Vocationist Fathers Papua New Guinea

12/11/2024

The Spirituality of a Servant

"We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." (Luke 17:10)

Did you know that sometimes, the problems in our lives arise because we lack the spirituality of a servant?

For instance:

We lose faith because we feel we've prayed a lot and lived well but never received blessings.

We become frustrated, resentful, or depressed when our efforts are overlooked or unappreciated by others.

We clash with someone simply because they didn’t praise our work or forgot to say thank you.

We feel we’ve donated a lot to the church but have never received any benefit, and then we grow to resent the church.

If we embrace the spirituality of a servant, we won’t demand rewards, seek praise, or expect recognition. We’ll be at ease, accepting things as they are, seeing ourselves as small and insignificant before God. Just being alive is already a gift we could never repay Him.

So, don’t feel discouraged just because you aren’t rewarded or recognised. Don’t think of yourself as too important or accomplished! Live calmly and simply.


Sorotanpublik

28/08/2024

Saint Augustine Bishop and Doctor of the Church

SAINT AUGUSTINE was born in 354, at Tagaste in Africa. He was brought up in the Christian faith, but without receiving baptism. An ambitious schoolboy of brilliant talents and violent passions, he early lost both his faith and his innocence. He persisted in his irregular life until he was thirty-two. Being then at Milan as a professor of rhetoric, he tells us that the faith of his childhood had regained possession of his intellect, but that he could not as yet resolve to break the chains of evil habit. One day, however, stung to the heart by the account of some sudden conversions, be cried out, “The unlearned rise and storm heaven, and we, with all our learning, for lack of heart lie wallowing here.” He then withdrew into a garden, when a long and terrible conflict ensued. Suddenly a young fresh voice (he knows not whose) breaks in upon his strife with the words, “Take and read,” and he lights upon the passage beginning, “Walk honestly as in the day.” The battle was won. He received baptism, returned home, and gave all to the poor. At Hippo, where he settled, he was consecrated bishop in 395. For thirty-five years he was the center of ecclesiastical life in Africa, and the Church’s mightiest champion against heresy; his writings have been accepted everywhere as one of the principal sources of devotional thought and theological speculation. He died in 430.

Sorotanpublik

26/08/2024

De Bilong Tingim Santo MONICA,
Santo Monika the mother of Saint Augustine, was born in 332. After a childhood of singular innocence and piety, she was given in marriage to Patritius, a pagan. She at once devoted herself to his conversion, praying for him always, and winning his reverence and love by the holiness of her life and her affectionate forbearance. She was rewarded by seeing him baptized a year before his death. When her son Augustine went astray in faith and manners her prayers and tears were incessant. She was once very urgent with a learned bishop that he would talk to her son in order to bring him to a better mind, but he declined, despairing of success with one at once so able and so headstrong. However, on witnessing her prayers and tears, he told her to be of good courage; for it might not be that the child of those tears should perish. By going to Italy, Augustine could for a time free himself from his mother’s importunities; but he could not escape from her prayers, which encompassed him like the providence of God. She followed him to Italy, where he came under the influence of Saint Ambrose, and there by, his marvellous conversion, her sorrow was turned into joy. At Ostia, on their homeward journey, as Augustine and his mother sat at a window conversing of the life of the blessed, she turned to him and said, “Son, there is nothing now I care for in this life. What I shall now do or why I am here, I know not. The one reason I had for wishing to linger in this life a little longer was that I might see you a Catholic Christian before I died. This has God granted me superabundantly in seeing you reject earthly happiness to become His servant. What am I to do here?” A few days afterwards she had an attack of fever, and died in the year 387.

26/08/2024

26/08/2024

Prayer For Vocations in Papua Nugini and Salomon island.

Lord, Jesus Christ, you are the savior of the world. Please manifest in your Church, the Spirit whom you also abundantly bestowed upon your apostles. Call many to the priesthood and religious life. May zeal for your glory and for the salvation of the world inflame those you have chosen. May they be saints in your likeness. May your Holy Spirit strengthen them. May they be priests and religious according to your own heart. Amen

St. Justin Maria Russolillo, Apostle for Vocations, Pray for us.

Sorotanpublik

19/08/2024

Today's Gospel highlights a crucial distinction between worldly success and eternal success. We often chase after worldly achievements, neglecting the eternal riches that truly last.

The "many who are first" refers to those celebrated by the world for their success and popularity, often driven by vanity and the influence of the evil one. This pursuit can lead us away from our true identity and values. However, these individuals, according to Scripture, will find themselves "last" in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In contrast, those who are "first" in the Kingdom of God may not always be recognized in this world. Their focus is on eternal truths and rewards, rather than worldly acclaim. Reflect on what matters more to you: temporary approval or eternal treasure. Strive to prioritize the eternal, ensuring it guides your actions and decisions.

Yumi Prea: My eternal Lord, please help me to seek You and Your Kingdom above all else. May pleasing You and serving Your most holy will be my one and only desire in life. Help me to shed the unhealthy concerns of worldly notoriety and popularity, concerning myself only with what You think. I give to You, dear Lord, my whole being. Jesus, I trust in You.

29/07/2024

Ol pren, yumi wan wan i mas laikim tru ol arapela, long wanem, pasin bilong laikim ol arapela em i pasin bilong God. Na man i laikim tru ol arapela, em i pikinini bilong God, na em i save tru long God. God yet em i as bilong dispela pasin bilong laikim ol arapela. Olsem na man i no save laikim ol arapela, em i no save long God. God i g*t wanpela Pikinini tasol, na em i salim dispela Pikinini i kam long graun, bai yumi kisim laip long em. Long dispela pasin God i soim yumi olsem em i laikim yumi tru. Pasin bilong laikim ol arapela, em i pasin bilong God. Yumi no ken ting, yumi bin laikim God pastaim. Nog*t. God i laikim yumi pastaim. Olsem na em i bin salim Pikinini Man bilong en i kam long graun bilong lusim ol sin bilong yumi.
1 Jon 4:7-10

27/07/2024

Miting nating ol prea bilong yumi ino senisim situesen, tasol bilip tru olsem ol prea i senisim yumi. Ol i senisim yumi long kamapim pasin bilong stap isi na bilip yet long God.

18/07/2024

Prea Bilong helpim wokabaut Bilong Pop Fransis long Papua Niugini

Sorotan
Vocationist Fathers Papua New Guinea

17/07/2024

This phrase is from Psalm 27:10, which reads:

> "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me."

# # # Explanation of Context and Meaning

**1. Context of the Verse:**
Psalm 27 is a psalm of David that expresses his confidence and trust in the Lord amid various difficulties and threats. The psalm begins with David's declaration that the Lord is his light and salvation, so he has no reason to fear (Psalm 27:1). Throughout the psalm, David seeks the Lord's help and protection and declares his belief that the Lord will answer his prayers.

**2. Verse Analysis:**
Psalm 27:10 highlights David's confidence that even if he were to be abandoned by those closest to him, such as his father and mother, the Lord will still receive and welcome him. This verse carries several important meanings:

- **Dependence on God:** This verse shows that David fully depends on God, even when the most fundamental and important human relationships might fail.
- **Divine Comfort:** There is great comfort and security in knowing that God will never leave or forsake us, regardless of human circumstances.
- **God's Love and Acceptance:** This verse illustrates God's limitless love and unconditional acceptance. God is the ultimate source of perfect love and acceptance.

**3. Application in Life:**
This verse provides comfort and strength for many who feel alone or abandoned. It reminds us that God is always there to receive, welcome, and support us, even when we feel most forsaken by others. In any situation, the belief that God is always with us provides the strength to face life's challenges.

# # # Conclusion
Psalm 27:10 is a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love and faithfulness. God is our true refuge and source of comfort in all situations, especially when we feel abandoned by those closest to us in life.

12/07/2024

Bikpela i tok, “Orait bai mi kisim bek ol dispela manmeri i bin lusim mi. Bai mi laikim ol long bel bilong mi olgeta, na mi no moa kros long ol. Bai mi mekim gut long ol Israel, olsem ren i kam daun na i wasim ples drai. Na bai ol i kamap olsem naispela plaua na olsem ol bikpela diwai bilong kantri Lebanon. Rop bilong ol dispela diwai i save go daun insait tru long graun. ”
Hosea 14:4-5

Ren long Baibel i g*t planti kain as bilong en na save bilong en i stap long ol tok God i mekim. Long dispela em ol as bilong ren long Baibel:

1. **Blesing na Planti Gutpela Samting**: Ren oltaim em olsem wanpela sain bilong blesing bilong God, i bringim laip na planti samting. Long Deuteronomi 28:12, ren em wanpela blesing God bai givim long ol manmeri sapos ol i bihainim tok bilong em.

2. **Judmen na Panismen**: Long sampela hap, ren inap soim judmen o panismen bilong God. Olsem, long stori bilong bikpela ren i kamap long taim bilong Noa (Stat 7), ren i ren i go inap long 40 de na 40 nait, i kamapim bikpela punis God i givim long sin bilong ol manmeri.

3. **Kam Bek na Mekim Gut Bek**: Ren inap soim bekim gut na kam bek gen. Long Joel 2:23, ren i makim olsem God bai mekim gut gen ol samting bilong em na bringim niupela taim.

4. **Gutpela Graun na Laip**: Ren em wanpela mak i soim gutpela graun na laip bilong ol plaua. Long Song 65:9-10, ren i luk olsem rot God i givim wara long graun na mekim i stap gut.

5. **Presens na Marimari Bilong God**: Ren inap soim presens na marimari bilong God, em i lukautim olgeta samting em i bin wokim. Long Matyu 5:45, ren i kamap olsem blesing God i givim long ol gutpela na ol nogutman, i soim marimari bilong em olgeta manmeri


Vocationist Fathers Papua New Guinea
Sorotan