predication.net

When we notice that someone is lost to us, we do everything we can to find them. We are mainly doing a great search when someone close to us, a friend, or a person we need, is lost.

Today’s Gospel also confirms this when he describes the event in the crowd: And when the group saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they went up into a boat and came to Capernaum, and there they sought Jesus, and when they found him, Jesus said to them: and I say unto you, Ye seek me not because ye have seen the signs; but because ye have eaten of the loaves, and have been filled. Ye shall not pursue after the meat of the Passover, but after the heart which is left for eternal life, which shall be given unto you by the Son of man ”(Jn 6:27).

We will understand these words only when we experience them and integrate them into the crowd of those who seek Jesus. We, too, are wandering people of God, hungry, thirsty, sluggish, and still restless, but God leads us out of our human security and leads us through a desert of life trials to bring us into his kingdom. The Lord Jesus rebukes them for seeking him only because they are satisfied. Doesn’t this remorse belong to us? Why do we seek the Lord Jesus? Is it to feed us with early things?

Although he owns many, today’s man has excellent gains, and we see that he is dissatisfied. Today’s man longs to be satisfied with something. Entertainment, sports, culture, science … But all this is not enough. Why? We can also say this: Are we not looking for Christ, the bread of eternal life, which is why He descended from heaven to nourish and heal our souls? If we are looking for him, it is wrong to come to Jesus at the altar and only beg for material bread, health, and physical satisfaction for ourselves and our children.
The focus of our efforts remains as with the people of the gospel in the material realm. We work and work from morning to evening to get and own something. Then we try to put and secure what we have. We pay close attention to health and use it all for a more extended period. At the same time, we realize that we are losing what we have gained every day as we approach death, and so our unrest and grief grow.
Food, clothes, and comfortable living are not enough for a person to live happily. Proof of this is the fact that we have gathered here today. Although we have different motives, one thing is sure we want to strengthen ourselves. Because if we, as Christians, do not desire to be filled with bread and wine – the Body and Blood of Christ, it will disappoint us.

After all, let’s look around and ask: Why are so many brothers and sisters missing on St. Mass? We would find a lot of answers in the form of excuses. The real reason is that they are not hungry for God. Many see the Church as suffering evil; others know the Church only when they need it. However, you come on a working day to strengthen yourself with the Eucharist, and this is proof that your life is more prosperous. Today, however, we accept Christ as those who despise him. Let us now put in the first place not the concern for the transient but the problem for the eternal. Let’s give up too much fear for tomorrow. This does not mean that we will stop working and fulfill our responsibilities at work and school … This does not mean that we should stop caring about what we eat.

Let’s just put God first and find that this will only add value, meaning, and purpose to our duties. Paul, the apostle, says on this subject that we should undress the older man and put on the new one. That means we have to break the falsehood of our lives. Today we must live a Christianity that gives the world something natural yet enriching. A Christian does not despise life and speech but only tries to live life and enjoy things in a way that serves him for eternal salvation. We favor progress, but one that leads to the right goal.

Let’s look at one girl. She is young; she wants to like the possibilities that the family she lives with gives her. He dresses tastefully. It doesn’t exaggerate. Every attentive boy notices that she is a modest girl who can appreciate things. She will meet an excellent future partner and mother for her children. Another girl would like to have everything. Not only modern but also tasteless. He wants to excel. The boys are courting her. But they wouldn’t want her for a wife. Why? Because he only thinks of himself. What if family, children, and worries come?

The world has lost something. The Church is also looking for old and new ways. But he wants us to find meaning and connection with God.

If you’ve ever watched a courtroom drama where an eyewitness gives testimony, you may have heard a statement like: “I know what I saw!” In stories like this, the defense attorney usually tries to do everything possible to prove the witness wrong. Human memory is very imprecise, witnesses can be wrong, and their testimony can result in an unjust conviction of an innocent person. However, it is tough to tell someone convinced that they saw something with their own eyes that it did not happen! In today’s reading, the apostles who stood before the Jewish high council were similar witnesses. They were commanded to stop talking about Jesus, but they saw no reason why they should obey. They gave up everything to follow him. They knew who he was and why he had come. They heard the news of his crucifixion, but then they saw him – alive! Nothing could persuade them to stop spreading the good word.

What about us? None of us took part in the crucifixion. None of us saw Jesus with our own eyes. So, who will believe us? Many people! For we have a witness who speaks for us – the Holy Spirit. He comes to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. He comes to reveal Jesus as the Son of God. He comes to “bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16). He is genuinely an extraordinary witness on whom we can all rely! Like the apostles, we too can say: “I know what I have seen!” We can ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts so that we may see Jesus. We don’t have to rely on our speaking skills or intelligence to spread the gospel. Instead, let us relax, act naturally, and tell others the truth about how the Lord is working in our lives. So let the Holy Spirit take care of the supernatural side of things. Allow Him to make His presence known through you. Don’t be afraid to speak in Jesus’ name because he is always with you – and his love moves mountains!

We often hear on the radio how different organizations or people publish their `Magna Charta,’ which is loosely translated: their plan of inner attitude to action. In today’s first reading, we also heard about one such charter. It was not, however, issued by any secular organization but was spoken by the apostles concerning those who were to become deacons: `Let us seek out from among ourselves seven approved men, full of the Spirit and wisdom.'” So, these are the three basic requirements.

A proven man – who is that in today’s world? One who passes the lustration of the law? One who has been vetted and cleared by the National Security Bureau? One who is not found in the files of the FBI?

That would be a proven man by mundane criteria. But an established man of Scripture is a man of discernment, truthfulness, steadfastness in speech and deed, and above all, humility. According to the world, a wise man should have at least three doctorates and be a professor. The apostles, however, emphasized wisdom not learned but lived: the knowledge of the heart. The Spirit is full of love, forgiveness, mercy, and justice.

This is what a deacon should be, but all Christians should be. These are the conditions that must be present, not just in deacons but in all of us, because we are all called to ministry in our way.

A beautiful example of this was one of the deacons we read about – St. Stephen. A man of proven worth, who, with the wisdom of the heart that surpassed the knowledge of the scribes’ minds, praised and glorified God and followed the Truth, even when it cost him his life.

In the words of John Paul II: “Do not be afraid”; let us also strive to become men of wisdom, proven and full of the Spirit. 

Indeed we have all had the experience that even though we have sound hearing, we have not heard. We already observe that when children are preoccupied with play, they do not respond to being addressed. They don’t listen. In love, not only do they not see or hear, we say they have a world of their own. In middle-aged people, it is possible to observe that they live in a hurry of their own making and do not hear not only the voices of their dear ones in their surroundings, their pleas, their wishes, but equally, they do not listen to the voice of their conscience. It is also possible to observe in the elderly that although their ears still serve them well, they can hear well, yet they do not hear. God speaks to them through things, events, and people, and they behave as if they were to live here for another hundred years.
The Easter season is a call from the Risen Christ to be more aware of and practice his calls necessary for our salvation in our lives.

The last words of the Risen Christ in today’s Gospel are not addressed only to Peter but to each one of us. Jesus invites us to “Follow me.” (Jn 21:19)!

The Gospels speak of listening, of the importance and the need to know, to want to hear Christ: “All who heard him were amazed at his understanding.” (Lk 2:47). “The people hung on him and listened to him” (Lk. 19:48). “He who is of God hears the words of God. You do not listen because you are not of God” (Jn. 8:47).
For three years, the disciples and the crowd listened to Jesus. He spoke as no one had spoken before him. After the resurrection, the Lord Jesus addresses the disciples again. He appeared to them at the Sea of Tiberias, now called Tabgha, near Capernaum, when the seven disciples, led by Peter, were fishing. They were fishermen and had to live on something as human beings. Just as they had three years earlier when Jesus had chosen them as disciples, they toiled all night and caught nothing. In the morning silence, Jesus addressed them from the shore, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him: “We have none.” He said to them: “Let down the net from the right side of the boat, and you will find. They let down the net, and because of the multitude of fish, they could not pull it in.” (Jn. 21:5-6). The apostle John writes of himself: “The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: “This is the Lord'” (Jn. 21:7). John heard the words of Jesus, but it was not until he was over the full net that he realized that it was Jesus who had addressed them from the shore. The apostle Peter also heard Jesus and also saw the full net of fish, but it is only at John’s words that he realizes that Jesus is standing on the shore. And his behavior? What follows? “As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded on his clothes – for he was naked – and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat…” (Jn. 21:7-8). In the response of the two apostles, we can trace a message of faith and love that can be expressed in the words, “Love that you may believe and believe that you may love.” John is full of love for Christ. Even when he stood under the cross of Christ, he did not stop loving. Love opened the eyes of John’s heart. He did not doubt that the voice from the shore belonged to Jesus. The words of John, the testimony of John, awakened the faith in Peter. They both remembered the miraculous fishing. Then Peter tried to object: “…we toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Luke 5:5). Since then, only three years have passed, and much has changed in Peter’s life. God’s grace had touched his heart. And that is why he now acts as he does. He doesn’t wait until they come with the little boat to the shore. He hurries. He believes in loving… The two disciples hear Jesus’ voice and respond. That’s not all Jesus has to say to them at that moment. Peter doesn’t know that Jesus is going to ask him three questions in this third encounter, questions to which Jesus wants a clear answer. Jesus asks Simon, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (Jn. 21:15, 16, 17)? Three times Peter denied Jesus in Pilate’s courtyard. Three times he answers, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest well that I love thee.” (Jn. 21:15, 16, 17). Jesus does not criticize Peter for his denial; on the contrary, Jesus is not speaking to John, his most beloved apostle, but to Peter: “Feed my lambs.” “Feed my sheep!” “Feed my sheep! Verily, when you were younger, I say unto you that you girded thyself and wentest whithersoever you wouldest. But when thou art old, thou stretchest forth thy hands, another girdeth thee, and leadeth thee whither thou wilt not.” (Jn. 21:15, 16, 17-18). Jesus establishes Peter as the rock of faith. To believe is also to love. It is impossible to fulfill our duties properly without love. Every person belongs to God. Jesus entrusts Peter with the care of every man. The Apostle St. James, who was present at this event, writes: “… even the devils believe and tremble.” (Jas 2:19). We understand this to mean that one cannot believe in Christ and fear Him. The righteous lives by faith. God is love.

Jesus is waiting for our response. It is impossible to stop our ears before the Word of God, to not give an answer with our lives. God speaks to us through the voice of our conscience, through the Church, through people, things, and events. Later, when Peter is under investigation, when he is strictly forbidden to teach in Jesus’ name, he confesses: “God is to be obeyed more than men.” (Acts 5:29). Peter hears Christ and responds as Christ expects him to.
The Easter season demands the same of each of us. “Love to believe and believe in loving!”
Listen to God and respond as God asks. Jesus died for our sins. Today we realize the importance and need to learn to listen to God in our lives and respond rightly, not only with words but also with thoughts and actions. A child does not listen to his parents’ words, perhaps responding to the third or fourth address. How does he love his parents? The student does not listen to the teacher. Can he receive praise? When a car driver does not listen to the running of the car engine, he may mess up his car. If an athlete, a runner, does not follow the starter’s spot, can he stand on the podium? And if we care about listening in our ordinary social, sporting, cultural life, and shouldn’t in our spiritual life? Listen to save my soul. To listen and respond appropriately to the demands made. To obey means for us to do everything in our lives to fulfill what God asks of us. “Follow me” (Jn 21:19)! The call of Jesus to each one of us. An invitation that is not limited by time, space, place, and people.

The journal L Éncyclopedie de la vie pratique (Encyclopedia of Practical Life) states that the average person, in his 70 years of life, devotes: 8 years to study and education, nine years to entertainment, three years to bodily hygiene, six years to eating, five years to walking, 11 years to work, four years to reading, 24 years to sleep and rest.
We realize that whatever we do is for our salvation. All our activity is to be a response to God’s address. The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus is to remind us annually of the change of life towards God. It is meant to turn from darkness to light, from the fear, futility, and unreasonableness of the night of life to new hope, a new future. May whenever Jesus steps onto the shore of our lives, a recent morning begins there. Their life gains meaning and center. It is fitting, therefore, that we ask ourselves not only questions about where to look for the risen Christ, how to know him, what he wants from me, what to do so that I do not miss him but let us notice that the risen Jesus comes to us; Jesus addresses us, gives us counsel…

Easter also requires us to answer the questions. Do I do his words? Do I trust that Jesus knows what I need? Do I belong to those who believe that Jesus can give better advice? Jesus is also interested in the material things of his faithful. He prepared bread and fish for the disciples on the shore. Thus, to believe and love God is not only to be concerned about spiritual things but also to live with Christ to pursue material things. Even in such areas as death and sickness.
Hospital. Award for women. A dying woman. Everyone around the woman knows she is dying. Even she knows it. The priest present wants to prepare her to meet God the Judge. Only she is adamant. She dies unreconciled to God. God speaks to her, but she doesn’t want him; she can no longer hear, even with healthy ears. God has been so close to her and yet so far away at the same time.
Another example. She was only thirteen years old. During the conversation, she remarked: “I have to move away. I’m going to go get a shot.” Is she sick? Something serious? She has diabetes. She talked about her father when she returned: “I love my father very much. I used to sit on his lap as a little girl. I loved him even though he would come home drunk. I often prayed for him. One day I said to God, ‘God, I pray for my father that he will not drink anymore. The remedy did not come. A year ago, I prayed like this: God, you know how much I love him. If it is Your will, let me be sick, but let my father get well and stop drinking alcohol. Dad changed that year. He doesn’t drink anymore. He goes to a meeting of ex-alcoholics. I pray for him to persevere.” She said this with such peace on her face, happy that Dad was with Mom and her again, that there was peace in their home. I realized that God had heard her. Why so literally? Because that year, the girl got diabetes. She is only thirteen years old.
God is listening. Are we listening to God?
We know the words of the American officer Claude Katherly, who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, who fell into a state of mental neurasthenia and, as a result of a permanent conflict of conscience, attempted suicide twice: “I dream incessantly that I am haunted by the thousands killed, the screams of the mutilated disturb me for days, and the shadows of the slaughtered mar my eyes.” He killed 78,000 people. Doctors tried to cure the patient, but unsuccessfully.

Jesus triumphed over death. We accept this fact, which becomes our encouragement for the next life. We not only hear about the resurrection, but we live it.

Have you ever been hungry? Indeed, everyone knows this unpleasant feeling. Although we cannot speak of hunger and starvation in the true sense of the word because our tables are complete, we can speak boldly of spiritual longing. We need to get rid of this spiritual hunger as well.

Let us be encouraged by the words and deeds of Jesus. The Gospel of the miraculous bread multiplication provokes various reflections in us. First of all, it affirms the Lord Jesus’s power. After this act of Jesus, they could rightly exclaim: “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” (Jn 6:14). But at the same time, this miracle forces the apostles to reflect. The Lord Jesus did it not only to feed a hungry crowd but also to prepare the apostles for the difficulties that await them in their lives as followers and spreaders of the teachings of Jesus. When problems, troubles, and hardships would come in their lives, they would have to suffer for him, make sacrifices for him, and remember that Jesus is both Prophet and Messiah, who is mighty in word and deed. And this will have to strengthen them in their faith.

Above all, this miracle has a profound theological significance, where the multiplication of the bread becomes a foreshadowing – a symbol of the other bread of which the Lord Jesus speaks later in the Gospel of St. John: “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (Jn 6:58).

The Lord Jesus points to the close relationship between the ordinary bread and His Sacred Body. We must remember that it was tough for the apostles and those who witnessed these events to understand what Jesus was explaining to them.
This event took place shortly before the feast of the Passover, which for the Jews was a remembrance of the supper before the exodus from Egypt, which was a symbol of man’s union with God. It is essential to realize what we are thereby receiving from God. The apostles did not understand this. It could not be understood or explained by human reason, and a higher power must intervene here – the power of God. And God acts. It’s strange. When He left Egypt, He fed the multitudes in the wilderness with manna. Everybody had enough. Now they have collected twelve baskets of crumbs. Notice that Jesus commands them to gather the crumbs. He also considers these as bread and will not allow them to be destroyed. The number of those present should also be noted. There were about five thousand men alone. Let us bring this event into our spiritual life. Even today, Jesus wants to manifest His power. How often has He fed us with His word, making us feel so happy that we wanted to say: Stand a moment, how beautiful you are!

We have witnessed beautiful celebrations, whether it was a first communion, a confirmation, a beautiful sermon, or a pilgrimage. We felt that Jesus does not feed us with perishable bread but spiritual bread. We felt happier, even physically healthier. Jesus wanted to prepare us as his apostles for the moment when difficulties come so that when we remember him, we can give ourselves strength, courage, the will to struggle with problems, etc. But even in the crowd in the wilderness, some took a drink, listened to the Lord Jesus, or a kind of vegetation and went away. …and let’s not be surprised that something similar is happening today.
If Jesus did miracles all the time, do you think they would believe? No. Faith gives us enough matter to be fed and strengthened by Christ constantly. Who keeps us from frequent access to the sacraments? Who is forbidden even to go to Mass more often? No one. This is just our excuse: the Church does not command it; it is enough to go to confession once a year, to Mass once a week.
Behold, in one thing, on the one hand, a terrible minimum and, on the other hand, often exaggerated demands. A difficulty comes, and they want everything from God for one Mass, even for one O t h e n an s e. And when they do not, there is no end to the insults to God, the Church, and those who do their duty. It is like someone who eats only once a week, would like to eat all the time, but… Proverbs says: “He who does not work, let him not eat.” Even St. Paul the Apostle tells the exact words to the first Christians. And it is true for us today. Whoever does not strive, does not work on himself, does not strengthen himself with the Body of Christ, what does he want?

The Lord Jesus also said these words: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take possession of it.” (Mt. 11:12). It would be an exaggerated comfort or exploitation if someone wanted to be served all the time, even in bed.
We see something similar in spiritual satiation. Some want to be content with listening to Mass on the radio. Such a Mass does not pay. One who listens to Mass from the radio or watches it on television and is healthy, and can go to Mass in church, does not satisfy the Church’s command: On Sundays and the commanded feast to attend the entire Holy Mass. It should also be noted that because it happens, and it is always the same case that they are regularly the last to arrive at Holy Mass and the first to leave. Yes, health reasons, but what about other reasons? It is at Mass that one can be most strengthened, and therefore Mass also requires preparation, concentration, and the gathering of one’s thoughts. It should not be that someone regularly arrives late and still disturbs others when they arrange to sit down or even go up to the altar.

One confrère related that he was getting out of control, and when there was too much going on, he interrupted Mass and asked them to come on time. The lady he was addressing responded by telling him to be glad he was going to church! Can a person be content and empowered when he does not show even a minimum of extra sacrifice? Surely, we all want to be satisfied physically and mentally, so let us consider one another. Even if that happens, stay back under the choir.

For us, perhaps only rarely does the doctor state malnutrition. But more and more, the priest is finding this in many faithful. Malnutrition. Often just a hasty prayer O t h e n – I’m in a hurry to catch the bus. Every Friday is an excuse – they cook meat; what am I to starve! Don’t we know that an act of invention can be performed? And the deed takes less time than the actual eating of the meat. The excuse – however, I confess – also only leads to malnutrition. A person who does not have a regular diet and enough vitamins is irresistible and gets sick faster, similarly in the spiritual realm. Constantly “I don’t have time” is no longer modern. After all, we have time for other things! The Lord Jesus said: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!” (Mt. 4:4).

Many people are fond of solving puzzles, riddles, and crossword puzzles, not for financial or other material rewards but for their inner enrichment. Whoever among the faithful reads this Gospel puts himself in the role of a puzzle-solver, who can not only enrich himself for this world, but it can serve him for eternity as well. Let us consider it again.

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “He who comes from above is all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks earthly. He who comes from heaven is above all and bears witness to what he has seen and heard…” (Jn 3:31-32).

Those who compiled the liturgical texts omitted ten verses between yesterday’s and today’s Gospel text. In the previous text, John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus. In today’s again, the Lord Jesus speaks of a twofold witness. “He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks earthly” ( Jn 3:31). He was referring to John the Baptist. “He who comes from heaven is above all – he testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony” (Jn. 3:31-32). And that is Jesus.

From this, we know that a person can accept Christ and his words, but he can also reject them. Whoever gets them becomes a Christian and, at the same time, agrees with the Word of God. But this is not the end of the matter. There are challenges ahead for the Christian. We must communicate this knowledge of Christ to others. In the Gospel, then, we reveal the mystery of the person of the Lord Jesus, recognizing that he is God’s ambassador, the Savior of the world, and the Judge of all. We are all witnesses. Even John the Baptist is only a witness, even though we consider him the greatest born of woman because he introduced the Lord Jesus to us, revealed his person to us when he pointed to him and said: “This is the one…!” (Jn. 1:30).

The baptism we have received also flows for us the duty, like John the Baptist, to bear witness to Christ. This means that our words and our whole life are to speak of Christ. In doing so, the Christian must not put himself before Christ. Like John, the Christian is also to stand aside as a witness because he is only a mediating element between two parties. Let us ask God for the light of faith, that we may give a good testimony that is believable and does not obscure the truth.

Although we received baptism as children and did not realize its significance for our earthly and eternal life, we should multiply baptismal grace in the state of having acquired the use of reason and being aware of our responsibility to have free will. At the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River, the words were spoken: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).

To know Christ is the duty of every baptized person. Prayer – conversation with Jesus, Holy Mass – encounter with Jesus, Sacrament – receiving Jesus. All this is not only our duty but also our necessity because in doing so, we fulfill what God rightly expects of us, but at the same time, we acquire the necessary merits without which salvation is impossible. From the earliest times of Christianity, the followers have called themselves Christians, among whom we also belong. We have a name after Christ, and hence the obligation that we should indeed bear witness to Christ after baptism.

There are many things in the faith that we will never know or know fully. Many things we accept and believe, and though we cannot explain them, we feel that it is not contrary to them that we cannot get them. The person of Christ is the pinnacle of our lives. St. Paul wrote on this subject: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

Violence has always been, is, and will always be condemned by free people in all areas of life. Even if it sometimes seems that there is no success without violence, it is still necessary to stand up for the right view and opinion. History tells us that injustices and violence have also happened in the Church. Certain circles have waged so-called “holy” wars, even in the Church. Violence so understood is a hindrance, not progress. Also, the teachings of Christ delivered non-violently will surely attract more and also strengthen a person in the faith.

The personality of Nicodemus in the Gospel convinces us of the truth of this view. Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish high council, often visited Christ, but especially at night. In these meetings, the main topic was faith. Nicodemus became convinced that nothing is as essential for a person as faith. Christ explained to him that it is impossible to be like God without faith and that the victory in which the world triumphs is our faith. Nicodemus believed in Christ.

Today, the Church wants to point out to us the circumstances that should prepare us for a proper understanding of the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ. The Church wants us to be broken neither by suffering, by torture, nor by the end so that we may believe more in Christ, the Savior of the world.

We often read in the Gospels that Jesus, during his public appearances, usually demanded strong faith from his listeners. On this depended the way forward in following him. The Church wants to convince us of the significant role of religion in human life. It refers today to an event that once took place in the wilderness during the journey of the Jews from Egypt to their promised land (cf. Num. 21:5-9). On the way, they were attacked by poisonous snakes. It was then that the Israelites realized that this was a punishment from God for their grumbling. They begged Moses to beg mercy from God. According to God’s command, Moses made a brazen serpent, placed it on a pole, and declared that whoever looked at the snake with faith would be saved. And indeed he was. The brazen serpent mentioned in the Gospel is a picture and symbol of the hanging, dying man on the cross – Christ. His suffering and death cannot be the cause of our doubt or melancholy but, on the contrary, are meant to revive our faith and strengthen us in overcoming the difficulties that Christ must endure for us and so enter into his glory (cf. Lk 26:26).

As we reflect on the suffering and death of Christ at this time, we desire to be strengthened in our faith and to believe fully in Christ, and if we are supported in the conviction that God did not send His Son into the world that the world might perish, but that he who believes in Him might have eternal life. Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are saved by his suffering and death, which is not the dramatic end of his life, for it brings with it new life. He carries it to all who will believe in Jesus – willing to draw on his fruit, however painful. Let us look with faith to the cross of Christ on which, as the liturgy says, hung the salvation of the world.

As faith in the brazen serpent saved the serpent-bitten Israelites from death, today, that same faith will surely save us from eternal death and open the locked gate of redemption again. So let us believe! Let us, therefore, be in charge of our faith. Let us also realize today that faith is born in our human hearts, it develops in them, and like a bit of plant, it grows and matures. It may sometimes wither and fade with time, but it will never perish if it leans on Christ! The Church does not want to lead us by the hand of Christ so that we may see in Him the answer to the problems of our faith. We can say that the sufferings of Christ determine for us a kind of invitation to faith. It wants to lead us to reflect and propose that the righteous man lives by faith and that his faith is nothing other than a response to God’s call.

The liturgy of the Mass today shows us the despised and afflicted Christ bearing the cross for our sins and Christ falling beneath the cross for our weaknesses and saying: You must believe in this Christ! If you choose this faith, you will not commit an error, for it will be your testimony of maturity and inner spiritual strength. You will thereby present to the world a personal testimony that neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor strength, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (cf. Rom. 8:38-39). We can boldly say that the suffering of Christ does not cause us to fear. Our faith will not be an abandonment of reason; on the contrary, it will empower us. This agrees with what St. John wrote in his First Letter: “And our faith is the victory that has overcome the world.” (1 Jn 5:4).

In 1976 in Rome, Catholics met with murderers, Protestants in the spirit of ecumenism, whose predecessors had murdered John Ogilvie. Ogilvie was an Anglican, brought up in the Protestant-Calvinist spirit. His parents were upper class, and John was educated in France. Here he encountered Catholic teachings and converted at the age of 17. At home in Olomouc, he applied to join the religious order. In Brno, he did his novitiate. Then he returned to his homeland, where there was a substantial departure from Rome.

They were intoxicated by the spirit of the renegade Henry VIII. He suspects what awaits him here. He has prepared himself well, and under the protection of the Virgin Mary, he returns as a merchant to his homeland. Variously disguised, he teaches, administers the sacraments, and makes contact even with Protestants. Wherever he sets foot, he gains. He does much; he says little. Who can count what he has accomplished under the protection of Our Lady? The words of Scripture are actual of him, too: “No pupil is above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” (Mt 10:24).

The hour of trial had come. John was caught. He was put through severe retraining, where he could not be broken by words, nor by promises, nor by flattery, nor by the dungeon. “No, I am not a traitor!” He was not concerned with politics but with his soul. For eight days, they investigated him in one stroke: where, what, how, why… John remained silent. When he couldn’t stand it, they tortured him. Finally – death by hanging. He dies at the age of 36.

Centuries later, his right path in life is revealed. Confirmed again: “Do not fear those who can kill the body but not the soul!” (Mt 10:28). We have believed in Christ; we are Christians, deepening our union with the suffering Christ. Constantine received the announcement: in this sign, you will overcome! It was the sign of the cross. He overcame. Only in the movement of the cross will we also overcome sin, ourselves, and the world.

There is only one point of exception that violence does not attract, does not entice, and that is in the words of Christ: Heaven is gained only by violence. By violence to oneself. By greater self-control, by control, by study, by personal witness.