Weekly message
from Fr. Chris

Dear SPA Family,
Afflictions, adversities and persecution will not bypass anyone. Sooner or later they will come. They are embedded in Christian life. They often put faith to the test. Like earthquakes and floods, all structures are put to the test: bridges, buildings; yes, and the ‘turbulent’ events in life test the truth of faith. It is only in these extreme situations that you can see how a person builds his life, what ‘materials’ he uses for it, and on what projects he bases his life.

Many people think that adversity is painful and afflictions can destroy a person, but only when a person succumbs to them, if he submits to them, if he follows their promptings.
They were married for a long time. When their daughter was born, they began to drift apart. They were both delighted and crazy about the child. Each dragged her to his or her side. One could not stand it… there was a betrayal. In the end, they stopped to fight for marriage. They say today that marriage ruined their lives. A priest fell in love with a teacher. He gave up the priesthood for her. People said: he was so pious, how is that possible? When the woman got to know him better, she saw what he was like every day, she rejected him. Today he says that his life has been smashed, that he has run out of perseverance.

It is true that tribulations are tough tests of endurance, that they crush us to the ground, but cannot destroy God’s life in us, that is, the immortal soul. This is what Jesus reminds us of when he announces the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, which was one of the wonders of the world. It was built of huge, white, hewn stones, it was richly equipped. It was also a sign of the unity of the generations that have come and gone throughout history. It was the only temple of true God on earth. And behold, this temple, rich in splendor, fell into ruins, turned into a pile of unusable stones. Jesus consciously contrasts the announcement of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem with the indestructible temple that we are ourselves. He wanted to emphasize that people, filled with God’s grace and destined for eternal life, are indestructible temples.

No persecution or adversity can destroy God’s temple in us. That is why Christ encourages and promises to help the disciples: ‘But you will not lose a hair of your head’. These words are full of confidence. Jesus encourages his disciples not to worry even when they are brought up against a wall, dragged before the courts, persecuted by friends or relatives, becoming an object of hatred for all. He will watch over the disciples, and if they must lose life for His name, they will gain it in eternity.

Although Christ began His word to his disciples rather pessimistically: ‘They will lift up their hands on you and persecute you… they will deliver you to synagogues and prisons… because of my name you will be hated by all’. However, despite these warnings, the disciples did not get scared and began to change the world with Christ. They saw adversity as ‘an opportunity to bear witness’. Through their perseverance, they showed the way to eternal life. They made us realize that we can’t be a paper Christian, trembling over little things, withdrawing when confessing can get in trouble. Victory in life is when one is not overcome by adversities, when one keeps steadfastly faithful to Christ, trusting in Him despite raging tribulations and adversities.
Have a blessed weekend. Fr. Chris

Dear SPA Family,
This weekend, we celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, a feast that holds profound spiritual significance for all believers in Christ and is also an important symbol of the unity of the entire Church. The Liturgy of the Word can help us understand why each year we turn our thoughts to this most important church in Rome, called ‘Mother and Head of all the churches of the City and the World’.
The first reading reminds us of the vision of the People of God gathered around the New Temple (Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12). This vision of the prophet Ezekiel foretells the future and refers to the true Temple, from which, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, life-giving sacraments will flow like a river. The water flowing from the temple reminds us that all the blessings Israel receives come from God.

This life-giving water also evokes the Gospel passage in which Jesus meets the Samaritan woman drawing water from Jacob's well (Jn 2:13-22). Christ addresses her, saying that He Himself is the life-giving source, thanks to which she will no longer desire or seek anything. We know that what Ezekiel saw was not a building, but the Body of Christ. This Body of Christ is the temple of God, and on the cross, this truth was revealed most fully. It is from the pierced side of Christ that the grace present in the sacraments of the Church continually flows.

In the Gospel, St. John recalls the words in which Jesus Christ reveals his divine identity and indicates that he is the true presence of God in the world. This is extremely important for all of us who nourish ourselves with the Eucharist. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament with a pure heart, we carry within us the divine presence and become, as St. Paul testifies, temples of the Lord. It is through the grace of God within us that we can become increasingly like Him and carry this divine presence to the entire world. It is therefore worth constantly reminding ourselves of this truth about our vocation and task, which is to nurture God's special presence in our hearts. We are the living temple of God, a sign of His action and presence, and therefore, it is essential to keep the temple of our hearts a holy and pure place. St. Paul teaches us that this is the path to belonging increasingly to God.

The anniversary of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica should be a source of inspiration for us, as we are the followers of Christ. It reminds us of the value of our faith and the importance of passing on the traditions of the entire Church. It is worth reflecting on our own contributions to strengthening our faith, renewing our commitment to the Church community, and deepening our belonging to God. One of the prayers we can recite today reminds us of how to live this festive day well. In it, we cry out to God:
For in Your goodness, You are pleased to dwell in this house of prayer, to perfect us as a temple of the Holy Spirit, sustained constantly by the help of Your grace and radiant with the glory of a life that pleases You.
Have a blessed week. Fr. Chris