January 2012
Vol 11 Issue 1
In the beginning was the Word
Jn 1:1
Dear brothers and sisters,
This new year let us reflect on selected verses from the Gospel of John. We begin with the prologue of John's Gospel. The Word became flesh that we may appreciate the mystery of the great love of God for us. But the Incarnation will remain a mystery that can only be understood through faith. And the only way to know the Word is to personally experience Jesus, the Word made flesh. There is no other way.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
September 2012
Vol 11 Issue 5
Do whatever he tells you
Jn 2:5
Dear brothers and sisters,
We continue our reflection on the Gospel of John after a break of four months. The last issue of Aquila and Priscilla was in April 2012. We apologize for this. We have been busy giving Talk 1 (and Talk 2 during one instance) of the Magnificat Weekend to various CFC communities in the Philippines and abroad, in addition to the usual CLP talks, CFC teachings, and the many meetings of the International Council. At the same time, we cannot ignore the need to earn a living, especially now that we have retired from regular employment. The wedding at Cana is a very fertile area for reflection and we intend to continue to ponder, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in the company of the Blessed Mother, the depths of its message. We hope that you will continue to join us in this spiritual journey.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
2012
February 2012
Vol 11 Issue 2
There is no duplicity in him
Jn 1:47
Dear brothers and sisters,
We continue our reflection on the Gospel of John. Today, we reflect on the first call of the disciples. We have reflected on this at least twice in the past but focusing on other verses. In chapter 23 of the first book, Letters of Aquila and Priscilla, we focused on "What are you looking for?" (Jn 1:38) while in chapter 45 of the same book, we focused on "Come and you will see!" (Jn 1:39). Today, we focus on "There is no duplicity in him" (Jn 1:47). We conclude our reflection with the admission that we can commit to follow Jesus and leave everything only if, with God's grace, there is truly no duplicity in us.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
October 2012
Vol 11 Issue 6
The water that had become wine
Jn2:9
Dear brothers and sisters,
We continue our reflection on the Wedding at Cana in the Gospel of John. As we said last month, these verses are pregnant with theological symbolisms and spiritual messages that we can read them again and again and continue to receive new insights that can guide us in our lifelong spiritual pilgrimage. We pray that, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, our Lord Jesus will also transform us, like water into wine, so that we may become God's instruments in giving life and joy to others, all for the glory of the Father, with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
March 2012
Vol 11 Issue 3
Carrying the Cross Himself
Jn 19:17
Dear brothers and sisters,
During this Holy Week, let us reflect on the Passion of Christ, the greatest manifestation of God's love for us. We wish to contribute our reflection on the "carrying of the cross" to help initiate your deeper and longer reflection on this great gift "that while we were still sinners God died for us." Read the Passion Narrative in all the four Gospels, slowly, pausing often, examining the differences in the Gospel accounts and pondering on why there are differences and on the possible intention of the Gospel writer in writing a somewhat different account. But more important, reflect on the meaning of the Gospel passage in our life, what it conveys to us, what it tells us to do - for reflection should always be followed by action. Have a really holy Holy Week.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN
April 2012
Vol 11 Issue 4
I have seen the Lord
Jn 20:18
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Gospels are not clear on exactly how many women went to the tomb that early morning or on how many angels or angelic figures actually appeared. But all Gospels agree that the tomb was empty and that Mary of Magdala was one of the women. This month we reflect on a part of the resurrection tradition as narrated in the Gospel of John. What happened to Mary of Magdala at the empty tomb gives us hope that we too, though sinners, can be, by the grace and mercy of God, proclaimers of the Resurrection and missionaries to bring others to Christ so that we too may see the risen Lord.
With our love and prayers,
JUN and JEAN