Revisting Holy Land

Remember to Re-member My dear Sisters, Brothers and the little ones in the Lord, While I praise God, for those enriching experience, I invite you to join me revisiting the Holy Land, to bring those healing and transforming encounters to our daily lives, living through the season of Advent. Day 1: Do you remember, God whispered to you - welcome? Do you remember, you we were not just walking in the footsteps of Jesus, but you encountered Jesus? Do you remember Peter’s vision at Joppa and the vision of Cornelius at Caesarea (Acts 10)? Do you remember the great city of Caesarea? Do you remember, Jesus blessed you in Cana and strengthened you to continue in your marital commitment (Jn 2:1-12)? Do you remember, the angels spoke to your heart in Nazareth at the church of annunciation (Lk 1:26-38) and the mass with auxiliary Bishop? Day 2: Do you remember, we were refreshed to hear the Beatitudes anew (Mt 5:3-12)? Do you remember, the miracle of multiplication of loaves (Mk 6: 34-43) and the miracle of transformation in your heart to love and share? Do you remember, we were in Capharnaum , the town of Jesus (Mt 4:13)? Do you remember, Jesus called you at Galilee, as he called Peter and Andrew to become fishers of men (Mt 4: 18-22)? Do you remember the heavenly liturgy in Magdala (Lk 8:2, Jn 20:11-18) by the Sea of Galilee with a boat shaped Altar, with Fr. Kelly? Do you remember the boat ride on the sea of Galilee, where Jesus made Peter walk on the water (Mt 14:22-33)? Do you remember, Jesus told you ‘take heart, It is me, don’t be afraid’? Do you remember, the heartwarming rosary in the twilight at the shore of Galilee and the sacrament of reconciliation? Day 3: Do you remember, the healing waters of Jordan (2 Kings 5:1-15) and the renewal of your baptism (Mt 3:13-17)? Do you remember, the Jericho cable car drive to the Mountain of temptation (Mt 4:1-11) and your firm determination to overcome life’s temptations and dark caves? Do you remember, the ‘mineral water-bath’ at the dead sea? Do you remember, the reliving of the healing at Jordan in the mass at Nortre Dame in Jerusalem? Day 4: Do you remember, the holy mountain Temple, the sacrifice of Abraham, the Wailing Wall and King David’s tomb? Do you remember, you joined the shepherds, singing and praising at Shepherd’s field (Lk 2:8-14)? Do you remember, you were called ‘the singers of Bethlehem,’ as you sang at the church of Nativity with Arch Bishop (Lk 2:1-7)? Do you remember, you touched and prayed at the cave where Jesus was born? Do you remember, the words of infant Jesus to you? Day 5: Do you remember, the Mount of Olives, the chapel of ascension with the last footsteps of Jesus? Do you remember, we walked passing through ‘Pater Noster’ church and had a memorable group photo? Do you remember, we were at the Jewish cemetery and read the hope giving text on resurrection from Ezekiel 37:1-14? Do you remember, we were in ‘Dominus Flevit’ (Lk 19:41-44 – Jesus wept over Jerusalem)? Do you remember, the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus asked his disciples and you, ‘could you not keep watch with me for one hour’? Do you remember, Jesus said, ‘Yet, not as I will, but as you will’ (Mt 26: 36-46)? Do you remember, the Anna church where you sang and heard your melodious voice echoing? Do you remember, the church where Jesus was condemned, where you were in tears and began the Stations of the Cross? Do you remember, we walked through the streets, through which Jesus carried the cross? Do you remember, the pain of Calvary, the agony of Crucifixion and the holy Sepulcher of Jesus? Do you remember, He did it for you and me? Do you remember, God blessed you with a new life (Gen 12:2)? Do you remember, God spoke to you? Do you remember, God sent angels and new friends? Do you remember, God gave all of us good health? Do you remember, you enjoyed a beautiful weather? Do you remember, so many people rendered their helping hands? Do you remember, the drivers, the guides, and our loving organizer Annie Schnall? Remembering is vital to Christian life. Jesus said, ‘do this in remembrance of me’ (Lk 22:19). Remembrance makes one to re-member in Jesus Christ. Re-membering enables one to be regenerated and re-rooted in faith. One is no more the same. You are a new person, back home. Let us live magnanimity, forgiveness, humility and authentic self-less love. (Ps. During Advent, one could read every day two sentences from the above experiences and spend time reading the relevant Bible text and re-living one’s personal experience in the Holy Land). The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you. I wish you all a fruitful time of Advent - to remember and to re-member in Jesus Christ with renewed spirit of love, joy, forgiveness and peace. Fraternally in Christ Jesus, Fr. Rajakumar Joseph S.J.,

Called to Rise with the Risen Lord

If Resurrection is the foundation of Christianity, The Risen Lord is the Foundation of a Christian If the Risen Lord is the Foundation of a Christian, The Christians cannot but be Risen people. Resurrection is the work of God Risen Lord is the accompanying light of Hope Let the Resurrection, Rise our hearts and minds to be Risen people Let our Hearts burn like that of the Emmaus disciples. The Lord is Risen and Invites us to Rise with Him. Happy Easter…. In the Risen Lord Rajkumar