Ezekiel 12:1-12; Matthew 18:21—19:1
Today’s readings challenge us by presenting images of God that might at first look confusing. Each image, which seems to contradict the other, is given to us from the Scriptures and must be given careful thought. Much about the Christian faith is profoundly paradoxical – it appears contradictory when in fact the seemingly opposite poles are in fact mutually informing and supportive. Today’s readings give us an opportunity to experience this.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1675
A Gifted Relationship
In 1950, five years after the end of the carnage of the Second World War which had ruptured the peace of the world and during which millions of human beings made in the image and likeness of God had been consigned to oblivion and literally gone up in smoke Pope Pius XII promulgated the doctrine of the Assumption; a teaching about the value of an individual human life to the rest of humanity. He declared in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus that ‘the Immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, on completing the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.’ The human being who most reflected the splendour of her Son’s humanity and his obedient response to the Father’s will did not undergo separation from him. She who was at his side on the Way of the Cross and who accepted the role of Mother of the Church at the foot of the cross was called to his side in heavenly glory.
Karibu (welcome in Swahiili) to our General Superior, who at the end of July surprised the members of the International Novitiate in Tanzania with a visit. What a joy to meet Mother again! The group of Sisters welcomed Sr. Izabela at Kilimanjaro Airport and the Novices, with songs and roses, dancing cheerfully came out to meet her at the gate of the Novitiate House. The Novice Mistress, Sr. Marie Claire Mukeshimana, lead all to the chapel and offered a prayer of praise to the Lord, for a good trip of Sister, thanking for her commitment to our Congregation, asking blessing for these days of our being together.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr (1894-1941)
Raymond Kolbe was born on the 8th of January 1894 in Zdunska Wola, which at that time was occupied by Russia. The Kolbe home was poor but full of love. The parents, hardworking and religious, educated their three sons with rectitude.
Mt 17:22-27
Today’s gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples that he will be betrayed and killed before he is raised. We are invited into the life of being a disciple, following Jesus, living his message even in the difficulties, and receiving new life.
Into the middle of Jesus’ message comes a question about taxes from Rome. It’s a part of real life for Jesus just as it is for us. But rather than get on the tax, Jesus quickly dispenses with it and provides the coin to pay the tax so he can get back to his work. Yes, it’s important and part of real life, but it’s not the focus.
1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51
Sometimes we find ourselves at the end of our strength and feel that we cannot go on. Sometimes, instead of asking the Lord for strength to go on, we ask the Lord to end our lives. This is not any attempt at suicide, just a plea to the Lord to end the situation that we are experiencing because it seems impossible. Maybe it is impossible from a human point of view.
Our identity as Pallottines is Missionary. To train missionaries to find resources for their many development projects a Seminar on Mission Animation and Fundraising was organised by the General Secretariat for the Missions of the Society, in collaboration with the two Congregations of the Pallottine Sisters. It was held at the Pallottine Fathers’ House in Via Ferari, Rome, from July 2nd to 6th 2018.
In the context of Family Apostolate, the Pallottine Fathers organized a Workshop for the members of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate in Via Ferrari, Rome from 19 to 22 July 2018. There were about 36 members from different Continents: America, Asia, Europe and Africa. From our Congregation four Sisters participated, namely: Sr. Nancy Logue (England), Sr. Catherine Nikuze (France), Sr. Beata Witerska (Poland) and Sr. Liberata Niyongira (Generalate).
The Almighty God has done great things for us, Holy be His name.
First Profession
- India
The novitiate community at Deva Matha Convent, Assagao, Goa rejoices on this day as God has blessed the three novices Sr. Binita Tirkey, Sr.Sushmita Toppo and Sr. Vidya Toppo to make their First Profession.
Fr. Sahaya Anand, SAC was the main celebrant. The three concelebrants were the relatives of Sr. Binita and Sr. Sushmita who had come from London and Odisha. The Provincial Superior, Sr. Helen Lourdusamy received their vows. The melodious choir by our neighbours, sisters and novices enabled the participants to pray meaningfully.
Habakkuk 1:12-2:4; Matthew 17:14-20
Because of Christ, I consider everything as a loss so that I may gain Christ and be found in him. The Church commemorates today St. Clare of Assisi, a close friend and follower of St. Francis of Assisi. To the general public, St. Clare doesn’t project a popular face as St. Francis of Assisi, her compatriot and friend, does. This might be because St. Clare, as a woman religious, was not allowed to lead a life that would allow her to be in the open so as to interact with people as St. Francis did. But this doesn’t mean that she did not become famous herself.
Pope Francis Twitter Feed
The Holy See
Jubilee of the Canonisation
U.A.C.
Meditations
* Our Way of Life *
"Our diverse talents and abilities, our differences in culture, nationality and age are assets for the richness of the community. Although we may be engaged in a variety of ministries, we all share the common call to apostolic discipleship in a community of the Catholic Apostolate of St. Vincent Pallotti."(OWL, 91)
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"Christ, the Apostle of the Eternal Father, and his mission are central to our personal and community life, giving meaning and direction to our thinking, our spirituality, our prayer, action and suffering." (OWL, 19)
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"As a community of disciples we are gathered around Jesus, the Apostle of the Eternal Father. Like the first disciples, we want to be with Jesus, be sent out by him and return to him to evaluate our service in the light of his presence." (OWL, 88)
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"As Pallottines, it is our special charism to foster growth in faith and love among the laity, to awaken them to awareness of their apostolic call, and to cooperate with them in furthering the apostolic mission." (OWL, 21)
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"Our relationships with one another should be marked by a love that bears all, believes all and hopes for all, a love that is neither conceited nor jealous, which hurts no one, nor is embittered or resentful. It is never discouraged but remains patient and kind. It rejoices with others and shares their suffering. It is with this kind of love that we should help and support one another." (OWL, 90)
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