Hello,
Fr Jijo Manjackal is in Rome. He will be commissioned and sent out by the Holy Father Pope Francis as one of the Missionaries of Mercy during the Ash Wednesday liturgy in St Peters Basilica today.
Remember him in your prayers.
Month: February 2016
Feb 11 (Lk 9:22-25)
One of the greatest success technique of marketing a new product is the advertising tactics.
Companies make use of all sorts of popular gimmicks and innovative attractions.
These advertisements seek to…
… maximize users
… make sure all like the product
… give sensational information to attract more people to use
Advertisements become allurements to allow for greater attractions and appeals!
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus’ exhortation to people who wish to follow Him.
The only advertisement that Jesus presents is that of the Cross!
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23)
One of the key aspects, when we analyze the ministry of Jesus is that Cross would be an integral aspect of His life and ministry.
The Lord never shied away from the Cross.
>> And the Lord never shied away from teaching about the Cross.
He doesn’t use attractive advertisements to allure more followers…
>> He doesn’t preach an easy life to gather in more disciples…
But He instead preaches and proclaims the Cross!
The Cross is a symbol…
… of total self-giving
… of total commitment
We are in the season of Lent.
It’s a time of getting back to the basics of our life…
… to re-dedicate our love and consecration to the Lord
… to review our life more closely in relation to our faith
The Lord sets before us choices continually in life.. (Deut 30:15)
… the choice of life and death
… the choice of good and evil
… the choice of blessings and curses
But all these promises of the Lord are only if we are seeking and eager to follow His commandments and to walk according to His paths.
Advertisements of modern-day companies promise great things for happiness.
>> However, these happiness seldom last long!
The Lord also promises much happiness and joy…
..but those which last longer, even for eternity
But these will be delivered only if we make the determination and resolution to follow Him closer and to live as per His commands!
The Cross was the choice of the Lord…
… a result of deep obedience and total commitment.
The Cross needs to be our choice too…and this requires…
… deep obedience to the Will of the Lord.
… total commitment to our call and consecration as a Christian.
> Shall we be ready to embrace this call and exhortation of the Lord?
>> Shall we be ready to get attracted to a life of the Cross – total discipline and deep dedication.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 10 (Mt 6:1-6, 16-18, Ash Wednesday)
The peacock is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds.
The peacock’s tail contains spectacular beauty because of the large feathers – bright, gleaming colours and intricate patterns.
However, the peacock also has an ugly side to it…
When the peacock opens its showy tail, it exhibits the ugliness of its body beneath.
Behind the showy and attractive display, lies a repulsive sight!
This is a simple imagery of unattractiveness that is displayed when human beings also seek to flaunt their pride and vain glory.
· Any display of pride always results in exposing one’s unattractive face of life.
· Any show of conceit always ends up in revealing one’s cheap side of life.
Humility and honesty are two prime virtues that need to embellish the life of every Christian.
Today we begin the Season of Lent.
The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility and truthful honesty.
Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.
Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.
Jesus condemns these devout exercises becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.
· With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet”
· With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father”
· With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face”
One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the intention of the heart.
>> Sin is…
… when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.
>> Holiness is…
… when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.
· When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs
· When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.
>> An act of almsgiving happens, when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness
>> An act of prayer happens, when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness
>> An act of fasting happens, when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness
When the intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…
… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions
… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds
And this is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:
>> A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows..
…but on the basis of genuine spirituality
>> A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds…
… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord
Is my practice of religion resembling a peacock’s display of feathers – wanting to flaunt one’s pride and vain glory – but in the process…
… exposing one’s unattractive face of life?
… revealing one’s cheap side of life?
Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and dependence on the Lord:
“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.
Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”
May this Season of Lent help us to open our hearts in humility, to the Compassion of the Lord and in turn, to become a Missionary of Mercy to all!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 9 (Mk 7:1-13)
The microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.
The basic microscope is an optical instrument that uses a lens or a combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects – especially of objects that are too small to be seen by the unaided eye.
· Microscopes are used in industrial processes, in investigation of living cells, in comparative studies of chemistry and geology, and in diagnostic medicine.
· Biologists and doctors use microscopes on cell samples, on small organisms, and on chemical structures, to classify and analyze them and their functions.
When we consider relationships, it won’t be wrong to say that there are many who use microscopes in their dealings and interactions.
· Microscopes to focus on the mistakes and negative aspects of others
· Microscopes to magnify and enlarge the faults and failures of others
Perhaps, some of us are also guilty of having such a “microscopic” view of the defects and imperfections of others.
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others without considering one’s own negative dimensions.
As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”
>> Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”
But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging”
Our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not a final opinion on a person or situation
… should not be a means to putting down other persons
… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours
Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”
Do I…
>> Enlarge the negatives of others—their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
>> Come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
>> Get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?
>> Gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
>> Have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?
>> Be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?
>> Add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
>> Set aside an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
>> Speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
>> Be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?
>> Have pleasure in condemning others?
>> Report the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
>> Put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?
The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.
It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:
When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…
1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – be it a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…
2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…
Many of us may have perhaps, a tendency to use a “microscope” in finding the faults and failures of others.
>> We tend to focus ..
>> We tend to magnify…
>> We tend to relish looking closely!
The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”
· Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.
May we focus the lens of our microscopes from looking at the “faults” of others and instead shift to concentrate more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 8 (Mk 6:53-56)
“All that glitters is not gold” is a popular expression…
> It means that not everything that is shiny and superficially attractive is valuable.
> It means that though something “appears” to be spectacular, it need not be so.
The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow”.
The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…
“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)
This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.
The meaning of this place name ” Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”
>> This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.
This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.”
The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would surely make the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of Commerce very proud!
It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”
“One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”
It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!
Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!
>> However fertile the land…
… there were still many who were badly ailing!
>> However fruitful the land…
… there were still many who were painfully ill!
>> The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!
>> The choicest of fruits couldn’t guarantee them flawlessness in wellbeing and strength!
Yes…
… All that Glitters is not gold
Indeed…
… never judge a book by its cover
… the cowl (large hood) does not make a monk!
Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”
And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)
>> They had their riches…
… yet they reached out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!
>> They had their resources…
… yet they ran out seeking Jesus, the source of all supplies!
Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret…
>> Rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally etc
>> Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc
>> Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc
Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…
… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord
… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord
… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord
The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.
>> Though their land had plenty, they did not fail to humble themselves…
>> Though their land was rich, they did not fail to realize their basic needs..
>> Though their land was famous, they did not fail to assume lowliness…
Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?
>> Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?
Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…
…a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!
…a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!
May our lives truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign’!
>> May our lives be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
7 Feb (Lk 5:1-11)
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 surprise!
>> 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 dint 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 envied instant 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 words of Love…
>> Special words of Healing…
>> Dramatic words 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 & 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!
And 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
>> All because he 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 the Autobiography titled, “The story of a Dramatic Surprise.
It is an AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE BOAT which was used by St Peter, the apostle who was called by the Great Master, Jesus!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 6 (Mk 6:30-34)
One of the statistics that can cause great alarms and pop our eyes, are those on hunger.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012.
That is nearly one in every eight persons in the world!
This hunger is of course, about physical hunger.
But something, which does not, as such come under the framework of statistics, are people who are hungry in other areas of life…
> Hungry for love…
>> Hungry of being wanted…
>>> Hungry on emotional counts…
>>>> Hungry of the spiritual order…
These aspects of hunger may never have a scientific statistic
>> These dimensions of hunger may never flowcharts and pie diagrams to measure them
But these areas of hunger are a great reality and challenge, especially in our world today!
The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who addresses not just “statistical” hunger but also such hunger of human needs which “may never get numerically converted”.
“When He disembarked and saw the vast crowd, His Heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things” (Mk 6:34)
The Apostles, who were sent on the mission (Mk 6: 7-13) had returned back and reported all that they had done (Mk 6:30)
>> They had driven out many demons…
>> They had anointed many with oil who were sick and cured them… (Mk 6:13)
They would have rejoiced greatly, but they were also physically tired.
>> They would have been satisfied with their works, but they did not have even the time to eat (Mk 6:31)
The Apostles had done many works, but Jesus sensed that they were tired
>> The Apostles were happy with their ministry, but Jesus sensed that they were hungry.
And so the Good Shepherd invites them to come away to a deserted place and rest (Mk 6:31)
Like these Apostles, many times, this can be our case too…
>> We may be doing a lot of things…
… but are we still feeling spiritually tired?
>> We may be happy with what we are doing…
… but are we still hungry deep within?
The Good Shepherd invites us to take some rest in Him
>> The Good Shepherd invites us to relax in His Holy Heart
As in the case of the Apostles, so is the case of the people…
The people had seen many miracles, but Jesus sensed that they were still not truly filled
>> The people had witnessed many wonders, but Jesus sensed that they were still lost and unguided.
And so the Good Shepherd, with a moved Heart, feels compassion on them (Mk 6:34)
Like these people, many times this can be our case too…
>> We may have witnessed God’s wonders…
… but are we still spiritually found wanting?
>> We may be glad to doing the minimum in our spiritual life…
… but are we still missing something?
The Good Shepherd encourages us with His Divine Word
>> The Good Shepherd encourages us by His Compassionate Love
There is a indeed a great hunger in the world.
Blessed Mother Teresa said:
“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty, than the person who has nothing to eat”
We may be people who hunger for love and acceptance…
>> Let us go to Jesus, the Supreme Lover of our lives
We may be people dejected and depressed in life…
>> Let us go to Jesus, the Ultimate Happiness of our lives
We may be people feeling unlucky and ill-fated in life…
>> Let us go to Jesus, the Absolute Destiny of our lives
In turn, we also meet people who go through such “hunger”…
…for love, for acceptance, for encouragement, for hope, for basics of life etc…
>> Do I recognise, in the first place, such requirements of needy people?
>> Does my heart move in loving compassion for them?
Can I be a Good Shepherd, like Jesus, to them?
Let us seek the intercession of St Gonsalo Garcia, the Saint from India (Vasai) whose feast we celebrate today.
He gave up his life as a martyr in Japan, in love of the One who had become the Treasure and the Goal of His life.
>> He offered his life for Jesus who had sanctified him
>> He offered his life for Jesus had purified him
>> He offered his life for Jesus who had freed him from all guilt of sin
May the prayer in Heb 13:20-21 be our personal prayer:
“May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do His Will.
May He carry out, in you, what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, forever, Amen!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 5 (Mk 6:14-29)
Today, we are going to meet an astonishing son of an astonishing father….
The astonishing father is King Herod the Great…
>> He has been described as “a madman who murdered his own family”
>> He has also killed great many rabbis
>> He was one “prepared to commit any crime in order to gratify his unbounded ambition”
>> He is known as the “the greatest builder in Jewish history”.
In his days, he held at least three architectural world records: the largest palace (Lower Herodium), the largest plaza (Temple Mount) and the largest royal portico (Temple Mount).
His astonishing son is King Herod Antipas
He succeeded his father, and served as tetrarch (appointed by the emperor Augustus to rule over one quarter of his father’s kingdom) from 4 B.C. until 39 A.D., almost exactly the lifetime of Jesus.
Like his father, Antipas had great political wit, knowing how to work situations to his advantage.
These two Herods have been responsible for two astonishing events of murders recounted in the Gospels…
>> King Herod the Great ordered the slaying of the innocent children at the birth of Jesus, the King of the world!
>> King Herod Antipas ordered the beheading of the innocent John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, the Lamb of God!
The Gospel of the Day recounts this horrific incident of the murder of John the Baptist.
The popularity of Jesus was soaring high…
The people were excited with His preaching and healing ministry.
>> Some accepted Him.
>> Some rejected Him.
>> Some were skeptical about Him.
But in any case…He was being known everywhere.
When this news reached the ruler of the land, King Herod Antipas, he got terrified. (Mk 6:16)
His guilty conscience pricked him hard..
>> He knew that, unlike the common opinion of the public….
… this famous person was not Elijah
… this famous person was not any other prophet.
But he instead considered this famous person to be John, whom he had beheaded.
The weight of this sin was so heavy on him, that he failed to see any other possibility.
>> The stench of this sin was so strong, that he failed to sense the fragrance of Divinity.
We live in times when the world is progressively losing the “sense of sin”.
St John Paul II in His Apostolic Exhortation ‘Reconciliatio et Paenitentia,’ warns that “the loss of the sense of sin is a form or fruit of the negation of God: not only of the atheist, but also of the secularist”
The two King Herods in the Gospels – Herod the Great and Herod Antipas – represent people who have “lost this sense of sin”
Is my life trending towards this tendency?.. a loss of the sense of sin?
>> Am I afraid to even encounter this word “sin” and use alternative words to speak about it?
>> Am I waning in consciousness of faults and failures that can cripple my spiritual life?
The Lord came to this world, primarily, as Saviour of the world…
A Saviour…
… salvation from sins
… healing for our wounds
… redemption from our transgressions
The Church has often been accused of being obsessed with matters of sin and transgressions..
>> In this process, many a times, Her teachings have been diluted, misinterpreted and misquoted.
The Church offers the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation to gain back the innocence and grace of being God’s Holy Children, especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Are we faithful in seeking His grace through this powerful sacrament?
… a sacrament of healing
… a sacrament of empowerment
Are we aware of the tremendous powers this sacrament carries…
… in making our life more happy?
… in ushering in, greater strength in us?
We are also invited to make “the examination of conscience” a part of our daily life and routine.
>> A regular and daily check up of the state of our life, our spiritual sphere can be a great strength and force to help us live a holy and sanctified life.
A sinful conscience can make us to astonishing and cruel deeds…like the King Herods
The Lord today invites us to purify ourselves, through the power of His love and redemption…
May we offer and surrender our lives to the One who can purge us away from sin and help us live a sanctified life!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 4 (Feast of St John de Britto)
Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!
It was the year 1673 in Portugal.
>> A young man of 26 was on the verge of taking a strong and serious decision.
He was just a little over a decade, as member, in the Congregation of the Society of Jesus.
>> His superiors deemed it right to send this vibrant and dynamic person to the missions in India
It was a dangerous mission…
…It was a difficult mission
>> A destiny was to be shaped
>> A decision had to be made
The mother of this young and fervent person, feared the life of her beloved son.
Years back, she had experienced the mighty healing touch of the Lord, in the recovery of her son, from the point of death.
>> She had then, vested her son for a year, in a dress worn by the Jesuit fathers.
But now, she was afraid of losing her son again…
>> She knew mission to India meant death…
>> She knew mission away from the native was fatal…
She tried her best to persuade and influence to prevent him from going to the land of death…
But her son was determined….
>> He had decided to give up His life entirely for the Lord – body, mind and spirit
With deep courage and conviction, he answered:
“God, who called me from the world into religious life, now calls me from Portugal to India”
>> He had set His eyes on the Kingdom of heaven…
… and not limited by earthly life…
>> He had set His heart on the designs of God’s Will…
… and not restricted by human desires…
He had made a decision…
…a decision to shape destiny…according to God’s Will!
Just two decades later, on 4th February, 1693, this brave and committed person was executed for the sake of Christ.
The name of the person is St John de Britto, whose feast we celebrate today.
He followed the footsteps of his Beloved Master who had echoed the words:
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it only remains a seed; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24)
To be a witness for the Kingdom of God is the call and duty of every Christian.
> It is a decision to be made…
>> It is a decision to be nurtured..
>>> It is a decision to be lived…
Christ made this decision of being entirely and wholly dedicated to His mission
Jesus had many occasions and chances to escape from this dedication…
He could have chosen to enjoy popularity and fame arising out of His mighty deeds…
>> But He made a “decision” to not compromise on the truths and convictions
He could have chosen to dilute some of His teachings and make life more “cosier”…
>> But He made a “decision” to remain firm and grounded on the fundamentals of eternity
He could have chosen to forego some of His values and have some “adjustments”…
>> But He made a “decision” to be faithful and loyal to the mission and duties entrusted to Him
Our life as a witness for Christ and His Kingdom is sometimes greatly influenced and prejudiced…
>> We sometimes don’t mind being a little relaxing on some Church teachings…
>> We sometimes don’t mind making some adjustments to remain popular and not have a bad name…
>> We sometimes don’t mind diluting some values in order to appear as secular and sociable…
The Church is often under tremendous pressure to change some of Her moral teachings…
>> The Church is often under blatant attacks to alter some of Her time-and-tested values..
Most often, the motive behind all such attacks are a ‘life of ease’, a ‘life of comfort’, a ‘life of personal satisfaction’ etc…
Christ today, however, needs witnesses who are willing to undergo pains and persecutions…
The Martyr St John de Britto gave up His native land…His personal desires.. His family ties… His very life itself…
… all for the sake of Christ and His Love
… all for the sake of the Kingdom and its values
… all for the sake of His Church and Her teachings
In his words, ““Not to answer the vocation as I ought, would be to provoke the justice of God”
Let us be true and faithful to the vocation we have received and the way of life we have chosen…
Christ needs martyrs who are willing to…
… live His teachings
… teach His teachings
Christ needs martyrs who are willing to give up their…
… physical life in the face of being persecuted for Him
… economic life and depend on Him as the true treasure
… social life to bear insults and humiliations to live His values
Yes, Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!
Are we – you and I – ready to shape our destiny as per God’s Holy and Perfect Will?
What is our decision?
Happy Feast of St John de Britto!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Feb 3 (Mk 6:1-6)
It was the 19th century British essayist Mr. Charles Lamb and his wife Mary who moved the 17th century playwright William Shakespeare from his undeserved obscurity to the limelight of fame.
>> The two selected 20 of Shakespeare’s best-known plays and set out to make them accessible to children and to pay enthusiastic homage to the original works.
Together the Lambs distilled the powerful themes and unforgettable characterizations of Shakespeare’s plays into elegant narratives–classic tales in their own right.
All of the Lambs’ stories…
… with their clear, supple, and rhythmic prose
… reward any reader, whether encountering Shakespeare for the first time or revisiting his work.
This Charles Lamb was once involved in a discussion of the question:
“Who is the greatest literary genius of all time?”
Two names finally emerged: William Shakespeare and Jesus of Nazareth.
Charles Lamb put an end to the debate when he said:
“I’ll tell you the difference between these two men.
If Shakespeare walked into this room right now, we would all rise to greet him…
>> But if Jesus Christ came in, we would all fall down and worship Him!”
The greatness of men may make us rise in respect…
>> The greatness of Jesus would compel us to kneel in worship and adoration!
“Let’s talk about Jesus” is a popular English hymn.
Today, for our reflection, let us talk about Jesus…the most influential person ever, in history!
The Gospel of the day reveals the immensely charismatic personality of Jesus.
Jesus came to His own country (Mk 6:1).
>> On the Sabbath Day, Jesus began to teach in the synagogue…
….and many who heard Him were astonished! (Mk 6:2a)
The popularity and the fame of Jesus was on the rise…
>> He had healed many who were with various sicknesses and diseases.
>> He had cast out demons from many who were possessed and under bondages.
Jesus became a sought-after person…
… an attraction for many people!
>> His tremendous passion for the missions was admiring…
>> His spectacular urge to preach the Kingdom of God was amazing…
This unfazed commitment to the mission, caused feelings of astonishment!
And so the people began to question…
“Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given Him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by His Hand?” (Mk 6:2b)
The mighty charismatic personality of Jesus caused a dual effect…
… one positive and one negative
… one supportive and one obstructive
We need to examine our life and check:
“What is the effect that Jesus has on our life?”
Are we persons who are supportive of the plans of God in our life…
… or do we obstruct the workings of the Lord, especially when we don’t understand His ways?
Are we persons who are grateful to the Lord for His mighty works in us…
… or are we able to see only at the negativities of life and end up criticizing God?
As Christians, we are people who have said “Yes” to follow ‘this’ Jesus…
… He who wants us to follow Him in healing the world
… He wishes us to become agents of casting out demons and unclean spirits
… He who waits on us to preach and teach the Kingdom of God to all people anywhere
To be like Jesus, we need to imitate Him, not just in works… but above all in His Being!
… Totally committed to a life of prayer and union with God (Mk 1:35)
… Passionately zealous for the salvation of people (Mk 1: 32-33)
… Absolutely focused on the needs of the Kingdom of God (Mk 1:38)
>> Do I have my prayer life and communion with the Lord as the greatest thrust and push in all my activities, undertakings and ministries?
>> Do I have a deep desire and commitment to bring God’s love to all people and be passionate to share Him to all others?
>> Do I remain undistracted in the midst of all worldly attractions and forego personal pleasures by remaining focused on His Kingdom alon sus, while in this world….
… was misunderstood…. was contradicted… was criticized
While in the world, as Christians, we will also have to face a lot of oppositions, criticism and even persecutions…
…. Our own world may be filled with shattered hopes, unfulfilled dreams, meaningless miseries etc
But the Lord assures that I AM “the One who heals the broken-hearted”. (Ps 146:1)
Let us be filled with the power and spirit of Jesus, “the One whom we ought to preach by our lives” (1 Cor 9:16)
H. G. Wells, a prolific English writer, summed up the difference between Jesus and others:
“Christ,” he wrote, “is the most unique person of history.
No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.
>> From poverty and obscurity to teacher to death on the cross, to ascended Lord – Jesus Christ is the growing figure of history.
He is unique – for while all others decrease, He increases!”
May the Lord have a positive and lasting effect on our life…
… and may we discover and be convinced of Jesus, to be the greatest in our lives.
Shall we fall in deep adoration, ardent worship and fervent submission to Him, so that we can become agents of Him, who transforms the world continually?
>>>Let us not have the woe of not preaching the Gospel! (1 Cor 9:16)
>> Let us share the blessings of the Gospel! (1 Cor 9:23)
> Let us become all things to all! (1 Cor 9:22)
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Reflection Capsules 