Mustard Seeds

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How should I prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ?

Advent is a time of preparation, to make us remember that we must be prepared for the moment that our Lord Jesus Christ returns to reign again victor over sin and death, He himself told us to be prepared, because we do not know what day is He coming, since He will come when we least expect it (Matthew 24:42-44).

What should we do then to be ready? Jesus Christ himself through all his ministry has taught us what to do, but He especially left us a guide in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6 and 7), the works of mercy (Matthew 25:35-40), and the sacraments (CCC 1210).

A very important part of our preparation involves receiving the sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ, to be completely part of His Church through the sacraments of initiation, namely; baptism, which frees us from all sins (CCC 1263); confirmation, which roots us more deeply as children of God and increases in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1303) and communion, through which we will have eternal life and are one with Christ (John 6:54-56). Blessing our unions through the sacrament of marriage, because the sanctification of our spouse is our mission (CCC 1661), and thus we love our spouse as Christ loves his Church (Ephesians 5:25). Cleanse our soul from sins committed by going to the sacrament of reconciliation, since, through repentance, confession and penance, we are reconciled again with God and His Church (CCC 1468).

Let us listen to the call made to us by John the Baptist, let us repent and confess our sins, receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought to us by Jesus Christ, let us practice the works of mercy, let us feed on the scriptures and on the Body and Blood of our Lord, in order to achieve eternal life.

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What is Advent?

The word Advent comes from the Latin “adventus”, word that means “coming”, it is during the advent season that we prepare for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, both to commemorate his first coming into this world and for his second coming in all his Glory (CCC 524).

Advent begins a new liturgical year, that is, a new year for the Catholic Church, since with the birth of Jesus Christ the beginning of our faith was founded. During Advent we focus on the light of Christ in opposition to the darkness, since our Lord came into the world to throw away the darkness of sin to redeem us, and he will come again as the light of the world (Isaiah 2:4-5, Revelations 22 :5).

The season of Advent is divided into two parts, from the first Sunday of Advent to the Saturday prior to the fourth Sunday of Advent, we have a marked eschatological character, facing the second coming of the Lord at the end of times. And from the fourth Sunday of Advent to December 24, the Church intensifies the preparation of our hearts, directing them to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation.

The liturgical color of the Advent season that is used in the liturgy is purple. This color is a symbol of austerity and evokes a sense of penance. It is used because it helps the faithful to be aware of the need for conversion, to “be prepared”, that we must prepare our hearts for the imminent arrival of the Lord. But not everything is austerity and penance during the Advent season, on the third Sunday, we celebrate “Gaudete” Sunday or Sunday of rejoicing, because both comings of Jesus Christ, the first in which he redeemed us from sin and the second when he will come to reign and His Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, are cause for rejoicing for all of us who believe in Him, the liturgical color for this Sunday is the color rose.

Let’s use these weeks to prepare our hearts before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, may our preparation be austere but let us not lose sight of the joy that Jesus Christ arrival into the world means.

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Why do we say that Jesus Christ is King of the Universe?

Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Eternal Redeemer of humanity (Romans 3:21-24), who for our salvation came down from heaven and by the and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,  but is also the King of Creation, by the very fact that through Him that all creation was made (John 1:1-5), how can he not then be king of his own creation?

The coming of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah; is announced to humanity since the beginning of time (Genesis 3:15), His arrival and kingship prophesied in several passages of the old testament, both in the first days of the formation of the kingdom of Israel (Psalm 22:27-29), during the exile of God’s chosen people in Babylon (Daniel 7:13-14) as king of an eternal kingdom. The prophet Isaiah not only prophesied the virginal birth of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14) but also his royal lineage (Isaiah 9:6).

The royal lineage of Jesus was also recognized during his stay among us, from his birth announced by the angels (Luke 2:11), by his own disciples (John 12:14-15 ref Zechariah 9:9), by the Jewish people themselves (John 12:12-13), by those who were in a position of power (John 18:37), by the powerless (Luke 18:35-38), as well as by those sentenced to death (Luke 23:40-42).

Jesus Christ the King is present at the beginning of the Church (1 Timothy 6:13-15) and is also present at the end of time (Revelations 17:14), as King and triumphant winner.

Let us pray with faith and conviction “My Lord and my God” when the priest repeats the words of our Lord in the consecration of the bread and wine, acknowledging in Jesus Christ the King of Kings, our Lord and our God.

Long Live Christ the King! Long Live Christ the King! Long Live Christ the King!

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Why is the Pope the highest authority in the Church?

Jesus Christ consecrated his apostles to the priesthood (John 13:15-16) and gave them a mission (Matthew 28:19-20), but he entrusted Simon with a very special task, he made him the foundation on which his Church would be founded (Matthew 16:15-18), so much so that he even changed Simon’s name to Cephas, an Aramaic word that means “stone” (and “petra” in Latin), and that is why we now know the apostle Simon as Saint Peter.

Not only would Jesus Christ would found his Church upon Peter’s faith, but he would also give him authority over it (Matthew 16:19). Peter and his successors, therefore, are the base or foundation of the Church and in turn its highest authority on Earth. It is the Pope, in whom remains the function that the Lord uniquely entrusted to Peter, head of the College of Bishops, Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on Earth (Code of Canon Law 331).

Some will say how this authority was given to Peter, who denied the Lord three times during His Passion (Matthew 26:69-75). Let us remember that Jesus Christ not only forgave Peter but also reaffirmed him in the mission that he had entrusted to him (John 21:15-17). But this is not the only reason to put him as an authority over his Church, but Peter is a man of humble origins and a sinner like us, he is someone with whom we can identify more directly. Peter is a person who was completely transformed and changed by his encounter with Jesus, he is an example of how we can achieve holiness even from our origins as sinners.

Let each one of us follow in the footsteps of our Lord, let us recognize the authority of the successor of Peter entrusted by Jesus Christ himself, let us pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father and may he continue to shepherd the Church.

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What do I have to do to follow the footsteps of Jesus?

Just as Jesus Christ has called us to holiness (Matthew 5:48), our Lord has also called us to follow him (John 14:6-7). How can I be a disciple of the Lord? By following the vocation to which God is calling you, the vocation is not only those of priestly order or religious life, a person may also have the vocation to marriage (Matthew 19:5-6) or celibacy (Matthew 19:12). Vocation is a call that God himself makes us to serve him in the best way for the work of salvation (Matthew 11:28-30), just as he did with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-2) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:7-10).

What must I do then to be able to hear the call of the Lord? There is no better way to be attentive to the call of our Lord than prayer. In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. Thus, the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him. This communion of life is always possible because, through Baptism, we have already been united with Christ (CCC 2565).

Let us be open to the call that God makes us and let us respond with faith to this call, not all we will have the same vocation, since different gifts have been distributed to each one of us until all of us attain to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:2-14).

Let us discern with faith our vocation, whether to Holy Orders, holy matrimony or the celibate life, so that, as a holy people, we work for the edification of the body of Christ that is the Church. Let us not be sponge Christians who only receive the word without acting, let us rather be like a honeycomb, Christians overflowing with the sweetness of the gospel through our example of life in the vocation of service that God has called us to.

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Who are the saints?

The Church recognizes as saints those souls who left this world and find themselves in the glory of the presence of God (CCC 954), the souls of those who, amid worldly suffering, were able to reach perfect union with Christ, according to the state and condition of each one. Those who, being men like us, were transformed more perfectly into the image of Christ (LG 50). They are the witnesses who have preceded us in the Kingdom, they participate in the living tradition of prayer, through the model of their life, through the transmission of their writings and for his current prayer. They contemplate God, praise him and do not stop caring for those who have stayed on earth. Entering “into the joy” of the Lord, they have been “charged with much more.” Their intercession is their highest service to God’s plan. we can and we must beg them to intercede for us and for the whole world (CCC 2683).

Due to the fact that they are already glorified, these souls are more intimately united with Christ, they consolidate more firmly to the whole Church in holiness. They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. By their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped (CCC 956).

Jesus Christ made a call to holiness to all his disciples (Matthew 5:48), “Be holy as your Heavenly Father is holy.” That call is open to all of us, because God has placed us in the world to know him, serve him and love him, and thus go to heaven. Having a clean heart makes us participate in the divine nature and eternal life. With it, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life (CCC 1721).

The Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic catechesis describe for us the paths that lead to the Kingdom of Heaven. Sustained by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we tread them, step by step, by everyday acts. By the working of the Word of Christ, we slowly bear fruit in the Church to the glory of God (CCC 1724).

Let us then purify ourselves with the grace of the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments that Christ Jesus gave us, so that we can follow the map towards holiness that He Himself left us in the beatitudes and we can enjoy, like the saints, being in the presence of God at the end of times.

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What must I do to inherit eternal life?

This is the question we must always keep in mind to evaluate our actions, our Lord Jesus Christ himself tells us: we must comply with the commandments, and abandon ourselves to the Lord (Mark 10:17-22). He was also very clear when he spoke with his disciples telling them that: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life ” (John 6:35-58). Our Lord also teaches us how we can eat his flesh and drink his blood, through the consecrated bread and wine in the mass (Luke 22:19). Jesus Christ is the spotless lamb who frees us from the slavery of sin (Exodus 12:3,5), the lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). So, we already know what we must do to be able to get to heaven, we must be in communion with Jesus whenever we can and when are in the grace of the Lord.

But, what do I have to do to be in grace and thus be able to take communion? Jesus Christ also indicates which path we must follow, since He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6-7), we must follow the example of Christ, love God above all things and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

Jesus Christ knows that we want to be perfect, but that we have flaws and that many times we succumb to sin, that is why He left us a way to be able to purify ourselves in life from our sins and that is why he gave authority to the apostles (John 20:22-23) and their successors to be able to forgive our sins (CCC 1461), by means of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Jesus left us these sacraments, so that as pilgrim people to the new Jerusalem where we have the abode that our Lord has prepared for us (John 14:2), we can battle against earthly temptations, and to be able to heal the wounds of our soul the times when sin takes its toll on us.

Let us be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, Therefore let’s put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, we may be able to stand our ground, with the belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, let’s take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

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Does Purgatory exist?

“That’s an invention, purgatory does not appear in the bible!”, these are arguments that we have heard from other Christians and that sometimes make us doubt. Is purgatory an invention or are there really biblical foundations for its existence? The Church since its
inception has promulgated the purification of souls through fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) since nothing tainted will enter the eternal city of heaven (Revelations 21:27).

Although the sacrament of reconciliation cleanses us from sins, this is a sacrament that consists of several parts: contrition, absolution and penance (CCC 1448), it is necessary to comply with penance in order to be completely free of the sins committed (CCC 1459). The Church teaches us that the souls of the purgatory,  are souls who departed from this world in full charity with God, but who have not yet completed the penance for the sins committed (Council of Lyon II – 1274).

We can find references in the old testament about the purification of the sins of those who have already died being pious and the works that the living can do for the final sanctification of their souls (2 Maccabees 12:44-45), the tortuous wait and subsequent salvation (Micah 7:8-9), the final judgment and purification by fire (Isaiah 4:4).

Jesus Christ himself through the parable of Lazarus and the rich man explains to us that the souls that go to hell, cannot cross into heaven (Luke 16:25-26). So what does He tell us about purgatory? He also made reference to the final judgment and forgiveness of sins, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew we find His words: “Come to terms quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. If you fail to do so, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge will put you in the custody of the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Believe the truth of what I tell you: you will not be given your freedom until you have paid your debt down to the last penny” (Matthew 5:25-26). What kind of prison could He be referring to from which you can get out by serving the penance if it is not the purgatory?

Let us receive the sacrament of reconciliation often, repent of all our sins, faithfully carrying out penance so that we may share the glory with our Lord. Let us offer masses and works of mercy for the blessed souls in purgatory for their complete sanctification.

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What are the states of the Church?

When we pray the apostles’ creed, we say: “I believe in the communion of saints…” What does this passage refers to? Let’s review what the successors of the apostles tell us: “Until the Lord shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him and death being destroyed, all things are subject to Him, some of His disciples are exiles on earth, some having died are purified, and others are in glory beholding «clearly God Himself triune and one, as He is»; but all in various ways and degrees are in communion in the same charity of God and neighbor and all sing the same hymn of glory to our God. For all who are in Christ, having His Spirit, form one Church and cleave together in Him.” (Lumen Gentium 49, CCC 954-955). Since all followers of Christ are called to Holiness (Matthew 5:48) and share with Him the grace of the Holy Spirit by virtue of our Sacraments of Initiation (CCC 1285), the Church recognizes holiness in the living and in the dead. Some of them being in the process of purification and others enjoying the glory of the presence of God.

We understand then the states of the Church, as those states in which the souls of the disciples of Christ are found, some of them, already in the Triumphant Church or Glorified Church, the Church in Heaven, in the kingdom of the Holy Trinity, the angels and the saints who have reached complete salvation with Christ (Romans 8:28-30). We, in the Church Militant or Pilgrim Church, walk through the world towards the Church triumphant, and we are militants because we are in a constant battle facing earthly temptations (Ephesians 6:13-16). Some souls find themselves being purified in the Suffering Church, those are the souls that left this world in charity with God, with true repentance of their sins, without having satisfied their sins of what they did or failed to do with true fruits of penance, purifying themselves after death with the pains of purgatory. These penance can be mitigated through actions of living beings, namely: masses, prayers, alms and other works of piety according to the provisions of the Church (Council of Lyons II).

Let’s keep fighting against earthly temptations, let us request the help of those who preceded us in the presence of our Lord, and let’s keep praying for the purification of the holy souls in purgatory.

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Do angels really exist?

When we pray the penitential act at mass, we ask the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the angels and the saints, who are the angels and how do we know if they really exist? Let’s go to the explanation given by St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church: “The name of an angel indicates his office, not his nature. If you ask about his nature, I will tell you that he is a spirit; if you ask about what he does, I will say that it is an angel” (CCC 329), then we understand that angels are spiritual beings created by God and we accept this as a truth of faith (CCC 328). We profess this truth of faith every time we recite the creed by saying: “…creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.” The angels do the will of God (Psalms 103:20) since they are always in the presence of God and see his face (Matthew 18:10).

Being Catholics, we cannot deny the existence of angels, since they are mentioned multiple times in the Scriptures, starting in Genesis where God put an angel to guard the Garden of Eden after the expulsion of Adam and Eve after having fallen into sin (Genesis 3:24), all through the book of Revelations where angels are mentioned 73 times. Even the devil acknowledges their existence when tempting our Lord (Matthew 4:6), he takes Him to the
pinnacle of the temple and citing the Scripture tells Him to launch from there, since “the Angels will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (Psalms 91:11-12).

The tradition of the Church even tells us that each of us has a guardian angel (CCC 336) placed by God himself to guide us on the right path and protect us, just like they did to Moses (Exodus 23:20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:5), Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (Daniel 3:24-25) among many other prophets and faithful devoted to God.

Let us continue to join the heavenly choir of angels every time we participate in the mass by singing or reciting the Gloria, just as they did to announce the arrival of the Savior of the World and Redeemer of humanity (Luke 2:10-14)