Christian Perspectives

'Do not be carried away by worldly pleasures'

Cardinal speaks to youths:

“It is a joyful day to you today as you are about to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in this Colombo South Deanery. God has given you a precious gift of Life for you to commit yourself to Him as youths of the Church. Lord is empowering and sanctifying you today in a very special way.

You have a call to answer. Therefore don’t allow yourselves to be taken away by worldly pleasures and attractions in the world. You have great saints and martyrs as models of life to imitate and follow and learn many lessons from them. I appeal to everyone of you here, as youth living in the City of Colombo, set an example to all the other youths in the city, giving witness to your Christian life.

The world around you is awaiting to grab your precious life and destroy it, but God gives you life abundantly. Many saints will be born among you and this is the challenge that God is offering you today, as you will be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Use all your talents and God given wisdom to bring Christ to the world around you.

As the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI said on the World Youth day, ‘there are many people today who feel attracted by the figure of Christ and want to know him better. Today Christ is asking you the same question which he asked the Apostles: 'Who do you say that I am?' Respond to him with generosity and courage, as befits young hearts like your own.

The world needs the witness of your faith, it surely needs God. You too have been given the extraordinary task of being disciples and missionaries of Christ in the world, filled with young people who are looking for something greater and, because their heart tells them that more authentic values do exist, they do not let themselves be seduced by the empty promises of a lifestyle which has no room for God, said His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at the Confirmation Service in Colombo South Deanery.

The Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith,, presided at the Solemn Eucharistic celebration held on October 2,2011 at St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya, conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on 564 students from the Parishes of Bambalapitiya, Wellawatta, Dehiwala and Mt.Lavinia, in Colombo South Deanery.

Episcopal Vicar for Colombo West Very Rev. Bonnie Fernandopulle, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Fernando Episcopal Vicar for Tamil Apostolate, Parish Priests and St. Peter’s College Rector and several other Rev. Fathers participated in this solemn celebration.

Weekly Devotion :

The Kingdom of God - its significance

Lord Jesus taught us to pray saying ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven’ - from this prayer we see that God’s kingdom was yet to come to the earth and unlike in heaven, God’s will was not carried out in earth, showing very clearly there was another kingdom in operation and not God’s kingdom, here on earth.

The first person to pronounce to the world that God’s kingdom was at hand - was John the Baptist.

He proclaimed that the time had come for the Kingdom of God to be introduced to the earth and the condition of recognizing this and accepting it was to repent and be baptized.

Jesus Himself takes the step of baptism - showing the world that the proclamation of John was correct - yes, the Kingdom of God was at hand and repentance and baptism in water are essential to accept this proclamation, and thereby the Kingdom of God.

Many people mistake the Kingdom of God to be part of the political world of the earth - they do not seem to be able to differentiate the worldly system from the Godly system. Kingdom of the world and all its system are at enmity with God. This is the same mistake that the Jews made when they expected their Messiah to reflect worldly standards and come forth as a mighty warrior - king who would release them from captivity and place them in a high position in a worldly sense.

When Jesus was questioned by Pontius Pilate: John 18:33-38

Art thou the King of the Jews?

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him: Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

God’s Kingdom initially starts in the heart of humans, touching the spirit of man, so that the Holy Spirit can reveal, the way to God’s Kingdom.

In order to accept the only way shown by God through His son Jesus Christ, firstly one’s spiritual eyes should be opened, this alone can direct you to the Kingdom of God.

The Messiah, Jesus Christ came to show the way, the Jews were so worldly that they missed recognizing Him as the Lamb of God - but whosoever listened to John the Baptist, and were touched spiritually to follow the Messiah, although humble, not educated were given the opportunity to become citizens of God’s Kingdom. These people recognized Jesus as the Messiah and listened intently to what He had to say.

The initial touch is through one’s heart, to convince you that Jesus is the way to God’s kingdom, but you find that our hearts play a very important role to continue in the pathway to the Kingdom of God.

Why is this so?

When Adam failed the human race became sinful and therefore our hearts became contaminated - we cannot do anything to rectify this - Jeremiah 17:9 says:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Although we are helpless to transform our hearts to a Godly state, God can, the only way being through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross. So belief in Jesus being your Saviour to transform you from your sinful ways to follow God’s way becomes your passport to enter into the Kingdom of God.

As Jesus enters your heart, and you yield to His teachings and His way, your heart begin to transform.

Jesus’ teachings you find are mainly to do with your heart - He is not interested in rituals, He wants sincerity.

e.g. Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. God knew that hearts of men/women had to be touched and transformed from within.

The Kingdom of God does not stop there - it is totally different to worldly kingdoms, don’t even compare it, because the world and all its systems, and all what is happening here is influenced by Satanic forces. The whole process of it is going to be deleted by God when God’s clock strikes. The principles that operate in the Kingdom of God are difficult for us in our human state to follow, but with the help of The Holy Spirit and the Word of God directing its members one can attempt to follow it, and we can be victorious.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I have heard so much about the Kingdom of Heaven and have a longing to know more about it so that I can be a part of it. You are its King and it amazes me - to grasp that you, the King of Kings are lowly enough to come into my heart and teach me individually about this great kingdom and its requirements. Come Lord Jesus into my heart and be a part of me - thank you for your love and prepare me for this Great Day of the Lord, where you come the second time into this earth to make all things new.

Pass me not oh Gentle Saviour- when others you are calling - Do not pass me by but let me be part of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name - Amen.

Sunitha Sahayam