Gospel e-Letter

For many Roman Catholics, saints are often thought of as a special group of faithful individuals who have been formally recognized by the Vatican through a process called canonization. However, the Bible offers a broader and more inclusive perspective on who the saints are. For instance, in his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul greets the believers with these words: “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse.” Here, Paul uses the terms "saints," "faithful," and "brethren" to refer to the same group of people—those who are followers of Christ. So, who are the saints? According to the teachings of Catholicism, saints are those who have been canonized by the Pope after their death, having led lives of remarkable virtue. Yet, the New Testament presents a different view. It teaches that all Christians are considered saints, not because they have achieved perfection, but because they belong to Christ. Paul’s letters were not add...

Mary trusted in God for salvation, just as she happily confessed in the Magnificat, “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:48). When our first father Adam sinned, the entire human race fell with him into sin. Together with David, we can all confess, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). Similarly, the Apostle Paul taught that Adam’s sin had repercussions on all humanity: “one trespass led to condemnation for all men” (Romans 5:18). In Christian theology this is called “original sin.” During church history it was debated whether Mary was tainted by original sin. Many Christians still believe that all people, including Mary, are conceived in sin. In the nineteenth century the Roman Catholic Church defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, namely that Mary was preserved from all stain of sin from the first moment of conception. Even though there is disagreement on the time when Mary was redeemed, whether at conceptio...

During this Jubilee year, the Catholic Church is offering a plenary indulgence to those who visit certain churches and fulfill specific conditions. While this tradition holds meaning for some, many Catholics may not fully understand what a plenary indulgence entails or why it’s significant. If this feels unfamiliar or distant to you, take heart— God’s love and grace are available to you too. Dear friends, God’s arms are always wide open to embrace anyone who turns to Him, at any time, not just during special occasions. If you feel burdened by the weight of your sins, know that today is the day of grace for you. The Scriptures offer a beautiful and clear path to reconciliation with God: through repentance and faith in Christ. These are the only steps needed to receive His forgiveness. No human tradition can add to the simplicity and power of his invitation. It’s important to remember that the forgiveness God offers comes solely through Christ. His sacrifice is sufficient, and His blood...

In the midst of our busy schedules, it is good to stop for a moment and ask some really important questions about our life. What's the point of it all? 1. What is the purpose of my life? My ultimate purpose is love — I want to love and I desire to be loved. Physical health, wealth and prosperity are fine but dispensable and temporary. Better still is the love of my family and friends. But even that is not enough. My heart yearns for more. There is an infinite space in my soul that can never be filled except by the love of my Creator. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps 42:1). 2. What keeps me from experiencing God’s love? Sin. I know what’s good and bad, yet often I do not follow my conscience. I know God’s law and that I should be obedient to him. Yet many a time I have said ‘no’ to the God who has created me and who keeps me alive. I have challenged his authority. I have offended him. I am gui...

Two men indulged in all sorts of evil and wickedness throughout their lives. Now they had now come to the end of the line. In a short time, they would appear before their Creator for judgment. They had a unique opportunity to speak to Jesus and request whatever they desired. The first man was not sorry for the evil deeds he had done. He had no interest in Jesus; he only asked him to spare him from death. He yearned to return to his former manner of life and continue to enjoy the pleasures this world can offer. Jesus did not answer him. The man died and he was eternally lost. The heart of the other man, conscious of his guilt, was gripped by the fear of God. He believed that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the King who will reign forevermore. He wanted to be with Jesus even though the people nearby were heaping scorn and ridicule on "the King of the Jews". He asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus granted his request. Today he is enjoying fellowship with the King in paradise. ...

The Bible teaches that the church is the pillar and ground of truth. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy so that he 'may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth’ (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is pictured like a pillar and ground, upholding and supporting God’s revealed truth. The apostle identifies the church as God's household; he is referring to every true Christian, not only to their leaders. The whole church - all Christians - are collectively the pillar and buttress of truth. Throughout history, God’s people upheld the truth by believing, proclaiming and defending the gospel, by their godly conduct, and sometimes with their blood. That is also our duty today. Paul calls the church, not the Bible, ‘the pillar and ground’ of truth. Being the Word of God, the Bible is not merely ‘the pillar and ground,’ but the ‘truth’ itself. Jesus prayed to the Father, ‘Sanctify them in the truth; your wo...

What should we think about reports of apparitions, allegedly of Mary, and other paranormal phenomena? While we must distinguish between natural causes (such as fraud and psychiatric disorders) and supernatural ones, we must also keep in mind that the latter may be of divine or demonic origin. The Bible warns that 'Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:14). The word 'angel' simply means a messenger; 'light' is symbolic of truth, righteousness and God himself. Therefore, Satan, whom Jesus calls the father of lies, changes his form into the likeness of a messenger of God! He can certainly appear in the form of Mary and deceptively claim to come from heaven. So at least we should admit that some, if not all, of the supposedly Marian apparitions, could be deceptive apparitions of the Devil. Even the Roman Catholic Church does not officially acknowledge all apparitions as authentic. The Catholic Church endorses some apparitions, bu...