FRIENDS OF DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.4: "OVERCOMING OUR FAITH CRISIS - OUR FAITH HAS TO BE TESTED" by Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C.

Have you ever experienced a faith crisis? Are you facing one now? It is very difficult when you or someone close to you has doubts about God. There are questions like “Who is God? Where is He? Why is God allowing all these painful situations to happen? Why is Jesus not there for me?”

The fourth video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "OVERCOMING OUR FAITH CRISIS - OUR FAITH HAS TO BE TESTED" by Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., Associate Director - Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate, Kent, UK.

In this heart-provoking sharing, Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., challenges each of us to look into our hearts and mind – “It is good to reflect on one aspect of our life – faith crisis. Especially in this modern world, people are facing a lot of faith crisis. Their faith is tested.”

“Our faith has to be tested - otherwise it will not be proved! In the moments of crisis, if you leave your faith or if you question: ‘Why God? Why did you allow this?’ That means your faith is being tested and you are proving yourself that your faith is not strong.”

“When John the Baptist was in prison, he slowly began to have a faith crisis. He started to think like this: “I worked hard for Jesus. I prepared the way for Jesus. I preached about Jesus. I baptized Jesus! Now I am in a crisis - I am in prison. But where is Jesus? Why is He not coming to me? Why is he not helping me? Why is He not consoling me?’ The crisis John the Baptist faced in his life is just like the common faith crisis everyone goes through at least once in their lives.  Why is God so active in other people’s lives but so silent in my life?”

“There are 2 ways to get out of your faith crisis. Firstly, think of the past in your life when God intervened - the mighty interventions of God in your life where God protected you. You have witnessed it and experienced it in your own life. Secondly, listen to the Word of God. Read the Word of God – Romans 10:17."

“If you have faith, your faith should be tested. Only then will you be able to prove your faith.”

“God will never give you any test beyond your capabilities.”

“After every crisis in your life, there will be a mighty blessing for you. You have to prove your faith.”

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Jacob Arimpur V.C., Assistant Director of Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor, Kerala, India will be sharing the Word of God on "THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH”.

Please do share this Divine Lenten 2017 Weekly Video Reflection series with your loved ones, prayer groups and friends to make this sacred season of Lent a truly transforming experience in our Christian life.

Friends of Divine: LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.3: "CAN YOU HEAR GOD's VOICE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?" by Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C.

Does God speak to us in our daily life? Many of us do not think so. However, just like the prophet Samuel when he was a young boy, it is because we are not familiar with the Voice of God. (1 Samuel 3:7)  God desires to speak to each and every one of us. We need to learn how to listen to God's Voice.

The third video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "CAN YOU HEAR GOD's VOICE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?' – by Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director - Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor, Kerala, India.

In this anointed homily - "CAN YOU HEAR GOD'S VOICE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?", Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., explains how we must prepare our hearts so that we can recognize and become familiar with the Voice of God speaking gently to us in our daily life.  

Fr. Augustine exhorts us to stay focussed on Jesus - "In the midst of distress, we might not be able to recognize the Face of Jesus. What we need to do is - even in such difficult moments of our life is to know that Jesus will walk with us." 

"There are moments in our life when we feel lost and abandoned - even abandoned by God! We have no reason to live anymore. Everything has turned against us and we wonder why everyone is determined to misintepret the best of our intentions. Even in such difficult moments of our lives, our God is on our side. The Promise of God "I will never abandon you. I will never leave you alone.' (cf. Jeremiah 1:8) This is a Promise that Jesus will keep. He is faithful to His Promises."

Fr. Augustine reminds us - "It is not enough just to read the Bible - the Word of God. The Word of God must become the Voice of God spoken to our hearts."

"How does the Word of God become alive as the Voice of God?"

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Joseph Edattu V.C., Associate Director of Divine Retreat Centre, Ramsgate, Kent, UK  will be sharing the Word of God on "OVERCOMING OUR FAITH CRISIS - OUR FAITH HAS TO BE TESTED."

Please do share this Divine Lenten 2017 Weekly Video Reflection series with your loved ones, prayer groups and friends to make this sacred season of Lent a truly transforming experience in our Christian life.

Friends of Divine: DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.2: “WHO IS GOD TO YOU?”– By Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C.

Many of us call Jesus as God. We proclaim Jesus as God. We acknowledge Jesus as God. But deep within our hearts is Jesus actually God? Are we depending - is our total dependence on Jesus?

The second video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "WHO IS GOD TO YOU?” (Acts 16:31) – By Fr Michael Payyapilly V.C., Director - Vincentian Missionaries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

In this Spirit-filled homily - "WHO IS GOD TO YOU?", Rev. Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C., challenges every Catholic - Who is Jesus for each of us? Do you really know and can you clearly share with deep conviction who and how is God's Presence manifested in your life?

"When we look into our lives, we realize that our total dependence is not on God. Our total dependence would be on things of the world - it could be on material pleasures or it could be on human beings. Whenever we lean on material things or we lean on human beings, we are making those material things or human beings our god. Without realizing it, many of us have created little gods in our hearts - things we depend on."

"Is your talents your god? Are you totally dependent on your talents for everything you do in your life? If you are totally dependent on your talents, then your talents have become your God."

Fr. Michael  reminds us - "The Word of God tells us, 'Sanctify Christ as Lord." (1 Peter 3:15)

"When you hold on to the things of the world and start depending on it, it will give you momentary pleasure. These are all superficial things. Let us look into our hearts - are we sanctifying these superficial things and holding them for dear life?'

"Give Jesus a chance to bring you out of this! There is NOTHING impossible for the Lord if you give Him a chance! The sad fact is many of us have not given the Lord a chance. We give the world a chance. What have that led you to today?"

"Look into your heart today - what are the things you have given more priority than Jesus? Who or what else have you sanctified as God?"

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran V.C., Director of Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala, India will be sharing the Word of God on "CAN YOU HEAR GOD’s VOICE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?”

Please do share this Divine Lenten 2017 Weekly Video Reflection series with your loved ones, prayer groups and friends to make this sacred season of Lent a truly transforming experience in our Christian life.

Friends of Divine: DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION NO.1: “WHY DID GOD CREATE US?”– By Fr. Mathew Naickomparambil V.C.



The Holy Season of Lent began this year on 01 March 2017 - ASH WEDNESDAY. 

Why are we on this earth? God has a mission or each of us.  The sacred season of Lent is a holy time of grace for every Catholic to look deep into our hearts - what is the state of our heart for Jesus to live in us?

As of today, a weekly spiritual video talk will be posted every Sunday on this Friends of Divine blog until Palm Sunday. The 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES - is to help us truly prepare our heart and our life to be in union with the Merciful Love of Jesus. Our lives must be transformed not just during the Holy Season of Lent but in our every day living until we return to outr Heavenly Home. On Holy Thursday, a Eucharistic Adoration service will be posted.  

Let us truly reflect deeply on  Pope Francis' LENTEN 2017 Message: 

“Lent is a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the Word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply.” 

“Dear friends, Lent is the favourable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His Word, in the Sacraments and in our Neighbour. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s Word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.”  

The first video of the 6-part DIVINE LENTEN 2017 WEEKLY VIDEO REFLECTION SERIES at the top of this post is "WHY DID GOD CREATE US? by Rev. Fr.Mathew Naickomparambil V.C. - Spearhead of Divine-Potta ministry.

 Fr. Mathew shares - "What is the purpose of our creation? "We are created by God and for God." (Colossians 1:16)  We are created for the Glory of God. How are we going to glorify God? When people around us see our life, witness our life and experience love, mercy and compassion through us, they start thinking of the God we proclaim. They start thinking highly of the Lord who we are living for!"

 

 

This inspiring video by Fr. Mathew produced by Divine TV USA practically explains  how each of us can live our daily lives witnessing for our Lord Jesus as purpose-driven people of God.

Next Sunday, Rev. Fr. Michael Payyapilly V.C., Director of Vincentian Missionaries, Melbourne, Australia will be sharing the Word of God on  “WHO IS GOD TO YOU?” (Acts 16:31)

Please do share this Divine Lenten 2017 Weekly Video Reflection series with your loved ones, prayer groups and friends to make this sacred season of Lent a truly transforming experience in our Christian life.