Epiphany: a celebration of a change of hearts

Epiphany is a celebration of change, change where it really ought to happen. The three Kings or Wise man stayed all the time with the star of Christ. It changed their lives so they could find Jesus.

We live in a world where so many people, instead of following their faith, they run the other way, looking for something different, something new and unique. Had the three kings followed a different star every night? No, because otherwise they would never be able to find Christ. Upon arrival where Jesus was, they brought with them their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gold, to signify their loyalty and fidelity to Christ, the prince of peace; Frankincense to symbolize our prayers and worship to the Lord; and, the myrrh to represent the gift of our sufferings, our forgiveness and sorrow when we share in the passion of Jesus.

However, what if our offerings are empty because we haven’t been very faithful, or prayerful, or patient in suffering and not changing our hearts? Then we still have Jesus Christ to offer as our gift to the Father. In other words, though we might be poor in good works because of our weaknesses, Jesus Christ will enrich us with Himself in the EUCHARIST. Though we may be destitute as far as devotion is concerned, Jesus Christ will supply what we lack.

We cannot be discouraged to approach our Heavenly Father. He wants a change of hearts- our hearts to love him and to love the persons around us. He is interested in our prayers and in our problems. The Father does not care where or how far we came from. He wants to send us on our daily journey like the three Kings – overjoyed at having found his Son, Jesus Christ. Christ who ultimately is and who will be our Savior all the days of our lives.

Happy Three Kings to everyone!

Missionary Reflection on Advent

Advent is the season which brings hope into our hearts. As Pauline missionaries, we look forward with deeper trust and greater expectations as we prepare to celebrate once again God becoming human among us, that is, the birth of Jesus. Surely the fact that God has chosen to be so intimately connected with us assures us that we and all that God has created are precious. Indeed this gives us reason for hopefulness.

Our hope does not however leave us passively waiting for God to act, to make everything right. God has chosen by being so closely connected with us, to give us a role and responsibility as co-creators, as active participants in the unfolding life of our world, in the missionary place where He has placed each of us.

Advent is a time for awe, wonder and gratitude for what God invites us to and anticipation of all that is possible. It is a time to ponder our part in this divine and human relationship, to consider how we as Pauline missionaries, can be active in bringing about all that God offers and for which we live in hope. 

To everyone, may you all have fruitful days during this Advent season towards the joyful birth of Jesus!

Mary: our model of hope in this season of Advent

Advent focuses on the coming of the Lord, and this is at the heart of our faith.  Through the incarnation, God has revealed Himself to us.  He has come down to us, in our sinfulness, to save us, and there is salvation in no one and nothing else. 

By the virtue of hope, we trust that God will provide us with whatever means are necessary for our sanctification– the graces, trials and encouragement needed for our personal growth in holiness.  Whatever state of life we are in, whatever situation we find ourselves in, Jesus is leading us to Himself.  So, our Advent hope does not demand anything extraordinary in order to grow.  We only have to turn to Him, in the present moment, for guidance and strength.

Advent is very pertinent to the times in which we live, for we are in an age that trusts in itself and its own abilities.  In many ways, we have lost our hunger for God, and feed off of the world instead.  But the hope of Advent is that Jesus has come and will come again.  In this liturgical season, we invite Him into our hearts yet again, to renew our trust and confidence in Him as Savior. 

For us Pauline missionaries, Mary is our model of hope; her response to the Archangel Gabriel was to “Let it be done to me according to your word.”  She trusted in the Lord, offering herself totally to God and His plan for her life.  She shows us how to renew our hope in God by submitting to His plan in our lives and trusting in His word that His life may be born anew in us.  Mother Mary, pray for us!

The Pauline Family remembers Blessed James Alberione on his death anniversary

We, the members of the Pauline Family worldwide, will commemorate on November 26 the death anniversary of Blessed James Alberione, our founder, with thanksgiving masses and various Pauline celebrations. 

Blessed James, considered as one of the most creative apostles of the 20th century, was born in 1884 in Italy and was known to be pious from youth. He entered the seminary at the age of 16 and was ordained priest at the age of 23.

He became known as the communicator of the Gospel, tirelessly preaching the Word of God to all peoples in the spirit of St. Paul the apostle, using the modern means of communication. He also promoted the printing of popular editions of the Holy Bible and used periodicals, magazines, and books to help spread the teachings of Christ.

Pope Paul VI, who visited him in his last hours in 1971, described him as “humble, silent, tireless, always vigilant, and recollected in his thoughts which run from prayer to action.”

Blessed Alberione reminds us today, as he did before to all the members of the Pauline Family, of the importance of focusing our gaze on our sanctity of life. He said: "We need saints to go before us on these paths—paths that have never been trodden before and which in part are not even clearly marked out. These are not matters for superficial people, but for true apostles. Find the necessary light before the tabernacle, and the grace of perseverance through the universal mediation of the Virgin Mary."

We are called to be Pauline missionaries of faith and joy

As we have begun the Year of Faith, we have an opportunity to rediscover our faith in the cross and the joy in the resurrection. We will celebrate on October 21, 2012 the 86^th World Mission Sunday, our annual celebration for Catholics in the world to celebrate our universal faith in Christ and our call to support the missionary activity of the church that sends ambassadors of faith and joy to the ends of the earth.

The good news is that God is for us and God is with us in all circumstances. It is our joy to experience the way that Christ brings life out of death. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus reveals God’s plan for transforming the world.

We are sent forth into the world witnessing to God’s presence among us. As the Body of Christ, we are each given a share in the good news of Jesus that makes us new and makes us one. Realizing this blessed assurance we have in Jesus can also bring us faith and joy.

World Mission Sunday connects us to what God is doing in the hearts and minds of people all over the world. We support those who go forth to bring this message of God’s goodness and faithfulness. They carry with them the joy that comes from knowing God’s will to bring life out of death. It remains the greatest work of the church.

As Scripture says, “How lovely are the feet of those who bring good news” (Romans 10:15). May we, Pauline missionaries, each find joy in our faith and share it to all those around us!