...its got several missing functions :-(
hence the layout of this post is rather :-S)
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Isiah had prophesized about the Messiah:
"A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice"
(Isiah 42:3)
Now Jesus, the same Jesus who, at the Last Supper, would pray:
“Holy Father,
protect them by the power of your name
—the name you gave me—
so that they may be one
as We are one.”
(John 17:11)
comes along stating:
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)
…isn’t THAT confusing?!?!?!?!
…it might make me wonder whether we’re talking about the same person here!!!!
...Yet we ARE!!!
…IT IS THE SAME person!
…IT IS THE SAME Jesus!
…and to be more correct, it is NOT just a person, but God as well!
"Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness."
(Philippians 2: 5-7)
Whilst Jesus took the nature of man, He REMAINED God!
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Isiah had spoken of Jesus as one who would be merciful!
As Him who would bring Justice!
"A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice"
(Isiah 42:3)
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Jesus at the Last Supper prayed to God the Father
that His people would be one!
...That the Church of God would be united!
“Holy Father,
protect them by the power of your name
—the name you gave me—
so that they may be one
as We are one.”
(John 17:11)
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Yet on this occasion, the same Jesus exclaimed:
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)
…why?
…why did He say that?!
…what does it mean?!?!?!
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Well whilst I am ABSOLUTELY no one to say what it means, yet the following is what I have been taught…
YES, Jesus was and is merciful!
YES, Jesus came to bring justice!
YES, Jesus wants us to be One
(…He Himself prayed for that!)
YET the SAME Jesus had said on another occasion:
"Remember the words I spoke to you:
'No servant is greater than his master.'
If they persecuted me,
they will persecute you also."
(John 15:20)
YES! Jesus came to gather and unite His people!
YET that ALSO means that there will be persecution!
Jesus had spoken of "hate" before he said the former!
"If you belonged to the world,
it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world.
That is why the world hates you."
(John 15:19)
“The world Hates you”
Jesus said!
and those are VERY VERY VERY strong words!!!!!
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IF Jesus came to bring Peace within His people and His Church,
He definitely would not bring peace in the WHOLE world!!!!!
Jesus brought with Him the Truth!
(Actually Jesus IS the Truth!!!)
…but the world does not want the Truth!!!
We have nailed Jesus to the cross!!!!!!!!!!!
We’re glad to live in lies!
We’re glad to believe most of the lies we are told!
We’re glad to live in and with the artificial!
We're all into “plastic” and “disposable” stuff!
We buy all the rubbish!!!!!!
…even much of our food has become “junk” food!!!!
We’re just glad to gulp down ALL the lies!!!
(...they're presented to us in a nice manner!!!)
YET
That is NOT what Jesus wants!
That is NOT the Truth which Jesus presents!
The Truth which Jesus presents is TRUTH!
Hence it is REAL, DEFINATE AND UNCHANGING!
It CAN NOT be altered!
(Punto e basta!!!!!)
Yes indeed!
“Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.”
(Luke 12:51)
Those who stick to CHERISHING the Truth,
Those who stick to doing their best to LIVE by the Truth,
Those who stick to DEFENDING the Truth,
WILL BE HATED!
(Jesus Promised!)
"For from now on a household of five will be divided:
three against two and two against three;
the father divided against the son, son against father,
mother against daughter, daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
(Luke 12:52-53)
Those who truly cherish, love, and defend the Truth
will do so at ALL COSTS!
They will do it!
...Even if it means that that they’d be hated by their VERY OWN people!
They will do it because they are convinced!
Because they KNOW that NOTHING is more important or sacred
than cherishing, living by, loving, defending and/or proclaiming the Truth!
Yes they will do it and God’s words will be perfectly understandable:
" 'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
For from now on a household of five will be divided:
three against two and two against three;
the father divided against the son, son against father,
mother against daughter, daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.' "
(Luke 12:51-53)
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On a slightly different note, in Today’s Gospel, Jesus also said:
"I have come to bring fire to the earth,
and how I wish it were blazing already!”
(Luke 12:49)
I think that Jesus was referring to more than just the fire of Love in this sentence. His next sentence spoke of a baptism:
“There is a baptism I must still receive,
and how great is my distress till it is over!”
(Luke 12:49)
Hence it is NOT just a fire of Love which Jesus is speaking about in the first line. Jesus is also speaking about a fire which purifies. The ‘Fire’ of the Holy Spirit! Jesus seems to be almost waiting in pain for this “baptism”! …this purification! …this Love! …this FIRE!
"I have come to bring fire to the earth,
and how I wish it were blazing already!”
(Luke 12:49)
I do not know where the Maltese Hymn “Tina l-Ħlewwa” came from
…nor did I look up its history...
…yet I think its safe to say that the writer
was SURE to have read these words before writing it!!!
…it is my prayer too:
Tina l-Ħlewwa ta’ l-Ilsna
(Kliem ta’ Dun Karm Psaila)
Tina l-ħlewwa ta' l-ilsna tas-sema
Biex il-ġieħ li jixraqlek nagħtuk,
Qalb ħanina li taħfer li tagħder,
Kif ħabbejtna nixtiequ nħobbuk!
QALB IMQADDSA TA' ĠESÙ
LI BERIKT LIT-TFAL ĊKEJKNIN
KEBBES FINA IN-NAR TA' MĦABBTEK
ŻOMMNA MIEGĦEK IMĦADDNIN
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(The above I’d translate as follows:
Give us the sweetness/gentleness of the Heavenly Tongues,
So that we may give you the Praise and Worship due to You,
A merciful heart capable of forgiving and being compassionate,
As You have loved us, so too we would like to love You!!
O Holy/Sacred Heart of Jesus,
You who blessed the little children,
Enkindle within us the Fire of Your Love
Hold/Hug us close to You!)
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(The third photo: Kappella "Il-Mulej Blata Tieghi",
(Chapel: "The Lord is my Rock"),
the Chapel of Adoration with which God
has and continues to bless Our Parish :-)
Grazzi Kbira lil Alla!
Grazzi Kbira lil Father li Alla uza biex tahielna!)
