Heard of Impalas?

Impalas are medium-sized antelopes (animals like deer, with smooth hair and upward pointing horns) that roam the African Savannas (large plains with hills and forests).

They have a great speciality:
>> Impalas are fleet runners, able to leap distances of up to 33 feet (10 meters)!

They use this technique to escape predators and sometimes, apparently, simply to amuse themselves.

The impala can also clear bushes and other obstacles by soaring some 10 feet (3 meters) in the air.

> Typically, a running impala will simply jump over anything in its path!

But there’s a catch…

These extremely versatile animals can, however,  be kept in a zoo with only a 3-foot tall wall surrounding them!
 

How is that possible?
>> How is just a 3-foot wall enough, to enclosure an animal that can leap upto 33 feet and soar around 10 feet in the air?

 
It’s easy to explain…..

The impala will not jump if they are unable to see the spot where their feet will land!

So, even though they can jump several feet higher than the wall surrounding them in a zoo, they do not jump, because the 3-foot wall obstructs their sight of the outside, where they would land!

 
Since they cannot see where they land, they do not jump … even though they could.

>> They can, but they remain limited!

>> They are able to, but they remain restricted!

How often are we too caught up with this mentality in life?

>> Small enclosures block our view…and therefore we fail to jump…
… even though we can!

>> Mini problems restrict us in our lives…and we fail to leap…
… even though we can!

.The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “leap in faith”…
… of a person who fails to get bogged down by enclosures surrounding him, and instead trusting in the power of Lord, “jumps”…and is blessed!

 
Jesus is in the land of Galilee…away from his hometown. (Jn 4:43)

>> His own people in the hometown have rejected Him.

>> The known persons of His native place have failed to give heed to His mighty deeds.

And so He arrives, yet again, at a Gentile place… where they welcome Him wholeheartedly!

How true is this of many a human situation…

>> Those familiar to oneself, fail to understand…
… but those outside, are able to give better respect!

>> Those known to a person, fail to see the value of the person…
… but those who are unknown, recognise the speciality of the person!

Familiarity, very often, breeds contempt!

 
In this gentile land, a royal official whose son was ill – nearing death -approached Jesus, seeking for a healing.

 
He travels a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asks, “Sir, come down, before my child dies” (Jn 4: 49)

The request of this official would perhaps, remind some of us of another person, who came with a similar problem….
… The centurion, in Mt 8: 5-13…whose servant was at home, paralyzed.

 
This centurion had showed tremendous faith and was even greatly praised by Jesus.
 

But the royal official, in today’s Gospel, had a mixed bag of faith…

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to come a long distance to meet Jesus.
… his faith was however, prompted mainly only because of a need for a healing.

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to request the Lord for a healing.
… his faith, was however, limited by physical distance (since he asked the Lord to come to his house, unlike the Centurion (Mt 8:8)

 

Often our faith resembles this royal official…

… turning to the Lord only in times of afflictions and troubles

… having our own doubts on whether the Lord can really work miracle in the way I want

 
But we must also remember…

… hard and difficult situations, are willed by God, to allow for miracles and healings, which ought to become the springboard for a deeper and committed life of faith!

… the Lord has His own ways and means of working powerfully in our lives, and we need to have the openness and humility to receive them in His way and in His time!

 
When the Lord gives His word, ” You may go; your son will live” (Jn 4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…. makes a tremendous “leap and jump” in faith.

The Gospel says, “… the man believed what Jesus said to him and left” (Jn 4: 50b)

There were many enclosures – of pain, doubt, uncertainty- surrounding the royal official…
… but he makes a giant “leap” trusting in the Lord.

 
Perhaps, he was not sure, where he would land, but he still “jumped” in faith!

Our lives, very often necessitate this “jumping” in faith, trusting in the mighty power of the Lord.

 
Unlike the ‘Impalas’ which do not jump, when they can’t see where they are landing, this royal official, trusted in the Lord, and takes the “leap” of faith.

 
We too are called to do the same…
… Not be afraid, where we will be landing, but trusting in the goodness of the Lord, we make a “leap” of faith.

 
>> Barriers of immense difficulties and crisis often surround us.

>> Walls of tremendous hardships and pains often block our lives.

But, the Lord has empowered us with graces to jump and leap over them all!

>> It’s His grace that strengthens us.

>> It’s His mercy that empowers us.

 
Are we going to get enclosed by the walls of discouragements, despair and depression?

>> Or shall we, with faith, “leap” over these walls and experience the joy and thrill in the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Six-year old Johny planned to secretly give a surprise to his father on his birthday.

He decided that he would secretly bake a cake for his father and that would turn out to be a beautiful gift.

>> He was aware that that his father had told him not to put on the oven without his permission
>> He was also not really sure how a cake is to be baked

Yet, he decided to give it a try…

So on the previous night, after he made sure, his father had slept, Johny quietly crept into the kitchen.
He had a manual with him which would guide him to bake the cake.

He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour can, spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor.
>> Meanwhile, his kitten, had joined him, and was busy enjoying the bits and pieces fallen on the ground.

Johny, was all covered with flour and he was also getting a bit frustrated as the mixing was taking much longer than expected.

But he wanted to do something for his Dad!

He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, (and he didn’t know how the oven worked)!

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of the cake dough.
>> He tried to push her away.

But in the frantic act, he knocked the egg-tray on to the floor.

In desperation, he tried to clean the floor..
… but unfortunately he slipped!

Just then, he raised his eyes and saw his gigantic Daddy standing before him.

He just remained on the floor….
…. All messed up and dirty…

Large tears swelled up in his little eyes!

The father kept watching him.
>> Johny was sure that he was going to receive a big spanking and a scolding was on the way.

But to his surprise, making his way through the mess, Daddy reached out to him.
>> He picked up his crying son hugged him…. And loved him!

In the process, Daddy also dirtied his clothes!

But here was a beautiful picture of a Father who displayed a tremendous love and acceptance…
.. even if it meant to dirty himself!

True love knows no bounds!

The Gospel of the Day  – the Parable of the Prodigal Son – is the beautiful exposition of the Unconditionally True Love of the Heavenly Father to each of His beloved children!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is surely one of the most popular, the most loved and the most touching parables of Jesus.

This parable has three main characters and we could view any of them as playing the main role in the story:

The Prodigal Son
>> He went away from the love of his father

Inheritance was given to children only after the death of the father
>> In asking the inheritance, therefore, alluded to the fact that the Prodigal  son considered his father to be dead!

But having spent his life in useless living, he realised the emptiness and vacuum that filled his heart.

And so he decided to turn back.. and go to his father

The Elder Son
>> He remained the faithful “servant” of the house

But when he saw, that his brother – who had wasted away the inheritance, was received with so much warmth, his temper rose!

He couldn’t digest the fact that his brother who lived a “wasted life was honoured….
… whereas he was never given the chance to “enjoy with his friends”

The context of the parable is Jesus speaking to the “Pharisees and scribes” who were “complaining that Jesus always accepted sinners” (Lk 15: 1-2)

In this context, the character of the Elder Son potrayed the attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes.

But beyond these two characters towers high the Image of the Father – the Father who loved and accepted his lost son!

>> He suffered a deep pain when his younger son went away
>> He underwent immense pain waiting for the son to come back
>> He went through moments of dilemma when his elder son was opposing the welcome of the younger one

Yet through all this, the Character of the Father towers high!
He is the Father of Mercies –  Who accepts all, just as they are
He is the Father of Love – Who loves everyone, unconditionally
He is the Father of Compassion – Who received all to His loving embrace

In our life, often as children  – like the Prodigal Son – we go away.

We try to do something good…
..but our life turns into a mess!

>> Our student life gets messed up with lack of commitment and failures
>> Our marriage hits the rocks with misunderstandings and lack of acceptance
>> Our family life gets into a crisis with lack of unity and peace of mind

We feel our life is all in a mess…
We find ourselves lost, frustrated and upset!

But in all such situations, we need to look up…
… and see how the Loving Father is waiting to embrace us…. And love us!

Yes, the Merciful Father is waiting for each one of us…
… Whatever be the mess, that my life may be in!

Let us run into His embrace of Love… with a  sincere repentance and contrition of heart…
…and pledge to live for Him and with Him…
…forever!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Let’s begin with a simple question today….

Which is the only disease in the world, which can  affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself?

Is the answer too hard to guess?
…
…
Hmm..
Well.. the answer is pretty simple…

It is…
Pride!

>> Pride is the disease that can affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself!
>> Pride is the sickness that can cause harm to all others, except the one who possess it!

>> Pride can be a snare to the other, while one enjoys oneself in the false pleasure it gives!
>> Pride can be a spirit-dampener for the other, while it is an ego-inflator for oneself!

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of Pride.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.
>> The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)
>> The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

> Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

>> The Pharisee took up his position… the tax collector stood off at a distance
>> The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven
>> The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray….
A mirror.. yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

>> The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…
… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous
… fasting twice a week
… pay tithes on his whole income

>> The tax collector, also used a mirror…but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…
… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains
… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people
… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees…
>> If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…
… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

>> If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…
… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…
…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…
… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?
>> Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride which makes me to flaunt only myself at the expense of the other?
>> Am I distressed with the disease of arrogance which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

>> There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…
>> There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…
The need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Sports lovers enjoy hat-tricks!

A hat-trick in sports is the achieving of a positive feat three times in a row during a game, or other achievements based on ‘threes’ in some sports.

This term ‘hat-trick’, it seems, first appeared in 1858 in cricket, to describe a bowler HH Stephenson, taking three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. 
>> The fans held a collection for Stephenson, and presented him with a ‘hat’ bought with the proceeds.

The term was eventually adopted by many other sports including hockey, association football, water polo, team handball etc.

Hat-trick requires an exceptional performance and therefore is quite rare.

Well, how about a double hat-trick?

A double hat-trick would be too exceptional, isn’t it?
>> And would be much rarer…right?

Well, the Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Champion Player, in the field of wits and wisdom, after having earned an exceptional double hat-trick!

What is the double hat-trick in the case of Jesus, the Champion Player?

It is the dismissal and silencing of six groups of people… in their human cunningness…and letting the light of God’s Wisdom to emerge triumphant!

The three passages that precede the Gospel passage of the Day present 6 groups of people…

1. The Chief Priests 2. The Scribes    3. The Elders
“As Jesus was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said….” (Mk 11:27)

4. The Pharisees       5. The Herodians
“They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech” (Mk 12:13)

6. The Sadducees
“Some Sadducees who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus….” (Mk 12: 18)

Jesus, as the Champion Player…
… dismisses all the 6 of them, in their wicked plans to humiliate Him
… silences all the 6 of them, in their dishonest tactics to put Truth to the test

All the 6 groups go back… in defeat… faced with a challenge to examine themselves and their thought-patterns!
>> A double hat-trick has been achieved by the Champion Lord!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus putting forward the formula for success in the game of spiritual life – LOVE!

The passage begins with a member of the scribe, after having seen the stupendous performance of the Lord, approaching Him with a question:
“Which is the greatest of all commandments?”

To this question the Lord answers the formula for success in the game of spiritual life:
“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mk 12:29- 30) and
“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)   

>>  When one’s life is truly centred on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours in sure and certain acts of love
>> When one’s life is drawn into real service for humankind, one slowly but surely has to realise that the source of these charitable deeds is God and thereby one is to draw closer to the Lord.

Our life needs to be constantly checked to see if we are living under the banner of these two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!

>> Does my whole being realise the need to fully love its Creator and constantly nurture relationship with Him?
>> Does my whole being realise that the other is also a person, created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore deserving of my care, attention and appreciation?

>> Is my life reflecting the Divine or do I cast a shadow on God’s graces by a life of sin or persistent evil inclinations or possessive bad habits?
>> Is my life mirroring a love for the other or do I strain relationships by my selfish desires, egoistic attitudes and uncharitable actions?

The 6 groups of people that had approached the Lord to test, to interrogate and to trap had failed to display this fundamental formula of life – Love!
> They displayed arrogance…
>> They showed jealousy…
>>> They characterised hatred…

But none of it, could stand before Jesus, the Lord of Love!

Jesus, the Champion Lord today invites and exhorts each of us to be more and more energized with the power of Love, so as to emerge victoriously in this game of life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Song of Bernadette is a 1943 film which dramatizes the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

St Bernadette, reported eighteen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in  Lourdes, France, from February to July 1858.

This movie begins with a prologue-dialogue, which goes thus…
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.
For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible”

This statement casts light on an important aspect of the nature of faith and belief:
>> To those who believe, miracles are an aid…
>> To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!

The Gospel of the Day is clear example of this aspect of the nature of faith and belief…
… the constant refusal of some of the people to believe in Jesus
… the adamant denial of some of the people to accept Jesus

The Gospel of the Day begins with Jesus “casting out a demon that was dumb” (Lk 11: 14)

This healing was welcomed with a sense of marvel and amazement by some (Lk 11: 14b) 
>> However, some of them expressed doubt, hesitation and suspicion:
“He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons”

Some of them even sought to test Him (Lk 11:16)

But the Gospel says, “Jesus knew their thoughts”… (Lk 11: 17)
….and He gave a response which was full of intensity and strength. 

What made Jesus to respond so strongly?

>> Was Jesus against asking signs?
>> Was Jesus against unbelief?

The answer to perhaps all the above questions is.. not in the affirmative!

Jesus is NOT necessarily against asking signs…

The Bible is a witness to many people asking for signs from God…
•       Gideon asked for a sign from God (Judg 6:17)
•       Moses asked God what sign would prove to Pharaoh that he was sent by God ( Ex 4:1)
•       Elijah promises what Elisha had asked for, on the condition of a sign (2 Kg 2:10)

Jesus is NOT out rightly against lack of belief or unbelief…
•       The unbelieving Thomas, was chided, but not condemned by Jesus, after His resurrection (Jn 20:27-28)
•       The lack of faith of the disciples is saddening for Jesus, but He does not reject them (Mk 4:40)
•       The father, whose boy was possessed with a demon was blessed with a healing, on his acknowledgment of littleness in faith (Mk 9:24)
•       The emotionally unsettled and wavering Peter is given another chance to prove his loyalty despite his rejection and denial of faith in Jesus (Jn 21:15-17)

Then what is Jesus against?
Ø Jesus is terribly against those people who reject faith, despite many signs and wonders that are obviously presented
Ø Jesus is terribly against those people who demand for greater miracles for merely curiosity and excitement
Ø Jesus is terribly against those people who make use of the powers of God for personal satisfaction and gratification
Ø Jesus is terribly against those people who remain stone-hearted, unmoved and indifferent despite clear indications and signals from God.
 

The group of people, in today’s Gospel, who oppose the person and message of Jesus, this class of people, who made themselves warranted of terrible dislike and aversion…
… ‘cos of their attitude of indifference
… ‘cos of their mentality of coldness
… ‘cos of their outlook of rejection

Am I also a person who constantly rejects signs and wonders from the Lord, and fail to grow in faith?
>> Am I also a person who remains obstinate and indifferent to God’s powers, and fail to be open to God’s movements in my life?

The Lord is constantly speaking to us through various miracles.
>> The Lord is constantly moving our hearts through many blessings.
>> The Lord is constantly inspiring our lives through immense wonders.

Let us be open and docile to Him!

May we be willing to open our hearts…
…so that “we can obey His voice; and thus, He be our God and we His people” (Jer 7:23)

God Bless! Live Jesus!
 

The Hebrew alphabet contains twenty-two letters.
>> Every letter in the Hebrew alphabet caries many special meanings.

The Tenth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is called as “Yod”.
>> It is represented as  ‘
>> It has the sound of “Y” as in “Yes”.

There is an interesting Jewish legend about this letter “yod”.

In the book of Genesis 17:15, we read that God changed the name of Sarai to Sarah.
>> In Hebrew language, this was done by removing the   ‘  (yod) from the end of her name.

However, the letter “Yod”, created a stir in heaven for having been dropped from Sarai’s name
>> It was continually fluttering around the throne of God, in restlessness!

So God decided to calm the letter “yod” by putting it at the beginning of Hoshea’s name.
>> This changed Hoshea to Joshua as we read in the book of Numbers 13:16.

(Interestingly, Joshua is the also the root word of Jehoshoa, from where the name “Jesus” comes)

But why are we discussing so much about this letter “Yod” in today’s reflection?

Jesus mentions about it, in today’s Gospel…

Jesus says, ” Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the SMALLEST LETTER or the SMALLEST PART OF THE LETTER will pass from the Law, until all things have taken place. ” (Mt 5: 18)

The SMALLEST LETTER refers to Hebrew letter “Yod”
>> It is the smallest letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

The SMALLEST PART OF THE LETTER refers to the “thorn of the Yod”
>> It is just a small curve at the top of the letter, a light decoration on the letter “Yod”

Why was Jesus being so specific and particular in speaking about the Law?
>> What was Jesus meaning, by referring to the “tiniest” elements of the alphabet?

Jesus refers to the prime sanctity of God’s Word to His People.
>> This Word had now taken flesh (Jn 1: 14)
>> Jesus, the Word Incarnate, came to bring the Law to its fulfilment…not to undermine them.
>> Jesus, the Law personified, came to bring it to its perfection…not to do away with it.

While the Old Law could only show the mistake of the person…
…Jesus, the New Law would grant forgiveness and grace to the one who atones!

While the Old Law could only make the person to realise one’s faults…
…Jesus, the New Law would confer life and salvation to the one who repents!

When we consider the Gospel of St Matthew, we can consider the shift in emphasis:

Stage 1: In the initial part of the Gospel
>> Jesus says, “UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of the letter will pass from the LAW, until all things have taken place” (Mt 5: 18)

Stage 2: At the end of the Gospel
>> Jesus says, ” HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY, but MY WORDS will not pass away” (Mt 24: 35)

There is a progressive shift in emphasis…
… from the LAW to  the WORDS OF JESUS.
>> He is the perfection and the fulfilment of the Law!

This is the Divine Process of the unfolding of the plan of God’s Salvation for the world…
… finding its fulfilment and perfection in Jesus!

But this was not at the expense of the Old Law!
>> The Old Law is to be read, understood and practised, in the light of the New!
>> The New Law casts its illumining light on the Old, revealing life-giving messages!

As the classical saying goes:
” The New Testament is in the Old, concealed; the Old Testament is in the New, revealed”

What is the message for us, in this reflection?
>> The Great Power in the Promises of God in our life!

The Lord assures us, that none of His Promises will go unfulfilled in our life!
>> He guarantees that, He will bring His Word of Salvation to fulfilment in our life!

What is needed however…
… Our openness to trust and believe in His Word!
… Our willingness to make necessary changes, in the light of His Word!
… Our zeal and passion to make others to come to life, by sharing His Word!

The Lord assures us, with much emphasis:
“… GIVE HEED to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that YOU MAY LIVE…
KEEP THEM and DO THEM; for that will be YOUR WISDOM and YOUR UNDERSTANDING” ( Dt 4: 1, 6)

May we not be afraid to seek perfection in obeying the Law of the Lord and keeping His commandments…

>> Let us take courage to the fact that the Lord is with us, as a Loving Parent, gently encouraging us and patiently cheering us…
… to listen and obey, to even the “smallest” and the “tiniest” commands of His Holy Will!

God Bless! Live Jesus!