| No, no, that is not a typo in the heading. Prend means friend and is a word that we invented during World Youth Day in Poland in 2016. To put it simply, it is an invention that began with our imperfect English. I remember that at that time I could not even properly recite prayers in Finnish and hardly follow people’s conversation. However, out of love, my friends - prends - helped me understand everything. We danced together, got lost together, roamed around in beautiful Krakow together. Those are nice memories. |  World Youth Day in 2016. |
In today’s gospel, Jesus called me again to be his friend. This is the second time in 3 days.
What is a Friend?
A friend knows everything about you. Such as how Jesus did for us, He did not keep anything in secret in front of us. He told EVERYTHING about his Father to us. He gave his life to us, even sometime we are not so good with Him. A friendship starts with Love, and as He commands: Love one another.
A friendship starts with love, and as St. John said in today's reading: Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
Loving others is a natural response once we discovered the love of God. Love is not forced and fake, it is the origin of everything, including friendship.
A friendship starts with love, and as St. John said in today's reading: Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
Loving others is a natural response once we discovered the love of God. Love is not forced and fake, it is the origin of everything, including friendship.
How can I love?
We had really intensive discussion about the liturgy and Finnish Catholic traditions recently. I agree, and I disagree with some thoughts and comments. I have laughed and I have cried at seeing everything that has happened recently: the cancelling of Andi’s deacon ordination, cold-hearted responses from around the diocese, or indifference from people while talking about the need of the parish/church.
So, how to love? Lord, how can I love?
After offering days of my broken heart in the Mass, the answer comes.
“No one has greater lover than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
On the Cross, Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And despite their not knowing, he died for us.
The way of sanctification is not easy, and life as a Catholic often goes against the current. The definition of love includes patience, kindness, tolerance, respect and forgiveness (and more and more virtues). But if we first love Christ, and trust in Him, and all the other virtues will come.
The answer here is: “Yiran, be my prend first, and I will show you the way.”
So, how to love? Lord, how can I love?
After offering days of my broken heart in the Mass, the answer comes.
“No one has greater lover than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
On the Cross, Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And despite their not knowing, he died for us.
The way of sanctification is not easy, and life as a Catholic often goes against the current. The definition of love includes patience, kindness, tolerance, respect and forgiveness (and more and more virtues). But if we first love Christ, and trust in Him, and all the other virtues will come.
The answer here is: “Yiran, be my prend first, and I will show you the way.”
Sorry, Thanks and I love you
At last year's Youth Festival, Father Jean Claude taught us the telephone number of God: the sign of cross. He also taught us three magic phrases: Sorry, Thanks and I love you.
Sorry Lord, that I offended you.
Thank you Lord, for saving me.
I love you Lord because your Love is always with me.
And also, in the same way:
Sorry my brothers and sisters if I offended you.
Thank you my brothers and sisters for loving me.
I love you because that is the only thing that I can do.
I love you, so I pray for you. I love you, so I sacrifice for you. I love you, so I give my life for you. This is the cross, the way of Calvary, one suffers but without this way, one will not be able to arrive home and the eternal victory.
Sorry Lord, that I offended you.
Thank you Lord, for saving me.
I love you Lord because your Love is always with me.
And also, in the same way:
Sorry my brothers and sisters if I offended you.
Thank you my brothers and sisters for loving me.
I love you because that is the only thing that I can do.
I love you, so I pray for you. I love you, so I sacrifice for you. I love you, so I give my life for you. This is the cross, the way of Calvary, one suffers but without this way, one will not be able to arrive home and the eternal victory.
RSS Feed
