my Articulate Heart

In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims, “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). At first glance, this declaration might seem puzzling. Unlike many women of her time, Mary had no biological descendants to carry forward her legacy. After all, her son, Jesus, offered His life for humanity and left no children behind. What, then, prompted Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, to proclaim that future generations would bless her name? The key to understanding Mary’s words lies in the events at the foot of the cross. As Jesus hung on Calvary, He entrusted His beloved disciple, John, with the care of His mother. He said to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son!” and to John, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26–27). This was not a mere practical arrangement for Mary’s care. It was a profound spiritual act, establishing Mary as the spiritual mother of all who follow Christ. Interestingly, this scene unfolded with John’s biological mother present. Moreover, Jesus had cousins...

"Then Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." — Luke 1:38 In today’s culture, individualism reigns supreme. Society places immense value on personal freedom and the ability to make choices independently, often rejecting any form of external interference. The rallying cry of "my body, my choice" encapsulates this ethos, particularly when addressing matters of marriage, sexuality, and childbearing. Against this backdrop, the story of Mary, our Blessed Mother, offers a striking contradiction. Her fiat—her wholehearted "yes" to God—reveals a profound and countercultural perspective on freedom and self-giving. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he brought a divine proposal that would utterly redefine her life. To modern sensibilities, this moment might seem like an intrusion on Mary’s autonomy. Here was a young girl, likely with dreams and pla...

The rising trend of prioritizing love for Pets over human relationships, reflects a complex mix of social, cultural, and philosophical changes. Some argue that these shifts signal a deeper issue — a movement away from seeing human life as uniquely dignified and intrinsically valuable. This trend has sparked conversations on the concept of "trans-speciesism" and the potential devaluation of human life, where animals and humans are often treated as ethically and morally equivalent. Individualism and the Appeal of Pets Pets, unlike human relationships, require relatively little compromise or emotional vulnerability. They provide affection without placing demands on one’s time, moral responsibility, or deeper personal growth in the same way relationships with people do. This fits well within an individualistic framework that emphasizes self-fulfillment and personal comfort. Relationships with pets are less likely to involve the complexities or sacrifices that human relationships ...

In our modern world, perceptions of the Catholic Church are often shaped by media portrayals that emphasize controversies or highlight its visible, external contributions like charity and education. But these images, while partially true, miss the heart of what the Church really is. Far beyond an institution, the Catholic Church exists to offer every person an encounter with God and a pathway to live a life of deep, spiritual transformation. For those who may be skeptical or have been affected by incomplete portrayals in the media, it’s worth taking a closer look. The Church’s True Purpose: An Encounter with God The Catholic Church is not simply a social organization with charitable work, schools, and hospitals. While these are important, they are expressions of a deeper mission: to connect humanity with God. The Church’s true purpose is to provide every person a path to fulfill their ultimate purpose — to know, love, and encounter God in a transformative way. In a world where people o...

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 What is the labor and burden that Jesus is asking me to deal with? Perhaps I need to let go of the compulsive burden (or entitlement) that my spouse and children should choose a spiritual path that I believe to be right. Jesus accompanied Judas Iscariot to the very end but never deprived him of his freedom to choose his own destiny. Despite Judas's rejection, Jesus remained undeterred in accomplishing His mission. Although He became a victim of Judas's betrayal, He never assumed the victim’s identity. Instead, Jesus chose to die in our place (and that of Judas) in a redeeming act of love. Rather than relying on my wisdom and craft to fix those entrusted to my care, I must take every conflict, misunders...

Guilt is a destructive emotion. It is the vicious weapon of the adversary. Guilt builds up in response to the devil's accusation. The devil points fingers at us and accuses us of our wrongdoing. He does this in order to make us feel unworthy and obscure our identity as children of God. The deceiver does so after luring us into sin. and, more often than not, getting us hooked on and addicted to the wrong. Guilt plunges us deep into sin and shame. It is the devil's tool to keep us bound in darkness. The opposite emotion is repentance. Repentance is the desire to return to one's inherent goodness. While guilt is the response to the devil's accusation, repentance is the response to God's merciful love. Repentance draws us closer to God. The question is, "Who do we choose to listen to when you trip and fall?" Godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 When faced with guilt, co...

Vulgar jokes are a fad among the young. The adolescent years are crucial years of formation. Most youngsetrs give into the temptation to convene around smutty jokes as a way to "fit in" with the majority. Often, the jokes that garner the most attention are the ones in which men and women are referred to as mere sex objects to be used. At the end, the sacred gift of human sexuality is treated with humour and a lack of due respect. The word of God  says "Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving". Ephesians 5:4 It is good to ask why a sacred subject like human sexuality becomes a public joke. The sensual and the sexual have traditionally been private matters. The privacy attached to these topics is not unintentional. What is holy needs to be veiled and protected because it is so priceless and sacred. We cannot afford to violate its sacredness or desecrate its holiness. But when a culture loses ...