The need for salvation goes back to man's removal from the Garden of Eden. - Gen. 3 - After the Fall, man's life was marked by strife and difficulty. Increasingly, corruption and violence dominated his earthly world.

God contemplated the earth: it was corrupt, for corrupt were the ways of all flesh on the earth. God said to Noah, 'The end has come for all things of flesh; I have decided this, because the earth is full of violence of man's making, and I will efface them from the earth.' - Gen. 6:11-13 -

Thus, salvation is deliverance from the power of sin. When God destroyed the earthly world with the Flood, He also performed the first act of salvation by saving Noah and his family. These eight people became the basis of another chance for mankind. The salvation of Noah and his family was viewed by the apostle Peter as a pattern of that full salvation which we receive in Christ Jesus.

The central Old Testament experience of salvation is the Exodus 12:40-14:31. But just as the Exodus symbolized their salvation, the Captivity of the Israelites in Babylon was a disastrous return to bondage. The people responded to this plight with expectations of a new and better Exodus in which God would forgive their sins and restore their hearts to faithfulness. - Is. 43:14-16; Jer. 31:31-34 -

Why, Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life, and in the spirit, he went to preach to the spirits in prison. Now it was long ago, when Noah was still building that ark which saved only a small group of eight people 'by water' and when God was still waiting patiently, that these spirits refused to believe. That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now, and which is not the washing off of physical dirt but a pledge made to God from a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has entered heaven and is at God's right hand, now that he has made the angels and Domination and Powers his subjects. - 1 Peter 3:18-22 -

You have been buried with him, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. You were dead because you were sinners and had not been circumcised: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us all our sins. - Col. 2:12-13 -

When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus. - Rom. 6:10-11 -

This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took, was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. - Rom. 1:3-6 -

So a new understanding arose: the full realization of God's purpose of salvation would involve the coming of a completely new age. This doctrine of salvation reached its fulfillment in the death of Christ on our behalf. Jesus' mission was to save the world from sin and the wrath of God.

Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets. Moses, for example, said: The Lord God will raise up a prophet like myself for you, from among your own brothers; you must listen to whatever he tells you. The man who does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from the people. In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onward, have predicted these days. - Acts 3:17-24 -

So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds. At the same times, we must be most careful to remember that the interpretation of scriptural prophecy is never a matter for the individual. Why? Because no prophecy ever came from man's initiative. When men spoke for God it was the Holy Spirit that moved them. - 2 Peter 1:19-21 -

This hope for a new salvation merged with expectation of a full realization of the rule of God. Since God was Lord and had shown Himself to be righteous and faithful. He must one day overpower His enemies and perfect the life of His people. This hope is expressed through the concept of the "Day of the Lord." Our experience of salvation will be complete when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and the kingdom of God is fully revealed.

But there is one thing, my friends, that you must never forget: that with the Lord 'a day' can mean a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises, as anybody else might be called slow; but he is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then with a roar the sky will vanish, the elements will catch fire and fall apart, the earth and all that it contain will be burnt up. - 2 Peter 3:8-10 -

Since men only die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not to be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him. - Heb. 9:27-28 -

For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. - Phil. 3:20-21 - 1 Tim. 6:14 - Matt. 13:41-43 -

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The Hebrew word from which Satan comes sometimes refers to human enemies. - Ps. 109:6-7 - Once it refers to the angel of God who opposed Balaam. - Num. 22:22-35 - But whenever this word is used as a proper name in the Old Testament, it refers to the great superhuman enemy of God, human beings, all good. - Job 1-2 - This use of the word also occurs frequently in the New Testament, for example; The devil offered the world to Jesus if He would worship him, but Jesus refused and replied, "Be off," Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone. Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him. - Luke 4:10-11 -

In the Old Testament, Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 furnish a picture of Satan's original condition and the reasons for his loss of position. These passages were addressed originally to the kings of Babylon and Tyre. But in the long range implications, they were refer to Satan himself. They tell of an exalted angelic being, one of God's creatures who became proud and ambitious. He determined to take over the throne of God to himself. As a result, God removed him from his position of great dignity and honor. Building up upon this foundation. Revelation 12 sketches the further stages in Satan's work of evil. In his fall from God's favor, Satan persuaded one third of the angels to join him in his rebellion.

How did you come to fall from the heavens,
Daystar, son of Dawn?
How did you come to be thrown to the ground,
you who enslaved the nations?
You who used to think to yourself,
"I will climb up to the heavens;
and higher than the stars of God
I will set my throne.

I will sit on the Mount of Assembly
in the recesses of the north.
I will climb to the top of thunderclouds,
I will rival the Most High."
What! Now you have fallen to Sheol
to the very bottom of the abyss! - Isaiah 14:12-15 -

The word of Yahweh was addressed to me as follows, Son of man, raise a dirge over the king of Tyre. Say to him, The Lord Yahweh says this:

You were once an exemplar of perfection,
full of wisdom,
perfect in beauty;
you were in Eden, in the Garden of God.
A thousand gems formed your mantle.
Sard, topaz, diamond, chrysolite, onyx,
jasper, sapphire, carbuncle, emerald,
the gold of which your flutes and tambourines are made,
all were prepared on the day of your creation.

I had provided you with a guardian cherub;
you were on the holy mountain of God;
you walked amid red-hot coals.
Your behaviour was exemplary from the day of your creation
until the day when evil was first found in you.

Your busy trading
has filled you with violence and sin.
I have thrown you down from the mountain of God,
and the guardian cherub has destroyed you from amid the coals.
Your heart has grown swollen with pride
on account of your beauty.
You have corrupted your wisdom
owing to your splendour.
I have thrown you to the ground;
I have made you a spectacle for other kings.

By the immense number of your sins,
by the dishonesty of your trading,
you have defiled your sanctuaries.
I have brought fire out of you to consume you.
I have made you ashes on the ground
before the eyes of all who saw you.
Of the nations, all who know you
are lost in amazement over you.
You are an object of terror;
gone for ever. - Ezekiel 28:11-19 -

Throughout the Old Testament period Satan sought to destroy the messianic line. When the Messiah became a man [fully human] Satan tried to eliminate Him.

Demons, devils, evils, are force that opposes God and His work of righteousness in the world. They also creates and invokes disturbance to the harmonious order of the universe. But the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible make it plain that even the so called 'physical demons', physical devils', physical evils', are the result of a far more serious moral and spiritual evil that began with the "Fall" of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. - Gen. 3 -

Demons, devils, evils, are fallen angels who joined the kingdom of Satan in rebellion against God. Since Satan fall, the adversary of God and His plan of righteousness and redemption in the world. Satan has opposed God's plan to establish His kingdom on earth. The first thing, Satan did was to influenced and tricked Eve, in order to use human being to establish his kingdom rather than God's kingdom.

The ultimate source of demon, devil, evil in the world is Satan, also called 'the Wicked one' or 'the Evil one.' Thus, these fallen angelic being who is the supreme enemy of God and human beings, and Satan is his name, and devil is what he is - the accuser and deceiver. The Wicked one, Evil one, this phrase depicts the devil's fundamental nature, and he is the source of all evil and wickedness.

The devil is people's worst enemy because he was a murderer from the beginning are strong words from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ. - John 8:44 - Starting with Eve, the devil has attempted to deceive every living soul. Ironically, evil also comes from the hearts of human beings.

Jesus called the people to him again and said, 'Listen to me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean; it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.'

When he had gone back into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questions him about the parable. He said to them, 'Do you not understand either? Can you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot make him unclean because it does not go into his heart but through his stomach and passes out into the sewer?' (Thus, he pronounced all foods cleans) And he went on, 'It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. For it is from within, from men hearts, that evil intentions emerge: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within and made a man unclean.' - Mark 7:14-23 -

The origin of Satan and his companion, demons, devils is not explicitly told in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. But its speaks of the fall and later imprisonment of a group of angels. The group that participated in the fall apparently followed one of their own number, Satan. The fall occurred before God's Creation of the world, leaving Satan and his angels free to contaminate the human race with wickedness.

The earth grew corrupt in God's sight, and filled with violence. God contemplated the earth: it was corrupt, for corrupt were the ways of all flesh on the earth. God said to Noah, The end has come for all things of flesh; I have decided this, because the earth is full of violence of human's making and I will efface them from the earth. At the times, only part of the fallen angels took part in the wickedness at the time of the Flood. - Gen. 6:1-13 -

Next he will say to those on his left hand, Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.- Matt. 25:41 -

As there were false prophets in the past history of our people, so you too will have your false teachers, who will insinuate their own disruptive views and disown the Master who purchased their freedom. They will destroy themselves very quickly; but there will be many who copy their shameful behaviour and the Way of Truth will be brought into disrepute on their account. They will eagerly try to buy you for themselves with insidious speeches, but for them the Condemnation, pronounced so long ago, is at its work already, and Destruction is not asleep. When angels sinned, God did not spare them: he sent them down to the underworld and consigned them to the dark underground caves to be held there till the day of Judgment.

Nor did he spare the world in ancient times: it was only Noah he saved, the preacher of righteousness, along with seven others, when he sent the Flood over a disobedient world. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, these too he condemned and reduced to ashes; he destroyed them completely, as a warning to anybody lacking reverence in the future; he rescued Lot, however, a holy man who had been sickened by the shameless way in which these vile people behaved - for that holy man, living among them, was outraged in his good soul by the crimes that he saw and heard of everyday. These are all examples of how the Lord can rescue the good man from the ordeal, and hold the wicked for their punishment until the day of Judgment, especially those who are governed by their corrupt bodily desires and have no respect for authority.

Such self-willed people with no reverence are not afraid of offending against the glorious ones, but the angels in their strength and power make no complaint or accusation against them in front of the Lord. All the same, these people who only insult anything that they do not understand are not reasoning beings, but simply animals born to be caught and killed, and they will quite certainly destroy themselves by their own work of destruction, and get their reward of evil for the evil that they do. They are unsightly blots on your society: men whose only object is dissipation all day long, and they amuse themselves deceiving you even when they are your guests at a meal; with their eyes always looking for adultery, men with an infinite capacity for sinning, they will seduce any soul which is at all unstable. Greed is the one lesson their minds have learnt. They are under a curse.

They have left the right path and wandered off to follow the path of Balaam son of Beor, who thought he could profit best of sinning, until he was called to order for his faults. The dumb donkey put a stop to that prophet's madness when it talk like a man. People like this are dried up rivers, fogs swirling in the wind, and the dark underworld is the place reserved for them. With their high flown talk, which is all hollow, they tempt back the ones who have only just escaped from paganism, playing on their bodily desires with debaucheries.

They may promise freedom but they themselves are slaves, slaves to corruption; because if anyone lets himself be dominated by anything, then he is a slave to it; and anyone who has escaped the pollution of the world once by coming to know our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, and then allows himself to be entangled by it a second time and mastered, will end up in a worse state than he began in. It would even have been better for him never to have learnt the way of holiness, than to know it and afterwards desert the holy rule that was entrusted to him. What he has done is exactly as the proverb rightly says: The dog goes back to his own vomit and: When the sow has been washed, it wallows in the mud. - 2 Peter 2:1-22 -

As a result of his original status and authority, Satan has great power and dignity. So great is his strength that Micheal the archangel viewed him as a foe too powerful to oppose. - Jude 9 - Satan's influence in worldly affairs is clearly revealed. - John 12:31 - Satan nature is malicious and exercises his evil power through demons too. A part of Satan continuing ambition to replace God is his passionate yearning to have others worship him. Since God has frustrated this desire and put down Satan's rebellion, he has become God's exact opposite. He is "the Wicked and Evil one" while God is "the Holy One." "the Compassionate One."

Satan leads people into sin by various means. Of the various methods used by Satan in carrying out his evil work, none is more characteristic than 'Temptation.' Along with his work of tempting mankind, Satan also delights in deception, and as a great deceiver, Satan is an expert at falsifying truth.

These people are counterfeit apostles, they are dishonest workmen disguised as apostles of Christ. There is nothing unexpected about that; if Satan himself goes disguised as an angel of light, there is no need to be surprised when his servants, too, disguised themselves as the servants of righteousness. They will come to the end that they deserve. - 2Cor. 11:13-15 -

But Satan is destined to fail in his continuing rebellion against God. His final defeat is explicitly told in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. The death of Christ on the cross, the resurrection of Christ is the basis for Satan's final defeat. - Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Rev. 12:9; 20:10; Heb. 2:14-15; 1Peter 3:18-22 - The final victory will come when Jesus Christ returns and Satan is cast into the lake of fire. - Rev. 20:1-15 -

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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The question is not why do we sin, because there is a distinction between temptation and sin. Temptation is merely a solicitation, and invitation, a suggestion to do wrong. Sin is the voluntary doing of that wrong thing. Sacred Scripture says, "Blessed is the man who suffers temptation." In this context means trial. The sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer, "And lead us not into temptation," is a petition to escape trials which we cannot master.

When Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible states that God tempted Abraham, it merely means God tried Abraham's faith as a goldsmith tries gold in the fire; there is a world of difference between God trying His people and inciting their corruption.

Coming more precisely to the subject of temptation, here are a few basic principles:

1. - Temptation comes from the duality or complexity of our nature. We are not simple creatures like crystals, but rather a compound of body and soul, matter and spirit. The human personality is like a driver in a chariot, as Plato suggested. Before him are two headstrong steeds: one is the animal urge with us, and the other the spirit. The charioteer, or the driver, has great difficulty to get both steeds headed in the same direction.

Though modern psychology has done much to develop the nature of this tension, it must not be thought that the tension inside man was not known in the past. The greatest of Greek dramatists, Sophocles, wrote of the great primeval disharmony that it was "grave with age and infected all men." Ovid, the Latin poet, wrote: "I see and approve the better things of life, but the worse things in life I follow."

Every human beings in the world can bear witness to the civil war which goes on inside his being. Good people sometimes act like bad people; very bad people, in certain circumstances, will act like good people. Goethe regretted that God had made him only one man. There was enough material in him for both a saint and a villain.

2. - It must not be thought that origin of temptation is solely to be sought in the individual human personality. If the origin were wholly within the person, it is conceivable that some would be without temptation; but there is no one in the world who is not tempted - absolutely no one. The nature of the temptation may vary one from another, and they may even vary with age. Confucius divided temptations into three different stages of human life: in youth man is tempted to lust, in middle age to pride and power, and in old age to avarice or greed. No one tells the full story of temptation by seeking its origin in a grandfather or a grandmother, or too much love for a father or too little love for a mother, crowded tenements, low calorie diet or insufficient education.

3. - The true origin of the conflict is not to be found in the individual exclusively but in human nature. This assumes there is a difference between "nature" and "person". Nature answers to the question, "What is it?" A person answers to the question, "Who is it?" A pencil is not a person. An atom is not a person. John Jones is a person. Something has happened to disturb the original human nature so that it is now neither an angel nor a devil. Human nature is not intrinsically corrupt (as some theologians claimed, more than 400 years ago) nor is it intrinsically divine (as philosophers began saying, more than 50 years ago) Rather, human nature has aspirations for good which it sometimes finds impossible to realize completely by itself; at the same time, human nature has inclinations to evil which solicit it away from these ideas.

It is like a man who is down a well of his own stupidity. He or She knows that he ought not to be there, but he cannot get out by himself. Or to change the picture, he is like a clock whose mainspring is broken. He needs to be fixed on the inside, but repairs must be supplied from without. He is a creature who can run well again, but only if Someone outside has the kindness to repair him. This Someone is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Redeemer of human nature. He came not to teach only but also to heal the breach caused by false freedom.

Many evil things are done quickly. Hence the Divine Savior/the Lord Jesus Christ, the night of the Last Supper, said to Judas Iscariot who was about to betray Him: "What you are going to do, do quickly." Satan on the mount of temptation tried to induce the Lord Jesus Christ to a short cut of saving people, and not by the Cross of Redemption. Satan promised all the kingdoms of the world "now." The reward for leaving evil in the hearts of people was the immediate delivery of political powers of earth.

Impatience or precipitous hurry is related to pride and to egotism. The annoyance felt at the cold coffee, the late morning newspaper, the delay in the appointment, all betray that the ego is considered that which must be served immediately.

The business person is always in a hurry; even his or her pleasures are fast. He does not taste food; he gulps it. He waits not for fruit; he plucks blossoms. About the only patience he has, and it is not true patience, is waiting for the stock market to go higher. This is really not patience, but a haunting quest for "more."

Youth too, has something of this impatience in its pre-consciousness as regards pleasure. At an early age youth can feel already jaded, among some of life's sensible experiences. There is a lust of finishing life, even before it has begun. That is why there is such a love of speed, for the speed of youth is not to get to a certain point, but to show impatience with life.

Despite the American love of hurry, in the New Testament alone there is a recommendation to patience more than thirty times. Patience is not a passivity, but a strong endurance in the face of seeming defeat and disappointment; it is a refusal to be crushed by the blows of circumstances.

Two of the famous expressions are: "He who believes, does not hasten," and "In your patience, possess your souls." The possession of the soul describes the state in which a person has full command and undisturbed enjoyment of himself in opposition to outside influences, which disturb and decompose his peace of mind. Vain is wealth and prosperity and even health when unrestrained violence of temper becomes a source of disturbance and vexation. The loud complaint, the querulous temper and the fretful spirit disgrace character and show that the mind is unmanned by misfortunes.

There are many who excuse themselves, saying that if they were in other circumstances they would be much more patient. This is a grave mistake, for its assumes that virtue is a matter of geography and not of moral effort. It makes little differences where we are; it all depends on what we are thinking. What happens to us is not so important as how we react to what happens. Patience is not absence of action. It waits for the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.

Patience is not insensibility. It is a result of thought. It is a very active bearing up of oneself under the pressure of calamity. Every person has a soul to save, but this cannot be done except by steadfast loyalty to the highest and the best. Patience then is a submissive waiting, a frame of mind which is willing to wait because it knows Whom it serves, because it is willing to endure in gratitude to God Who endured all, and also because the soul is worth more than the universe.

What often passes as religion is nothing but ethics and natural morality. Religion as a Divine force implies something that is non-human; namely, a gift from above [God] which can be accepted or rejected. God in some way enlightens the mind to see a truth that was never seen before; He strengthens the will to do things about it that were never done before, thus setting before us motives which will persuade the will to accept what is freely given. This gift is called 'grace' because gratis.

The grace of God is like the light of the sun which is outside the window. If the blinds of our will are down, or if the windows are dirty because of our behavior, the light will not come in. Human cooperation is, therefore, essential for the entering into a higher and Diviner life than the merely human. All this is a very mysteriously and slow process. In the springtime the fields are arrayed in their beautiful vesture, but one cannot see the power of God raising the sap through root and fibre, along stem and branch, and unfolding each bud and blossom.

So it is with the work of salvation. No angels announced that God has commenced His earthly life. He who, however, begins to be responsive to the gift, immediately sees that there are tremendous obstacles to be surmounted, mountains of pride and self-righteousness to be laid low, prejudices to be swept away. The consideration that God works in the soul leaves it without either excuse for negligence or ground for despondency.

Anyone with psychological insight can see a kind of interaction going on inside of himself. On the one hand there is the overcoming and the casting out of evil, and on the other, there is the assimilation and unfolding of good. It is like passing from disease to health. There is a joint working of God and man, man being able to do his part because God works, and God's working requires man's cooperation. The food in our stomach will not avail us for health, unless the organism cooperates. We must at least be able to digest it. God can no more become the spiritual life, light and strength of the soul any more than undigested bread can become the staff of life.

Most human beings refuse to allow Divine workings in their souls because it requires a change of behavior. The result is continued mediocrity and ordinariness. Man without the grace of God is like a body without food. What a starving man is, such is man without God. It would be foolish for a starving man to say: "I cannot take any food until I am stronger." How could he expect to be strong without food: One cannot feed on oneself. That is why humanism is insufficient. God is waiting to do His Part; we in secret either cooperate or lose the benefit.

BY ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN  ( 1895 to 1979 )
                                                                   
                                                                     Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The Roman Missal (3rd Edition) of the Holy Mass is as appended below:

THE  ORDER  OF  HOLY  EUCHARIST / HOLY  MASS 

THE  INTRODUCTORY  RITES

Acts of prayer and penitence prepare us to meet Christ as he comes in Word and Sacrament. We gather as a worshipping community to celebrate our unity with him and with one another in faith.

ENTRANCE  CHANT  from the Holy Mass of the day
Joined together as Christ's people, we open the celebration by raising our voices in praise of God who is present among us. This song should deepen our unity as it introduces the Holy Mass we celebrate today.

SIGN  OF  THE  CROSS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

GREETING  one of the following:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

And with your spirit.

Or

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And with your spirit.

Or

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

PENITENTIAL  ACT  1, 2, or 3
Before we hear God's word, we acknowledge our sins humbly, ask for mercy, and accept God's pardon.

- 1 -

Brethren (brothers and sisters) let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [ A brief pause for silence follows ]

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters, 
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Lord, have mercy.            Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.          Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.            Lord, have mercy.

Or

Kyrie, eleison.                  Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.               Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison.                  Kyrie, eleison.

- 2 -

Brethren (brothers and sisters) let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [ A brief pause for silence follows ]

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

For we have sinned against you.

Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

And grant us your salvation.

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Lord, have mercy.            Lord, have mercy.        
Christ, have mercy.          Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.            Lord, have mercy.

Or

Kyrie, eleison.                 Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.              Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison.                 Kyrie, eleison.

- 3 -

Brethren (brothers and sisters) let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [ A brief pause for silence follows ]

You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:

Lord, have mercy.              Or            Kyrie, eleison.
Lord, have mercy.            Or            Kyrie, eleison.

You came to call sinners:

Christ, have mercy.            Or            Christe, eleison.
Christ, have mercy.          Or            Christe, eleison.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:

Lord, have mercy.              Or            Kyrie, eleison.
Lord, have mercy.            Or            Kyrie, eleison.

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

GLORIA  when said
As the church assembled in the Spirit, we praise and pray to the Father and the Lamb.

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

COLLECT  from the Holy Mass of the day.
The priest invites us to pray silently for a moment and then, in our name, expresses the theme of the day's celebration and petitions God the Father through the mediation of Christ in the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the prayer all acclaim:

Amen.

THE  LITURGY  OF  THE  WORD

The proclamation of God's word is always centred on Christ present through his word. Old Testament writings prepare for him; New Testament books speak of him directly. All of Scripture calls us to believe once more and to follow. After the reading we reflect upon God's words and respond to them.

FIRST  READING  from the Holy Mass of the day
At the end of the Reading:

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL  PSALM  from the Holy Mass of the day

SECOND  READING  when read
At the end of the Reading:

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL  ACCLAMATION  from the Holy Mass of the day
Jesus will speak to us in the gospel. We rise now out of respect and prepare for his message with the acclamation.

GOSPEL  from the Holy Mass of the day

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit

A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.

Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

HOMILY
God's word is spoken again in the homily. The Holy Spirit speaking through the lips of the preacher explains and applies today's biblical readings to the needs of this particular congregation. He calls us to respond to Christ through the life we lead.

PROFESSION  OF  FAITH  when said
We express our acceptance of God's message in the scriptures and homily in a creed handed down from the early Church.

I believe in one God
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostles' Creed, may be used.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER  OF  THE  FAITHFUL
As the priestly people we unite with one another by praying for today's needs in the Church and the world. After each intention, the people pray either by an invocation said together after each intention or by praying in silence.

THE  LITURGY  OF  THE  EUCHARIST

Made ready by reflection on God's word, we enter now into the eucharistic offering itself. We celebrate the memorial which the Lord instituted at his Last Supper. We are God's new people, brothers and sisters of Christ, gathered by him around his table, to bless God and to receive the gift of the body and blood of Christ. This transforms our faith and life. We prepare our hearts by song or in silence as the Lord's table is being set.

It is desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the Church and of the poor.

Before placing the bread on the altar, the priest may speak these words aloud:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God for ever.

Before placing the chalice on the altar, the priest may speak these words aloud:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.

Blessed be God for ever.

INVITATION  TO  PRAYER

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters)
that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the grace and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

PRAYER  OVER  THE  OFFERINGS  from the Holy Mass of the day. The priest, speaking in our name, asks the Father to bless and accept these offerings. At the end of the prayer, the people acclaim:

Amen.

EUCHARISTIC  PRAYER
We begin the eucharistic service of praise and thanksgiving, the centre of the entire celebration, the centre prayer of worship. At the priest's invitation we lift our hearts to God and unite with him in the words he addresses to the Father through Jesus Christ. Together we join Christ in his sacrifice, celebrating his memorial in the holy meal and acknowledging with him the wonderful works of God in our lives.

PREFACE  DIALOGUE

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right and just.

PREFACE  from the Holy Mass of the day

SANCTUS
Concluding the Preface with the people, all sing/say aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

SELECTED  PREFACES

PREFACE  1
OF  THE  SUNDAYS  IN  ORDINARY  TIME
The Paschal Mystery and the People of God

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

For through his Paschal Mystery,
he accomplished the marvellous deed,
by which he has freed us from the yoke of sin and death,
summoning us to the glory of being now called
a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for your own possession,
to proclaim everywhere your mighty works,
for you have called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.

And so, with the Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
 and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:

PREFACE  II............

                                                                        Page 1

Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The People's Pope

Pope Francis identifies himself with the people, and the people identify with him. He was born of simple parents - a railways worker and a plain housewife. He studied in a technical school and traveled by public transportation. Even as bishop and cardinal he traveled by public transportation, lived in a small apartment, and cooked his own meals.

When still Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio used to celebrate the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday in jails, hospitals, or with poor people. He continued this custom after becoming Pope, when he washed the feet of twelve young inmates in Rome, including two women - one of them was a Serbian Muslim. The papal election did not change his frugality and humility: he retained the iron pectoral cross, kept the old black shoes, and preferred to live at the Vatican guest house, rather than in the Apostolic Palace, to be able to live in community with his fellow priests and bishops. Pope Francis is giving security tasked to protect him lots of headaches, since he unpredictably steps down from the open car to hug sick people and to kiss children. When asked about his simple lifestyle, the Pope answered: "My people are poor and I am one of them."

Jorge Mario Bergoglio's Early Life

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Flores, a barrio of Buenos Aires, on December 17, 1936. He was the eldest of five children, and the only surviving sibling is Maria Elena. His father, Mario Jose Bergoglio, was an Italian immigrant from Portacomaro, in the Province of Asti, and worked as an accountant in the railways. He left Italy to escape the fascist dictatorship of Benito Mussolini - a quest for freedom and justice that he imparted to his children. His mother, Regina Maria Sivori, was born in Buenos Aires to a family of Italian origins.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been a football enthusiast since childhood, and a fan of Tango dancing and of Milonga, the traditional music of Argentina and Uruguay. He attended the elementary at the Salesian school in Ramos Mejia, and the technical secondary school at the Escuela Nacional de Educacion Tecnica.

Having graduated with honors in Chemistry, he worked for a few years as a chemical technician in a foods laboratory. He was ready to start his career and to become a family man, but God had a different plans for him; as the saying goes: "Man proposes but God disposes."

His Vocation Story

On September 21, 1953 - Feast of Saint Matthew, after going to Confession, Jorge Mario Bergoglio felt the calling for the priesthood, and entered the Archdiocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires. One time, he was so attracted by a girl he met at his uncle's wedding that he had to rethink his vocation. But in time the fascination faded away. He also suffered from pneumonia, and a part of his right lung was removed.

In 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, and two years later he made the first religious profession. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the San Miguel Seminary of Buenos Aires, taking time also to teach literature and psychology in two colleges. On December 13, 1969, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ramon Jose Castellano.

The next three years, he served as theology professor and then Master of Novices; alongside, he visited Spain to complete his formation. In time, he became Provincial Superior of the Jesuits ( 1973 to 1979 ) and rector of his alma mater ( 1980 to 1986 ) Afterwards, he went to Germany to complete his doctorate in Theology in Freiburg.

Episcopal Consecration

In 1992, Reverend Father Bergoglio was ordained as Auxiliary Bishop, and six years later he succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino as Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He worked tirelessly to create new parishes and to increase the Church's presence in the shanties. In 1998, Archbishop Bergoglio was appointed also Ordinary for the Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who lacked a prelate of their own rite. He understood perfectly their liturgy and spirituality, and took care of them with the same zeal that he did for the Latin Catholics.

From 2005 to 2011, while serving as president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, he issued a collective apology for the Church's omissions in protecting the people during the Dirty War ( 1968 to 1980 ) during which thousands of suspected Communists were tortured and killed by the Military Junta. On December 17, 2011, having turned 75, Bergoglio submitted his resignation as Archbishop of Buenos Aires to Pope Benedict XVI, as required by Canon Law. He prepared himself for a well-deserved retirement, but little he suspected that the real action was still to come.

Cardinal Bergoglio

In 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. For the occasion, he visited the birthplace of his father in Portacomaro.

He was appointed to several positions in the Roman Curia, and became known for his personal humility, spirit of communion, and commitment to social justice.

A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for holiness. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the elegant bishop's residence, took public transportation instead of using a chauffeur limousine, and cooked his own meals.

In 2005, at the Conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Bergoglio was considered one of the papabili, or front-runner candidates. According to some Italian magazines, he was in close contention with Ratzinger during the election, until he made an emotional plea that the Cardinals should not vote for him. On the fourth ballot, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Pope, and took the name of Benedict XVI.

The Papal Election

Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, on February 28, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio made his trip to Rome for the Conclave. He was elected Pope on March 13, on the second day and fifth ballot, and took the name of Francis. He never figured in the list of the papabili created by the imagination of newsmen worldwide. Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, when asked why the media failed to predict the new Pope, wittingly answered: "The Holy Spirit does not read social media." At about 8:00 in the evening, Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran stepped at the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica to announce the Habemus Papam. The Pope Francis appeared wearing a white cassock, instead of the customary red mozzetta. He also wore the same iron pectoral cross he used in Buenos Aires, rather than the gold one of his predecessors.

After greeting, "Good evening" he said: "As you know, the duty of the Conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome. It seems to me that my brother Cardinals have chosen one who is from far away, but here I am." Before giving his first blessing Urbi et Orbi, he asked the people to pray for the Church, for his predecessor, and for himself.

The Name Francis

Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio became the 266th Pope, and the first to take the name of Francis. The tradition of changing name goes back to the first Pope, whose name Simon was changed by Jesus into Peter, meaning Rock. The chosen name signifies the spirituality and the mission of a Pope.

At his first audience, on March 16, 2013, the new Pope explained that he was inspired to take the name Francis in the Sistine Chapel, immediately after his election, when the Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes embraced him and whispered: "Don't forget the poor." The Pope has a great admiration for Saint Francis of Assisi because of his simplicity, humility, and promotion of Christian poverty against luxury, pride, and vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the time.

In keeping with his name, Pope Francis decided not to reside in the luxurious apartments of the Apostolic Palace, but to live with other priests and bishops at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guest house. Similarly, he refuses to wear the red Prada shoes of his predecessor, but retained the black leather shoes donated by some friends in Argentina.

The First Days of Pope Francis

The first days of Pope Francis were an outpouring of graces for the Catholic Church and for the whole world. On the day of his election, inside the Sistine Chapel, he received the Cardinals' congratulations standing, rather than seated on the papal throne. On route for the evening dinner, he declined to use the Papa Mobile reserved for him, preferring to take bus with the other Cardinals. The first thing he did the next day, was to consecrate his Papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary, by visiting the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. There, he deposited a bouquet of flowers and prayed before the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, purportedly painted by Saint Luke himself. On his way back to the Vatican, he passed by the hotel where he had stayed to pay the bill and pick up his own bags. Pope Francis has already touched the hearts of billions of people; not only Catholics but also members of other religions and denominations. Remarkably, even atheists speak well of him, because he said: "The Lord has redeemed all of us, not just the Catholics, and even the atheists... even if they do not believe, we may meet them in doing good."

The Coat of Arms

Pope Francis decided to keep the Coat of Arms and the Motto he used since his episcopal consecration in 1991, with the changes required by his new position as Roman Pontiff.

The Coat of Arms is composed of a blue field with three symbols, representing the Holy Family. On the top is the Radiating Sun of the Society of Jesus, within which is a cross and acronym IHS, which stands for Jesus Hominum Salvator ( Jesus Man's Saviour ) On the left is an Eight-pointed Star, which symbolizes the Virgin Mary; and on the right a nard flower, or spikenard, which traditionally represents Saint Joseph. The Coat of Arms is adorned by a Miter, representing the authority of the Pope, and the Crossed Keys of Saint Peter, symbolizing the papal power to loose and bind on heaven and earth. Below is the motto: Miserando atque eligeddo, which means: "By having mercy He chose him." It is taken from a homily of Saint Bede, and refers to the vocation of Saint Matthew. As we know, Pope Francis discovered his vocation on the feast of Saint Matthew of 1953; and like the evangelist he felt to be unworthy of the call. Despite their sinfulness, both were called by Jesus.

Mary Untier of Knots

During his studies in Germany, Reverend Father Bergoglio visited the Perlach Church in Augsburg and was fascinated by the icon of Mary Untier of Knots . He brought a copy of the image to Argentina where it has become a popular Marian devotion. The painting was commissioned in 1700 by Reverend Father Jakob Rem to celebrate the reconciliation between his grandfathers, attributed to a prayer he offered to the Virgin Mary, which said: "In this religious act, I raise the bonds of matrimony, to unite all knots and smoothen them."

The icon shows Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, standing on the crescent moon, surrounded by angels, and with the Holy Spirit above her own crown of twelve stars. Mary unites knots into a long strip, signifying her powerful intercession in solving the difficulties of daily life. At the same, she rests her foot on the head of a snake, symbol of the Devil. Below there is Raphael who accompanies Tobias to ask Sara to be his wife. The concept of Mary untying knots was developed by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, who said: "The knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary."


Marian Devotion

Pope Francis has a filial devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. His mother was named Maria, like the Mother of Jesus; and his first priestly formation was at the Archdiocesan Seminary of Buenos Aires, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

On the evening of his election, at the Balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, he prayed the Hail Mary along with the Our Father and the Glory Be.

The next day, he visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to consecrate his papacy to the Virgin Mary. He deposited a bouquet of flowers and prayed before the oldest Marian icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani. Since the beginning of his pontificate the Holy Father has constantly referred to Christ's Mother as our model in Christian life.

Above all, he presented Mary as a model for the dignity of women, who are essential in the life of the Church. At the beginning of the Month of the Rosary, on May 1, 2013, Pope Francis said that the devotion to the Blessed Mother is an important part of the Christian life.

Devotion to Saint Joseph

Since his childhood Pope Francis was deeply devoted to Saint Joseph, the Spouse of the Virgin Mary. The devotion was strengthened when he entered the Seminary of San Miguel in Buenos Aires, dedicated to Saint Joseph. What he admired most of the foster father of Jesus was his profound faith, his tireless work, and his humble silence. In the whole Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible we cannot find a single utterance of Saint Joseph, and most of the talking was one by his Virgin Spouse.

Pope Francis chose the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19, as the date for his Papal Inauguration. In the homily, he said: "I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. He exercised his role as protector discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity."

On May 1, 2013, Pope Francis prescribed that all Holy Masses, during the Eucharist Prayer, the name of Saint Joseph was to be inserted between that of Mary and the Apostles, in this terms: "With the blessed Joseph, her chaste Spouse."

Indeed, Pope Francis is the "People's Pope." He always identifies himself with the people, and the people identify with him. When asked about his simple lifestyle, Pope Francis answered: "My people are poor and I am one of them."

                                                                       Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The science and art of scriptural/biblical interpretation. The question of how to interpret the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is not a minor issue. It is, in a sense, one of the battlegrounds for our souls. Accurate Scripture/Bible interpretation should answer the question, "How do I understand what this particular passage or verse means?"

Firstly, there are rules which govern its use, it is a science. Secondly, knowing the rules is not enough, it also is an art. Thirdly, practice to learn how to use the rules is also required. Fourthly, the interpretation of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible must be done as a "Whole." [The Old Testament and the New Testament requires thorough reading] Fifthly, do not be thoughtless but recognize what is the will of God. Finally, God grace is required, so that, we might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Partial interpretation of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, and using selected passages, and verses referring to a bias purpose is absolutely unacceptable.

If Satan had a list of what he does not want us to do, Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible would be at the top, along with prayer and worshiping God. Through study of Scripture we learn who Jesus Christ is and are enabled to become like Him. How can we become like Jesus, if we do not know what He is like? Devotional studies are important, but they must result from a serious study of Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

In fact, the apostle Paul have never failed to pray for us, and what he ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding we should reach the fullest knowledge of God's will. So we will be able to lead the kind of life which the Lord Jesus Christ expects of us, a life acceptable to Him in all its aspect; showing the results in all good actions we do and increasing our knowledge of God.

Knowing Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible as well as obeying it are the twin foundations of a godly life. A godly life produces the further desire to study God's Word. Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible interpretation done properly, thus, takes the baptized believers, disciples, from study to application in a mounting spiral toward God. Satan's attempt to take away our desire to study Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is nothing less than an attempt to remove the basis of our spiritual growth.

The Basic Principles of Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible Study. Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is a divine or sacred Book, and because of our limitation as humans, prayer is an absolute necessity as we study the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. Saint Paul teaches that non-Christian and the spiritually immature Christian are limited in their ability to know God things or His will. Therefore, we must pray that God will bridge the gap that separates us from understanding spiritual things, by having the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. Without this illumination or insight from God's Spirit, we cannot learn, and go any further to know His will.

Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. therefore we teach, not in the way philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. An unspiritual person is one who does not accept anything of the Spirit of God: he sees it all as nonsense; it is beyond his understanding because it can only be understood by means of the Spirit. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything, and his own value is not judged by other men. As scripture says: Who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him? But we are those who have the mind of Christ. - 1 Cor. 2:12-16 -

This need for insight was the concept apostle Paul referred to when he told Timothy to reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord Jesus Christ will give you insight into all this.

Put up with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. In the army, no soldier gets himself mixed up in civilian life, because he must be at the disposal of the man who enlisted him; or take an athlete - he cannot win any crown unless he has kept all the rules of the contest; and again, it is the working farmer who has the first claim on any crop that is harvested. Think over what I have said, and the Lord will show you how to understand it all. - 2 Tim. 2:3-7 -

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is frequently utilized by humans, thus, it is also considered a human book and, to a degree, must be interpreted like any other book. This brings us to the principle of common sense. For instance, the grammatical-historical method of studying the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible instructs us to look at the passage carefully to see what it says literally, and to understand a scriptural/biblical statement in light of its historical background. We understand a historical statement as a straight forward statement and do not change its literal, grammatical sense. This is "common sense."

Another example of the common sense principle is illustrated when Jesus says Christians can have anything for which they ask. Common sense tells us that there must be some limitation on this statement because we realize that Christians in fact, do not have whatever they would like. Scripture confirms that the limitation is God's will. Using the common sense principle in this way can be dangerous because it could become an excuse for cutting out any portion of Scripture we do not happen to like. But if our common sense is impartial and controlled by God, it is a valid principle of interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. [The Old Testament and the New Testament requires thorough reading]

You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants anymore,
because a servant does not know
his master's business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.

You did not choose me,
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you
is to love one another. - John 15:14-17 -

We are quite confident that if we ask him for anything, and it is in accordance with his will, he will hear us. - 1 John 5:14 -

We interpret the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible properly when we learn to ask the right questions of the text. The problem here is that many people do not know what the right questions are, and they lacks God's love, to learn. Scriptural/Biblical interpretation is a science, and the rules it uses take time, energy, and a serious commitment to learn. But when learned, there is much satisfaction in asking the right questions than in merely guessing and assuming.

The primary rule of scriptural/biblical interpretation is "context." This cannot be emphasized too strongly. If the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible readers would merely let a passage chapter, or book, the majority of all errors in interpretation would be avoided. The main problem is our bias, and our subjectivity. Many times we approach a passage or verse thinking we already understand it.

In the process we read our own meaning into the passage or verse. this is called "eisegesis." [Eis is a Greek preposition meaning "into"] but interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible correctly demands that we listen to what the text itself is saying, and then draw the meaning out of the passage or verse. This is called "exegesis." [Ex is a Greek preposition meaning "out of"] If we let a passage or verse be defined by what it and the surrounding passages or verses say, then we have taken a large step toward interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible properly. By watching the context carefully and by letting the passage or verse speak for itself do we give Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible the respect it deserves.

Of course, it is impossible to dismiss totally our own bias and subjectivity. Our interpretation will always be colored by our culture, tradition, and our opinions about the passage or verse, or perhaps by our theological beliefs, which are partially based on the passage or verse. But this should not discourage our attempt to let the passage or verse speak for itself as freely as possible, without being weighed down with our personal opinions and views.

Observation, Interpretation, Evaluation, and Application are the heart of all approaches to finding out what the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible means. They provide the structure of what questions you ask of the text, and when.

Observation: Do I understand the basic facts of the passage or verse such as the meaning of all the words? Interpretation: What did the author mean in his own historical setting? Evaluation: What does this passage or verse mean in today's culture and tradition? Application: How can I apply what I have learned to how I live my earthly life?

Interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is a two step process. We must first discover what the passage or verse meant in the day and age of the author. Then we must discover its message for us in today's culture. Observation and interpretation apply to the first step: evaluation and application apply to the second. Why are these two steps important? The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible was not actually written directly to us, or was actually written directly to us, and it makes sense to put ourselves in the shoes of the original audience if we are to understand its message properly. Thus, these steps force us to understand the meaning of the passage or verse before we apply it to our lives. Surprisingly, this step is often overlooked. The two steps separate us from the text, thereby helping to prevent eisegesis, since it separates what the text says from how it affects us today.

Using Observation, Interpretation, Evaluation, Application in the proper sequence, we are ready to interpret the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible correctly. [The Old Testament and the New Testament requires thorough reading]

Observation - The question asked: Do I understand all the facts in this passage or verse? Do I know the context before and after this passage or verse? Do I know the meanings of all the words? Do I understand the general flow of the discussion? Do I understand the cultural background? It is necessary to clear up all the factual problems before moving into the theological meaning of the passage or verse. When all these has been done, we may go on to the next stage of interpretation.

Interpretation - The basic question asked: What did the author mean in his own historical setting? We must put ourselves in the shoes of Scripture's original audience. What does the passage or verse actually say? Many times we forget to look carefully at what a passage or verse says. Does the context help define the meaning of the passage or verse? For instance, what does Scripture mean when it says, "There is no God!" - Psalms 53:1 - Context shows this is a statement made by a fool, the godless man.

The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God!"
They are false, corrupt. vile,
there is not one good man left. - Ps. 53:1 -

What does apostle Paul mean when he says the Lord Jesus Christ will return like a thief in the night. - 1 Thessalonians 5:2 - Context shows it means the Lord Jesus Christ coming is sudden.

Since you know very well that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night. It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that the worst suddenly happens, as suddenly as the labors pains come on a pregnant woman; and there will be no way for anybody to evade it. - 1 Thes. 5:2-3 -

There are times when even these questions will not help us understand the meaning of a passage or verse. Sometimes we have to read between the lines and make an educated guess as to what the passage or verse means. This is fine when necessary. But we must remember that we are guessing, and we must keep an open mind to other possible interpretations.

Integrity is a necessary elements in all scriptural/biblical interpretation. If we tell someone about what a friend said, we should try to be as accurate as possible. If we are no sure about a certain point, we should say, 'I think this is what he said.' 'Ask him personally if you want to know exactly what he said.' We all do this with our friends. So why then, when we interpret Scripture, do many of us lose that integrity? Why do we not read the text properly and carefully? Why do we read between lines, make fanciful interpretations that more a product of our imagination than relevant study, and then insist this is what the text actually says?

In interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, we must never forget whose letters we are reading. They have come from the mouth of God Himself, and they demand respect. They demand to speak for themselves. They demand that we be honest and have integrity. We must not and never put our assumption and guesswork on the same level as Words of God.

Evaluation - The question asked: What does the passage or verse mean in today's culture? It is the issue of whether a passage of Scripture applies to us today, or whether it is limited to the culture in which it was originally written. The question raised by the evaluation process is answered one of two ways. Either the passage or verse is applied directly to our culture, or it must be reapplied because of cultural differences. The vast majority of New Testament doctrine can be applied directly to 21st century culture. If we love God, regardless of when or where we live, then we must obey His commandments. This teaching is true in any culture for all times.

If you love me you will keep my commandments.
I shall ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you for ever - John 14:15-16 -

But sometimes a scriptural/biblical teaching is directed so specifically to the culture of the ancient world that another culture cannot understand it. A "cultural expression" is a statement that can be understood only within a certain cultural context. An "eternal principle" is a principle that God uses to govern the world regardless of culture. For example, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 is a cultural expression because it is understandable only within those cultures that offer meat to idols. "God is Love" is an eternal principle because it is understandable in all cultures. - 1 John 4:7-9, 16 -

By sinning in this way against your brothers, and injuring their weak consciences, it would be Christ against whom you sinned. That is why, since food can be the occasion of my brother's downfall, I shall never eat meat/food which has been offered to idols again in case I am the cause of a brother's downfall. - 1 Cor. 8:10-13 -

My dear people,
let us love one another
since loves comes from God
and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,
because God is Love.
God's love for us was revealed
when God sent into the world his only Son
so that we could have life through him;
this is the love I mean - 1 John 4:7-9 -

We should clearly understand that every cultural expression in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible is the result of some eternal principle. And even though a cultural expression cannot be carried over directly to another culture, the eternal principle behind it can. Just because it is cultural does not mean it can be ignored.

We should also remembered that just as a scriptural/biblical passage or verse can be set in its culture, so the interpreter is likewise controlled to some extent by his own culture. Many people today do not believe that the scriptural/biblical accounts of miracles are true. For instance, some scholars argue that miracles were a part of first century culture and were believed by the people in Jesus' day. But this is 21st century and people do not believe in miracles. But these scholars' views on the impossibility of the supernatural are likewise influenced by the materialistic, narcissism, science oriented culture in which they live. We must be utmost careful about allowing our own culture to influence our view of Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

Application - The process of interpreting the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible has been academic. But it is absolutely essential to recognize that the purpose and goal of Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible study is a godly life. Every study is not complete until we put into practice what we have learned and studied.

The question to ask at this stage of interpretation is, "How can I apply what I have learned and studied to how I live my earthly life?" The academic and the practical are thus fused into a meaningful approach to the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible message. Some people dismiss the academic as boring and trivial. Others reject the application as unnecessary. Both extremes are equally incorrect.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible interpreter must walk the tight rope between these approaches. A three act play is unsatisfying without the final act. The last act, without the first, second, third, does not make sense. Sometimes in scriptural/biblical study, it is necessary to emphasize the academic when the passage or verse is difficult to understand, or to emphasize the application when the passage's or verse's practical relevance is confusing. But one of these approaches should never be used to the exclusion of the other.

Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, uses...

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

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 WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -