Life and Death The Gospel account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead has several points of spiritual significance, here are three of them: Reference to the resurrection of the dead in the Old Testament can be found in the Book of Daniel: Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, others to reproach and everlasting disgrace (Dan 12:2). In Jesus’ time, the Jews were divided about the resurrection of the…
Redemption and Salvation What is Redemption? Redemption is the act in which Jesus Christ paid the price of His own sacrificial Death on the Cross in order to free mankind from the slavery of sin. In his epistle, St. Peter told the early Christians: “You were ransomed from your futile conduct not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.” (1Peter 1:18-19) By sending His own Son in…
Light and Blindness Scripture reading: Healing of the man born blind (Jn 9:1-41) The miracle of the healing of the man born blind is closely connected to Jesus as the Light of the world. It is not clear from the Gospel text when it was exactly that Jesus declared to the scribes and the Pharisees, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12); but…
Step by Step in Faith A little background on John 4: Samaria was a region located between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. In Jesus’ time, Samaria was joined to Judea under Roman rule. Travelers from Judea to Galilee and vice-versa had to pass through Samaria; otherwise, they had to make a detour through the Transjordan (region east of the Jordan River). Some Jews preferred to take the detour because of the hostility between Jews and Samaritans;…
Heart Ridge, S.C. We are excited to hold a Summer Camp on the weekend of June 9-11, 2023. The venue is Heart Ridge, a Catholic Retreat and Cultural Center located in Sunset, South Carolina. It is a beautiful natural reserve with mountains, lakes, waterfalls and forest. It is about a 2.5-hour drive from Holy Name of Jesus Chinese Catholic Mission. The minimum fee is $140/person for 3 days and 2 nights, including meals. For families who opt to stay in…
Listen to Him! The Gospel account of the Transfiguration appears in all three synoptic Gospels; comparing all three with one another gives us a fuller picture of the event: In summary, Jesus led Peter, James and John up a high mountain where He was physically transfigured – His face shone like the sun and His clothes became dazzling white (white as light). Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Jesus; they talked about His exodus that He was to accomplish…
Step by Step in Faith Scripture Passage: Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4:5-42) Commentary A little background on John 4: Samaria was a region located between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. In Jesus’ time, Samaria was joined to Judea under Roman rule. Travelers from Judea to Galilee and vice-versa had to pass through Samaria; otherwise, they had to make a detour through the Transjordan (region east of the Jordan River). Some Jews preferred to take…
Lessons from the Desert After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert; He was alone and He fasted for forty days. Jesus seemed vulnerable and Satan came to tempt Him. Point (1) The devil tempts us when we are physically, mentally and spiritually weak and vulnerable. Satan’s objective was to thwart God’s plan of salvation which Jesus, the Son, intended to carry out; this plan will ultimately lead…
Lent – Its Origin and Purpose Lent – Its Origin and Purpose Lent is a time when the whole Church reflects on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; at the same time, it is a time for the unbaptized to prepare for baptism and for those already baptized, it is a time for personal spiritual renewal. In the 3rd to 4th century Church, preparation for baptism lasted several years. During that time of preparation, the unbaptized…
Lessons from the Desert Scripture passage: Matthew 4:1-11 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that…