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Posts Tagged ‘Advent’
Advent
As a Christian, what symbolic meanings does Advent give them and how this season changes their lives.
Publish date: 2018 - 12 - 22
“The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)
Rejoice, be glad; be gentle and humble
Publish date: 2018 - 12 - 16
The End or the Beginning
Advent is indeed, a time of remembering, reflection, and transformation.
Publish date: 2018 - 12 - 2
The Jitters of the Last Day
Fear Not! Wherever the Head goes, His Body follows.
Publish date: 2017 - 12 - 3
Pope Francis: The world desperately needs hope, and we are the messengers
(CNA/EWTN News) Pope Francis Wednesday spoke about the hope that Child Jesus brings at Christmas time, saying it is our duty to be the messengers who bring his message to the world – a world that is thirsting for goodness. “The message of the Good News entrusted to us is urgent,” he said December 14. […]
Publish date: 2016 - 12 - 15
Advent and Handel’s Messiah
The author relates the Mass readings of the 3rd Sunday of Advent to the powerful experience of attending a TSO concert on Handel's Messiah.
Publish date: 2016 - 12 - 11
The Flooding Image of Noah
Our Gospel reading for this first Sunday of Advent might strike us as a bit odd. It does not mention about the coming of Christmas, nor the arrival of the child Jesus. Rather, it appears the Gospel reading for the first week of the church year is about a somewhat dark picture of the coming of the Son of Man.
Publish date: 2016 - 11 - 27
Spiritual Talk – Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C), Fr. Anthony Ho explains for us the story of Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth. Mary is our mother, and devotion to her can help us to receive great graces from God and allow us to escape from the clutches of sin and evil. Fr. Ho describes several stories of Mary's protection of the faithful, as well as the benefits of praying the Rosary.
Publish date: 2015 - 12 - 19
Spiritual Talk – Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)
On the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C), also known as Gaudete Sunday, Fr. Anthony Ho reminds us to be joyful in anticipation of Jesus' coming and the origin of the Sacrament of Baptism, bringing us eternal salvation. However, this does not mean that suffering will end on Earth, as only the Kingdom of Heaven will have perfect joy and peace. Lastly, Fr. Ho also speaks about Our Lady of Guadalupe and the events surrounding her apparition, as well as the fruits of faith that appeared as a result.
Publish date: 2015 - 12 - 12
Spiritual Talk – Second Sunday of Advent(Year C)
On the Second Sunday of Advent(Year C), Fr. Anthony Ho explains for us the story of St. Jon the Baptist's prophecy of the saviour's coming. He reminds us to find time for silence, to pray and reflect, to create room as we receive God into our hearts. Fr. Ho also speaks on the life of St. Nicholas and the stories surrounding his aid of the poor.
Publish date: 2015 - 12 - 5
Spiritual Talk – First Sunday of Advent (Year C)
On the First Sunday of Advent (Year C), Fr. Anthony Ho explains for us the story of Jesus' prophecy of the second coming. At the beginning of the Advent season, we should also prepare ourselves as we await His return. His arrival will bring about the last judgement, the destruction of sin and eternal life. Fr. Ho also shares with us the story of the apostle Andrew from his following of Jesus to his missionary work after Jesus' death until his own martyrdom. St. Francis Xavier is another missionary who glorified Jesus with his life, relying on God to spread the Good News to Asia. His life is another witness for us to learn from and honor.
Publish date: 2015 - 11 - 22
Spiritual Talk 4th Sunday of Advent (Year B)
On the 4th Sunday of Advent, Fr. Anthony Ho explains to us the the story of the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke. Like Mary, every one of us have a calling from God, a mission given to us by Him. We must understand his will in order to find our purpose and direction in life. We need to always ask God with a humble heart: "Lord, what would you have me do?"
Publish date: 2014 - 12 - 20
Spiritual Talk 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year B)
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, Fr. Anthony Ho explains to us the significance of joy to Christians everywhere. We must be as St. Paul the Apostle exhorts us: to be joyful always and pray constantly, to pass God's love to those around us. Through various sacrifices and the Sacrament of Confession, we can remove ourselves from sin, walking towards God with the hope Christ gave us.
Publish date: 2014 - 12 - 13
Spiritual Talk 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year B)
On the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year B), Fr. Anthony Ho discusses the role of John the Baptist in the Gospel of Mark. Fr. Anthony reminds us that we must be attentive and listen to God's will to fulfil our mission in life. We need to remain humble at all times so that through our witness, we can bring those around us closer to Jesus Christ.
Publish date: 2014 - 12 - 6
Spiritual Talk 1st Sunday of Advent (Year B)
On the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year B), Fr. Anthony Ho explains to us the Parable of the Watchmen in the Gospel of Mark. Fr. Anthony reminds us that we must need to be alert at all times, to prepare hearts for the impending arrival of Jesus Christ. We must be careful of sins such as Greed, Lust, Sloth and Pride by examining our lives, and he suggests that we take this time of Advent to go to confession and repair our relationship with God.
Publish date: 2014 - 11 - 29
Emmanuel: God with Us
將臨期第四主日甲年讀經 將臨期第四主日的到來，意味着耶穌誕生的日子已經非常接近，而主日讀經也以這即將誕生的嬰孩為中心。教會安排了我們在這個主日聆聽瑪竇福音叙述「耶穌奧秘的身份來源」。 在福音中，若瑟接納到天使的訊息，顯示瑪利亞的兒子是天主子。耶穌受孕及出生的經過超凡神妙，正好為衪的身份及傳教工作做了詳盡的註解。保祿也論及耶穌的人性和事工：耶穌既是天主又是人，衪的降生和在世的生活顯示衪的人性；衪藉聖神的力量復活則顯示衪的天主性。總括來說，今天的讀經都指出耶穌的身份：衪是天主臨在子民中間的標記、是真天主又是真人、是來到世上救贖我們的天主子。 這些記載以雙重的方式講解這個嬰孩在世上誕生的意義。首先，天使指示若瑟給嬰孩取名為「耶穌」，並且解釋這個名字的意思就是「上主救援」，意味著這嬰孩將會是普世「萬民的拯救者」。其次，耶穌的誕生應驗了依撒意亞先知的預言：「看，一位貞女將懷孕生子，人將稱他的名字為厄瑪奴耳(意思是：天主與我們同在)。」 這個嬰孩的別名「厄瑪奴耳」尤其重要，因為整部福音的主旨就是：天主在耶穌內無時無刻地陪伴著祂的子民，拯救、幫助、和保護他們。福音的結尾更清楚地預言耶穌將會與他們「天天在一起，直到世界的終結。」（瑪28:20） 這篇默想是以 Foundations in Faith – Catechist Catechumenate Manual 為根據，並獲得版權持有人 RCL Benziger, LLC 批准使用。 Fourth Sunday of Advent (Liturgical Year A) The Fourth Sunday of Advent brings us closer to the coming birth of our Lord. Reflected in this Sunday’s readings is the passage from the Gospel of Matthew that revealed […]
Publish date: 2013 - 12 - 22
Joyfully Proclaiming the Good News
將臨期第三主日甲年讀經 傳統上，將臨期第三主日又稱為「喜樂主日」(Gaudete Sunday)；Gaudete是拉丁文，意即「喜樂」。依撒意亞先知以大地復甦茂盛、眾人康泰健强來描述以色列將獲得拯救後的情形。以色列因亞述入侵而滅亡，以色列人被迫四處流徙，但堅信上主必會解救他們，帶領他們回到國土。第二篇讀經中，雅各伯勸勉基督徒團體要忍耐，信賴上主必會能人所不能。因宣講上主話語而受苦的先知，正好是基督徒面對困難和迫害時的借鏡。今天的福音，着重默西亞的慈愛特質：衪使瞎子看見、瘸子行走、癩病者得潔淨、聾子聽見、死人復活，又把喜訊帶給窮人。經文接着論及洗者若翰，他是最後一位先知，為耶穌的來臨鋪路。我們基督徒經聖洗聖事進入「天主的國度」，在分享這些先知的神恩時，的確充滿驚訝喜樂。 今日的三篇讀經的意義，都表明天主教教義重視先知神恩。若翰洗者是舊約時代最後的偉大先知，他喚召眾人悔改，並指出通往默西亞 – 耶穌 – 的路。伯多祿宣稱：說預言的神恩，是天主聖神在五旬節那天傾注在門徒身上的(宗 2:14–21)。保祿也認為先知是聖神的恩賜，並指示格林多人應怎樣善用這神恩(格前 14:29–33)。所有基督徒領洗時，都分享基督的司祭、先知和君王三職：「天主的聖民也享有基督的先知任務，特別以信德愛德的生活，到處為基督作活的見證。又向天主奉獻讚頌的祭品，就是奉獻一切歌頌主名的唇舌之成果…」(《教會》教義憲章 第12條)。 作為領受了堅振後的基督徒, 「它賦予我們聖神的特別力量，為能傳播及維護信仰，以言以行作耶穌的証人，且勇於承認基督之名，絕不以十字架為一樁羞恥的事。」(天主教教理 1303) 。保祿宗徒也勸告我們: 「你們但要在心內尊崇基督為主；若有人詢問你們心中所懷希望的理由，你們要時常準備答覆，且要以溫和、以敬畏之心答覆，保持純潔的良心，好使那些誣告你們在基督內有良好品行的人，在他們誹謗你們的事上，感到羞愧。」(伯多祿前書 3:15-16) 「…也不要因為在你們中，有試探你們的烈火而驚異，好像遭遇了一件新奇的事；反而要喜歡，因為分受了基督的苦難，這樣好使你們在他光榮顯現的時候，也能歡喜踴躍。如果你們為了基督的名字，受人辱罵，便是有福的，因為光榮的神，即天主的神，就安息在你們身上。」(伯多祿前書 4:12-14) 求主賜給我們一顆和平的心，無論有萬般困難也好，能夠抱著一份喜樂和關懷的心情來共同宣揚耶穌基督的佳音。 這篇默想是以 Foundations in Faith – Catechist Catechumenate Manual 為根據，並獲得版權持有人 RCL Benziger, LLC 批准使用。 Third Sunday of Advent (Liturgical Year A) This third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word […]
Publish date: 2013 - 12 - 15
True Conversion
將臨期第二主日甲年讀經 在今日的讀經裡，依撒意亞先知描述未來的默西亞君王，顯示一個正義與和平的景象，這景象包括了以色列、全人類及所有受造物。第一篇讀經是有關末世的，以普世均可獲得救恩作結。聖詠則强調在天主揀選的君王的神國內，正義與和平是無遠弗屆，了無休止的。在瑪竇福音中，若翰洗者標誌着聖祖和先知時代的終結，並為以耶穌開始的新時代作好準備。若翰宣告新時代的來臨，强調承襲的特權或表面奉行法律都不能取代真正的皈依，亦不能使人逃過天主的審判。 隨着基督的來臨，默西亞時代已經開始，並應驗了天主在依撒意亞先知時代許下的諾言。這默西亞時代就是天主的國度，將在世界末日、耶穌臨駕一切時圓滿終結。默西亞時代的標記是正義與和平。正義是天主的子民與子民之間、推而廣之，以至所有受造物與受造物之間應有的正確關係，特別是要關懷照顧貧苦和弱小的人。和平不單指沒有戰爭，更指與天主建立友好關係而達致全面的神形康泰。天主教教會教導我們：信友效法基督，按基督的心意而生活，會加速天主神國的來臨 (教理2046)。 怎樣效法基督呢?古語有云：「修身齊家治國平天下」。由「修身」開始，我們應先改善自己。而改善自己最佳的方法便是懺悔，承認自己過往的種種過錯，從而修補跟天主和他人的關係。這就是洗者若翰所宣揚的「真正的皈依」。內心深深歸向上主而獲得真正的平安。 而在這將臨期，我們的主耶穌基督已經為我們準備了最好的聖誕禮物：教會的修和聖事。願我們能好好把握這個機會，將來能踏入天國光輝燦爛的家園。 這篇默想是以 Foundations in Faith – Catechist Catechumenate Manual 為根據，並獲得版權持有人 RCL Benziger, LLC 批准使用。 Second Sunday of Advent (Liturgical Year A) In today’s Scripture of the coming of the Messianic King, the prophet Isaiah gives us a vision of justice and peace that will embrace not only Israel but the […]
Publish date: 2013 - 12 - 8
The Saviour’s Return
將臨期第一主日甲年讀經 今天的第一篇讀經選自依撒意亞先知書，描述萬邦奔赴聖山，齊集天主面前，這是古舊的末世景象，也描繪了以色列民族對末日的憧憬。經文指出不單是以色列民，而是萬國萬民都會聚集在天主面前，天主會帶來審判及真正的和平。在寫給羅馬人的信中，保祿從道德的角度解釋應怎樣準備末世來臨。基督徒活在局勢緊張的時刻，保祿就以黑暗與光明的對比來表達他的重點：黑暗與光明並不是我們無法控制的外在因素，而是可以透過天主幫助而選擇的生活特質。在福音裡，耶穌也指出世界末日的來臨將有如諾厄時的洪水一樣，既突如其來，又震撼驚慄，沒有人知道誰會被提去，誰又會被遺棄。 將臨期的英文是 “Advent”，意即「來臨」，教會就在這時期準備慶祝天主降生成人。隨着將臨期展開，天主教教會的着眼點是時間的盡頭，這種向前瞻的態度使每個教友的日子過得有意義，也令整個團體內的信眾的生命有意義。「來吧，主耶穌」(Maranatha) 是將臨期的禱文；自從基督光榮地升天，坐在聖父之右那一刻開始，世界都期待着衪再來，但無人知道會在何時何日。教會呼喚所有人在基督再來之前皈依，耶穌已播下天國的種籽。在基督再來時，天國的壯麗輝煌將會被完全彰顯。將臨期是要作決定的時期：因為基督就會在我們意料不到的時辰回來；所以我們必須時刻警覺醒寤，隨時準備迎接主的來臨。 你預備好了嗎？ 這篇默想是以 Foundations in Faith – Catechist Catechumenate Manual 為根據，並獲得版權持有人 RCL Benziger, LLC 批准使用。 First Sunday of Advent (Liturgical Year A) Today’s first reading from Isaiah uses a very old image of all nations coming together to God on a mountain to describe in eschatological terms the final fulfillment of […]
Publish date: 2013 - 12 - 1
