The Journey 109: We Died So That You May Live

-
Read: John 9: 1-12
As the 100 the anniversary of the commemoration of the victims of the Titanic disaster is observed this week, it is interesting to note that three Catholic priests, including one hailed by Pope Saint Pius X as a martyr for the faith, are also being remembered this week. They were among the victims of the Titanic disaster, but all three of them placed themselves on the highest pedestal of Christian witness and service. The names of the three priests are the following– Father Juozas Montvila of Lithuania, Father Josef Peruschitz,  of Bavaria, and English Rector Father Thomas Byles. All these three priest are said to have declined lifeboats in order to offer prayer and spiritual support to travelers who perished in the shipwreck. Fr. Byles and Fr. Peruschitz had celebrated communion on the morning of Sunday, April 14, only hours before the supposedly “unsinkable” ship struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Just before the disaster, both the priests had preached sermons on humanity's need for the spiritual “lifeboat” offered by Jesus Christ amid the dangers of the world. Fr. Peruschitz was also described by eyewitnesses as declining a place on the lifeboats. His body, like those of the other two priests, was not recovered. A memorial at his onetime monastery in Bavaria reads: “May Joseph Peruschitz rest in peace, who on the ship Titanic piously sacrificed himself”. Here are three Jesuit priest ready to pay a price so that even though they go through pain and suffering in the form of seeing g their impeding death, countless people received life and may started viewing life in a different perspective.
This week we are meditating on the theme “Transformation in the life of sick and suffering” based on John 9:1-12.. How can each of us as believers bring hope and healing in the  life of sick and suffering, which will help them to experience transformation and also help them to view life in a different perspective?. One of the aspects that Jesus teaches the disciples while encountering the blind man and his suffering is that he has come to be “light to others”. Here is Jesus Christ who explains his ministry in terms of alleviation of the suffering of others. Thus in this context, the ministry and the way that He chooses is something that is a model for us also. When Jesus sees others who suffers he does not by pass them, on the contrary, he consciously decides to undergo suffering and pain for them and it is through this process of suffering which we term as “vicarious suffering” that  he brings healing to others. To be a healing to others or to bring light to others is not an easy way. For many of us involving in the life of sick and suffering, it does not cost us anything and hence we are not able to show them the true light. We become light to others only when we are also  able to be a part of their suffering. This implies that if we intend to bring healing in others, it also forces us to take upon ourselves the pain and suffering of others. In this process sometime we may end up losers, but the other person will experience healing and transformation. In a world where every person is concerned only about their needs and views, here is Jesus Christ teaching us to move beyond our needs, beyond the path of self satisfaction, to a level where we consciously take cross and the path of suffering so that others may experience abundant life in Jesus Christ.
Ready to die so that others may live?

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more