CHRIST’S HUMILITY AND GREATNESS

Christ Jesus always had the nature of God, but He did not think that by force He should try to become equal with God.

Instead of this, of His own free will He gave up all He had, and took the nature of a servant.

He became like man and appeared in human likeness.

He was humble and walked the path of obedience

all the way to death-his death on the cross.

For this reason God raised Him to the

highest place above and gave Him the name that is greater than any other name.

And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:6 –11)

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, And peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!”

There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And peace on earth to those with

whom He is pleased!” 

(Luke 2:8-14)

There were thousands of angels appointed for Queen Mary during her journey to Bethlehem. After the courtiers of heaven had celebrated the birth of God in Bethlehem, some of them were dispatched immediately to different places in order to announce the joyful news according to the Divine Will.

The Holy Prince, St. Michael betook himself to the Holy Patriarch in limbo announcing how the only-begotten of the Eternal Father, was   already born in the world and was resting humble and meek; as they had prophesized.

It was also the most joyful day for St. Anne and Joachim for their long banishment, the message their daughter held in her arms—the Son of God. They all composed and sang new songs of adoration and worshipped in His Holy presence. Gloria!!

Meanwhile, some angels that attended and guarded the Heavenly Mother were send to St. Elizabeth and her son John. On hearing the news of the birth of the Redeemer, the prudent mother and her son, though tender in age; prostrated themselves upon the earth and adored their God made man in spirit and truth. St.Elizabeth conveyed her request to our Holy Queen, through the angels to adore her Most Holy son on their behalf.

Amongst all, the shepherds who were watching their flock at the time of the birth of Christ were patiently blessed. (Luke 2:8) It is not only because they accepted the labor and inconvenience of their calling but also because being poor, humble and despised by the world; they belonged in sincerity and uprightness of heart, fervently hoped and longed for the coming of the Messiah. They kept on speaking and discoursing about Him among themselves. Also, they were removed from the richness, vanity, passions of the world and far from any cunningness. So they were merited to be called and invited as the first fruits of the Saints by the Savior Himself.

He manifested Himself by those whom He wished to be praised, served and adored. Archangel Gabriel was sent to them in human form and with great splendor. (Luke 2:10-12)

At these words of the angel, suddenly appeared a great multitude of the celestial army, who in voices of sweet harmony; sang to the most High their verses:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And peace on earth to those with

whom He is pleased!”

In the angelic vision, the humble and fortunate shepherds were filled with divine enlightenment. Their fervent longing to make certain of the blessings and to witness with their own eyes—the Most High Mystery!

As they were free from the arrogant wisdom of the world they believed in the proof of the Majesty King. They were illuminated by the Divine Light and in innocence they hurried to the cave. On entering the cave, they found Mary, Joseph and the Holy Infant lying in a manger. They recognized and acknowledged the truth of what they had heard of the child. Prostrating themselves on the earth they adored the Word made Flesh.

They were no more ignorant; but as the wise and prudent men they adored, acknowledged and magnified Him as the True God and Man; joyfully confessing that He is the Restorer and Redeemer of the entire human race.

The Heavenly Mother of the child took notice of all that they did, interiorly and exteriorly and pondered over them in their soul. (Luke 2:19)

She instructed them to persevere in the divine Love and in service of the Most High. They too conversed with her; and showed that they understood many of the mysteries.

The Queen send them off- full of Heavenly grace and consolation.

Dear devotees of Christ, I humbly request you to go through the message deeply and meditate the qualities of the shepherds which truly pleased God and made them worthy to receive His reward.

Our advent journey of this year comes to an end and the events will led to the birth of our Savior. We see the prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament being fulfilled.

Blessed Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising humility, obedience, charity and poverty. She acted with unwavering faith and trust!---why?-All because she believed that God would fulfill the Word He had spoken.

How do you make your life as an offering to God along with your family?

The faithful God will never forsake you because He allowed us to enter His Covenant.

Dark days are not withstanding; He brings the springs to us. Though the door to darkness is closed He bursts open the doors of His Everlasting Light!

So let us move confidently to the new path that leads to and from the door; Path that leads to peace and happiness. Let us revive our methods to transform ourselves.

Let us kneel down without any hesitation; overcoming our sickness in front of the Mighty Restorer!

Let us go to the manger every day, with high reverence, kneel down, kiss His footsteps asking pardon for our shameful arrogant behavior. Remember that whoever knelt down and adored Him were enlightened and merited by His knowledge and humility.

Let us leave our pride and prejudice at the feet of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It is the time to think of new resolutions; sitting under the heavenly Light- the Best Gift of the Season!

So stay filled with hope, reciting few prayers like those mentioned below that can assist you to take the right decisions in the coming years.

Infant Jesus, poor and simple

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, humble and obedient

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, silent and recollected

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, inflamed with love for me

Bless me and grant my petition!

Conclude the prayer with Three Hail Mary and Three Gloria!

Season’s Greetings!!

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

CHRISTEEN SECTION

ADVENT ACTIVITIES

PART III

Dear children,

Greetings of Christmas! How was your last week? Hope you did your best to do well and lend a helping hand to your parents, family and friends.

We are already into the third week of advent and the candle of joy is to be lit. As a preparation let us pluck out the plants of sadness, anxiety, fear and laziness,disobedience etc..

So let’s awaken ourselves to receive the Holy Infant in a Supreme holy manner; by checking our hearts once again for any traces of malice like anger, restlessness arising from concealing your school work etc., to your guardians.

It is good to practice sharing, caring and helping others with a joyful heart without expecting anything from them that will form an ornate manger for your King of Peace.

St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus is another cheer during the Christmas celebrations. God had blessed Nicholas with enough wealth and a generous heart. He moved with compassion on seeing the poor and downtrodden.

A classic tale  goes thus: There was a poor man with three daughters who were all of marriageable age. The family was too poor to afford the dowry, i.e,  a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the bride’s family on the wedding day. One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney into the house. The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung to dry. This was done repeatedly until two daughters were married. The father was keen on finding out the secret well-wisher, decided to wait by the fireside. After a couple of days, he found out, when Nicholas was dropping another bag of gold for the third daughter to get married!

Nicholas begged the man not to let the secret out, as he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and whenever anyone in the small town got a secret gift, it was thought to be from St. Nicholas.

 With a long list in hand, each one of you is awaiting Santa and his gifts for you.

But how would it be if you were to be someone’s Santa, moved with compassion towards the needy?

Look through your tiny eyes for those who cannot afford a day’s meal and a good dress; or a classmate who cannot pay their fees on time. How about a visit to a neighbour who is sick in bed or a lonely uncle or aunt whose day could be brightened by your presence and a simple smile? Look for any instance when you can be of genuine help to someone, with little effort and its pain, all for the Lord’s sake!

By doing good deeds let us purify the talents that Jesus has given. 

As the clock ticks by faster towards Christmas, let us rush to make up our sole surroundings worthy to receive the Holy Lord. We pray that children who missed out or  failed to complete the advent activities to catch up sooner.

A bouquet of gratitude and special prayer of good fortune goes from Me, to all those who fulfilled or are still on the advent activities.

May the good God of KLWC, honor you with His Glory throughout your life.

 May the eternal joy and peace of Infant Jesus grant you wisdom and dutiful nature.

With love filled blessings, 

Your Sister in Christ

THE VIRTUES OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Part II

You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart. (Matthew 22:3)

CLICK HERE FOR PART I

“O Virgin! Who taught you to please God by virginity and to lead an angel’s life here on earth?” asked St. Bernard to the Holy Mary.

God chose this most pure Virgin as His Mother so that she might be an example of CHASTITY to all.  Not only did Our Mother remain a Virgin throughout, but through her St. Joseph too preserved his virginity. St. Ambrose calls her the standard - bearer of virginity.

St. Gregory of Tours affirms that the Holy Mary fasted throughout Her life for grace so that gluttony cannot subsist together. 

The Most Holy Mary reveals to St. Elizabeth of Hungary, “‘No virtues can abide in us without effort and continual prayer’.

 

O Most Loving Redeemer grant us to learn from You to despise the things of this world, and just as you were, to be satisfied in our poverty on earth. 

“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, rich as He was; He made Himself poor for your sake in order to make you rich by means of His Poverty.”  (2 Cor. 9) 

 A rich young man approached asking Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”  The Lord replied, “…..go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor and you will have riches in heaven, then come and follow Me.” (Matthew 19) 

Mary’s respect for poverty is evident when she accepts God’s will and agrees in marriage to St. Joseph, a poor carpenter. Enriched with all heavenly blessings, she still chose to live poor and also die poor.

He who loves the possessions of this world, can never suit and gain  the title of saint. The virtue of poverty lies in loving the hardships and discomforts attached to it.

So let’s abandon our grumpy faces set our eyes on our Savior and His Mother, and console our troubled hearts, to seek comfort from Them, who suffered and went through all this and is an example for us to enable us to detach ourselves from the passions and selfishness of this World.

Thus with more space in our heart, lets mediate. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.  (Matthew 5:3).  Such people desire nothing but God and discover their paradise on earth.

Virgin Mary declared that God was pleased with her OBEDIENCE when she said, “He has regarded the humility of His handmaid.”

Eve by her disobedience swept in death of herself and the entire human race, while Virgin Mary, free from Original Sin, by her obedience bloomed God’s Salvation on herself and the entire mankind.

Her obedience in all things pleased God and was more ideal than all saints. The obedience she radiated reached the highest perfection, when she submitted herself and offered Her Son to death for the Divine Will. This still continues to amaze many, including saints, to draw inspiration and strength even during the darkest hours of life.

 Let us intercede with Her to Lord Jesus to obtain such obedience for us to be faithful in God’s will.

Blessed Virgin Mary is the role model for all virtues, but Her Virtue of PATIENCE is noteworthy.  We have already seen her sorrows, sufferings and patience in the flight of her journey to Egypt, the hidden life in Nazareth, during her presence at the crucifixion.  When life’s cross weigh heavily on us, let us have recourse to Mary who is called the Comforter of the afflicted and the Remedy for all sorrows of the heart. Mary who was innocent yet suffered with much patience.

Christ Jesus our Savior taught us to pray fervently (Luke 18).  Mary is the only one on earth who practiced the Lord’s PRAYER in perfect manner. 

Mary revealed to St. Elizabeth of Hungary that she always rose at midnight and went before the altar of the Temple to offer her supplications.  After the Resurrection and the Ascension it is said that she frequently visited the places of our Lord’s Nativity, Passion and the Sepulcher.  She prayed with the greatest recollection of Spirit. 

Never before was there anyone like Mary nor will there be  anyone like her who pleased God. 

Our Blessed Virgin Mary told St. Jane -which is a very pleasing practice to her - to recite ten ‘Hail Mary’ in honor of her ten virtues.

Act for the day

Let us offer a Holy Rosary to our Mother, to grant us the grace to honor her virtues.

With Love Filled Blessings,

Your Sister in Christ