One of the common questions that is usually asked to kids is…”What do you want to become when you grow big?”

And the answers we get are sometimes common, sometimes interesting, sometimes even weird…

“I want to be a doctor”,
“I want to be an engineer“,
“I want to be the next Bill Gates”,
” I want to fly to Mars”…

But suppose, if the same question were to be put forward to another Kid…
This Kid would have given perhaps the strangest and the shocking answers of all..

“When I grow big, I want to Die!
I am living my life, so that I can die!”

Guess who is this Kid?

>> Well…no marks for guessing who it is..
It is Jesus!

Death was the goal of His life!

The Gospel of the Day presents this burning and intense desire of the Lord, “There is a baptism with which I must be baptized and how great is my anguish, until it is accomplished” (Lk 12: 50)

Christ came into the world to save the world. 
>> And this salvation was possible for Him, only through the way of suffering.

This is the Baptism to which Christ refers to….
> A Baptism of suffering.
> A Baptism of obedience.
> A Baptism of self-sacrifice.

This way of the Lord is not easy.
>> It causes division and separation, even in families.

How does this division happen?
>> When one stands for the values and the person of Christ, the world mocks and fools.

>> When one holds on to one’s faith and convictions in Christ, there is immense shame inflicted.

A member in the family stands for Church values and principles, whereas others in the house oppose.
>> A division is created among them, in the Name of Christ!

A student in the class stands for honesty and truthfulness and refuses to join in copying and malpractices during the examination. 
>> A division is created among them, in the Name of Christ!

A friend stands for his convictions and refuses to join his peers in some bad habits or activities which are unbecoming.
>> A division is created among them, in the Name of Christ!

An person counters accepting bribes at work or opposes doing some manipulation in the place of work to gain some extra finances.
>> A division is created among them, in the Name of Christ!

Christianity indeed is the strangest of all religions…

Usually religions advocate a way of life which calls for comfort and relaxation.
>>> Christianity disturbs one’s life from comfort to become a people who comfort others.

Usually religions promote happiness of life by following some rituals and ceremonies.
>>> Christianity challenges one to uproot one’s sinful roots and discover true peace and joy.

Christ is indeed the strangest of all religious figures…

All religious figures have their greatness in just their teachings and exhortations.
>>> Christ stands unparalleled in making His life itself as the greatest message and teaching.

All religious figures ride on popularity wave of external manifestations and wonders.
>>> Christ stands out in becoming a single icon of absolute self-sacrifice and victimhood!

All religious figures propose a variety of tips for living and paths of attaining immortality
>>> Christ alone became the way itself to be walked and the truth itself to be followed!

Its sometimes easy to follow other ways of life…because they are comfortable and secure.
Its always hard to follow the way of Christ…because He always challenges in our coziness.

The Lord invites us to be bold in accepting the Crosses of our life &to share with Him, in the Baptism of suffering & pain.

We still have much to grow.

What are we growing ourselves into?
Christ is the example for us.

He chose suffering and self-sacrifice as His path to glory.

> His way is the way of suffering.
> His way is the way of pain.
> His way is the way of the Cross.

But…
…  His way is also the way of joy!
… His way is also the way to glory!
… His way is also the way of healing!

And now He beckons each one of us too…
Shall we also join Him in His intense desire for Baptism?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most modern trends that we find in an increasingly urbanizing culture is the importance placed on Fitness.

A lot of emphasis is placed on being health-conscious and maintaining oneself to be fit and fine.
>> This aspect of being healthy is to be extended beyond the physical body to also the spiritual dimension of our lives.

> One needs to be not just physically fit, but also be spiritually strong.
> One needs to be not just bodily healthy, but also be spiritually tough.

It is this spiritual strength &toughness that will help us to be always ready to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day gives an exhortation to be prepared and arm ourselves for the coming of the Lord: ” You must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour, you do not expect” (Lk 12:40)

The Greek word used for the term “ready”  is “hetoimos”.. from a noun “heteos” which means to be fit….

>> It has a connotation of being prepared and seeking for fitness!

There are several factors which affect the Fitness of our Physical Bodies…and perhaps the similar factors could also be applied to the fitness for our spiritual lives.

• Faulty Food affects the Fitness of our Physical Bodies
Proper food plays a vital role in having a healthy body. It is very important to regulate the intake of our food and to have a check on the type of food.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of food that I am feeding for my spiritual life?
>>  Do I lavish myself on unhealthy thoughts of lust and desires, harmful words of indecency and lewdness and dangerous actions of immorality and wickedness?

>> Do I feed myself with the precious Word of God and nourish myself with His inspirations and wisdom?

>> Do I nourish myself with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist?

• Faulty lifestyle affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.
It is important to have a disciplined and self-controlled lifestyle in order to maintain our fitness. A regular habit of exercises and workouts coupled with moments for relaxation and leisure from tension-filled works is important. One must also avoid various bad addictions which can hinder having a good physical shape.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of lifestyle I am leading, with respect to my spiritual life?

>> Do I exercise myself with the daily and regular habits of prayer, Bible Reading, pious practises and devotions?

>> Do I spare time and energy to make some sacrifices and reparations for various causes, especially as a remorse for our sins?

>> Do I make constant efforts to give up on some of our bad cravings, obsessions or habits?
 

• Faulty environment affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.
It is also essential that one maintains a clean and good environment in order to prevent being affected by diseases or sicknesses. One must also seek to avoid any harmful situations or surroundings which can adversely affect the health.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of environment that I am providing and surrounding my spiritual life?
>> Do I keep myself away from occasions of sin and shield myself away from harmful possibilities like bad books, friends, movies or songs, jokes and other cheap entertainments?

>> Do I  strengthen my spiritual life with the powerful grace that is bestowed in the Sacrament of the Confession by a regular acknowledgment of my sins?

>> Do I seek the company of good people, nurture spiritual friendships and also foster a childlike companionship with the holy saints and angels?

Christian Life is a battle and a warfare…against the forces of the Evil.

We need to arm our spiritual lives mightily with the power and strength from God.

>> It is easy to give up on fitness.
>> It is easy to live a relaxed life and take life too casually.

But such a careless life, will lead us to a tragic end as that of the Unfaithful Servant in the parable that the Lord tells in today’s Gospel (Lk 12: 45-46)

It has been recorded that a Greek commander, just before a coming battle is reported to have said: “The secret of victory is in getting a good ready.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the common songs that many of us know is…
“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning… Keep me burning till the end of day…”

Every Christian is called to become a beacon of light in the darkness and to be a shining star in the ambience of every night.

The Gospel of the Day too shares this aspect and reminds the aspect of being watchful for the Coming of the Lord.
Jesus said to His disciples, “Be ready, dressed for service, AND KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT…” (Lk 12: 35)

To keep our lamps lit – is the reminder and challenge of the Gospel today.

At our Baptism, we all have received the Light of Christ. This light, is not just to be preserved, but is to be nurtured and fostered daily.

But we live in a world when there are many a winds seeking to put off this light in us.

We live in a world, where there is a strong engulfing of the darkness trying to drown the light in us.

What are the different winds that are seeking to put off the Light of Christ in us?

1.  The wind of “losing the focus from God”

>> King David
King David was a shining light to the people of his kingdom, as long as he followed the teachings and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.
He allowed himself to focus on the object of his pleasure by sinning with the wife of Uriah.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

>> Samson
Samson was a shining light of power and might, as long as he was faithful to God and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.
He allowed himself to focus on the object of his delight by revealing the secret to Delilah

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

>>  Peter
Peter was a shining light to his disciples as a person of faith, as long as he followed the instructions of his Master to walk on the waters.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from the Lord, he began to sink.
He allowed himself to focus on the object of his fear and self-panic.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

2.  The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests”

>>  Saul
Saul was adorned to be the first king of Israel; however, as his reign continued, his own selfish motives began to creep in his kingship.

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the approval of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him…

>> The Pharisees and Scribes
The Pharisees and Scribes during the time of Jesus, insisted much on their selfish agenda in the imposition and following of the Laws.

When they “began to be more self-centered”, they began to lose the favour of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in them…

>>  Judas
Judas was chosen to be one of the Twelve in the mission of the Lord; but as time grew, he continued to feed his greed for money and wealth

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the esteem of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him…

3.  The wind of “false principles and ideologies”

>>  People of Israel
The people of Israel had been blessed with the commandments of God. They, however, were dismayed at the delay of Moses on Mt Sinai, and instead got enamoured and attracted to false gods and especially to the deity of mammon and wealth.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they angered God and brought upon themselves the wrath of the Lord.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

>>  People of Galatians 1:6
St Paul accuses the people of Galatia, that were abandoning the Gospel which they first heard, and instead were being attracted to the pleasurable and false teachings of the false prophets.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they strayed away from the path of salvation.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

Let’s examine our own lives…

>> Am I allowing the wind of “losing the focus from God”  to put off the light in us?

>> Am I allowing the wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” to put off the light in us?

>> Am I allowing the wind of “false principles and ideologies” to put off the light in us?

As the saying goes, “We cant prevent birds from flying over our heads, but we can certainly prevent them from laying a nest on our heads!”

We cannot prevent these winds to rage and hit our lives…but we can certainly prevent them from blowing off the Light of Christ in us!

This strength comes from our determination, perseverance & commitment…

But above all, being united with Jesus, the Source of Light…
…  in daily prayer
… frequent sacraments
… constant nourishment with the Word
…  & faithfulness to our daily duties of our vocation and life!

May our lives, burning with the lamp of Christ, become a constant melody of “keep me burning till the end of day…”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Many things in life follow the principle of “Inverse Proportionality”…
The Principle of Inverse Proportionality can be explained that when the value of one unit increases, there is a decrease in the value of another unit…

>> The time taken for a journey is inversely proportional to the speed of travel…
•Higher the speed of travel…..lesser is the time taken for the journey

>> The brightness of light that is seen is inversely proportional to the distance from the source of light
•The more the distance between the source…..the lesser will be the brightness of the light that is seen

This principle of Inverse Proportionality can be also applied to spiritual entities…..

>> The greatness of a person is inversely proportional to one’s level of pride
•The greater the person…..lesser is the pride of that person

>> The sanctity of a person is inversely proportional to the occasions of sins one indulges.
•The more holier the person…the lesser will be the occasion of sins one falls into

This principle is also seen strongly in today’s Gospel Reading…
>> The closeness of a person to God is inversely proportional to one’s dependence on material things
•The closer the person is to God….the further he will be from material things and pleasures

>> The distance from the Kingdom is inversely proportional to the amount of worldly riches one possesses
•The closer one is to the worldly riches…the farther he will be from the Kingdom of God

In the Gospel of the day, we see the clear illustration of this fact through the story of the Rich Fool.

Jesus says:
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” ( Lk 12: 15)

“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12: 21)

What makes this Principle of Inverse Proportionality to work in terms of Richness and the Kingdom?

>> Worldly possessions takes one’s heart away from possessing God as the Greatest Treasure…

>> Money and Richness causes one’s mind to not depend on God and on His Providence and Intervention…

>> Prosperity and Affluence makes one’s soul to stray away from the Hand of God and His Love and Care…

It is a reality and happening in our world today that….
>> On one side, the money in one’s hand is more…but the amount of happiness and peace is less…

>> On one side, the wealth of the world is increasing….but the poor in the world are in no way decreasing…

>> On one side, the capacity of buying is much high…but the actual acquiring of real satisfaction is too low…

Are things all too negative?
Is the situation too grim and bad?
Is there not a way out of this crazy maze?

“For humans it is impossible…but for God, all things are possible!” ( MT 19: 26)

There is a BIG lesson in that verse for our world today…
>> All too often, human beings have asserted supremacy and power in conquering the world…

>> All too often, human beings have claimed superiority and dominance over all realms of living…

>>All too often, human beings have boasted proud statements and haughty actions in claiming to be all powerful…

The power and capacity of human beings, certainly is much…..but it is still with a limit.

> Today, we are called to understand, accept and acknowledge this limit….this constraint… this boundary!

>> When we make an effort to share our riches with others…God is able to bolster our spiritual blessings!

>> When we learn to be detached from our attachments to money… God is able to attach Himself to our lives!

>> When we seek to grow less dependent on our wealth…God is able to be the One on whom we can rely totally!

>> When we try to give up our materialistic thinking…God is able to fill our inner desires and longings of the soul!

It may be hard for us to let go of our dependence on material wealth…But God will strengthen us!

Let’s follow the words of Holy Father Pope Francis:
“So often we today can find our faith challenged by the world & in countless ways, we are asked to compromise our faith, to water down the radical demands of the Gospel & to conform to the spirit of this age…

LET’S PUT CHRIST FIRST…!”
 
The Principle of Inverse Proportionality is a reality in our spiritual lives…

>> Let’s depend less and less on the power of money… so we can grow more and more close to the Lord!

>> Let’s give minimal control to the power of richness…so that we can give maximum control to the Lord!

Less and less of me, O Lord…and More and More of You, O Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Some of us have been to a circus at some time or the other in our life.

One of the most important characters in a Circus is…undoubtedly…the Clown.

>> The Clown has the ability to make people laugh and see the lighter side of life.
>> The Clown usually always appears with a smiling countenance.

This amusing and humorous appearance of the Clown is a result of the Mask that is worn.

But the clown perhaps has an important lesson for us all of us to learn…
> The Clown says… “All people, in actuality, wear masks.. only mine is seen outside!”

Very true perhaps, isn’t it?
“All people, in actuality, wear masks.. only mine is seen outside!”

This mask that many of us wear is the Mask of Hypocrisy and Duplicity!

We are into a reflection of this aspect of Hypocrisy yet again, in today’s Gospel, with Jesus’ insistence on this evil tendency with a greater force & urgency.

>> Hypocrisy is a vice which is much hated by Jesus.
>> Hypocrisy is a vice which Jesus constantly asks to weed out.
>> Hypocrisy is a vice which often lurks its head in our lives, knowingly or unknowingly.

> Hypocrisy is duplicity.
> Hypocrisy is pretence.
> Hypocrisy is a facade.

It is…
…  trying to be someone, that one is not.
… deceiving others by presenting a false self.
… masking one’s real identity to show one to be someone else.

The word “hypocrisy” is a composite word in the Greek. It comes from the joining of two words ….
Hupo is the Greek word for “under.” … Krino, is the Greek  “to separate or judge.”
So Hupo + Krino = Hypocrisy means to “be under or stay under and separate or judge”!

This word was mainly used in Greek Theatres and Plays to describe those “actors who would speak their parts, behind a mask”!

Hypocrites in real life, extend this “acting” to their everyday life…

Hypocrites are people…
… who try to impress others, in order to hide their real lives!
… who act more spiritual and holy than they actually are!
… who behave to be too good before others, but a sham within!

Do I have any of such “hypocritic…acting” aspects in my life?

Our Lord calls this vice of hypocrisy as a Yeast…
>> Jesus speaks to His disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy” (Lk 12: 1b)

Why Yeast? 
Yeast or Leaven is something that is used in baking.

•        Yeast has the great property of Influence…
A little amount of yeast is enough to raise the dough or to leaven the batter.
It has a great characteristic of exercising a great amount of influence, though little in quantity!

Hypocrisy is such… though a little amount, it is highly Influential, like the yeast…

>> Hypocritical people are able to boast much about themselves and exert harmful controls!
>> Hypocritical people are able to make other people highly pessimistic and negative!
>> Hypocritical people are able to drain out the spirit and the enthusiasm in others!

•        Yeast starts slow, but grows very quickly…

Yeast starts its activity in a slow manner, but it spreads very quickly and rapidly.
>> It has the great characteristic of exercising its great influence in a timid manner, but rises very fast and swiftly.
 
Hypocrisy is such… though it starts slow, it spreads its influence speedily, like the yeast…

>> Hypocritical people appear subtle initially, but later it becomes almost a part of their nature!
>>Hypocritical people appear harmless initially, but later consume people by its strong effect!
>> Hypocritical people appear gentle initially, but later it becomes a dangerous influence!

How does Hypocrisy usually originate? 
Usually from a Fear…

>> Fear of the people makes one to adopt a totally different disposition and character.
>> Fear of the situations makes one to adjust with a duplicate personality and behaviour.
>> Fear of one’s weaknesses makes one to alter the style of life and tamper with one’s nature.

That’s why the Lord, in today’s Gospel would strongly exhort, “Fear Not!”

>> When we banish the fear of many factors, we are able to be our real self.
>> When we cast away the fear of our material worries, we are able to live our true identity.

God is our Loving Father… a Caring Person….He wants us to grow in Holiness and Sanctity.

>> But He also knows that our double standards in life and our pretence and dual-facedness in many areas of our life, is a block to His Grace in us.

We all wear masks, and the time sometimes comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.

The Lord today invites us to peel away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears, by throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God, our Beloved Father in Heaven!

Let us not be a clown who has a plastic smile because of the mask…
… Rather become a people, who truly rejoice and radiate the joy and happiness of being the precious children of our loving Father in heaven!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“In this world today while we’re living, some folks, say the worst of us they can
But when we are dead and in our caskets, they always slip some lilies in your hand…

Won’t you give me my flowers while I’m living and let me enjoy them while I can
Please don’t wait till I’m ready to be buried and then slip some lilies in my hand…

In this world is where we need the flowers a kind word to help us get along
If you can’t give me flowers while I’m living, Then please don’t throw ’em when I’m gone…

Won’t you give me my flowers…?”

        – Lyrics from the Song “Give me flowers while I’m living”

The words of this song is a living experience to many people in this world, including perhaps some of us.

We have many people in our life.

Many of them receive a lot of favours from us…but they fail to thank us.
>> We however, sometimes, do hear them backbiting us or spreading false rumours about us!

Many of them are helped in many ways…but they fail to acknowledge those favours.
>> We however, sometimes, do hear them talking ill of us or spoiling our name!

Many of them are rendered assistance in many ways…but they fall short of being grateful to us
>> We however, sometimes, do hear them being negatively critical about us and defaming us.

>> But at the grave, perhaps, all those people would talk highly about us.
After our death, perhaps, all those people might acclaim how wonderful a person he/she was!

We often become a people who…
… fail to appreciate when a person is alive, but shower praises after his/her death!
….fail to give a simple flower when alive, but spread garlands and bouquets after his/her death!
…fail to say a good word when alive, but brag and boast highly, after his/her death!

Consciously or unconsciously, we cultivate a habit or a tendency to remain ungrateful and unkind to people when alive, but falsely praise and glorify, when they are dead or are no longer with us!

>> An attitude of ungratefulness while living…but false appreciation after death!
>> A tendency of indifference while living…but vain glorification after death!
>> An approach of passivity while living…but fake interest after death!

Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day speaks of a similar attitude and tendency among the Pharisees.

In His continued attacks on the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Pharisees, Jesus condemns them for building memorials of the Prophets who were killed and murdered by their ancestors.

The Prophets of the old, lived as the true men of God and constantly called the people to a life of repentance and being faithful to God Yawheh.

But these prophets were very often persecuted, attacked and even killed.

The Prophets, who were the voice of God, while living, had their voices silenced and drowned by the wicked people…
>> But after their death, they used to be quoted and cited in many scholarly and erudite circles.

An attitude of ungratefulness while living…but false appreciation after death!

The Prophets, who called the people to live as per their true conscience, had their lives terminated and ended by the wicked people…
>> But after their death, they had fine memorials and beautiful tombs built in their name

A tendency of indifference while living…but vain glorification after death!

The Prophets, who became the champion of justice and truth, had their efforts ceased and their labours aborted by the wicked people…
>> But after their death, they had many oratories and exquisite lectures in their name.

An approach of passivity while living…but fake interest after death!

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their deception, as they too become sharers of the blood of the True Prophets and the Men of God!

Jesus’ attacks on this Pharisaic attitude is a strong reminder and warning to each one of us too..

To realize the worth and value of people, while they are alive..and not just heap up empty words of praise, after their death!

To realize the importance of recognizing the true spirit and teachings of people around us…and not become too late in realizing their significance!

>> Life is too short to miss appreciating people for their genuine efforts and contributions.
>> Life is too short to not give people the worth for all what they are in our lives.

A fresh flower given when alive is far worth and appreciable than a bouquet given at the grave!

> Appreciate people when they are around…
>> Enthuse people when situations are favourable…
>>> Encourage people when time and space permit us…

Let us shake of the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty and rather, clothe ourselves in genuineness and truthfulness, by really appreciating and realizing the value and worth of people in our lives.

 

May we seek to make the prayer of St Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, our own…

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours!

Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ’s compassion to the world

Yours are the feet with which He is to go about
doing good;

Yours are the hands with which He is to bless men now.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Heard of a slam-book?

A slam book is a notebook which is popular among the school and college students.
> This slam-book is also known as a friendship book or a profile book.

It is a book to know the friend better and to also pen some of the thoughts and feelings about a friend.

The book consists of a number of questions which gives various details and information. Some of the questions include, “What is your favourite food?”, “Which places have you visited”, “Who are your favourite friends?” etc.

Another question, quite common, in most slam-books is, “Which attitude or quality do you hate the most?”

If Jesus were to be handed a slam-book, and posed the question, “Which attitude or quality do you hate the most (about human beings)?”, probably, the answer that we would have received would be: Hypocrisy!

Hypocrisy in human beings is perhaps the most hated attitudes of Jesus.

Today’s Gospel has the condemnation of the hated-vice of Hypocrisy of the Pharisees:”Woe to you, Pharisees…” (Lk 11: 42, 43 46)

Religion ought to be a bridge that helps the people to have an easier access to God.
>> But the Pharisees fractured this bridge with an inconsistent insistence on rules on traditions!

Religion ought to be the network that makes the people to come closer to God.
>> But the Pharisees broke this network by an inhuman insistence on various practices!

Religion ought to be a link that makes the life of the people more free in God’s presence.
>> But the Pharisees ruptured this link by burdening the people with wrongly prioritized customs!

The people had to pay a tithe – a share of one’s produces or earnings, usually one tenth. (Lk 11: 42)

This tithe was extracted on all objects and things including the tiny and the minutest ones like mint, rue (a garden herb used for medicinal and cooking purposes) and every garden herb.

>> But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Love of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to a fulfilling of doing certain practices and customs with the finest details and the minutest perfection, but completely overlooked the most basic aspect of Loving God!

The offering was much more important than the One to whom it was offered!
Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees loved the good places of seating in the synagogue and being greeted in the marketplaces.

They loved to been seen in places of prominence and to be publicly acknowledged and appreciated. (Lk 11: 43)

>> But there was no insistence or obligation placed on giving the rightful place to God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to enjoying places of honour and relishing the public acclaim of the common people, but completely overlooked humbling oneself and giving the glory and honour to God!

The seat and the acclaim was much more important than the One to whom it all was fully due! Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees are compared to an unseen grave over which people walk unknowingly. (Lk 11: 44).

It was a ritual impurity for the Jews to touch the graves, and Jesus compares the lives of the Pharisees as a source of causing impurity and defilement to the people who came in contact with them.

>> There was an insistence and an obligation on fulfilling their various inhuman customs.

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to many practices which was sharp in its display of duplicity and unjust weightage given to external fulfilling of the Law, at the cost of the inner dimensions.

The law was much more important than the One gave the Law!
Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Scholars of the Law imposed many commands on the people and burdened their lives but failed to show any compassion to help them by their lives. (Lk 11: 46)

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Compassion and Mercy of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to merely carrying out some routines in the name of following God and was highly imposed though they were highly burdensome and impractical.

The practise of the commands was much more important than the One who commanded utmost honour!
Strange indeed, isn’t it?

These various dimensions of the Pharisaic attitude is very much possible to creep into our own lives.

>> We could be a people for whom the offering is much more important than the One to whom it is offered!

>> We could be a people for whom the places of honour seat and the acclaim is much more important than the One to whom it all is fully due!

>> We could be a people for whom the law is much more important than the One gives the Law!

>> We could be a people for whom the practise of the commands is much more important than the One who commands utmost respect and honour!

Let us seek to root out any of these Pharisaic tendencies from our lives!

The Lord loves to fill the slam-book of our lives.

>> May He not be made to write his most-hated virtue of Hypocrisy in this book;
instead be proud to fill the slam-book of our lives with his choicest words of love and affection!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Braving the Lion in its own den” in a phrase that finds expression in various instances of our life.
>> It means encountering or confronting a stronger person or a stronger situation, in its own area of strength and force.

> Imagine the Indian Cricket Team trouncing the Pakistan team in a stadium in Pakistan itself.
> Imagine the Congress defeating the BJP in the political elections in Gujarat, which is one of latter’s greatest strongholds.

The Bible also has some typical examples of “Braving the Lion in its own den”…

>> The Israelites challenged the supremacy of the Egyptians while in slavery, and were able to script a wonderful exodus.

>> David, the shepherd boy defeated the mighty and proud Goliath in the Palestinian land and cut off his neck with the mighty warrior’s own sword.

>> Elijah, the prophet confronted the claim of the followers of Baal and made them realise the worthlessness of their deity in a challenge of their own style.

“Braving the Lion in its own den” requires much courage, conviction, strength and nerves!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Master Challenger in such a situation of “Braving the Lion in its own den”!

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal in his house.

We are unsure of the motives or the reason for this Pharisee to invite Jesus for the table sharing…
>> Maybe he just wanted to grow in his friendship with Jesus…
>> Maybe he wanted to check how this great preacher would conduct himself in his house…
>> Maybe he wanted to show off to his friends of having invited a great Rabbi to his house…
>> Maybe he wanted to break the ministry of Jesus and trap Him in doing some aberrations…

In any case, the Pharisee certainly expected Jesus to follow the rules and customs of the traditional Jewish meal.
>> But he notices that Jesus has failed to wash his hands before dinner.

This washing of the hands was a ritual purification process.
> The insistence on this act was not for the sake of hygiene, but for ritual purity!

This omission of the sacred tradition came as a big shocker for the host Pharisee.

He would have thought about Jesus:
“This Rabbi is doing it all wrong!
Why can’t He follow our age-old customs?

He is insulting me before my other guests!
How dare He behaves so, in my own house!”

But this is where Jesus in His unique style of courage & conviction comes into confrontation with the attitude of the Pharisee…

>> The Pharisee was surely His host.. yet Jesus dares to “Brave the Lion in its own den!”
>> The Pharisee was surely His invitee.. yet Jesus dares to “Brave the Lion in its own den!”

Standing up for convictions and principles was a value that Jesus always upheld.
>> Being bold to always promote and defend goodness was a virtue that Jesus always supported.

Jesus lashes out with a righteous anger, “So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves, you are full of greed and evil. Fools…!…” (Lk 11: 39).

The Pharisee got offended because Jesus failed to wash his hands before meal.
>> But Jesus got offended because they failed to have a true cleansing of their hearts.

The Pharisee got upset because Jesus failed to uphold the sacred tradition.
>> But Jesus got upset because they failed to uphold the values of inner purity and holiness.

The Pharisee felt insulted because Jesus failed to honour their customs and practices.
>> But Jesus felt insulted because the table-meal failed to reflect true love and sharing.

Jesus was not afraid to encounter the Pharisee in his wrong thinking and mightily “Dared to Brave the Lion in his own den”!

This same Jesus today encounters us and wants to “dare to brave the Lion in us, in our own den”.

Maybe I am bold and strong in being relaxed in some of my comfort and pleasure zones..
>> But Jesus dares us, to come out of this den and renew ourselves with a life of holiness and purity.

Maybe I am quite okay with aspiring for many gadgets and objects of passing joys and desires
>> But Jesus dares us, to come out of our den and focus on the real necessities of a good life.
 
Maybe I am just satisfied to beautify our external life even if it means being greedy and selfish
>> But Jesus dares us, to come out of our den and repent by living a self-sacrificing and a self-controlling life.  

                
The ‘lion of Pharisaism’ is deep rooted in many of our personal lives, our family lives and in our community lives…
> Having the focus only on external factors…but neglecting the inner dimensions…
> Giving importance to only outer shows…but totally forgetting the internal aspects…
> Being obsessed with doing many things…but totally ignoring the necessity of being holy…

The Lord is today “Daring to Brave this Lion within us, in our own den”!

Let us allow the lion of greed, evil tendencies and false priorities,
to be conquered and defeated by
Jesus, the Lion of Judah, the Great Lion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Remember the school-going days..when there was the (usually considered as) “terrorizing” subject called as Mathematics?

One of the questions that would frequent in a Mathematics question paper, would be questions of the type…”Prove that…”

So some examples of these theorems or statements to be proven would be…
>> “Prove that” the sum of two even integers is even.
>> “Prove that” the square root of two, is an irrational number.

Such examples of proof require a precision in the logic and methodology, so as to arrive at the proper conclusion of the facts.

The Gospel of the Day presents a similar question of “prove that” nature.

> The Examiners posing the question: The people in the crowd
> The student facing the question: Jesus
> The statement to be proved: Prove that You, Jesus, are the Messiah, the Son of God.
> The nature of proof required: Through signs and miracles.

This student, Jesus has faced such similar tests many times before.

>> Many times in His life, He has been worked up by many to prove His status…

>> Many times in His life, He has been demanded things to prove His authority…

He is an experienced student.

On the Mount of the Temptations… (Lk 4: 1-13)

Satan demanded Jesus to “prove that” He was the Son of God…
… by working a miracle
… by bowing to Him
… by jumping down

While at ministry…
… the Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Jesus to “prove that” He had the authority to forgive sins. (Lk 5:21)

… the disciples of John asked Jesus to “prove that” He was indeed the One who was to come or whether they should look for another (Lk 7:19)

… some in the crowd asked Jesus “to prove that” He worked wonders and even drove out demons by His own power, by asking for a sign from heaven (Lk 11:16)

The Student, Jesus….has already faced many such “to prove that” situations!

Today’s Gospel once again puts the Student, Jesus to the test “to prove that” He is the Messiah by a demand for signs!

Am I also a person who is guilty of making Jesus a student, by putting Him “to the test” by asking Him “to prove” many things in life…?

>> In times of sicknesses and pains… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Healing God.

>> In times of financial difficulties… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Provider God.

>> In times of mental tensions and worries… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Caring God.

>> In times of spiritual aridity and emptiness… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Living God.

Of course, from a human perspective…owing to our limitations and weakness, we do sometimes ask some signs or miracles or some wonders.

>> But these demands for sign and miracles should not become THE criteria for proving God’s Existence or even His Presence…

>> These demands for some external manifestations and wonders should not become THE yardstick for proving the might and power of God…

> We should not be holding God at ransom, by demanding signs
> We should not be hijacking God and demand miracles.
                

We rather need to look back into our lives, and see the various moments and the times when…
…  He has caressed us with His affection
… He has nurtured us with His love
… He has filled us with His presence

The Lord gives to the people in the crowd, the signs and examples of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba.

The people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba…
… were gentiles
… were not the chosen people
… were not people who had a first-hand experience of God.

Yet, when they heard the preaching of Jonah and saw the glory of Solomon…they believed!

They did not demand miracles.. they did not demand signs….yet, they believed!

The Lord through today’s Gospel makes us to realize the worth and the value of the many wonders and the signs He has already worked in our lives.

> We sometimes might tend to take God’s blessings “for granted”
> We sometimes might tend to not consider God’s graces as “something big”
> We sometimes might tend to not able to even see something “special” in God’s favours .
 
Today is a chance for us to have a retrospective into our lives and see the many, maybe tiny and small, wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives…

None can say, “I have no miracles in my life”!
>> From our birth, to our upbringing, our education, our formation, our works, our surroundings, our people…etc….. at every step, we have many miracles and signs of God!

The hand of the Lord is very much at large in our lives.

We don’t need to become a people which poses God  with “prove that” type questions!

Let us see… Let us realize.. and Let us thank!

God Bless! Live Jesus!