Tuesday, September 02, 2008

To our Christian Minorities

AFTER SIX DAYS Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.

And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents 5 here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, 6 then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."

And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

Matthew 17: 1-8
---<--@

To our CHRISTIAN MINORITIES:

Take courage, dear friends
let us remember each other
as we heed the call of Christ
Who upon the mount of Tabor
was Transfigured into glory
that we may see beyond time
into the timeless brilliance
of our great Home in eternity.

Take courage, dear friends
and be meek like our Savior
seek shelter in His humility
Who upon the mount of Tabor
by our witness of living faith
was Transfigured into glory
to unveil our Christian hope
and give courage in adversity
"rise, and do not be afraid
raise your eyes, you'll see
there is no one else but Me".

Take courage, dear friends
for God is our surest Refuge
we include you in our hearts
our prayers reaches out to you
asking our Lord for His mercy
that we may endure in grace
the evil of this present day
carrying our crosses with joy
bearing burdens for each other
knowing that by our wounds
we are likewise made whole
and that our God reveals to us
the glory of His divine Love
by His mercy that is justified
through our patient forgiving.

Take courage, dear friends
though you may feel all alone
for our baptism is for always
always to always, ever in God
one Love in time and in eternity
being one Communion of Saints
your hope becomes our hope
your virtue becomes our virtue
your sin becomes our penance
whatever helps you helps us
whatever hurts you hurts us
your gladness being our gladness
your sorrow being our sorrow
for we are but one bread,
one Love, broken for others.

Take courage, dear friends
hold fast to the peace of Jesus
for His peace is our abundance
and the abundance of Christ is life
being the promise of eternal bliss
revealed in the Most Holy Trinity
as the truth of the most high God
unveiled in the Father and the Son
and in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God that transcends all time
one Truth that illumine all truth
one Will that fulfills all our being
one Being that sustains all of life
one Love that gathers us together
like a love that is longing for Itself
the one blessed Triune perfection.

Take courage, dear friends
our Mother Church loves us all
and though we see not by sight
we walk by light of living faith
knowing the glory that awaits
those who abide with our Lord
Who abide with His love in us
with hearts full for our longing
for God and each other in God
and the promise of the Kingdom
Alleluia, my brothers and sisters
distance is no longer a tyranny
nor separation bear it's sting
to every Christian who trusts
in the Name of Jesus Christ
Who is Emmanuel, God with us
Alleluia, Amen to Christ, Alleluia.

---<--@ To all Christian minorities, to Father Thomas, and most especially to all persecuted Christians in Orissa in India, the Middle East and everywhere around the world, your valiant witness of Jesus Christ serves as an immortal inspiration to all your other Christian brothers and sisters even as your Christian virtue gives strength to us all...

Sancta Sanctis!

Glory to God in the highest
Adoration to Jesus Christ
Peace to men of good will.

No comments: