Archive for August, 2025

Can Compassion Heal?

Let us begin with a prayer: Oh Lord God, let your ancient words dwell in us so that we may know your will and set people free. Amen.

The Power of Ancient Words

Today, I reflect on the timeless power of ancient scriptures. Just as the song we sung echoes, these are words that connect us through history, guiding us on how to live and be free. In today’s gospel, we find ourselves in the synagogue alongside Jesus, where His teachings resonate with profound clarity.

Confronting Oppression and Tradition

The story brings to light a woman crippled for 18 long years. She is bent so much that she can't look people in the eye, evoking images of conditions we still see today—afflictions of the bones. Back in ancient times, such ailments were often attributed to evil spirits.

In many traditional villages, it's often the elderly women who are mistakenly labeled as witches merely due to their age or physical ailments. People avoid them, refuse their kindness, all driven by fear. Yet, this woman braves societal labels and seeks healing in the synagogue—drawn to the promise of Jesus.

A Calling Beyond Order

Jesus notices her without needing her to shout or plead. He knows her struggle. A life oppressed, similar to our forefathers in Egypt, bound in chains making bricks without straw until God intervened through Moses. Jesus confronts the evil, saying, "You have been set free." It's an act that transcends tradition. Tradition should not bind us into slavery but evolve with us, freeing us to thrive.

Compassion Over Ritual

Imagine a situation at work where you feel ignored by someone meant to assist you. It mirrors the synagogue caretaker, obsessed with rules over love. Are we serving God’s law or merely following human customs devoid of compassion? The true essence of the Sabbath is love, not just ritual.

Addressing Urgent Human Needs

There are instances where adherence to tradition may hinder addressing urgent human needs. Let’s envision a scenario where someone in distress approaches you on a Sunday, seeking assistance. Can we delay their suffering? Or must we act with compassion, offering our help even if it interrupts our ritualistic observances? Jesus reminds us that service to others is the higher calling.

A Mother's Love

Reflect upon a child seeking a mother’s attention amidst her prayers. The mother is caught between spiritual discipline and attending to her child's needs. It’s a parallel of priorities — serving God through formal prayer or embodying His compassion by addressing a child’s immediate need. Thus, the lesson remains: love and humanity must guide us.

A Call to Compassionate Living

The Sabbath is a day to manifest God's righteousness and love. We are to carry this spirit into our everyday lives. The gospel tells us that even without asking, God knows our needs and helps those suffering silently. We are created in His image and called to exhibit His compassion and mercy. Even when people take advantage of our kindness, we lose nothing by offering love abundantly.

Making Every Day a Sabbath

The true essence of the Sabbath lies not just in rest but in the active pursuit of setting people free through love. As we embrace each day with compassion, we fulfill a divine purpose, helping others witness God’s good works. Let’s make each day sacred, ensuring that we offer freedom and compassion, touching lives to dwell in the wisdom of these ancient words.

In the spirit of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Are you cooked?

For good or ill, fire transforms. It cooks our food, lays waste our forests, smelts our metals. In this message, I share the lessons from the prophet Isaiah, the transformative power of fire as a metaphor for spiritual purification, and the importance of perseverance and faith amid challenges.

Let’s delve into this significant aspect of our spiritual journey.

The Triune God: A Source of Strength

The concept of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is central to our faith. Each plays a crucial role in our lives. The Father, as our Creator, provides an overarching care and love that envelops us in every aspect of our existence. The Son, Jesus, symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice and the path of redemption. Lastly, the Holy Spirit acts as our guide and comforter, constantly present in our daily challenges and joys.

In calling upon the Triune God, we unequivocally affirm our faith in divine intervention and leadership. This is a personal belief I hold strongly, and I am grateful for the profound peace it brings to me.

Living with Faith in God’s Protection

Acknowledging the protection that God offers isn’t passive acceptance. It’s an active choice to live in a way that aligns with God’s teachings and love. When we decide to live under His protection, we open ourselves to incredible transformation.

Faith doesn’t shield us from life’s challenges, but it equips us with the strength to overcome them. Our journey is made lighter knowing that we are not alone; God is our shepherd, leading us to paths of righteousness.

A Communal Expression: The Power of ‘Our Amen’

The closing phrase—our Amen—is more than a conclusion. It’s a commitment to God’s word and a communal declaration of faith. It’s a reminder that we are all connected through our shared belief and that our spiritual journey is one of unity. Together, we stand, strengthened by our collective faith and devotion to God’s path.

In closing, I encourage you to reflect on this message in your daily life. Remember that with God’s protection and guidance, we are never alone. Let us transcend our individual struggles through the strength found in our unity as believers, and let our lives mirror the grace and leadership of the divine Triune God.

Conclusion: Carrying the Message Forward

My prayer is that this message of divine guidance will serve as a beacon for you. As you navigate through the challenges and triumphs of your life, embrace the protection and leadership offered by God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let this assurance guide your actions and thoughts, leading you to a life of peace and fulfillment. Amen.

Emancipation Begins at Home

As we reflect on our place in the world and our responsibilities to one another, I am reminded of how peace begins with our smallest actions. Whether we're checking in on an elder who lives alone or welcoming a newcomer with dignity, our everyday choices shape the world we live in. True peace is forged not only on a grand scale but also in how we handle conflicts at home, in how we choose to parent our children, and in opting for forgiveness over retaliation. These paths may be difficult, but this is what we are called to do.

Embracing the New Self

In his letter to the Colossians, Saint Paul invites us to don a new self, defined by the righteousness of Christ. This represents our ultimate liberation—not merely from physical chains or restrictive systems but from everything within us that distorts our humanity, such as bitterness, prejudice, greed, and pride. We are called to break down the old barriers that divide us.

A New Kind of Family

We belong to a new family that transcends the labels of Greek or Jew, slave or free, and emerges as one people bearing the image of God. As we celebrate emancipation, we're reminded of a profound truth: God's love remains steadfast even when we falter in our faithfulness. True freedom goes beyond the physical—it's moral, spiritual, and deeply communal.

Living with Purpose

We are called to resist the idols of wealth, comfort, and ego. Instead, we should live differently, clothe ourselves with Christ, and strive to build a community that reflects these values. The work of emancipation is ongoing. It lives on in how we raise our children, honor our stories, challenge injustice, and practice hope through daily acts of mercy and bravery.

Building a Legacy

The legacy of emancipation continues in the bonds we create, the communities we nurture, and the unity we seek. We should avoid living like the man who hoarded for himself only to die without truly living. Instead, let us be rich toward God—rich in compassion, generosity, truth, service, memory, and vision. Let us build a world infused with the justice and mercy of God as we remember those who walked before us, guided not by fear or pride but by humility and the holy fire of God's liberating spirit.

May this spirit guide us today as we honor God and live in His freedom. Amen.