It is the day we have been waiting for! :D
As we count down the hours to the long-awaited, much talked about EW retreat, we also keep in mind (and prayer) those who are unable to join us and those away from the church community.
Last Sunday in CG
Part 5 of our 5-part series on Salvation History: "Redemption".
After Exile (disobedience & sin), we see that God always forgives us and redeems us in spite of our failings and unfaithfulness. We looked at the examples of Cain, Jacob & Judah who all committed serious sins, and yet the Lord blesses them again after they repent from their ways. For us who are unable to trust others once they have sinned against us, this "saving act" of God seems rather unfair and unbelievable. And yet we often find ourselves in this same situation, perhaps only in "milder" conditions. Is God's forgiveness towards us, then, unfair and unbelievable?
After a long time of sending prophets to tell the people to turn towards God, God Himself decided to become a human being to fulfil the law (convenant) and to redeem us from all our sinful ways once and for all. This is what we know as Salvation, which is closely linked to Redemption. It is the same act, but like 2 different sides of the same coin. Redemption entails turning away from sinfulness, while Salvation (won by Jesus) enters us into the Divine Life and into a relationship with God the Father. Only by the Incarnation, Life, Passion, Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ are we able to know God and to receive His Redemption, because Jesus is the High Priest who offers Himself as The "Ultimate" Sacrifice and hence there is no more need for future bloodshed to fulfil the convenantal laws (for further explanation, read Heb 7:23-27 & 9:11-28).
Jesus as both Priest and Victim, can be quite an abstract concept to visualise, but this is the same mystery (reality!) we see at every Mass, becoming real again and again to remind us of what God has done for us, and hence the lives we ought to live, claiming the victory over sin and death in every nook and corner of our lives.
Finally, we concluded this series with a rather thought-provoking reflection on our own exile and redemption, and why we struggle between the two.
After Exile (disobedience & sin), we see that God always forgives us and redeems us in spite of our failings and unfaithfulness. We looked at the examples of Cain, Jacob & Judah who all committed serious sins, and yet the Lord blesses them again after they repent from their ways. For us who are unable to trust others once they have sinned against us, this "saving act" of God seems rather unfair and unbelievable. And yet we often find ourselves in this same situation, perhaps only in "milder" conditions. Is God's forgiveness towards us, then, unfair and unbelievable?
After a long time of sending prophets to tell the people to turn towards God, God Himself decided to become a human being to fulfil the law (convenant) and to redeem us from all our sinful ways once and for all. This is what we know as Salvation, which is closely linked to Redemption. It is the same act, but like 2 different sides of the same coin. Redemption entails turning away from sinfulness, while Salvation (won by Jesus) enters us into the Divine Life and into a relationship with God the Father. Only by the Incarnation, Life, Passion, Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ are we able to know God and to receive His Redemption, because Jesus is the High Priest who offers Himself as The "Ultimate" Sacrifice and hence there is no more need for future bloodshed to fulfil the convenantal laws (for further explanation, read Heb 7:23-27 & 9:11-28).
Jesus as both Priest and Victim, can be quite an abstract concept to visualise, but this is the same mystery (reality!) we see at every Mass, becoming real again and again to remind us of what God has done for us, and hence the lives we ought to live, claiming the victory over sin and death in every nook and corner of our lives.
Finally, we concluded this series with a rather thought-provoking reflection on our own exile and redemption, and why we struggle between the two.
This Sunday in CG
Please note that there will be no CG for the next 2 Sundays as we will be having our EW retreat this weekend, and the 40-Hour Eucharistic Adoration will be held the following weekend. We return in July with a new series of CGs, look out for the emails and join us then!
Announcements
1) Pray for EW retreat!
We ask all of you on this mailing list to say a short prayer for us all --the retreat team + all who are going to the EW retreat this weekend, that we will be open to the grace of God and receive the blessings He has in store for us!
2) 40-hours Eucharistic Adoration (7pm Fri 24 Jun - 11am Sun 26 Jun)
Slots are still available for you to volunteer to 'jaga' the Blessed Sacrament and lead in prayers. We would appreciate any help you can render. Please contact Clare or Jerry to offer your services!
in His love,
barry (and some parts amanda)
No comments:
Post a Comment