Passing On the Faith - THE EPIPHANY OF GOD in Christ did not end with the earthly existence of Jesus. The revelation of God's gift has been transmitted "from faith in faith" throughout history by all those who assumed it into their own lives by becoming disciples of Jesus and apostles for others. Paul speaks of this transmission from generation to generation when writing to Timothy: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you." - 2 Timothy 1:5 - Similarly, in our own day, we can speak of the faith of our ancestors, recalling the men and women who were the instruments God used to manifest his grace toward us. We can also look into the future and envision our own spiritual descendants, those who will receive our mission and our testimony about this revelation.

EACH ONE OF US can say with Paul, "God was pleased to reveal his Son to me" - Galatians 1:15-16 - for we have received the revelation of God's glory in Christ. - cf. John 21:1 - Speaking mystically, we can also say that we have seen the risen Lord in our lives. - cf. 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8,11 - We are blessed because we have believed even without seeing him physically. As disciples, we are made participants in the mystery of Christ, who was not made known to earlier generations but "has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." - Ephesians 3:4-5 - Saint Paul bids us give glory "to God who is able to strengthen us according to the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith." - Romans 16:25-27 -

WE RECEIVE OUR MISSION as apostles from Christ himself when he reveals himself to us - cf. Romans 1:5 - and it is by means of us that Christ now speaks and acts. - Romans 15:18 - He is not weak but powerful in the preaching of those who accept his revelation - 2 Corinthians 13:2-3 - We are heirs to the mission of the disciples: making public what has been revealed to us and what Jesus has told us. - Matthew 10:26-33 - Whoever  hears the disciples hears Jesus himself. - Luke 10:16 - Thus, the revelation, the epiphany, the "dis-covering" of God, is carried on through those who are constituted disciples. As disciples, we are promised the Spirit of truth who will bear witness, who will teach us all things, and who will lead us to the fullness of truth - John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13 - In our docility to the Holy Spirit, the source of all revelation - cf. 1 Corinthians 2:10 - we have the assurance of receiving and transmitting the revelation of Christ rather than a merely human message. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 -

So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall on the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heave. - Matthew 10:26-33 -

When we accept God's epiphany, we are constituted disciples and set out on a journey, as did Abraham. We become bearers of the epiphany, which may take the form of the Magi's star - Matthew 2:2,7,9-12 - or Joseph's doubts - Matthew 1:20 - or the angel's warning in a dream to save the child - Matthew 2:13,19,22 - or the news Mary receives about her cousin's pregnancy. - Luke 2:26-38 - Whatever form it takes, our task as bearers of the epiphany always goes beyond the simple acts of transmitting a message, relating a verifiable history, or proving some truth. We fully accepted, the epiphany of God becomes flesh in the life of the disciple in such a way that it can be transmitted only from this "incarnation." That is to say, it can be transmitted only from this "incarnation". That is to say, it can be transmitted to others not by words of flesh and blood, not by human wisdom, but only by the scandalous inevitability of the cross; it can be transmitted only by martyrion, by bearing witness: "I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel... I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God" - John 1:31,34 - 

JESUS ASKS US to let the light of our truth, our testimony to the truth, shine before others so that they may see our good works and give glory to the Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16 - As disciples, we replicate in some way the very mystery of Christ's epiphany. By bearing witness, we produce light that provokes joy, and from the joy flows glory. This is the essence of bearing testimony: stirring praise and adoration of the Father through the joy that invades the hearts of those who see and hear the message. The true disciple is light, as Jesus declares about the Baptist: :He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light." - John 5:35 - The life of the disciples must be irreproachable so that their light reaches into the darkest shadows: "Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world". - Philippians 2:14-15 -

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16 -

THE TESTIMONY THE DISCIPLES give is the very reason why they must be continually divested of self-interest. They are to proclaim and confirm the faith of their brothers and sisters. They must strive to awaken profuse joy in the hearts of the faithful so that they give glory to their Father in heaven. The disciples are to decrease so that Christ increases. If they remain faithful to their vocation of discipleship, their final destiny is already marked out: "Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." - John 21:18 - There is nothing improvised in this following of Jesus - it requires the preparation of a lifetime.    

- Prayer - Seeing God in creatures, seeing God made mortal, seeing celestial beauty in humble attire. Seeing joy weep tears, seeing wealth so poor, seeing greatness brought low, and seeing that so was God's desire. Great was the mercy we received on that most blessed day! Whoever sees it, may it be I!

Making peace amid so much war, bringing warmth to such great cold, letting what is mine belong to all, planting heaven here on earth. What a magnificent mission God has entrusted to our hands! Whoever does it, may it be I! Amen.

The Son Reveals the Father - THE WHOLE HISTORY of God's revelation, which for us is salvation history, reaches its culmination in Christ, who is the "revealer" of the Father. Christ is the one who comes in the fullness of time; all earlier revelation was pointing to him as the ultimate secret that the Father wants to reveal to us. When Christ appears among us, the Father is revealing himself in his mysterious entirety.

JESUS CHRIST is the definite reveler of the mystery of God. He announces the Father and makes him known (cf. John 1:18). What he has heard from the Father, he announces to the world (John 3:3, 32;8:26; 15:15). Jesus is the Father's only-begotten Son who comes into the world keenly aware of his mission of revealing the Father and fully empowered to carry it out. He has authority and he makes it felt: "They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes... They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, 'What is this? A new teaching - with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee" - Mark 1:22,27-28 - Jesus produces amazement among those who hear his words and behold his deeds. This capacity to cause astonishment comes from who he is: the one to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given - Matthew 28:18 - That is why, when he reveals the mystery of God, he reveals also the conflicting desires of people's hearts - cf. Luke 1:35-36 - By reflecting God's authority as the only-begotten Son, he becomes a cornerstone of contradiction among his own people - cf. Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:14 - As revealer of the triune mystery, Jesus Christ enters into people's lives with unprecedented authority, but also suffers in his own flesh the rejection brought on by this very revelation.

I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. - John 15:15 - 

AS REVEALER OF GOD, Jesus Christ brings light to every human being - John 1:9 - because he himself is the light of humankind. - John 1:4-5; 8:12 -

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." - John 8:12 -

When Jesus Christ is present, the true light shines and all shadows disappear. - 1 John 2:8 - But then begins the drama of the rejection of the light. This light, which brings the law and the prophets to fulfillment, is spurned because its luminosity is different from what was expected; its brilliance illumines places other than those imagined; it provokes opposition as challenging as it is perplexing. That is why the announcement of the fullness of God's revelation in God's good time is addressed precisely to those most deprived of fullness from a human perspective: the simple folk, the poor fishermen. - cf. Matthew 5:3 - those who humbly keep God's commandments. - John 14:21 - 

To these Jesus imparts knowledge of the Father that only the Son can give - Matthew 11:27 -: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father". - see John 14:7-9 - What is more, this privilege granted the poor brings forth praise from Jesus: "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him". - Luke 10:21-22 -

In reporting these words of praise, the Gospel tells us that Jesus, inspired with the Holy Spirit, was filled with joy. - Luke 10:21 - This outburst of Jesus reveals the joy that exists deep within the Trinity. The revelation of this divine joy stirs human hearts to rejoicing, as we see in the joy of Elizabeth and Mary during the visitation - Luke 2:39-45 - and in the joy of the shepherds in Bethlehem. - Luke 2:10-20 - It is the joy of all those who draw close to Jesus with good will and receive from him the revelation of the Father, who is life. - 1 John 1:2 - It is an almost compulsive joy that emboldens those who experience it for they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. - Acts 4:19-20 - Such joy is maintained even in the midst of persecution and punishment: "The disciples left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus". - Acts 5:41 - It is a joy that goes beyond all practical outcomes, whether human or superhuman, even those that are miraculous; it finds its culmination in rejoicing that our names stand written in the heavens. - cf. Luke 10:20 -

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" - Luke 2:10-14 -

Saint Ignatius calls this joy "spiritual consolation": "By consolation I mean that which occurs when some interior motion is caused within the soul through which it comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord. As a result it can love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but only in the Creator of them all. Similarly, this consolation is experienced when the soul sheds tears which move it to love for its Lord - whether there are tears of grief for its own sin, or about the Passion of Christ our Lord, or about other matters directly ordered to his service and praise. Finally, under the word consolation I include every increase in hope, faith, and charity, and every interior joy which calls and attracts one toward heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, by bringing it tranquility and peace in its Creator and Lord" (SpEx316). This should be the habitual state of those who receive the revelation of Jesus Christ with eagerness and sincerity of heart.

Even in the midst of tribulation (such as when the apostles were scourged), spiritual consolation is preserved in some form. Even when suspended on the cross, the person who faithfully receives the word of revelation will not be lacking that profound peace that is part of consolation.

THOSE WHO HEAR the voice of Jesus are filled with joy (cf. John 10:3,27). But this joy is oriented toward a definite goal, as was the case with Abraham - John 8:56 - Just as Jesus "was filled with joy in the Holy Spirit," learns to raise its sights beyond time and space. It is through joy that our salvation history gains access to the glory of God, and it is Jesus who reveals to us the glory of the Father - John 1:14 - because the Father is glorified in the Son. - cf. John 14:13 - This is how we should understand the affectionate way in which Jesus reproaches Martha: Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?" - John 11:40 - The glory of God poured out in Christ, almost as if it were escaping through a crack - cf. John 2:11 - is the glorious fullness of light that gives us the hope of beholding it everlastingly: "In the right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shinning with full force". - Revelation 1:16 - When time comes to an end, God will be manifested as the fullness of light; he will be the ultimate light not only for each one of us but also for the world: "The heavenly city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb." - Revelation 21:23 -

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. - John 10:3 - My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27 -

WE HAVE STRESSED that Jesus is not only the revealer but also the supreme revelation of the Father. God's efforts to open human eyes and ears - cf. Numbers 22:31; 1 Samuel 9:15-16 - have a long and diverse history that tends toward Christ and culminates in him: :Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." - Hebrews 1:1-3 - God makes Christ manifest to us. God "saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel". - 2 Timothy 1:9-10 - God's grace, which is the source of salvation for all human beings, was revealed in Christ - Titus 2:11 - and in him was made manifest the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior. - Titus 3:4-5 -

Jesus is the Word made flesh, the word of life that the first apostles and disciples saw and heard and touched with their hands - John 1:14; 1 John 1:1 - They were blessed because they saw and heard what many ancient prophets had desired to experience. - cf. Matthew 13:16; 1 Peter 1:12 - But they were blessed not so much because they could see Christ in the flesh but because it was the Father who revealed him to them. - Matthew 16:17 - That is why Jesus himself clearly proclaimed what might have seemed contradictory: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe!" - John 20:29 - Into this blessed state will enter all of us if we trust not in the revelation of flesh and blood - cf. Matthew 16:17 - but rather open our hearts to the Father's supreme revelation, his great gift to us. By doing this, we are inserted into the history of all those who hope against all hope" - Romans 4:18 -; we are counted among those who allow themselves to be led by God toward the promised land and who persevere as though seeing the one who is invisible. - cf. Hebrews 11:27 -

THE GIFT OF CHRIST we receive from the Father is a manifestation of love: "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him". - 1 John 4:9 - This is true for all of us who have not seen or heard in the flesh and yet believe, for the revelation of Christ is the gift of the Father and the work of the Spirit; it is communicated to all who allow the Spirit to act in their souls. - cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26,30; Philippians 3:15 - The Spirit leads us to the truth. - John 16:13 - Christ Jesus, made manifest in the flesh, has come for all times "to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace". - Luke 1:79 - That is why the definitive revelation of Jesus Christ will surpass all history and reach its fullness beyond our present time and space. It will be "the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show to his servants about what must soon take place." - Revelation 1:1 -

What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation, let all things be done for building up. - 1 Corinthians 14:26 - 

If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. - Corinthians 14:30 -

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. - John 16:13 - 

- Prayer - Word of God, eternal light divine, eternal source of all pure truth, glory of God that illumines the cosmos, bright burning torch in darkest night. Word eternally pronounced in the Father's mind, what joy that in our history he was born a child from the bosom of the Virgin. Do not cease to shine, heavenly beacons, with the rays of light that God sends forth; faithfully guide our friends, our peoples; proclaim the truth on every path. Amen.

BY  HIS  HOLINESS  POPE  FRANCIS / JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO

Open Mind,  Faithful Heart - Reflections on Following Jesus - Translated by Joseph V. Owens, 

- WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus the Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John the Baptist had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him. Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses - we have eaten and drunk with the Lord Jesus Christ after his resurrection from the dead - and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive and dead. It is to Jesus that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in the Lord Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name - Acts 10:37-43 - 

Witness refers to a person who gives testimony: testimony given for or against someone often in a law-court setting where there is considerable concern for the truth of the testimony. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour." - Exodus 20:16 - 

A man may be put to death only on the word of two witnesses or three; and no man may be put to death on the word of one witness alone. - Deuteronomy 17:6 - 

A mace, a sword, a keen arrow, such is the man who bears false witness against his neighbour. - Proverbs 25:18 - 

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible and in the Old Testament, true prophets often told and pictured God either as bearing witness against Israel or as challenging Israel to bear witness against Him. - "The word of Yahweh that was addressed to Micah of Moresheth in the time of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His visions of Samaria and Jerusalem. - The judgement of Samaria - "Listen, you peoples, all of you. Attend, earth and everything in it. Yahweh is going to give evidence against you, the Lord, as he sets out from his sacred place." - Micah 1:2 - "My people, what have I done to you, how have I been a burden to you? Answer me." - Micah 6:3 - God is also seen in the Old Testament witnessing covenants between Himself and the nation of Israel or individuals. 

"'Now write down this song which you must use; teach it to the sons of Israel, put it into their mouths that it may be a witness on my behalf against the sons of Israel whom I am bringing into the land I swore to his fathers I would give him, a land where milk and honey flow; against Israel who will eat and take his fill and grow fat, then turn to other gods to serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. When a host of disasters and misfortunes overtake him, this song shall stand as witness against him, for his descendants must not forget it. Yes, even today, before I have brought him to the land I promised on oath, I know what plans he has in mind.' So on that same day, Moses wrote out this song and taught it to the sons of Israel.

He gave Joshua son of Nun this order: 'Be strong and stand firm, for you are to bring the sons of Israel to the land I swore I would give them, and I myself will be with you.' When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this Law to the very end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of Yahweh covenant: 'Take this Book of the Law and put it beside the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God. Let it lie there as a witness against you. For I know how defiant you are and how stubborn. If today while I am still alive and with you, you defy Yahweh, how much more will you defy him after my death!'"  - Deuteronomy 31:19-27 -

"I drew up the deed and sealed it, called in witnesses and weighed out the money on the scales. I then took both the sealed deed of purchase and its open copy, in accordance with the requirements of the law, and handed over the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, of the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase, and of all the Jews who then happened to be in the Court of the Guard." "Buy the field with money in front of witnesses - and even now the city is falling into the hands of the Chaldaeans!" "People will buy fields, pay money, draw up deeds and seal them, and witness them in the land of Benjamin, in the districts round Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah, of the highlands, of the Lowlands and of the Negeb. For I am going to restore their fortunes - it is Yahweh who speaks."- Jeremiah 32:10-12, 25, 44 -

Witness is also used in connection with the distinctively religious message of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. God witnesses to the believer about His assurance of salvation: "The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God." - Romans 8:16 - It is also declares that God has not left Himself without witness. Witness to Christ Jesus is borne by the prophets, John the Baptist, the Father, the works of Christ Jesus Himself.

"In the past he allowed each nation to go its own way; but even then he did not leave you without evidence of himself in the good things he does for you; he sends you rain from heaven, he makes your crops grow when they should, he gives you food and makes you happy." - Acts 14:16-17 - "Besides, the Father sent me, bears witness to me himself." - John 5:37 -

You judge by human standards;
I judge no one,
but if I judge,
my judgement will be sound,
because I am not alone:
and in your Law it is written
that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.
I may be testifying on my own behalf,
but the Father who sent me is my witness too. - John 8:15-18 -

Hence, the believer's life, words and deeds serve as a witness to the world. Sometimes this witness to the world is represented in the witness of the faithful, disciples, apostles and the chosen, who are Christ's special witnesses - witnesses of His resurrection. Amen!

We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us - and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection. - Acts 1:21-22 -

God raised this man Jesus to life and all of us are witnesses to that. - Acts 2:32 - God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. - Acts 10:41 - But God raised him from the dead and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people. - Acts 13:31 -

However, the command to witness has implications for all believers too. It applies to the new Christian community the similar command that was given to ancient Israel.

You yourselves are my witness - it is Yahweh who speaks
my servants whom I have chosen,
that men may know and believe me
and understand that it is I.
No god was formed before me,
nor will be after me.
I, I am Yahweh,
there is no other saviour but me,
It is I who have spoken, have saved, have made the proclamation,
not any strangers among you.
You are my witnesses - it is Yahweh who speaks
and I, I am your God, I am he from eternity. - Isaiah 43:10-12 -

You, Israel, my servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

descendant of Abraham my friend.

You whom I brought from the confines of the earth

and called from the ends of the world;

you to whom I said, 'You are my servant,

I have chosen you, not rejected you',

do not be afraid for I am with you;

stop being anxious and watchful, for I am your God.

I give you strength, I bring you help,

I uphold you with my victorious right hand.

yes, all those who raged against you,

shall be put to shame and confusion;

they who fought against you

shall be destroyed, and perish. - Isaiah 41:8-11 -

"You surely know that Abraham our father was justified by his deed, because he offered his son Isaac on the altar? There you see it: faith and deeds were working together; his faith became perfect by what he did. This is what scripture really means when it says: Abraham put his faith in God, and this was counted as making him justified: and that is why he was called 'the friend of God'." - James 2:21-23 - 

Last instructions to the apostles - Then Jesus told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, has to be fulfilled'. Jesus then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are the witnesses to this. 'And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.' - Luke 24:44-49 -

The believer's model in witness is none other than Christ Jesus Himself.

The Ascension - Then Christ Jesus took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands Jesus blessed them. Now as he blessed them, Jesus withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God. - Luke 24:50-53 - [ Luke's gospel ends where it began, in the Temple; its last word is of the joy and praise ]

You must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses. Now, before God the source of all life and before Jesus Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures until the Appearing of our

Lord Jesus Christ,
who at the due time will be revealed
by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all,
the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
who alone is immortal,
whose home is in inaccessible light,
whom no man has seen and no man is able to see:
to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen. - 1 Timothy 6:11-16 -

Saint Paul's testimony - Acts 9:1-19 - Meanwhile, Saul (Paul) was still breathing threats to slaughter the Lord's disciples. Saul/Paul had gone to the high priest and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of the Way, men and women, that could find.

Suddenly, while Saul/Paul was travelling to Damascus and just before he reached the city, there came a light from heaven all round him. He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the voice answered, 'I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me. Get up now and go into the city, and you will be told what you have to do.' The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, for though he heard the voice they could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but even with his eyes wide open he could see nothing at all, and they had to lead him into Damascus by the hand. For three days he was without his sight, and took neither food nor drink.

A disciple called Ananias who lived in Damascus had a vision in which he heard the Lord say to him, 'Ananias!' When he replied, 'Here I am, Lord', the Lord said, 'You must go to Straight Street and ask at the house of Judas for someone called Saul, who comes from Tarsus. At this moment he is praying, having had a vision of a man called Ananias coming in and laying hands on him to give him back his sight,'

When he heard that, Ananias said, 'Lord, several people have told me about this man and all the harm he has been doing to your saints in Jerusalem. He has only come here because he holds a warrant from the chief priests to arrest everybody who invokes your name.' The Lord replied, 'You must go all the same, because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for my name'. Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul/Paul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptised there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength.   

In addition to Saint Augustine of Hippo 'Confessions' boasting of God's glory are some of the examples of God's greater glory. Their testimony, and being the Lord Jesus Christ special witnesses, and their conversion to Christianity are indeed awesome and extraordinary. Thus, in all honesty, I can never be able to systematically or orderly proclaim and boast about God. Thoughts, Words, and Deeds are indeed, the creative force. In fact, our every thinking, saying, doing, and action are the result of our encountered and experienced with God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the three things that last: Faith. Hope. Love. are our spirited virtues.

In other words, 'Conversion' involves the surrender of emptying oneself, in spirit, body, mind, intellect, faith and love to God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Before anyone can fully comprehend or understand why he and she became a Christian convert, he and she is required to testify because the practice of boasting and sharing the joy of one's conversion to Christians has been regarded the tradition. An encounter and experience with God is always a personal event, an answer that is by its nature, a person's free act in response to the gift of Faith. Hope. Love. "In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13 -

How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To God be glory for ever! Amen.

  - WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Lord Jesus Christ, promised to us that our mission on this earth is really and utmost important for our own salvation. In other words, it is the deliverance from sin, the Satan, the evil One and its consequences, that is, believed by Christians to be brought about by and through Faith . Hope . Love in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! God be with us, always. Amen!

"Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:47-49 -

The divine name "Yahweh" is usually translated "Lord" in English versions of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible because it became a practice in late Old Testament, Judaism are not to pronounce the sacred name "YHWH" but to say instead "my Lord" (Adonai) a practice still used today. From the New Testament times, many Christians use the word "Yahweh" that is, "Lord." Hence, in the ancient world, and even today, God favoured His people by revealing Himself by many names which offered insight into His love. One of the names for God in the Old Testament is "Yahweh". The four letter Hebrew word "YHWH" was the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush.

 

"I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -

'Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' - Luke 6:46 -

Jesus was acclaimed as the Son of God at His baptism. "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you'. - Mark 1:11 - He was also given this title by the angel Gabriel at the annunciation: "'The Holy Spirit will come upon you' the angel answered 'and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.'" - Luke 1:35 - The Gospel of John especially makes it clear that the Father - Son relationship belongs to eternity - that the Son is supremely qualified to reveal the Father because He has His eternal being "in the bosom of the Father". "No one has ever seen God; it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father's heart, who has made him known." - John 1:18 - 

At one level the title Son of God belonged officially to the Messiah who personified the nation of Israel. "Israel is My Son, My firstborn", said God to Pharaoh./This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my first-born son. - Exodus 4:22 - Of the promised prince of the house of David, God declared, "I will make him MY firstborn". - Psalms 89:27 - As the Son of God in special sense, Jesus made Himself known to Paul/Saul on the Damascus Road. Apostle/Saint Paul said: "The fact is, brothers/sisters, and I want you to realise this, the Good news I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of Jesus Christ. You must have heard of my career as a practising Jew, how merciless I was in persecuting the Church of God, how much damage I did to it, how I stood out among other Jews of my generation, and how enthusiastic I was for the traditions of my ancestors.

Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mother's womb, called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the pagans. I did not stop to discuss this with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me, but I went off to Arabia at once and later went straight back from there to Damascus. Even when after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days, I did not see any of the other apostles; I only saw James, the brother of the Lord, and I swear before God that what I have just written is the literal truth. After that I went to Syria and Cilicia, and was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judaea, who had heard nothing except that their one-time persecutor was now preaching the faith he had previously tried to destroy; and they gave glory to God for me." - Galatians 1:11-24 - 

Saul's/Paul's preaching at Damascus - The proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God was central to Apostle/Saint Paul's preaching. "After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God'. All his hearers were amazed. 'Surely' they said 'this is the man who organised the attack in Jerusalem against the people who invoke this name, and who came here for the sole purpose of arresting them to have them tried by the chief priests?' Saul's/Paul's increased steadily, and he was able to throw the Jewish colony at Damascus into complete confusion by the way he demonstrated that Jesus was the Christ." - Acts 9:20-22 -

"Do you think I was not sure of my own intentions when I planned this? Do you really think that when I am making my plans, my motives are ordinary human ones, and that I say Yes, yes, and No, no, at the same time? I swear by God's truth, there is no Yes and No about what we say to you. The Son of God, the Christ Jesus that we proclaimed among you - I mean Silvanus and Timothy and I - was never Yes and No: with him it was always Yes, and however many the promises God made, the Yes to them all is in him. That is why it is 'through him' that we answer Amen to the praise of God. Remember it is God himself who assures us all, marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts." - 2 Corinthians 1:17-22 -

When Jesus is presented as the Son of God in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible: The New Testament: His eternal relation to God as His Father, and His perfect revelation of the Father to the human race and His person are emphasized. Here the word "Lord" is used both for God and the messianic King, that is, Christ Jesus. Indeed, God has made Jesus, the only begotten Son, both Lord and Christ. Hence, the two "Lords" God and Jesus Christ are distinguished from each other but not separated. In fact, in the New Testament times, the Lordship of Christ Jesus theologically has been used and put into practices.

The Christians conviction, from the outset, that Jesus was the Messiah. He was also "Lord", a term that carried greater meaning than it might have for most people today. It indicated that Jesus Christ was exalted, for the word "Lord" was generally reserved for God or for those associated with divinity - God himself. To call Jesus Christ "Lord" as writers of the New Testament did repeatedly indicated that He was closely associated with God and came as 'Son of God'.

"Jesus is Lord" is the ultimate Christian creed. A Christian therefore, is a person who confesses Jesus as Lord. After Jesus resurrection and exaltation, Jesus was given the title "Lord" in its full, In fact, Apostle/Saint Peter, concluding his address to the crowd in Jerusalem on the "Day of Pentecost" declared: "Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had him crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since as David says of him: I saw the Lord before me always, for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. So my heart was glad and my tongue cried out with joy; my body, too, will rest in the hope that you will not abandon my soul to Hades nor allow your holy one to experience corruption. You have made known the way of life to me, you will fill me with gladness through your presence." - Acts 2:22-28 - 

'For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.' - Acts 2:36 - Saint Paul, in fact, explicitly affirming "Jesus is Lord" in all his epistles, that is, addressing and calling Christ Jesus: "The Lord Jesus Christ" because apostle Paul, and all the apostles knew that when human beings honor Jesus as "Lord," God, the Father is glorified. It is for this reason that I want you to understand that on the one hand no one can be speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit and say, 'Curse Jesus,' and on the other hand, no one can say, "Jesus is Lord" unless he/she is under the influence of the Holy Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 12:3 -

Must I go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it? But I will move on to the visions and revelations I have had from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up - whether still in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows - right into the third heaven. I do know, however, that this same person - whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows - was caught up into paradise and heard things which must not and cannot be put into human language. I will boast about a man like that, but not about anything of my own except my weaknesses. If I should to boast, I should not be made foolish, because I should only be speaking the truth; but I am not going to, in case anyone should begin to think I am better than he can actually see and hear me to be.

In view of the extraordinary nature if these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About these thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, 'My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness'. So I shall be very happy to make my weakness my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ's sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong. - 1 Corinthians 12:1-10 -

'Peace be with you' Jesus said. Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' - John 20:27-28 -

Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps, plainly tell, and teaches us, the believers, followers, faithful, how to inherit eternal life. That is, by pleasing God. Of course, in words and good deeds, too. Sadly to share the appended below which it is the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, which many either ignored, skipped, pretend, and think otherwise, mainly because of pride and narcissism, and it is always the case to many. That is, arguing and justifying on it as well.

Perhaps, it is better to read the "Word of God" intently and, at the same time, seek help from God, that is, to help us to remove our stubbornness, and to enable us to comprehend 'His Word' and open up our heart, soul, and mind to Him. So that, the grace and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon us, Who is able to rescue and save us from this present wicked world. It is because the Lord Jesus Christ always taught with authority. Indeed! The Lord Jesus Christ said: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. - Matthew 28:18 -

'Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' 

"It is true, God sent His word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the Good News of peace was brought by Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus Christ is "Lord of all men/women.

"It is true, God sent His word to the people of Israel, and it was You must have heard about the recent happening in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John the Baptist had been preaching baptism. God had anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.

Now I, ( Simon Peter/Peter ) and those with me, can witness to everything Jesus did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself; and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses - we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead - and Jesus Christ has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive and dead. It is the Lord Jesus Christ that all the prophets bear this witness: That all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name." - Acts 10:36-43 -

'Fear God and praise Him because the time has come for Him to sit in judgement; worship the maker of heaven and earth and sea and every water-spring.' - Revelation 14:7 - Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear Him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. - Matthew 10:28 - To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear Him who after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. - Luke 12:4-5 -

How? And in what way, when it come to understanding matters: What I was always being told is: There are ways and preferences to comprehend all matters, whether it is of spirituality and of unspiritual. Firstly, in a literally manner: That is, used for emphasis or to express strong feeling while not being literally true. Secondly, in a human manner: That is, from a human point of view, in a humanly manner, by human means; within ability; with human feeling or kindness. Thirdly, in a spiritually manner: That is, in a way that relates to or affects the human spirit or, soul as opposed to material or physical things. Finally, in an unspiritual manner: That is, not spiritual. But secular and worldly.

The Lord Jesus Christ promised, to us that our mission on this earth is really and utmost important for our own salvation. Amen! "I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -

***  Theology? Isn't that the study of religion? so, what does it have to do with me? Isn't it concern priests, theologians and the Vatican? Theology has little to do with me? Hasn't it? Most of us think that theology is the concern of specialists, an academic subject that has little to do with lay person. Yet, the Christian theology that we accept today has its roots in the faith experiences of the Hebrews' search for God, their reflection on those experiences and their response to Him. 

As Rev. Fr. Michael Amaladoss SJ, the Assistant to Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ, responsible for Dialogue and Ecumenism (May 1992 - .......) puts it, "Faith looks, not only backward to God's saving and powerful presence in history, but also to the future that God invites us to create in the power of the Word and of the Spirit. Theology is therefore not an abstract philosophical elaboration of eternal verities reserved to a few expert professionals. It is a discerning search for God in the here and now of history that is the concern of everyone". 

In this sense, theology must be the concern of every Christian and more so of every Christian in Malaysia. It is the recognition of the Malaysian situation, specifically that of Saint Francis Xavier's Church (Petaling Jaya, Selangor.), that has prompted the central argument in Theology of Shoes-off, an initial effort on the part of Rev. Fr. Joseph (Jojo) M. Fung SJ to identify the elements that could form our very own Malaysian Theology. 

Rev. Fr. Amaladoss SJ has this to say about Theology of Shoes-off. The flowering of local theology is a sign of the rootedness and maturity of a particular Church. So I am glad to welcome and introduce this pioneering effort by Rev. Fr. Joseph (Jojo) M. Fung SJ to develop a Malaysian theology of "Shoes-off". 

***  BY REV. FR. M. JOJO FUNG SJ, was the Parish Priest of SFX Church (Petaling Jaya, Selangor) from 1988 to 1992.

- WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

Your generous contribution and support is profoundly cherish. I sincerely pray that: God blessing be upon you, always. Amen! Bank transfer: Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah - Public Bank Berhad account no. 4076577113 - Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.