The Word Made Flesh

The Sign of Contradiction

JERICHO - The Oldest inhabited town in the world

This is number three in a series of reflection I am doing to recap my pilgrimage experience in November of 2018.  Now that the dust has settled my mind is recollected to recall and ponder on my experience.  It is my pleasure to share this with you.

Reflection #3 Jericho (Overcoming Temptation, Gaining Victory and Grace)

On our way to Egypt we visited the town of Jericho in the Palestinian Territories passing by the hills of Judea and Samaria in the Palestinian Territories.  It was a pleasant trip and my mind was wondering as I look into the vast desert and hills.  I could imagine the kind of life the Israelites had.  Reflecting and observing on the physical characteristics of the land helps me recall my Bible stories and help me understands the words and phrases used by the prophets and by the psalms of David.  They spoke about the hills and the mountains.  "I look into the mountains, from whence shall my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth."  Isn't it wonderful to see the associations of these words with the physical counters of the land where the writers lived? 

According to the Bible, Jericho was the first city conquered by the Israelites when they entered Canaan.  When the walls of the city collapse under miraculous circumstances, the Children of Israel took the city and put it to the sword, only the family of Rahab was spared because they took in the spies when they were doing espionage work.  All the gold and silver where dedicated to the Lord and the Israelites were forbidden from taking the booty.  When the conquest was completed, Joshua proclaimed a curse to whoever would attempt to rebuild the city.  In Joshua 6:26 we read: "Cursed be the man before the Lord that shall raise up and build the city of Jericho.  In his first born may he lay the foundation thereof, and in the last of his children set up its gates." (Rheims-Douay version)  It is worthy to note also that it was during the prophet Elijah's time in 1 Kings 16:34 we read: "In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun." (NIV version).  It was also worthy to note that this prophecy of Joshua occurred during the time of King Ahab, whose notorious Canaanite wife Jezebel influenced him to lead Israel to apostasy.  Is there a message behind these events?  It was during Elijah's time that he defeated the priests of Baal and led many in Israel to return to God.  Indeed a sad moment in the history of Israel.

In the New Testament we also see Jericho as the place where Zaccheus met Jesus Christ.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector.  Tax collectors are considered by Israelites as traitors because they are collecting taxes for the Roman Empire.  They are also considered sinners and unclean because they steal and cheat and most of their wealth are derived from dishonest means.  But when Jesus was in Jericho, he said to Zaccheus, "I will dine in your house" (Luke 19:5).  This created a stir among the religious leaders because how can Jesus the Rabbi eat at the house of a sinner?  Jesus rebut his detractors and said: "Who needs a doctor, the well or the sick? go and ponder on this word.  We see how the grace of God worked in the heart of Zacchaeus. As if hypnotised by the grace of Jesus, the man said: "But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold. " (Luke 19:8).  Jesus proclaimed the amnesty and said: "Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. " (Luke 19:9).  

The grace of God works in marvellous ways.  He gives his mercy to whom he wills and he works not as human but the mercy of God can reach even the most impossible spot on this earth.

As I look and take a glance of Jericho, smell its air and feel its presence, though today a Palestinian city, I am reminded of the Old Jericho,  I could imagine Jesus and Zachaeus, I could do nothing but admire and wonder at the mercy of God.  Beyond shopping for dates and other souvenirs Jericho is a monument to God's grace and mercy.  

Modern Day Highway to Jericho.

Modern Day Jericho in the West Bank, Palestinian Territory

The Mountain of Temptation.  Said to be where the devil tempted Christ when he fasted forty days and forty nights in the desert.

The Oldest Town in the World.  In the Old Testament, Joshua and Caleb and the Armies of Israel encirlcled the town 7 times and the walls of Jericho fell.  Joshua made a curse that whoever will rebuilt the City of Jericho, the first born of that man would die.

A Sycamore Tree in the Modern Town of Jericho.  It was said that when Jesus visited the town of Jericho, Zachaeus the  tax collector climb up the sycamore tree in order to see Jesus.  Zachaeus was a short man.

The deserts in Jericho.  But ironically Jericho produces one of the best and sweetest dates in Palestine. 

WHY WE NEED TO PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THE DEAD

Why we need to pray for the souls of the dead instead of partying and thinking that our departed loved ones are our guides and protectors. I have noticed that in most recent times beliefs in some Catholics have changed somehow. Perhaps as a result of poor catechesis or the failure of the ministers of the church to teach properly and correctly the doctrines of the church about eschatology and the life after death. I often heard some say, "Oh he or she is already in heaven". In some conversations and even in social media I hear people posting to even tweeting that their departed loved ones are already in heaven and is guiding them. I think this is a wrong notion because we are already canonising our dead as if they are saints and are in heaven somewhere. The reality is that the souls of our dead need our prayers. Though if we die in faith and in the grace of God we are assured of salvation because Jesus paid for it and Himself being the ransom. But divine justice demands that we are still accountable for the consequences of our actions. This is the reason why though controversial, the church has maintained its belief on purgatory, some sort of interregnum between this present life and the world to come, where the souls suffer the consequences of their actions. Only the merits of the mass and the prayers of the faithful can help them pay for the consequences for since their souls are in prison, they cannot do anything for themselves, except our prayers. So instead of expensive flowers and partying why don't we simply lit a candle, symbol of prayer, for the peace of the souls of the dead, that God may grant them mercy and release them from the purgatorial fire and see the light? I wish we could change our preset pop culture about the dead because it is too pagan and far from the Christian notion of life after death. It is sad that even in funerals we don't hear the priest talk about sin, heaven and judgement. Sometimes the sermon is just a pep talk to make people feel comfortable. Some priests don't preach anymore about the last judgement and how we should be conscious of that. Today let us be reminded to pray for our love ones. They need masses, they need prayers, they don't need food anymore so don't party in the cemetery, it is also unthinkable to be eating in a place where bones and decaying bodies are buried beneath. The souls of the dead do not our karaoke or singing.. They don't need jamming, they are already dead and they need our prayers.

WHY I DON'T BELIEVE IN HALLOWEEN

Why I do not observe halloween? The answer is simple, I do not serve demons and evil creatures. I serve the One and Only True God and I do not pretend even in jest to mimic the enemies of God and those unclean spirits that condemned. Today we celebrate the feast of All Saints. We remember those individuals who by their lives and obedience to Christ have gained beatific vision (Vision of God). Here we rememberer the Nicene Creed which states in part; " I believe in the communion of the saints ...in the remission of sins, and in the world to come. Amen." As a church, the living body of Christ whether we are alive or dead we are one and united by the Grace of God. We the militant church who are still alive continues the journey and struggle till we reach the promise land, while the souls sufferings are souls of the dead are the church suffering, they are paying their debts to the justice of God, while the saints are the "Church Triumphant." They have now the vision of God and they are constantly praying for us. Thus when we pray to the saints, we do not worship them but we ask them to obtain for us the grace we need from God through their prayers. And when we pray for the dead, we are alleviating their pains, and the saints prayer for us in return. This is the dynamics and the meanings of what we believe and celebrate today. Not the pagan halloween, and not the demons. But we parade and we celebrate the saints of God who are examples of holiness and goodness.

Jesus Walks on the Water: Reflections

"22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (St. Matthew 14;22-23, English Standard Version of the Bible.)

My Reflection: In this narrative from the Bible, we are told of a miracle done by our Lord. He emphasized one thing, the importance of faith. Humans as we are, are prone to rush judgement, and we rely too much on our reason. God demands faith from us. Faith means assurance and firm belief even if the evidence is the opposite. Faith is accomplishes so much, but it is a gift and the source is God. Lord how weak is my faith, strengthen my faith so that I may worship you. Blessed be the one true God forevermore. Amen.

Reflections on Holy Saturday

Reflections for Holy Saturday (The world call this black Saturday, but We Catholic Christians call this Holy Saturday): In the apostles creed it says: "Christ descended into hell [in Greek Hades or abode of the dead]. WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE CHURCH SAYS Christ descended into hell? ANSWER: The Hebrews or the Jews believes that the souls of the dead are placed in hades or in the abode of the earth, deep down the earth. The souls of the just await the Resurrection. Thus while waiting for the last judgement day the souls are in prison. When Jesus died on the Cross His soul went into the Hades and when getting there He announced and preached the gospel of salvation. He preached unto the souls of the dead. The souls of Adam, Abraham, Moses, the prophets and the saints. He said: "‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God." [A reading from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday. excerpt] . This belief is supported by the scriptures in Matthew 27:51-53 which reads: "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many." Thus when we recite the apostles creed or the Nicene Creed we remember that when Jesus died on the cross His soul went to the depths of the earth, preach the gospel to the souls in bondage and liberated the souls of holy men and women. Thus in Jerusalem the curtain of the Holy of holies of the Temple was torn down from top to bottom to show that by the death of Jesus the salvation of men were effected and the barrier between God and Men are now removed through the body of the Man-God Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of Israel and the Savior of Humankind. For out of the seed of Abraham God would bless the Human Race. Laudatur Iesus Christus!