Why don't we see many miracles today?

Everyday God performs many miracles, but almost all of them remain as the personal encounter of the people experiencing these miracles. Every time a husband and a wife or other people reconcile their differences, it is a miracle of God. I know of families where husband and wife have already decided to see a lawyer for a civil divorce, but God intervened in their lives and they reconciled. God works in the heart of the person and there he performs many miracles continuously.

Why did Jesus call his mother "Woman" and not "Mother"?

Some people often misunderstand or narrowly interpret this word to mean
disrespect or just Jesus himself did not give importance to Mary's motherhood.
Both these interpretations are incorrect.

The word "Woman" appears in crucial places in the Scriptures:In Genesis, Eve is
called "Woman" by Adam (Genesis 2:23); In Genesis 3:15, it says, "I will put enmity
between you and the woman, between her seed and your seed; in John's gospel,
Mary is called "Woman" by the "new Adam" (Jesus) at the wedding at Cana (John
2:4); At the foot of the cross, Jesus says "Woman,behold your son " (John 19:26);and
in Revelation 12:1,the "Woman" clothed with sun who will fight the dragon is
seen as Church,as well as a fulfillment of the new Eve.

By calling her "Woman" Jesus associates his Mother with his mission on earth; no
longer is she merely the one who gave him birth, but the Woman who, through her
own obedience to the Father's plan, can co-operate in the mystery of Redemption.
Thus, Jesus is identifying Mary as the Woman who will bear the Seed (Messiah) who
will destroy the power of the enemy.This word "Woman" so charged with meaning,
Mary attains a new dimension of her co-operation in salvation as the new Woman,
the second Eve.

What do the letters "I N R I" on Jesus'cross mean?

The letters "INRI" are initials for Latin title that Pontius Pilate had written over the
head of Jesus Christ on the cross (John 19:19).Latin was the official language of
the Roman Empire.The words were  "Iesvs Nazarennvs Rex Ivdaeorvm.)"Latin uses"I"
instead of the English "J" and "V" instead of "U" (i.e., Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum).
It read:Jesus the Nazarean,the King of Jews,as it was the custom to place  sign stating
the offense on the cross in Latin,Greek,and Hebrew.The Early Church adopted the first
letters of each word of  inscription "INRI" as a symbol. Throughout the centuries INRI
has appeared in many paintings of the crucifixion.

Why do we give so much importance to St.paul (a self-appointed Apostle)and his letters?

St Paul did not appoint himself as an apostle but Jesus Christ appointed him.
Originally there were twelve Apostles chosen during Christ's lifetime;but
apostleship was extended later.St Paul was the most famous addition called by
Christ,like the Twelve,to be an ambassador for Christ(2 Cor.5:20).Paul wrote
to the Galatians:"From Paul,an apostle appointed not by human beings nor through
any human being but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the
dead" (Gal 1:1).St.Paul's letters are exemplary not only for their style but also for the
variety and importance of their doctrinal teaching.

What is Ecumenism?What is the need for Ecumenism?

Ecumenism refers to initiatives aimed at Christian unity. Christian unity was Christ's
dearest desire. He expressed it in his last testament as he walked towards his tragic
destiny:the Cross. He prayed in his priestly prayer "that they may all be one;even as
you,Father,are in me,and I in you,that they also may be in us,so that the world may
believe that you have sent me" Divisions in the Church openly contradicts the will of
Christ,scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel
to every creature. Everywhere large numbers have left the impulse of this grace for
the restoration of unity among all Christians. Every year a Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity is observed in churches all over the world. It commences on 18 January
-the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter and concludes on 25 January- the Feast of
the Conversion of Saint Paul.A different theme for this week is chosen every year.







 

Mind Your Attitude

     Very often anger,fear,mistrust,disrespect,selfishness,pride and siblings rivalry are the root causes of disharmony and disunity in the home. The cultivation of good and healthy attitudes is the responsibility of every
member of the family:"Husbands,love your wives"(Eph 5:25). "Wives, respect your husbands"(Eph 5:25)."Children,obey your parents"(Cpl 3:20)."Parents, do not drive your children to resentment"(Col 3"21) "Be kind and compassionate to one another,forgiving each other" (Eph 4:32). Good attitudes create the right atmosphere in the family. They also bring about the proper moral,emotional and social development of persons for their own adjustment and well-being in society and help them live more upright Christian lives. Parents, first,must set a good example to their children ! They are obliged to teach their children manners and to cultivate in them good values/habits and proper attitudes. St.Thomas More said: "Children should have honorable people for parents,since in this way, a seedbed of good nature and virtue is fostered in these children from the time they are born." Every Christian should pray for the blessing of the Holy Spirit who with his fruits of Charity.   Joy,Peace,Patience,Kindness,Goodness,Longanimity(Forbearance),Mildness,Faith,Modesty,Continency and Chastity,makes one holy and perfect.

Grow and help others to grow:

1.          Our purpose in life is to grow in holiness by knowing , loving, and serving God in this world so that we can be happy with him forever in eternity. Therefore, all members in the family must help each other to strive towards this purpose and goal.
2. Secondly, each one can must try and discern the will of God and accomplish it in there daily life.Parents must give their children the opportunity to discover their God-given talents and their vocation through which they can best serve God.With grace and understanding, parents will be able to discern when and how to let (their children) go and allow them to grow. This is the first step in helping children grow into responsible adults so they can face difficult situation in life and make moral & value judgements and proper choices.