Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ/ Corpus Christi by Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 

WONDERING GURU

2 June 2024-Sunday- Year B

Exodus 24: 3-8; Hebrews 9: 11-15; Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

Key Eucharistic Miracles: Lanciano, Italy (8th Century, Circa 750)--The Miracle of Lanciano involved a priest who experienced doubts concerning Jesus’ actual presence in the Eucharist. Italy (1236)--The Miracle of Bolsena-Orvieto appeared to a priest who doubted the doctrine of transubstantiation — that the bread and wine turn into the literal body and blood of Christ during Communion.

Key Biblical Quotes on Eucharist:

Mat 26:17-30-“Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?...” The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:22-24  Luke 22:19-20-“Take it; this is My body.”  “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

John 6:35- “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 6:51-I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

John 6:53-57- “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.

Acts 2:46-47 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 20:7 -On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

1 Cor 10:16-22- Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

Key Eucharistic Events:

·      Wedding at Cana- the prefiguration.

·      Multiplication of bread at Capernaum-the promise

·      The Last Supper-the institution

·      Dinner with the disciples at Emmaus- the Celebration

 

Key Word: Transubstantiation

 

“When Jesus gave His body and blood He gave everything to us because He loves us”.

 

HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY 26th May 2024 by Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

                                         

                                                               WONDERING GURU

                                          Let's Thank the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Rom 8: 14-17; Mat 28: 16-20

Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Story: An American Jewish father was concerned about his son. He had not truly raised him to be grounded in the faith of Judaism. So, hoping to remedy this he sent his son to Israel so the boy could experience his heritage. A year later the young man returned home. He said, "Father, thank you for sending me to the land of our Fathers. It was wonderful and enlightening. However, I must confess that while in Israel I converted to Christianity." "Oh the father groaned what have I done?" So in the tradition of the patriarchs he went to his best friend and sought advice and solace. "It is amazing that you should come to me," stated his friend, "I too sent my son to Israel and he returned a Christian." So in the traditions of the Patriarchs they went to the Rabbi. "It is amazing that you should come to me," stated the Rabbi, "I too sent my son to Israel and he returned a Christian. What is happening to our sons? "Brothers, we must take this to the Lord," said the Rabbi. They fell to their knees and began to wail and pour out their hearts to the Almighty. As they prayed, the clouds above opened and a mighty voice stated, "Amazing that you should come to Me. I, too, sent My Son to Israel..." (Pause)

This is Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost, a day the Catholic Church historically has celebrated one of its central beliefs that of a triune God.  Coming from the Catholic faith tradition, we as Catholics express belief in the Trinity every time we pray for we begin all prayers with the Sign of the Cross, praying in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, the most common greeting used at the celebration of the Eucharist is from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor 13:13)

Even though the word “trinity” is not mentioned in the Bible there are many references in the bible pointing to Trinity. Jesus is talking to his disciples, and He refers to the Holy Spirit as well as to the Father. He says, “unless I go away, the Counselor [Comforter] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” Many times, people refer to the Holy Spirit as “it” but Jesus goes on to say, “when he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment...” Then he refers to the Father when he says...”I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer.” One of the better-known scriptures referring to the Trinity is Mark 1:10. “As Jesus was coming up out of the water [at his baptism], he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Again, you see evidence of all three persons in the Godhead.

There are several ways to visually explain it. One is with an egg--you have the egg shell, the egg yolk, and the egg white. They are three distinct parts--but they are all EGG. Another way to explain the Trinity is by referring to water--a glass of water, an ice cube, or steam--it is different but all WATER. It is said that St. Patrick explained the Trinity with a shamrock. The three parts of the shamrock represented the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--but at the same time they were all shamrock.

What do you mean when you say that you believe in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Do you believe in one God or three Gods? St Augustine of Hippo took nearly thirty years to write fifteen volumes called “About the Trinity” and was constantly updating and revising his work.   St. Augustine - so the story goes - was struggling to understand the doctrine of the Trinity. So he decided to go for a walk on the beach, where he saw a little boy digging a hole in the sand with a seashell. The boy then ran off to the ocean, filling the shell, and rushed back to pour it into the hole he had made. “What are you doing, my little man,” St. Augustine asked. “I’m trying to put the ocean into this hole”, the boy replied. Augustine suddenly realized that this was precisely what he was trying to do…to fit the great mysteries of God into his mind. But I do think we need to have some understanding of the nature of the Trinity.

Today on Trinity Sunday let’s thank God for the Father, thank God for the Son and Thank God for the Holy Spirit.

Yes, God is the Father, but I thank Him for being the Father. He is the everlasting God, whom Abraham and David of old worshipped. He is the Lord Jehovah, who helped His people. He is unchangeable, enduring, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is the Most High, supreme God, the ruler of Heaven and earth.  He is a big God. He is my provider.  He is my sustainer. He is my shepherd. He is my comfort. He is my hope. He is my healer. He is my peace. He is my constant companion. He is my Master. He is the Rock of Ages.  He is the great I am. He is the judge of all the earth. He is my father which means He constantly takes care of me. I am His child. He constantly watches over me.

Thank God for Jesus! For He died on the cross for my sins and paid the price for my redemption. Isaiah said He is “wonderful, counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Paul said He is, “the exalted one,” Peter said He is, “the Chief Shepherd” Matthew said He is, “the anointed one” James said He is, “the Lord of Glory” God said, “This is my beloved Son” The Angel said, “ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Thank God for Jesus!

The Word of God says He is Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Our Advocate, He is blessed and holy, He is the desire of all nations, He is the door, He is called Emmanuel, He is the first and the last, Horn of our salvation, The great I am He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords, He is our Mediator, He is the Messiah, The Morning Star, Our Passover, Our Savior, Our Shepherd. He is the Son of God, He is the Sun of Righteousness, Bright and Morning Star, Chief Corner Stone, The Living Stone, He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the true vine, He is the Living water, Our Physician, Prince of life and Prince of Peace, He is the propitiation for our sins, The mediator of a better covenant, Our redeemer, refuge and resurrection. He is our coming King who shall appear in the clouds of glory and take us home to be with Him forever and ever! Thank God for Jesus! He’s the well-spring of wisdom, He’s the doorway of deliverance, He’s the pathway of peace, He’s the roadway of righteousness, He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the prince of princes, He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough.

Thirdly, Thank God for the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit gives me comfort. The Holy Spirit gives me power. The Holy Spirit testifies and glorifies Jesus Christ. He guides us into all truth. He convicts us of our sins.  And what is so wonderful is, He lives inside every Child of God!  Thank God for the Holy Spirit! He teaches us spiritual things.  Helps us search the deep things of God. He empowers us in our witnessing. He gives us assurance, and edification.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit! He helps us to become over-comers. He helps us bear good fruit. He gives us joy, peace, liberty, hope and life!

Like St. Augustine let’s not struggle to understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity rather let us be grateful and thank each person of the Holy Trinity. Let’s thank God for the Father, thank God for the Son and Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

 

The 3 Purposes of Pentecost by Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 

WONDERING GURU

19 May 2024

Acts 2: 1-11;1 Cor 12: 3b-7, 12-13 or (Gal 5: 16-25)

Jn 20: 19-23 or (Jn 15: 26-27; 16: 12-15)

We celebrate the birth of Jesus & most of the world pauses to celebrate Christmas with us. We celebrate His resurrection and recognize Easter as a very special day on the calendar. But unfortunately, Pentecost does not receive the worldwide fame and importance. Yet, this day is important to us, because Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, & God has given us the wonderful opportunity of being a part of it. Pentecost was a once in history event, when the Church was born. So let me share with you three things that we learn from "Pentecost."

 

I. THE CHURCH IS THE WORK OF GOD- It’s God who started the Church not any man. God brought the Church into existence & it is His Church, not ours. We are just a part of it. It is essential for us to realize that.

II. THE CHURCH WAS BORN TO COMMUNICATE THE LOVE OF GOD-The mission of the Church is to communicate the love of God to a lost & dying world. The theme of Pentecost actually is communication. God gave the gift of tongues to the apostles for one purpose, & that was for the purpose of communication.  They had a problem because of different languages and cultures. So language barrier was the main issue.  Because God wanted each of them to hear the message in his/her own language, He performed a miracle, & gave the apostles the gift of tongues so they could communicate His message to everyone there.  The mission of the Church is to communicate the message. Today that gift of speaking in tongues is put into black and white. And therefore today, we have translated the Bible into hundreds of different languages & dialects.

III. THE CHURCH WAS BORN TO CREATE UNIQUE FELLOWSHIP AMONG BELIEVERS-On the Day of Pentecost there are 3,000 new converts, & they suddenly share something that has never been shared before. All of them know they are guilty - by their sins they are guilty of crucifying Christ. But now they have repented of their sins. They've been baptized. They've been redeemed, & they've been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, they are part of a new society, new fellowship.  They've come out of a world of slavery & superstition, of selfishness & greed.  Now they're part of a new fellowship where they can share things about themselves with others whom they know will listen & be kind & compassionate towards them.

IV THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD- How does the feast of Pentecost affect the church in the modern world? Let me share a story.  "A young man was apprenticed to a master artist who produced the most beautiful stained glass windows anywhere. The apprentice could not approach the master’s genius so he borrowed his master’s tools, thinking that was the answer. After several weeks, the young man said to his teacher, ’I’m not doing any better with your tools than I did with mine.’ The teacher replied,’ So, it’s not the tools of the master you need; it’s the spirit of the master you need.’

The Spirit of our master Jesus Christ has been with the Church since the first Pentecost, so that it could enter our spirit and enable us to be the kind of people God intended for us to be. Each day we need to renew ourselves and allow God’s Holy Spirit to replace our pride full spirit so that we can bear His cross in this world. The Holy Spirit works constantly with our spirit so that our lives may be transformed, be made new and rewarding.

 

 

 

Ascension- Good Bye! by Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 

WONDERING GURU

May 12 2024

7^th Sunday of Easter, Year B

(Acts 1:15-17, 20A, 20C-26; 1 John 4:11-16; John 17:11B-19)

Introduction: The Ascension is largely overshadowed by the Incarnation and Resurrection. Christmas and Easter are great celebrations, but Ascension Day goes by without a trace, barely recognized—yet it is no minor event in the life of Jesus and His church. The Ascension means there can be no neutrality about Jesus. We cannot simply pick and choose from His teachings. We can’t treat him like any other religious leader or a political figure. The Ascension is the final proof that we are dealing with more than a man. All the Bible says about who Jesus is makes little sense without the Ascension. Through His ascent we know we are dealing with God.

It’s been said, Our Lord’s ascension is a climactic, glorious event—it is His exaltation to the right hand of the Father. Paul writes, “He who descended is the very One who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe” (Eph 4:10). Jesus humbly came to this earth; He descended to a sin-ruined planet, and went even to the gates of hell for us. Now He is seen returning to glory. It’s important that this event is described in the Bible. Luke tells us it took place “before their very eyes.” He wants us to know that something tangible, something real took place. Just as with the Resurrection, there were eyewitnesses to this historical event. It was a unique and spectacular moment! They saw the cloud take their Master to His heavenly home; this cloud was an OT image of the presence and glory of God, first seen in the wilderness wanderings of the Jews enroute to the Promised Land.

Easter Joy: On the day Jesus ascended to Heaven, 40 days after His Resurrection, His followers stood on the Mount of Olives grief-stricken. Their Easter-joy seemed short-lived. It took two angels to reassure them that this was part of the eternal Plan. Luke’s Gospel says that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (24:52). The Ascension proved to be a blessing as it prepared for the coming of Jesus’ spiritual presence, no longer confined to the limitations of time and of a physical body. St Augustine reflects this benefit to us in a prayer: “You ascended from before our eyes, and we turned back grieving, only to find You in our hearts.” Jesus is present in us, wherever we go. He is our constant Companion. Author Philip Yancy suggests that, “ever since the Ascension, Jesus has sought other bodies in which to begin again the life He lived on earth…the Ascension represents my greatest struggle of faith—not whether it happened but why…by ascending, Jesus took the risk of being forgotten.” Like the disciples, we really don’t want Jesus to go. We feel detached from Him. We’re looking up into the blank sky, wishing Jesus were closer to us. Even though we may not feel His presence, we are assured that He will never leave or forsake us!

Why did Jesus say Good Bye to his apostles?

•So that He could keep His promise of sending the Holy Spirit. Jn. 16:7—It is necessary for you that I go away, for if I don’t the Comforter won’t come!

•So that He might serve as our High Priest. Rev. 1:13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.    These are the garments of the high priest, in Exodus 28.

What has Jesus been doing since He left this earth? Resting?

•Intercession-(Heb. 7:25) We pray to the ascended Lord, “Thy will be done; Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus hears our prayers and intercedes for us; He responds to our prayers because we are His people. He is our Mediator, Advocate and great High Priest. No angel could adequately represent us. Calvin writes, “Jesus has entered heaven in our flesh, as if in our name.” So, in a sense, as Paul writes, we are seated with God “in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).

•Intervention-Our Lord’s ascension assures us that we too will be taken up to Heaven. He’s preparing a place for us. Many people fear or obsess over death, yet for believers, death is no longer an issue. Our eternal home is a settled promise. And Jesus is busy working to bring about His Kingdom rule on earth, in preparation for His return: “Jesus, who has been taken up from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven” (Acts 1:11). One day He’ll call us to cross over to Glory and join Him in His victory.  In the meantime, we’re waiting, and often experiencing pain and hardship. When we focus on our losses, like the disciples on the day of Ascension, we need to take a step back and look beyond our personal experiences, and seek what God wants us to have—HOPE. Hope invites us to confess and to repent of our sins. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess…” That is not talking about salvation but rather the daily confession, repentance, and forgiveness needed in the life of a believer.

“Easter is incomplete, Pentecost is impeded, and the Second Coming is impossible without the Ascension” (Robert Ramsey).

 

 

ABIDE IN MY LOVE-Live for me. Don’t die for me by Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 WONDERING GURU

6th Sunday of Easter 2024

                                     (Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4: 7-10; John 15: 9-17)

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

In this life we come across people that betray us, back stab us, hate us, or simply just ignore us. We have seen friends with benefits. We have seen fake friends, opportunists’ friends, indifferent friends.  All claim to love you and to be with you infront of your face but behind your back they show their real colours. Sometimes we trust our friends and so we confide personal things in them, but sometimes these so-called ‘trusted’ friends leak our personal information to others or use the same information against us.

There are many such friends in the church, but there are also unique friends that will stick closer than a brother. A friend that will never turn His back on you or back stab you. There will always be a friend that will not throw your mistakes in your face. He will never leave you when all you want to do is cry and cry with someone on your side or literally lean on his shoulder. He will be there 24x7, willing just “to be there”. Such a friend says, “Well, my bro, whenever you need anything, or anyone to talk to, or just someone to be on the phone and not even say a word, or just someone “to be there”, call me.” That is the type of friendship we should all give and have.

Many times, we are so caught up in our own world, in our so occupied lives, that if we receive a phone call, an unexpected visit, or a message, we tend to just blow it off, not knowing that that person is indeed crying for help from his or her heart, or perhaps experiencing suicidal thoughts.  You are not forced to be a friend, but we are to be examples of Christ. Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Love at all times and you will be loved. What you sow is what you reap.

What does this mean to us? What does it mean to “lay down your life” as it is written here in today’s gospel? Often times, we look at this verse of “laying down your life” as “ending your life” The Greek does paint a different picture. It most probably refers to: “Commit your life”, “Give your life”, “Ordain your life”, “Purpose your life”.  The only translation that could be interpreted as ending your life, would be “give your life,” and I submit to you that it means precisely what it says: “give your life,” not “give your death”.

In verse 13, where it talks about laying down your life, the keyword is LIFE. Jesus lived for us, and yes, He died for us as well- but the key here is that He lived for us. He lived for His Father, and He lived the life that His Father wanted Him to. He was obedient to His Father’s will. He truly gave His life. The apostles clearly gave their lives, not in death, but in life. They were obedient to the Father, they were obedient to the Son. They gave their lives to Jesus.

If we have given our life to Him, if we have “laid down our life” to Him, then we owe him our life, not just a few hours a week.  Conversion to Christianity is a change in lifestyle. It’s a lifestyle, not just a religion. Paul paints a picture to the converts from paganism, the Gentiles in Galatia the lifestyle change that should be brought about by Christianity: He does not in any of these verses talk about this being a once-a-week thing. He talks about completely “putting off” the old man.  This is a lifestyle change, not a once a week change. We understand that it may be difficult, if being Christian was incredibly easy, everyone would be one. It’s not, though. It’s a lifestyle that requires us to “lay down our life,” or “Commit our life,” or “Purpose our life.” We give our life, as Jesus gave his life. Not in death, but in life.

As we conclude, “laying down your life” is not ending it, it is giving your life, or committing your life, or ordaining your life but rooted in Christ for He is the vine and we are the branches. We give our life to another, we give it to our friend and savior, Jesus, who gave us His. We give our life to the Father, to be obedient to His Will, to follow the example Jesus left us. Following that example requires us to do it completely. Just as Jesus did. He took His commitment with Him to the cross, as did many of His disciples. But this is possible only when we abide in His love. Amen

 

“Your life may be the only Bible some people will ever see”.