“Having close intimacy with our Father by growing in our life of prayer!”

(Based on Acts 20:17-27 and Jn 17:1-11a – Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

The earthly life and ministry of Jesus is presented in the Bible mainly through the Four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Of these, Mathew, Mark and Luke are termed as the Synoptic Gospels (synoptic meaning ‘same view’) because they have a common view.

The Gospel according to John reflects a Christian tradition that is different from that of the other Gospel.

It differs significantly from the synoptic gospels in theme, content, time duration, order of events and style.

One important distinction that is seen between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel according to John is that…
… while some events are very clearly and narratively described in the Synoptics
… the elements of the same are found in the Gospel according to John, either figuratively or in more detail.

One such event is the Temptations.

The temptations of Jesus find a clear mention in the three Synoptic Gospels as a one-time event.
But the Gospel according to John would present the same temptations, not as a one-time affair, but spread through the life and ministry of Jesus.

Another event we see is the Institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The narrative of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist finds a specific mention in all the three Synoptic Gospels, at the time of the Last Supper
The Gospel according to John presents a very long teaching on the Holy Eucharist (Jn 6) and clearly presents the implications and consequences of being a Eucharist through the washing of the feet and His explicit commandment of love (Jn 12)

Another event or incident that finds a mention in two of the Synoptic Gospels is the Lord’s Prayer – the Our Father.

But it doesn’t appear as one-block of prayer in the Gospel according to John.

However, the Gospel also presents a very extensive teaching and displays a method of prayer.

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful expression of Jesus praying in the Gospel of John and presents to us elements which need to become part of our own prayer life.

The Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel according to John is traditionally called as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus.

The Gospel passage of the day (Jn 17: 1-11) presents a few basics and essentials of prayer:

1) Jesus prays for the glory of the Divine

Every prayer ought to be an expression of praise, worship and exaltation of the Holy Name of God.

Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that your Son may glorify You!” (Jn 17: 1)

The lips of the Lord moved in praise of His Father and seeking the glory that was due to Him.

Is my prayer an expression of my desire to ‘lift up the name of the Lord on high?”
… or does my prayer degenerate into merely asking for things and wanting to focus the attention on me, than the Divine?

2) Jesus prays for the gift of eternal life for His people

Every prayer ought to have its intention aimed towards eternity!

Jesus prayed, “… just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all You gave Him” (Jn 17: 2)

The purpose of the Lord was clearly focussed on eternal goodness and everlasting benefits.

Is my prayer an articulation of my longing for heaven and centred towards seeking the higher-things of life?
… or do I get limited in my prayer with merely earthly and transitory things of life; not that they are unimportant, but whether they snatch away our minds from the true needs and requirements of life?

3) Jesus prays with an expression of His intimacy with God and His People

Every prayer ought to be a manifestation of my unity with the Lord and the people to whom I am connected.

Jesus prayed, “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you and you gave them to me… ” (Jn 17: 6)

The prayer of the Lord showed that He was in intimacy with the Father and was in close union with the people in His life

Is my prayer a sign of my close friendship with the Lord as well my close binding with the many people in my life?
… or am I failing in my prayer due to a breakage of relation with the Lord due to sin, and suffering from disturbance of mind due to damaged and hateful links with the people in my life?

4) Jesus prays for the unity of the people and safety from the evil

Every prayer ought to make me closer to the Lord and His people and cause to me stay further away from the evil.

Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one” (Jn 17: 11b)

The heart of the Lord moved to seek to protect the people He loved and also grow in greater intimacy

Is my prayer constantly drawing me to purge away sins from my life, so that I can remain in His name, and also make me assist His people in service?
… or does my prayer life make no effect on me to stay away from the evil and fail to be expressed in loving actions of charity and help?

The Lord desires that just as He prayed, in close intimacy with His Father, we too may grow in our life of prayer and union with the Heavenly Father.

It’s this intimacy that will make us to offer our lives in total service to the Lord – not counting costs, or losing one’s comforts – just like St Paul who testified at Ephesus:

“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which >> I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God!” (Acts 20:22-24)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Responding joyfully and optimistically to ‘the advertisement of adversity’ offered by Jesus!”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

Early in the 20th century, a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read: “Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger.

Safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success!”

This advertisement was from Sir Ernest Shackleton – the world famous Arctic explorer.

Commenting on this, Warren W. Wiersbe in his book, “Be Faithful” commented –
“If JESUS CHRIST had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:
Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church.

You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you.
You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy.

You may not see the results of your labour…
… and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed.

It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life!”

Are you ready to accept this Advertisement of Jesus to work for His Kingdom?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth…
… or Who hides the real facts of following Him.

He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.

He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

We need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… but when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… but when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… but when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Along with this, hardships and sufferings also have a Salvific Value!

Every pain and difficulty we undergo, is to be united with the Suffering of Christ…
… and Christ redeems all of them!

In turn, we are blessed to be partakers with Christ’s Mission…
… and strength and hope, to realise, that God in His Providence, always does the best for us, when we remain faithful to Him!

Yes, strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

JESUS invites workers for His Kingdom.
We will have struggles.
We will face misunderstandings

But when we remain faithful, Jesus Himself, is our reward!

Are we ready to respond joyfully and optimistically to this “the advertisement of adversity?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Called forth to ‘be the shining lamp, that lights up God’s House!'”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)

In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople.

Finally, he decided to build a church for a legacy.
The complete plans for the church were kept secret until its completion.

When the people gathered, they marvelled at the church’s beauty and its completeness.

Following many comments of praise, an astute observer inquired, “But where are the lamps? How will the church be lighted?”

Without answer, the nobleman pointed to some brackets in the wall; he then gave to each family a lamp to be carried to the prayer service and hung on the wall.

“Each time you are here, the area where you are seated will be lighted,” the nobleman explained.

“Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. Whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark!”

The faithfulness of the people in coming for prayer would determine the intensity of light, in their particular spot in the Church.

As followers of Christ, all are called to be the “light of the world”…
… and all are expected to live in faithfulness and loyalty to the Kingdom – for the Glory of God!

Ascension Sunday is a beautiful day to renew our commitment to Jesus, the One Who has called and chosen us (Cf. Jn 15:16)…
… as He calls us to leave behind “legacies of light” and be His witnesses.

The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection

We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone!

The Ascension of Jesus completes the Resurrection.

The Resurrection is victory over death.
The Ascension lifts humanity to heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?’”

While it is quite natural for us to seek Jesus, who apparently “has gone far away from us,” the reality is that Jesus is now closer to us – closer than we can ever imagine!

It is as if they are saying to us, “Don’t misunderstand this moment. Don’t deny yourselves the gift that is being given you.”

The Ascension of the Lord is not about His absence but about His Presence.

It is not about His leaving but about His Presence that is assured and promised to all of us
It is not about a location but about a relationship.

This Feast is the beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live – to look upward

To transcend the needs of this world, and to have our highest priorities on God.
To go beyond the pilgrim journey of this earth, and prepare meaningfully for eternity.

Before His Ascension, as we read in the Gospel of St Luke, Jesus pronounces two important declarations:

“You are witnesses of these things” (Lk 24:48)
“I am sending upon you what My Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with Power from on high.” (Lk 24:49)

These two declarations of the Lord was a call to constantly…
… ‘relive’ their experiences, as witnesses, with the Lord – and to know He is with them always
… ‘realise’ that they would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life

It’s these two declarations that ought to become the motivation and strength for every disciple of Christ to evangelise the world…

My God is with me always, and I have nothing to be afraid of!
My God is all-knowing and all-powerful and He will protect me always!

We are assured that “great things happen, when God mixes with us” as we are reminded:
… He is “WITH YOU ALWAYS” (abiding and protecting)
… He is the great “I AM” (sovereign and powerful)

(Let us, therefore, never forget these 5 beautiful words that the Lord tells to all of us, at all moments: “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS!”)

St Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God!” (Col 3:1)

Every moment, every hour and every day – Jesus tugs our hearts, and invites us to “look upward” and to have our focus on Him, Who was Crucified, but now is Risen and seated at God’s Right Hand!

The Psalmist states, “Blessed [are those]… in whose hearts are the highways to Zion!” (Ps 84:5)

We need to make an examination of our lives and make suitable changes for the good…

Is sin enslaving us?

Let us ‘ascend’ with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!

Is regret and remorse discouraging us?

Let us ‘ascend’ with His Healing – in joy and hope!

Is anger and jealousy pulling us down?

Let us ‘ascend’ with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!

As we give heed to the Great Commission of Jesus – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Cf. Mt 28:19) – to become fruitful evangelizers in the world, the words of St Teresa of Avila are a great inspiration:
“Christ has no body but yours!

No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.”

Each one of us is called forth to “be the shining lamp, that lights up God’s House!”

It is our faithfulness to God that would determine the intensity of this light
As followers of Christ, let us live in faithfulness and loyalty to the Kingdom – for the Glory of God!

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Experiencing the Amazing, Everlasting, Impartial, Outstanding and Unconditional Love of God!”

(Based on Acts 18:23-28 and Jn 16:23b-28- Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter)

A Catechism teacher was explaining her students in Class 4 about the Love of God.

As she was explaining, little Monica, suddenly exclaimed: “Miss, I now understand the vowels!”

The teacher – surprised – asked her, “But how does Love of God make you understand the vowels?”
And the little one said, “Because as you said, the Love of God is Amazing, Everlasting, Impartial, Outstanding and Unconditional!

So, the Love of God is… A.E.I.O.U.!”

Yes, the Love of God encompasses all superlative adjectives!

There is nothing we can to do make God love us more!
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less!
His love is A.E.I.O.U.!

Every person longs for love…
Every person longs to be cared for…

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony of Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Our Heavenly Father, is deeply in love with us, His children…
… and never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts:
“… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)

This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…
… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”

Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.

Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…
Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…
Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.
All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.

But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially…
… Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely

Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!

It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…
… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)

His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…
… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)

His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!

Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…

The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.

May we, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.

He is busy – busy expressing His tender love to us
He is busy writing – writing His letters of His precious love to us

Let us deepen our experience of the Love of God as… A.E.I.O.U.
Amazing
Everlasting
Impartial
Outstanding
Unconditional!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Realising that pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!”

(Based on Acts 18:9-18 and Jn 16:20-23 – Friday of the 6th Week in Easter)

An elderly man was sharing his experiences to a group of youngsters.

Among the many things that he spoke, he also touched upon the topic of “pain and suffering”…
… and said: “My dear young people, I have gone through much pain in life

And these painful experiences – though hard initially – became sources of great blessing and grace, when I realised their value, and signs of God’s wonderful Presence”

And he went on to add, “Remember always…
God whispers to us in our pleasures
… speaks in our consciences
… but shouts in our pains.

Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!”

Yes, pain is to be understood as vital for the promotion, perseverance and progress of anyone wanting to lead a life…
… in deeper and closer union with the Lord!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life…
… and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!

Not negating the actuality of the difficult side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)

Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.

He had came into the world to die!
Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.

To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…
“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child…
… she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)

This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.

Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.

To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

The pain is too excruciating…

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…

The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!
The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus says that, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!

This is indeed a higher spirituality…
… a higher level of holiness

To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain
To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.

It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

He is with us to hold our hands to climb up to this floor.
He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.

We hear the Lord assuring St Paul, even amid much pain and persecution:
“Do not be afraid.

Go on speaking, and do not be silent…
… for I am with you.” (Acts 18:9)

When life stings us with pain…
When problems beset us into agony…
… With hope, trust, faith and strength,

Let us realise: “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being docile to accept God’s ‘strange yet protective’ Will working in our lives!”

(Based on the Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle)

The dungeon was dark.

The air thick with hatred.
The pagan guards sneered as they held out the cup.

“This is poison,” they told a certain holy person.

“Drink, and die with your so-called faith.”

Any ordinary man would have begged for mercy.

But this man, was no ordinary man.

He took the cup.
He raised it in silent trust.
And with a steady hand and a prayer on his lips, he drank.

The poison coursed through his veins…
… but did not kill him.

And just when the guards expected to see him collapse, a miracle erupted:
Those around him, already blinded by the same deadly drink, suddenly received their sight.

Not only did the poison fail to harm him…
… it became a source of healing for others.

The prison shook with confusion.

Chaos erupted.
And by the time they scrambled to find him, he had vanished – hidden, invisible to their eyes, shielded by Heaven itself.

The holy person was St Mathias.

Indeed… when God’s hand is on your life, no chain can hold you, no poison can stop you…
… and no enemy can find you.

Faith is not proven by walking away from the fire…
… but by standing and facing it, knowing God is in control.

Today is the Feast of this Apostle, St Mathias.

He is the Apostle, chosen by lot, to go “into the place of the traitor Judas”.

The Acts of the Apostles describes:” that he may take his place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell.” (Acts 1:25)

St Mathias had one of the most unique privileges as well as one of the most awkward moments.

He had the unique privilege of being counted the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
He had the unique awkward moment of taking the position left blank by Judas, the betrayer.

It is usually hard to fill up empty spaces of vacancies and opportunities.

And it indeed gets too hard to fill up the vacancy of being counted among the exclusive Twelve Apostles.

This task gets too complicated especially if the vacancy was created as a shameful result of “betrayal” and “treachery”

St Mathias had to fill in the gap left by the “traitor” Judas Iscariot.

Yet, Divine Providence had it that St Mathias should replace Judas, to be “counted as one among the Twelve”.

Life sometimes is such…

We are asked to take up tasks that may seem highly uncomfortable

We are invited to draw up duties which may seem highly insulting

Are we willing to accept them, seeing God’s providential hand in them?

Are we ready to undertake them, knowing God’s Will is at work in that?

Let us trust in the mighty and assuring words of Jesus, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (Jn 15:16)

St Matthias stands in the place of the traitor Judas

But not as another traitor…
… but as one who knows the treachery of human hearts and the need for Heavenly Grace.

The Feast of St Mathias is a reminder of this naked and frightening, yet remarkable and bold truth:

There is a possibility of being a traitor in all of us
… like Judas

But there is also the glorious chance of being His faithful apostle
… like St Mathias.

There are elements of betraying God, within each of us…
… like Judas

But there are also graces of being passionately committed to the Lord…
… like St Mathias.

May St Mathias intercede and inspire us…
… to be docile to accept God’s ‘strange yet protective’ Will working in our lives
… to be bold to take up the challenge of filling up gaps caused by betrayal and uneasiness
… to be aware of God’s mighty Providence guiding every action of the Church and the world.

Let’s remember: God’s Will may not always make sense…
… but it always makes saints!

Happy Feast of St Mathias, the Apostle

God Bless! Live Jesus!