“Daring to imitate our Blessed Lord in ‘washing the windows’ in order to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!”

(Based on 1 Cor 4:1-5 and Lk 5:33-39 – Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

John Wanamaker was an American merchant and a religious and civic leader.

He is considered by some, to be the proponent of advertising and a “pioneer in marketing”.

Once, a neat and handsome young man, applied to John Wanamaker for a job.

This young fellow was told that there was no job for him.
But the young man persisted, “I am willing to take up any work!”

With a view to get rid of him, Mr Wanamaker said, “The only job I have is the job of washing windows”

“Yes, I am willing” said the enthusiastic young man!

He washed those windows as they never had been.

He also showed a great sense of responsibility.
Within a short period, he became the manager of the store.

When this man died, after a splendid service of nearly two decades, Mr Wanamaker said:
“I am willing to pay as high as one hundred thousand dollars for a manager, who can fill the place of the one I lost!”

The young man’s willingness and his committed act of “washing the windows” brought about a change of mentality and won accolades galore!

Today, perhaps, the Church is in a great need for people who are willing to “wash the windows” for the sake of the Kingdom…
… windows which are sometimes dirtied with the dust of ritualism, legalism and relativism
… windows which are sometimes tainted with the stains of corruption, scandals and misconduct
… windows which are sometimes splattered with the blemishes of indifference, injustice and inactions

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus who courageously dares to “wash the windows”, in order to clear away the dust of legal fanaticism, religious rigidity and spiritual gloominess!

The passage in consideration (Lk 5: 33-39) begins with an interrogative complaint by the Pharisees and Scribes…
… on why His disciples ‘ate and drank’ whereas the disciples of John the Baptist as well as the Pharisees fasted often and offered prayers (Lk 5: 33)

The immediate context of this passage is the Call of Levi, the tax collector and the grand party hosted by him, in honour of Jesus (Lk 5: 27-32)

Jesus, later on, in His ministry would say, “There is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents and returns to God, than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7)

Levi, the tax-collector was called by Jesus to follow Him – an occasion of a “lost sheep” returning back to the arms of the Shepherd!

It was a moment of great joy and happiness!
It was a moment of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ!
It was a moment of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love!

In this context, when the religious leaders questioned Jesus on why were His disciples into “eating and drinking” unlike the disciples of John the Baptist and Pharisees, who were into rigorous fasting and prayer…
… Jesus gives a fitting reply using three imageries:

1) The imagery of the wedding guests feasting, when the Bridegroom is with them (Lk 5: 34-35)

It pointed to the “moments of great joy and happiness, that is experienced” when one recognises Jesus as the bridegroom – the True Love of one’s life and the Primary Purpose of one’s existence (Gal 2:20)

2) The imagery of the patched garments (Lk 5: 36)

It pointed to the “moments of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ”, and putting on the New and Festal Garment of Christ (Gal 3:27)

3) The imagery of the wine and wineskin (Lk 5: 37-39)

It pointed to the “moments of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love,” and cherishing the experience of discovering the Lord as the true and only source and foundation of happiness in life (1 Cor 3: 11).

In short, our Blessed Lord was pointing to a renewed perspective in one’s relationship with God…

Doing away with “legal fanaticism” that cripples one’s life with mere external following of rituals and rubrics
… and instead to discover the real meaning and purpose of one’s actions of piety and religiosity!

Doing away with “spiritual gloominess” that casts a dark and ugly veil on one’s practices of spirituality…
… and instead to unwrap the gifts of happiness, trust and genuine bliss that is constantly bestowed by God!

Our practise of faith and spirituality certainly is in a constant need of a “cleaning up!”

Else, it can very easily happen, that..
… religion turns out to be a farce
… practices of piety fail to touch and inspire lives
… acts of charity turn out to be hypocritical gestures

Let us dare to imitate our Blessed Lord in “washing the windows,” to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Realising that a life lived for others is a life worthwhile!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:18-23 and Lk 5:1-11 – Thursday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

The following is a self-reflected story…
… An Autobiography

This is written with the sole intention of giving Praise and Glory to God, the Creator…

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile!

This is a basic philosophy and an attitude which I have cultivated all through my life…
… and which I appreciate very much in others!

Well, you can call it being part of my genes and instilled into my basic structure…
… but, yeah, I do seek to live for others!

And I am excited when I see others also living out this my philosophy!

Life springs surprises!

And I guess, the Creator has meant life to be thus!

This is a lesson I have learnt many times…

His surprising Hand is indeed amazing and remarkable…

In the midst of the storms of life…
… I have encountered how He can steer me through to safety!

In the thick of dark clouds of life…
… I have experienced how He can flash His brightness home!

In the horror of pealing thunder and lightning…
… I have enjoyed His calm presence and soothing aura!

The Creator is indeed a great, BIG, surprising person!

You must be wondering what would have been my most wonderful surprise in life?!

Any guesses?

What more than seeing the Philosophy of my Life being actualized and lived in the best way possible!!

Yeah, I am excited when I am able to share my life for the sake of others and in service of others!

But I am most delighted and thrilled and thankful when I see others also seeking to make the world a better place!

And, this was an all too super experience of seeing such an amazingly charismatic Personality…
He had a comforting charm…
He had a relaxing resonance…
He had an attracting appearance!

I did not know His name…
… He was yet a stranger to me

But the air echoed and reverberated with His name…”Yeshua…”…”Messiah…”…..”JESUS!!

And then came THE moment…
Call it THE best moment of my life…
Call it THE most blessed time of my life….

That Great Figure….Yeshua…Jesus…came to me!

And chose to spend time with me!

He spoke to the great crowds of people who had gathered to listen to Him…
… but all the while, being with me!
Amazing Words of Life!
Beautiful acts of Love!
Special powers of Healing!
Dramatic deeds of Transformation!

And then it was time for me to witness an unforgettable scene…

That Great Charismatic Leader…
… surprised my master with a life-changing miracle and phenomenon…

My master was a simple fisherman.

He was a bit impulsive, yet straightforward and humble…a hardworking fella.

But the experience that he had and which I had, was just out of the world…
“At your command, I will let down the nets” was the simple expression of my master to the Great Master!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets…
… when encountered with strange troubles and to trust in Him!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets….
… when met with total hopelessness and when life kicks them on their faces!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets….
… when disappointments and depression have become identical with their lives!

But for my simple master, it was just easy to let go off himself, his capacities, his knowledge…
… and just trust and believe!

He did let down his nets…
… and what followed was a classic picture!!

Fish was caught in plenty

Joy was writ all over the faces
Faith had increased bountifully!!

Trust and Faith is rewarded when acted with simplicity, humility and openness!

And surprises followed…

That classic Personality, who was also called the Great Fisherman of Galilee, prophesied on my master and gave him a new vocation:
“From now on… you will be catching men!’

The angels would have rejoiced…
The heavens would have consented…
… but there was a heart-break in my heart!

The new vocation of my master would mean, I would be left abandoned…
… I would no longer be utilized!

But then, suddenly my conscience pricked me and I was reminded of my philosophy of life: to live for others!
And lo… I had to follow suit….
… to let down my nets!
… to let down the net of my desires…
… and let my master be engaged in the service and help of humanity!

My master had to embrace a new way of life:
To follow the Greatest Catcher of People, the Great Fisherman of Galilee – Jesus!

I knew my master would also attain great heights of fame and name and holiness and greatness…

All because he had been willing to let go off his nets and had been ready to listen to the Great Master’s Word!
All because he had been disposed to give highest priority to the work of the Great Master!
… and in the process, I too have been touched and blessed!

Generations will remember my master…
Generations will be blessed by the Great Master…

Generations may never preach or wish to see me…

But generations will hopefully think of me…
… think of me, that once upon a time, I was touched and blessed – to be a Pulpit for the Word!”

This reflection is taken from an extract of an imaginary autobiography titled, “The story of a Dramatic Surprise”

It is the AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE BOAT which was used by St Peter…
… the apostle who was called by the Great Master, Jesus
… as recounted in Lk 5:1-11

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Growing in selfless deeds and noble tasks and self-sacrificing actions!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:1-9 and Lk 4:38-44 – Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young nurse once shared her experience after a grueling night shift.

She said: “I walked into the hospital drained, weary and almost broken…
… but I walked out stronger, renewed, and strangely at peace.”

Someone asked her in surprise: “How can you be more energized after giving yourself away the whole night?”

And she replied:
“Because every time I wiped a patient’s tears…
… every time I offered a glass of water
… every time I simply held a trembling hand
I felt my own heart being healed.

My tiredness melted away.
My weakness turned into strength!”

Isn’t that the paradox of love?

When we pour ourselves out for others…
… God fills us back in.
When we serve…
… we are the ones renewed.
When we give…
… we receive more than we can imagine.

Altruism is the echo of Christ’s love in a soul that has been touched by His mercy.

The Gospel of the Day presents the Altruistic Ideal – Jesus – engaged in number of works…
… of healing
… of rebuking the evil spirits
… of bringing consolation and joy to the people.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus announced His Mission Programme of “… bringing good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, new sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed…”

In accordance with this manifesto, Jesus sets forward to announce the Kingdom of God.

The Lord unveils the Compassionate Face of the Father and reveals His Benevolent Heart to the needy and the deprived.

He cures Simon’s mother-in-law of her fever and restores her to good health and wellbeing…(Lk 4:39)

Am I today in need of a touch of the Lord…
… which takes away the fever of tiredness and fatigue of spiritual life?
… which restores me back in serving and assisting others in my life?

At sunset, He laid His hands on many with sicknesses and diseases and cured them all… (Lk 4:40)

In the sunset of darkness and pain in my life…
…. Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Hope and Healing?
In the sunset of emptiness, frustrations and despair, in my life…
… Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Faith and Revival?

He also rebuked many demons and commanded them to let go of many possessed people… (Lk 4: 41)

Am I tormented by the demons of bad, unhealthy addictions…?
… The power of the Lord is here to overcome
Am I tormented by the demons of filthy words and dirty thoughts…?
… The power of the Lord is here to liberate!
Am I tormented by the demons of peer pressure and societal strains…?
… The power of the Lord is here to set free!

The Lord at the end of today’s Gospel passage expresses His intentions of going to other towns to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God!

The zeal and enthusiasm of the Lord to reach out the Gospel to many others is really amazing….

Do I imitate the Lord…
…. in being zealous to reach out God’s goodness and kindness to many other people?
… in being fervent to let ignorant people to know the saving message of the Gospel?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to take note of the Altruistic Spirit of Jesus…

The Altruism of Jesus challenges us…
…. to reach out to the sick and suffering, with the Love and Compassion and Healing and Mercy of the Lord!
… to go beyond our zones of comfort and help the lonely, the depressed, the unwanted and the rejected!

Today, You and I, are invited to imitate and follow Jesus, the Ideal Altruist!

Let us show forth that we are Children of our Heavenly Father and soldiers of the Kingdom of God…
… not only through our words but much more by our altruistic words and deeds and actions.

Let us grow in selfless deeds and noble tasks and self-sacrificing actions…
… realising that “every sunset of our pain can become a sunrise of God’s Mercy, if we place it in His hands

God Bless! Live Jesus!