Tuesday, December 19, 2023

"How To Wait Upon Our Lord" by Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC-Advent 2023


In this Eucharistic talk, "How To Wait Upon the Lord"  live-streamed today, on "25 Days in Preparation of Christmas-Day 19"Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC, Director -Divine Retreat Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka, wisdom-filled sharing inspires every Catholic  to wait upon the Lord as Prophet Simeon did.

"It was not a desperate wait. Rather it was a 'wait' that turned into a virtue."

"Simeon was a holy and righteous man who waited for the Glory of the Lord to be seen. He was promised by the Holy Spirit he would see the salvation of his people before he died. It was not an easy wait as it was without any timeframe and he was already very old. But Simeon waited in faith."

"Waiting when it is inspired by the Holy Spirit  is always a moment of growth."

"How do I keep still? How long should I wait? How much more should I wait?"

This blessed Advent reflection on how we should wait upon our Lord is timely and heart-provoking,

DRC Colombo YouTube channel link is https://www.youtube.com/@DRCColombo

Monday, December 4, 2023

"How Do I Treasure Jesus?" by Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC

The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on 03 Dec.

Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC, Director of Divine Retreat Centre Colombo, Sri Lanka challenges each of us in this heart-provoking homily, - "HOW DO I TREASURE Jesus?". 

As we start our Advent in this new liturgical year, this is most timely to search our hearts for the Light & Love of Jesus to be the greatest treasure in our lives - and to live passionately for Jesus.

Fr. Michael asks, "Do we have the passion to proclaim Jesus to the world?"; "Is my passion for Jesus aflame in my heart  as it was in St. Francis Xavier's heart?"; "How do I treasure Jesus?"

St. Francis Xavier was one of the first Jesuits (Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola) - in fact he was the first Jesuit missionary and is considered the greatest missionary since the Apostles.

St Francis Xavier brought the Catholic faith to Goa, India and then to Kerala, India to restore the vibrancy of the Catholic faith that was introduced by St. Thomas the Apostle. From there, he sailed to Malacca, Malaysia; to Japan and finally to the small island of Shanghau, China where he became ill and passed away on 03 December 1552. A great feat of evangelization in 10 years!

St, Francis Xavier is the patron saint of all foreign missions. He is known as the "Apostle of the Indies" and the "Apostle of Japan".