The purpose of Sacred Scripture is in part to teach us about the faith, to provide to us what the Church calls "divine revelation." Our Second Reading from the Book of Revelation provides insights of which we need to be aware. The name of this Book – Revelation – is derived from the very first words of the Book, which are "The revelation of Jesus Christ…"

Written in Greek, the word translated as "revelation" is apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling" or indeed "revelation." As indicated in today's reading this book is written by "John…on the island called Patmos." Our Catholic tradition tells us that this is John the Apostle, although scholars sometimes disagree with that assessment and conclusion. We do nonetheless know what and where Patmos is.

What does it take to believe that something is real? We live in an age of computer technology, with things like Photoshop and other programs that can enhance photographs, create realistic images, and mimic artistic renderings. When looking at a picture of something, we find ourselves wondering if what we are seeing is real or just the result of technological creativity.

Early believers came to believe because of what they witnessed in their new communities of faith. They saw people authentically living out Jesus' command to love and to show mercy. What do people witness when they see us in action? Would today's doubting Thomas' know we are Christian?

Alleluia means "Praise God," in Ancient Hebrew, it means "Thanks be to God." Therefore, to be an Alleluia person means to be filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. A disposition of gratefulness and thanksgiving for everything… Because everything is grace: creatures, persons, events, thoughts, words, and deeds… all in life. To be a person who looks at another person, and in faith, in the spirit of God , says, "You are good and I thank God for you." Alleluia!!! Let us accept one another in the Spirit of the Risen Lord, believing that we can all rise up from the depths of our tomb (fall), and be an Easter person, Alleluia!, Thanks be to God.

Following on with our Lenten theme, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on fasting. I'll attempt to paraphrase a short article "A Reflection on Lenten Fasting" by Rev. Daniel Merz which can be found on the USCCB website. In the early Church there were two fasts. One was the "total fast" that preceded all major feasts or sacramental events. It was a means of watching and waiting… preparing for something (Christ). The second fast was a fast of abstinence from certain foods, e.g., meats or fats. This was more an act of self-discipline and self-control. We're going to focus on the first which is generally referred to as fasting.

Today starts our Holy Week Journey with the celebration of Palm Sunday. This week is like no other week in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, a week filled with intense emotion and drama, all about the Son of Man who suffered greatly in the hands of men. He died an excruciating death and on the third day rose again to give us all new life. We journey with the greatest love story, Jn. 3:16 "God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son…" Jesus Christ our savior, His most precious one. We are loved so much, we are given the greatest HOPE, and we are invited to level up, to a new level of existence.

What are you really good at? Painting? Listening? Maybe you find opportunities to help people wherever you go.

Whatever your talent or skill is, guess what? It came from God and belongs to Him. He doesn’t bless us with talents so we can be looked up to or earn lots of cash. God wants us to steward those gifts for Him! Maybe you thought stewardship was just for your money. It’s so much bigger than that. Stewardship is about everything in our lives—and that includes our talents.

Bring quickly the best robe… put a ring on his finger…” Lk. 15:22

The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive mood at the return of the other son are symbols of welcome, restoration and new life – pure, worthy and joyful - for those who return to God and their family, which is the Church. In the parable, the Son of God revealed to us the great mercy of the Father. He alone knows the depths of the Father’s mercy and His joy for every sinner that returns. Human fathers also forgive, but the parable presents the inner life of the Father’s mercy, because in addition to forgiving, He calls for the robe, ring, and festivities. The Father is faithful to his Fatherhood, faithful to the love that He has always lavished his sons. The fidelity is shown by the welcome he accorded the son upon his return.

What can I do today to be aware of God’s great love and mercy for me? Do I recognize God’s unconditional love for me?

Be in God,
Fr. Bing

The barren fig tree… Lk. 13:6

The barren fig tree symbolizes the need for repentance in order to avoid eternal punishment. In the Gospel of Mt. 21:18-22, and Mk. 11:12-25, the barren fig tree symbolizes the “temple,” which appears to be doing well, but was in fact ineffective. In the Old Testament, Jer. 8:13, the fig tree symbolizes “Israel,” and their failure to produce the fruits.

Jesus is the vinedresser (v.7), through whom the Father is giving His people a second chance. The Father does not want the death of sinners. He gives them the chance to repent and live. He doesn’t want sinners to perish. He wants them to reach repentance.

The Lord is kind and merciful. Ps. 103:8 How can I more readily repent from my sins?

Be in God,
Fr. Bing

“This is my Son, my chosen, listen to Him…” Lk. 9:35

The presence of Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets, who have announced the Messiah’s suffering, Christ passion is the will of the Father. The action of the Son reinforced the image that He is the servant of God the Father. The cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the Transfiguration, the three persons of the Trinity were present. The Father was the voice; the Son was the Man, and the Holy Spirit was the cloud. (St.Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae 3, 45, 4, and 2) The Transfiguration moment preceded by the famous confession of Peter and the passion prediction, was a call to “listen”, meant to strengthen the disciples faith, by giving them an insight to His glory, that human nature will possess after the resurrection.

In the cycle of weekday readings, Lent falls into two parts. The 1st part including the “pre-Lent” of Ash Wednesday, and the rest of the week, runs through Saturday of the 3rd week. In the 1st part, the Gospel comes from the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark and Luke), and the Old Testament readings are chosen accordingly. The prevailing message is the call to conversion. The periscopes all speak about, fasting, prayer and almsgiving; of conversion; of mutualforgiveness; of hardness of heart; of love of enemies and the call to holiness.

"Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." We do not like hearing these words, but they are at the heart of Jesus' teaching. When we are hurt, we want to get defensive and fight back. We prefer engaging in battle with something that is negative and evil, rather than returning a heart of love.

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend a helping hand, expect nothing in return...” Lk. 6:20-26 Why should we act as he describes in v. 32-34? Because it is the behavior that is befitting those who wish to be a disciple, those who want to imitate the merciful Father. Mercy leads us to a union with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Sixth Sunday Ordinary Time (Lk. 6:17, 20-26) “The Beatitudes” Lk. 6:20-26 Luke sums up Matthew’s nine Beatitudes, (Mt. 5:3-12) into four. Both, contain promises for a decisive moral decision. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instinct and above all else to seek the love of God.

“Put out into the deep.” Lk. 5:4 The last Great Jubilee year set the stage for the new millennium, a celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus. A new stage of the Church’s journey begins: our hearts ring out with the words of Jesus when one day, after speaking to the crowds from Simon's boat, he invited the Apostle to "put out into the deep" for a catch: "Duc in altum" (Lk 5:4).