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I attended Mass on Saturday this week, since that is when the Contemporary Group (of which I am a member) sang. This was the first week I wrote in my "Mass Journal".This week's Gospel included John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave his only son. During the Homily, Father pointed out that before the Gospel Reading, Nicodemus came to Jesus in the darkness of night, but left in the light of Christ. Father summarized the reading with: He who lives in truth walks in light. The role of the Church is to act a mediator between us & Christ, so that we may have a personal encounter with Christ, and walk in the light.
He told us the story of Alexander Papaderous, a man who, as a young boy, was a prisoner in a Concentration Camp during WWII.Dr. Papaderous relayed his story to a group after being asked what is the meaning of life: He found a broken mirror from a German motorcycle, and tried unsuccessfully to put it back together.He kept the mirror and was enthralled with how he could use it to shed light into dark places. He smoothed the edges on rocks, and kept the mirror.
This man could have held on to the anger and hatred, but he chose to let it go. He used the mirror as inspiration for his life.
The bottom line of the Homily: Let go of hatred, resentment, and anger. Walk in the light.
To read the whole story of Alexander Papederous, click here.
I am a fragment of a mirror whose design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect life into the dark places of the world-into the black places in the hearts of men-and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.
--Alexandros Papaderous
What message did you get from your service this week? Leave me a comment and let me know! I'd love to hear from you!
Ephesians 5:6-14. 6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you are using a journal for the homilies!!! I wish I could. Miss C is still at a stage where she is pretty active. Someday...
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!!