without any hesitation, Fr. Armand earnestly agreed by responding, "Yes Bishop I would do it for you and for the Sacred Heart because the Sacred Heart is my devotion."

As an ardent Sacred Heart devotee, Fr. Armand never lets a day pass without praying the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He testifies that the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Mother Mary has blessed him with so many answered prayers and that They have never failed him.

While in his tertiary year studying Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, he acknowledges the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in being instrumental in confirming his important decision to enter the seminary for priesthood. He also attributes the Blessed Mother Mary as the one responsible for bringing him closer to Her Son Jesus through this devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Father Armand's deep love for the Two Hearts was so great that he was responsible for the artistic concept and final design of the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary that is now immortalized in blue and white ceramic tiles by Mariwasa initiated in celebration of the Year of the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

This is now a popular tradition adopted among house builders in the Philippines to strategically place the Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary tiles in the front door of the house or gates evidently greeting house visitors and to bring blessings to the house residents.

WORKS OF DIVINE INSPIRATION

When Father Armand agreed to take on the painting artworks of the Shrine's interiors, he was confident that by God's grace and with His guidance, he may be able to finish the work in a shorter period of time which was crucial to the anticipated date of formal blessing.

True enough, it is by God's Divine Intervention and one would find it hard to believe that all the excellent masterpiece paintings done inside the Shrine were finished by him after one month.

Father Armand was entrusted to do for the Shrine, a total of eight paintings. Aside from the 10 feet mural of the Smiling Sacred Heart, lifelike paintings of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Vision of the Sacred Heart to St. Alacoque, and the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were completed by him within one month.

Father Armand would always stressed that while it was Divine Inspiration that was literally guiding his master strokes, he somehow manages to inject a little of his own impression of whatever he is painting on.

He explains in detail that art must reflect life and while so many impressions of Jesus' sufferings have already been portrayed in various artworks, it is but also fair that Jesus be portrayed in His moments of joy since life is a complete experience of both joy and suffering.

It is no wonder then, that his interpretation of a smiling Jesus holding out His Sacred Heart joyfully offering it to mankind is a magnificent masterpiece showcasing the humanity and divinity of Jesus as a happy and merciful Saviour. Truly, that unique human portrait of the Smiling Sacred Heart of Jesus is a Philippine national treasure that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

Father Armand can also be credited as the less known Filipino painter who popularized the unique portraits of The Laughing Christ and The Smiling Christ, which are now popular worldwide.

It surprises him to no end, that well meaning friends coming from trips abroad would come home and give him as a present this unique portrait of "The Laughing Jesus". Little do they know that it was he who first painted the original portrait which had eventually found its way overseas. Still, he would be that humble not to even admit to his friends of these portraits being his original work and idea.

1st Promise: I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2nd Promise: I will give peace to their families.

3rd Promise: I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

4th Promise: I will be their security and refuge during life, and above all, in death.

The artistic work of Father Armand wasn't limited only to the Shrine's interior paintings. The intricate colorful glass etchings of the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart that adorned the top most portion of the ceiling walls close to the roofing were also his artistic interpretation of each of the 12 Promises in collaborative effort with an expert color glass manufacturer.

5th Promise: I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

6th Promise: Sinners will find in My Heart the Source and Infinite Ocean of Mercy.

7th Promise: Tepid souls shall become more fervent.

8th Promise: Fervent souls shall quickly mount to higher perfection.

9th Promise: I will bless every place in which an Image of My Heart is exposed and honored.

10th Promise: I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11th Promise: Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my heart.

12th Promise: The all powerful Love of My Heart will grant to all those who receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving the Sacraments. My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

Another classic masterpiece of the Vision of the Sacred Heart is immortalized in the colorful glass mosaic sculpture hanging suspended in the center of Adoration Chapel of the National Shrine. As explained by Father Armand, "A closer look at it, reveals the many intricate and beautiful colors of the joys of life which emanate from loving the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the center of which also houses the Sacred Host of the Blessed Sacrament."

For all of the Shrine's elaborate interior artworks, Father Armand didn't charge professional labor fees and was only reimbursed for the appropriate material costs. He considers it a work of love to glorify God and is more than grateful to have been given the opportunity to do the work which was more than enough for him; since he is a devotee of the Sacred Heart. Likewise, I reassured him that it was not by coincidence but by the Divine Plan of God that clearly he was the destined one appointed to do the work instead of the Spanish painter.

From the Shrine's classic immortal paintings to the intricate colorful art glass design, Father Armand is truly an instrument for the Divine Interpretation of how Jesus wanted his Shrine to reflect the magnanimity of His Sacred Heart. For a virtual tour of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, visit this link.

EDWIN L. YAP
Makati City, Philippines

2007 All Rights Reserved.
No part or any portion of this article/photos may be reproduced
or reprinted without prior permission from the author.

INTERACTIVE FAITH THAT LIVES AND GIVES

2007-04-03T10:16:00.004+08:00

INTERACTIVE FAITH THAT LIVES AND GIVES

Welcome to the Interactive Faith Ministry! Today, April 3, 2007 marks our first day to go online with our vision: To experience a kind of interactive faith that not only lives inside us but reaches out to give and share this faith with you so that the works of God may be glorified in all.

The faith we refer to is an intimate and personal relationship we have of a God who truly loves us. When we believe and receive His Love, we then reciprocate, this is why we call it INTERACTIVE FAITH.

Our interactive faith is dynamic, reciprocal and relevant. Some would rather call it LIVING FAITH. Much more than that, it is interactive as it stirs us from the inside to reach out to others and share this faith so that God's goodness may be reciprocated from us, by us and with us.

Interactive Faith Ministry is not so much concerned on the ritualistic approach or traditional concerns of any particular religious denomination. Our main focus is on the practical and intimate aspect that our interactive faith demonstrates in our everyday simple life.

We do hope that you will be part of our interactive ministry, by sharing with us your personal experiences of your dynamic interactive faith. In sharing remember that no one is poor that he has nothing to give and that no one is so rich that he has nothing to receive.

Yours in Christ,

Interactive Faith Disciple
InteractiveFaithMinistry@gmail.com