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Reflection on 1Cor 10:13
Post date: 2024-11-23Autor: BCP
Man thinks that when a trial comes that it is beyond his strength, that he should give up and not fight, and that is a mistake. And at the same time it is a sign of our unbelief that we do not count on God and God’s help. But what does God’s Word say? “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...” Trial or temptation or various afflictions may come from our weakness due to the circumstances in which we find ourselves, or through particular people, or suggestive thoughts such as fear, or even the spirit of lies – the devil – may attack our thinking. But God has it all under control; we are not alone in our trial. God knows us, and if He allows a certain trial, He knows that it can be for our benefit, for our spiritual purification.
Reflection on 1Cor 10:10
Post date: 2024-11-09Autor: BCP
Each of us can search our conscience as to how we accept even the slightest trials that God allows in our life. How many times we grumble before others instead of trusting God, waiting patiently and believing that God can turn even the greatest evil into good. By our grumbling, we not only sin against God, but we give offence to other people. We should then apologize, confess our sin of unbelief and distrust in God, and repent publicly before those before whom we have poured out our gloomy feelings and murmurings. We will repeat this word of life for two weeks. May we recall the various grumblings of the past, since the time we believed in the Lord, so that we may immediately repent and beat our chests at least three times, saying: “Lord, have mercy.”
Reflection on Jer 51:47
Post date: 2024-10-27Autor: BCP
This verse is preceded by the words: “I will punish Bel (Pachamama) in Babylon and make him spew out what he has swallowed. The nations will no longer stream to him. And the wall of Babylon will fall.” And the prophet cries out: “Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the Lord. Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumours are heard in the land; one rumour comes this year, another the next, rumours of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.” And now follows the verse we reflect on: “For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her.” What are the idols of Babylon? Bergoglio himself enthroned the Pachamama demon and dedicated himself to Satan under the guidance of a sorcerer in Canada as a precedent. This spirit of paganism has gradually turned the holy city into the harlot of the antichrist – pagan Babylon.
Reflection on Jer 51:42
Post date: 2024-10-12Autor: BCP
The prophet Jeremiah, especially in the last chapters, prophesies against Babylon. But there is also a historical Babylon mentioned in Genesis 1. It speaks of the pride of man wanting to build a great tower. The name Babel or Babylon means confusion. God confused the speech of these proud builders and scattered them throughout the earth. In the 1st millennium BC, the nation of Israel was like between two millstones. One was the Babylonian Empire and the other was Egypt. The prophets, whether Isaiah, Jeremiah, or others, very often made pronouncements against Babylon. According to Gen 10:6-10, Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, founded the city of Babylon. The city grew greatly, but was completely destroyed in the revolt against Assyria in 683 BC. It was later rebuilt on both sides of the Euphrates. The name itself signified to the Old Testament prophets the anti-God power that controls the world. It is a demonic power that will rise up against God in the last days.
Reflection on 2Cor 5:21
Post date: 2024-09-28Autor: BCP
It is very helpful to contemplate what Jesus suffered for us when He identified Himself, as it were, with sin, that is, took upon Himself the source of evil, sin, but also all the evil that comes from that source, that is, from original sin. We can contemplate it when praying the Holy Rosary or we can contemplate the Seven Words from the Cross. So the word of life, which we will recite for two weeks, is meant to remind us: Jesus, You suffered for me and my sins in Gethsemane, in the scourging, on the Way of the Cross, and on the cross, so that through Your sacrifice I might receive You, the spotless Lamb, and thus the forgiveness of sins, that is, the justification of God.
Reflection on 2Cor 4:14
Post date: 2024-09-22Autor: BCP
We are to walk before the face of God even during the day. When a problem comes up, let us stop for a moment, realize – God sees me – and briefly turn to Him for light and for help. God allows certain problems, that is, crosses, during the day because our eyes and our hearts are focused only on earthly concerns and we forget God. Let us therefore remember the motto which is also part of the prayer in the Holy Mass: “Lift up your hearts!” We need to lift up our hearts to the Lord!
Reflection on Lk 12:39
Post date: 2024-08-31Autor: BCP
The purpose of life is not to eat, drink and sleep, to accumulate things or to pursue a career. The purpose of life is to seek the truth and care about the salvation of our immortal soul. With this goal in mind, then, we need to draw further information from the Gospel of Christ to show us how wisely we are to arrange this short life of ours, which is only a test to gain eternal life. It is essential to turn from the spirit of the world and accept Christ and His Gospel, and to walk in that light in the midst of the darkness, lies and evil that affect man. The goal is to follow Christ, to unite with Him in our life, our suffering and our death. Then we will be united with Him for all eternity in the glory of God.
Reflection on Lk 13:5
Post date: 2024-08-20Autor: BCP
Before Jesus spoke these words, He said: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?” Saying this, He responded to the report about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, and He emphasized: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” And He added: “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” (v.1-4) And He said again: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” These words apply to each of us. Repentance is not a one-time thing. Perhaps it can be true of conversion, when you become open to God’s grace, and turn from the spirit of the world to God. But then the world keeps pulling you down and forcing you to submit to its system again. That is, to prioritize material and external things and not care about your soul and its salvation.
Reflection on Luke 2:35
Post date: 2024-08-06Autor: BCP
In this battle for souls, we are to lift the spiritual mountains of demonic forces that nowadays occupy individual nations, entire cities, villages, and even individuals. Jesus gave us the commission and the promise to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead in His name. Sadly, the promise is usually ineffective because we doubt in our hearts, our faith is weak, as if the word is without spirit, without power. But if we endeavour, as St Louis Maria Grignion says, to do everything with Mary and in Mary, and we give her full reign in us in that moment and let her work through us, her faith is without doubt. She is blessed because she believed what she was told by the Lord. As for the conflict with demons, she is full of grace, full of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Most High – or the Holy Spirit – works through her. In other words, Mary in us commands the demons, “Come out!” and the power of God – the Holy Spirit – makes it happen. It is therefore necessary for us to enter deeply into this mystery. She is the new Eve, she is Immaculate.
Reflection on Lk 1:76-77
Post date: 2024-07-22Autor: BCP
When did the Spirit of prophecy come upon Zechariah and John the Baptist? It was when the Most Holy Mother of God entered and greeted Zechariah’s house. All were filled with the Holy Spirit, both Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, and the child she was expecting leaped for joy in her womb, and she spoke a prophetic word. Mary is full of God’s grace, full of the Holy Spirit. That is why, even today, in an almost apocalyptic age, we need to renew a true devotion to Mary, as spoken of by St Louis Marie Grignion, whose motto was “Everything with Mary, in Mary, and through Mary”. And he adds: “and for Mary”. He also predicted that in these difficult times a new generation of true devotees of the Blessed Virgin, her spiritual sons and daughters, would arise.
Reflection on Lk 13:24
Post date: 2024-07-06Autor: BCP
This is Jesus’ answer to the question as He walked through the towns and villages toward Jerusalem, teaching as He went. Someone said to him: “Lord, are there really few who will be saved?” To this Jesus gave the answer about the narrow door that leads to salvation. This is the word of life that we will be remembering throughout the two weeks. This word of life is followed by, “Once the householder gets up and closes the door, and you stay outside and start pounding on the door and crying, ‘Lord, open it for us,’ then he answers, ‘I don’t know where you are from!’ Then you will say, ‘We have eaten and drunk with you, and you have taught in our streets!’ But he will answer, ‘I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you will be cast out. And they shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. Behold, they are the last that shall be first, and they are the first that shall be last.” (v. 25-30)
Reflection on Lk 3:9
Post date: 2024-06-21Autor: BCP
The axe of death is already at the root of our life, regardless of our age or the position we hold on this short journey of life. John the Baptist does not mention a tree, that is, a man, that produces good fruit, because he assumes that the fruit he bears in this life will have its reward in eternity. John the Baptist points to the tree that does not produce good fruit, and speaks of its fate. It will be cut down and thrown into the fire. He means that such a man will be thrown into the eternal fire. It is a punishment for the bad fruit he has borne.
Reflection on Heb 13:5
Post date: 2024-06-09Autor: BCP
Before this statement from the Letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle writes: “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honoured by all, and marriages should be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.” Then follows this statement: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” The Apostle continues: “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” (v. 3-9a)
Reflection on Phi 1:29
Post date: 2024-05-26Autor: BCP
This verse is preceded by the Apostle’s words: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” (v.27-28) The Apostle continues: “You are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” And next: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition of conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” (2:1-3)
Reflection on Heb 13:14
Post date: 2024-05-13Autor: BCP
The Apostle Paul reminds the believers of his day, and us, of a profound truth that we often forget. We have no permanent home here on earth. On the other hand, we need to have and make a home here. Unfortunately, the current decadent culture, which is also massively promoted by the supranational political system with its gender ideology, seeks to break up the basic unit of society, which is the family. The family is made up of father, mother and children; they share a home. The mother has always created the atmosphere of the home. Even the grown-up children, who had their own families, would come home in times of hardship, seeking encouragement and comfort from their aged mother while she was alive. In recent years, sadly, elderly parents are being placed in retirement homes or there is even a growing tendency in Western Europe to terminate their lives as soon as possible through euthanasia, or assisted suicide. All this is brought about by this deadly, decadent ideology, which is spreading en masse and affecting Eastern Europe as well.
Reflection on Heb 10:25
Post date: 2024-04-30Autor: BCP
This verse is preceded by the words: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.” The groups meeting together at the time when the Apostle was writing this letter were probably as small as ours. However, these words applied and still apply above all to small prayer groups, which have carried the burden of the Church and called on God for light, strength and salvation. We perceive that the biblical demand for koinonia, the formation of brotherly fellowship, is very relevant today. A group of Christian men meet together for prayer and pray to God for themselves and for the souls entrusted to them. At the same time, they seek to encourage one another to remain faithful to Christ and to the commandments He has given us in the midst of this world, despite the various pressures. Christ’s commands are not burdensome, though in certain circumstances they may require great sacrifice. But then the reward in heaven is all the greater if we persevere.
Reflection on Heb 12:1
Post date: 2024-04-13Autor: BCP
This Scripture verse truly is preceded by an example of a whole multitude of witnesses throughout chapter 11. And this chapter ends as follows: “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Then follows the verse which we are going to recite for two weeks. It begins with the words: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” And then it continues: “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The next verse is a continuation of the previous one: “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” And we read further: “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Reflection on Heb 9:27
Post date: 2024-03-02Autor: BCP
The next verse 28 reads: “So also Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” The proverb says: A wise person thinks about the end, that is, death. But it is not enough to think about death, we must also think about eternity, which can be either happy or unhappy. The condition for a happy eternity is to keep our faith in Jesus Christ, because the Scripture says: Whoever believes in Him will be saved.
Reflection on 1Cor 1:18
Post date: 2024-02-17Autor: BCP
In this chapter, the Apostle Paul addresses the question of human and divine wisdom. He writes: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the word preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1Cor 1:20-25)
Reflection on 1Cor 11:31-32
Post date: 2024-02-04Autor: BCP
These words in Scripture are related to receiving the Lord’s Body and Blood in Holy Communion, but they also have a deep meaning as such. We need true self-criticism not only when eating of the table of the Lord, but during the day we also need to stand in God’s light and truly call our sin sin, laziness laziness, envy envy and touchiness touchiness. The essential thing in the relationship to God is truthfulness, and truthfulness is connected with the humility and courage to admit our sin, to admit that we were deceived or not vigilant. Our ego will always find an excuse, a priori rejecting the objective truth that convicts us.