18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Short Reflection for the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Readings: Isaiah 55: 1-3; Romans 8: 35. 37-39; Matthew 14: 13-21

Gospel Passage:  “There is no need for them to disperse. Give them something to eat yourselves.” (Mt. 14: 16)

Meditation:  The challenge of the Gospel to act and do CHARITY AND SHARING of our goods by ourselves.  THESE ARE NOT CARRIED OUT BY PROXY. WE LIVE & DO THEM OURSELVES…

Bapa Jun

www.badaliyya.blogspot.com

DHIKR SIMPLE METHOD...

1^st step: Write the Dhikr (the Arabic word for REMEMBRANCE) in your heart.

2^nd step: Let the Dhikr remain always in on your lips and mind - RECITING the Dhikr silently as often as possible...

3^rd step:  Be attentive to the disclosure of the meaning/s of the Dhikr in your life. 

Lesson 1: Badal (an Arabic word for Ransom)

In our introduction, we have said that the Dhikr practices are intimately linked to the people belonging to a “Tariqa” (a path or confraternity). In the traditions of Christian witnesses living in the world of Islam, a movement emerged by the name of  Badaliyya (Ransom/Substitution). Frs. Louis Massignon and Charles de Foucauld were the more known Badals…  We shall journey through the Badaliyya Movement through meditation…

 First Meditation on Badal: “Let God be God…”

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… “Let there be… and there was…” He is the beginning… to him belongs the initiative … and the “wantedness” begins in him.

 Experience the Divine Hospitality.  God is a constant RSVP…  He/She is the Host … the Rahman and the Rahim … Mercy and Compassion.

• The hospitality of Abraham is the sign among the nations – the gathering of all peoples … announcing in the end that God is constant and insistent RSVP.

• God is an invitation to mastery of oneself, discipline, delight, celebration and entrustment.

• Hospitality is a known and a much respected tradition in the East… In fact the obligation of Hospitality is prior to the obligation of doing a jihad…

Refrain during the week: “Wa ma qadaru-l-llahi hatta drihi” (They did not have the true estimation of God) S6:91.

Bapa Elisha “Jun” Mercado, OMI