In 1174, an Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on a bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa.
>> The tower was to be around 185 feet tall.

There was just one “little” problem:
The builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated…
>> And soon the whole structure had begun to tilt…
… and it continued to tilt…
… until finally the realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again!

(Quite interestingly, the word “Pisa” means “Marshy Land,” which gives some clue as to why the tower began to lean even before it was completed!)

The tower has stood for over 800 years but there are still problems!

What was the problem?
>> Was it bad design?
>> Poor workmanship?
>> An inferior grade of materials?
… No!!

The problem was what was underneath.
>> The sandy soil on which the city of Pisa was built was must not stable enough to support a monument of this size.

The problems all stem from a faulty foundation!
>> And the same holds good for our lives too!

Many problems in life emerge because of a very poor and shaky foundation…
>> One fails to do well in academic studies…
… if one has a poor foundation in the fundamentals of the subject.

>> One fails to be emotionally stable…
… if one has a poor foundation of not having received affection in the early years.

>> One fails to achieve expertise in a skill or an art…
…  if one has a poor foundation in the essentials and the basics.

The higher the aims and achievements, the greater must be the basics!
>> The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid!

This is a message and an exhortation that is delivered by Jesus in today’s Gospel reading.

We have been with the Lord, over the last few days, listening to His teaching named as the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, which is a call to perfect discipleship.

St Matthew’s Gospel, today, concludes this amazing teaching with the fundamental requirement of a True Disciple: “Listening & Obeying God’s Will in One’s life”.

Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in heaven” (Mt 7:21)

Too often in life, we are surrounded by people, who misuse and abuse the forum of Religion, for their own selfish desires and gains…
>> Religion, in oft ways, is today, the platform for gaining cheap popularity and loathsome recognition and fame and fulfilling one’s personal agenda and goals!!

But the Lord, the powerful-challenger, comes down heavily on such an attitude : A liking to be Spiritual just on the External…
… but unwilling to perform deeds in accord with God’s Will…!

It’s all too easy…
… to just listen to the teachings of Jesus
… be in awe of them
… get mesmerized by them
… and proclaiming oneself to be a Servant and Follower of Jesus!
(There is a great crowd of people in this category!)

But when it comes to actual situations of fulfilling the Will of Jesus, in our lives…
… it’s a real pain and suffering!
( And no wonder, the number of people in this category, very often, is too little!)

The Lord, today….. invites us to examine the Foundation of our lives…
… Have we built our Lives on Shaky Sand?
… Or on The Resolute Rock?

Jesus speaks of the Parable of the Two Foundations: One on sand; the other on the rock.

>> The one who has built one’s life on a sandy foundation fails to stand firm in the storms of life
>> The one who has built one’s life on a rock foundation remains strong and stable in the storms of life.

The laying of every foundation requires a process of Excavation….a Digging!

Do we want to build a strong foundation?
…then we need to undergo the Procedure of Digging!

>> Can we dig deeper into our lives…
… and see what are the areas in which I need a healing and a touch of the Lord?

>> Can we dig deeper into our minds…
… and see what really are my motivations in life and what I really want in life?

>> Can we dig deeper into our hearts…
… and examine what are my desires and to what things I get attracted?

>> Can we dig deeper into our relationships…
… and check whether there is authenticity or are they just hollow?

This process of digging into the various areas of our life can be an experience of varied sorts…

>> We could have pain to dig out some of our evil tendencies and abandon them.
>> We could have uneasiness to dig out some of our luxurious likings and let go off them.
>> We could have agitation to dig out some of our unhealthy tendencies and discard them.
>> We could have discomfort to dig out some of our lazy inclinations in spiritual life and dispose them.

Perhaps some of us may we feel that we have already built up fine structures and can be proud to have a good career, a stable family life, a flourishing bank balance, an enjoyable lifestyle etc…
… but the Lord invites us to check the Strength of each of these structures…

>> Is my Family Life able to withstand the storms of misunderstandings, constant quarrels and breakdowns?

>> Is my Spiritual Life able to withstand the storms of doubts, fears, discouragements and persecutions?

>> Is my Professional Life able to withstand the storms of failures, disappointments and collapses?

>> Is my Social Life able to withstand the storms of rejection, humiliation and indifferences?

Fame, Money, Prestige, Pleasures, doing things just for the sake of it or out of force,…these are SANDS, on which the Structure of Life, will be instable & shaky!
>> Honesty, Truthfulness, Seeking to do God’s will at all times, suffering patiently for the sake of the good..these constitute THE ROCK, on which the Edifice of Life, will be stable and firm!

We need the Lord Himself as the Firm Foundation of all the structures in our life!
>> With Him, all storms can be withstood and all winds and gales can be endured!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, is famous as a wonder of the world.

But, if not for the repair & renovation works, that was undertaken later…
…it would have long back, collapsed to the ground!

Let our lives not “lean” like this tower with a “Faulty Foundation”…
>> Rather, let it be secure and stable with “Jesus, the Firm Foundation”!

Let Jesus alone be the Firm Rock and the Grand Forte of our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

An interesting story is told of man who was looking for a job.

He was a man with bulging muscles.
>> However, he was somehow, unable to obtain a job for himself.

One day he saw an ad on the gate of a zoo for a man to play the part of a monkey!
>> He found this job quite strange…
… but his helpless situation forced him to take it up.

He was to put on an outfit of a monkey in the morning…
>> Get into the cage
>> Pensively walk up and down
>> Eat peanuts and bananas all through the day
>> And to jump from one tree to the other in the cage.

One day he was very exhausted and lost his balance as he was jumping from one tree to the other in the far corner of the cage.
>> He accidently fell into the cage of a lion which came charging on him.

With immense fear and trepidation, he cried aloud: “Help, help!”

The lion, however, in a calm voice, looking at him in his face, uttered:
“If you don’t shut up, we will both lose our jobs!!”

Both – the monkey and the lion – were actually real men…
… but disguise and pretence made them to appear and be perceived differently!

This humorous story, however, does cause us to  reflect on an important trend that is often seen in our society…
… putting on a deceptive appearance, to achieve one’s aims and agenda
… donning a mask, to realise one’s goals – good or bad

The Gospel of the Day is a stern admonition by Jesus on the need “to become aware of spiritual deception and pretence” that can ruin our Christian Faith.

The world is fraught with a lot of dangers.
>> There are physical, social, emotional, environmental, intellectual , occupational dangers etc.

Most of the time, we are aware of these dangers…
And we take means and measures…
… to be protected from them
… and to keep ourselves free from harm.

But there is also another very important area to which, many of us…
… either remain ignorant
… or don’t pay much attention
… or take it very lightly
>> They are “Spiritual Dangers”

Today, the Gospel discusses one of the most powerful Spiritual Dangers: DECEPTION!

The power of this danger lies in the fact that it is…
… very “subtle”
… very “tricky”
… and apparently appears to be highly “good”!

Jesus cautions: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Mt 7:15)

The Lord begins today’s Gospel with the word, “BEWARE”!

This is a strong word that is used in Greek – “prosecho”
>> “pros” means ‘before’
>> “echo” means ‘hold’
Thus, “prosecho” means “hold before”!

>> BEWARE – Prosecho – means…
… to hold one’s mind back from
… never to expose one’s mind

Jesus in the previous verses had given an invitation to walk along the narrow gate…
>> “Enter through the narrow gate…” (Mt 7:13)

In this striving to “enter through” to the gate of life…
… Jesus issues a strict warning to be aware of the false prophets who would misguide and lead astray
>> “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing…” ( Mt 7: 15)

In Palestine, the most dangerous enemy of the sheep was the wolf!

It was a natural enemy, roaming the hills…
>> It would wait for a flock of sheep
>> At the precise moment, it would come out of its place of hiding
>> And snatch the sheep and rip it to shreds!

The sheep would be totally defenceless against such prowling wolves!

The Lord presents this imagery to His followers – His sheep: Of being aware of such “sheep-clothed” wolves!

We have in the world, today…
>> Many religious philosophies
>> Varied spiritual methods
>> A number of attractive theological views
… which present Religion in a very alluring, charming and pleasant way!
… which make Christianity as a bed of roses – cosy, comfy and casual!

But let us give heed to the Cry of the Lord: BEWARE!
>> Let us not bleed away our precious spiritual life and our Christian Faith!

>> Are we a seeking a Life…
… without the Cross and the Crucified Lord?

>> Are we fascinated to a Prosperity Gospel which glorifies richness & success & good social life…
… but nothing on repentance, virtuous life & inner holiness?

>> Are we attracted to “fiery preachers” and “awesome praise and worship” which appears good…
… but are deprived of the Real Sacramental Presence found only in the Catholic Church?

Let us also BEWARE and examine…
>> The books we read…
>> The talks we engage in…
>> The jokes we indulge in…
>> The habits we occupy ourselves with…
>> The music and the songs we delight in…

Are they all worthy of being “Christian”…
… or are they deceptively and subtly leading us away from the innocence and honesty of Christian Life?

Are they in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves?

Yes, we need to Beware!!

We need to examine:
>> Am I really on the watch, with respect to my spiritual life…
… or I am, exposing myself to the Deceptive techniques of Satan?

Jesus said: ” By their fruits, you will know them..”! (Mt 7:16)

Gal 5:22, “The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!”

In all our actions… and with respect to all peoples…
… let us weigh their truthfulness in the light of these “Fruits of the Holy Spirit”
… let us check their reliability by the yardstick of these “Fruits of the Holy Spirit”

>> The world will often resort to  “deception and pretence” to suit its needs and wants…
>> The world will often take recourse to “deception and pretence” to rob spiritual resources…

… But, as Christians, we need to be aware, as well as be on our guard, constantly…
… preserving our innocence
… and keeping alight our light of faith!

God bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Eight-year old Jack, along with his parents were watching a Passion Play.
( Passion Play is the dramatic presentation of the Passion of Jesus Christ – His suffering, death and resurrection)

Jack was very much emotionally involved watching the play.
>> The sufferings that Jesus was undergoing was having a deep emotional impact on li’l Jack.

The drama progressed to the scene, where Jesus is stood before the people…
… and Pilate asks the crowd for their choice of persons: Barabbas or Jesus

So the one who was acting as Pilate,  stood before the audience, with Jesus and Barabbas on his two sides.
>> And with a loud voice, he asked:
” So whom do you want? Jesus or Barabbas?”

When li’l Jack heard this question, he felt a deep push within himself…
… he was getting very emotional… he was feeling a sense of urge to defend Jesus…

The Pilate on stage, went on shouting “Jesus or Barabbas….Jesus or Barabbas”…

Finally, being unable to control his emotions, Jack got up from his seat, and shouted aloud: ” I am for Jesus!”

His parents did not realise how to react to this emotional outburst of their li’l son…
… so too the others who were sitting around them.

But Jack went on shouting, with more boldness: “I am for Jesus… I am for Jesus!”

The play had to have an abrupt break…
… but in the meanwhile, many other people also joined the enthusiastic cry of li’l Jack and blended with his chorus: “I am for Jesus!”

Are you for Jesus?

Christian life is a warfare…
… with a constant question posing us…”Are you for Jesus?”

The Gospel of Day is an invitation by Jesus to follow Him – by the “narrow gate”
>> Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate… for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Mt 7: 13-14)

The Sermon on the Mount continues with Jesus presenting the wonderful message of the Kingdom of God and its radical requirements.

One of the key aspects in the Sermon on the Mount is the demand made on the part of the disciple to “make a choice”
• One has to radically “make a choice” for the Kingdom of God.
• One has to stay committed to this “choice” that is taken and live it to the fullness.

The discipleship to which Jesus calls is radical…
… it requires an honest and wholehearted surrender of oneself to God’s Will
… it demands a complete and undivided focus on Him and His Mission

A Christian either walks on the road to life…
… or walks on the road to destruction!
>> There is no third alternative!

It is this “choice” that will determine whether our entry to eternity…
>> Eternal condemnation  – is through the “wide gate” or
>> Eternal life – is through the “narrow gate”.

Jesus says that it is easy to pass through the wide gate…
• All those who take life very casually and without any responsibility
• All those who are content to make life “merry” and just “live life to the max”
• All those who fail to respond to God’s Grace and deny having a life in Him
>> But this will lead to doom and condemnation!

To pass through the narrow gate is hard…
• All those who make a choice to live according to the teachings of the Lord
• All those who boldly seek to proclaim the Kingdom by their faithful and holy lives
• All those who constantly hold on to the Lord despite hardships and difficulties in life
>> But this will lead to joy and eternal life!

Christian life is indeed a warfare…
… and we are constantly posed this question: “Are you for Jesus?”

What is our answer?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

>> Blessed Mother Mary.
>> Zechariah and Elizabeth.
>> Bartimaeus.
>> Martha.
>> Mary Magdalene.
>> Levi.
>> Peter.
>> Thomas.
>> Zacchaeus.
>> The man crippled for 38 years.
>> The Samaritan Woman.
>> The woman caught in adultery. 
>> The widow who offered the two mites.
>> The thief alongside Jesus on the cross…

Relax…
… This  is not a reference list of all the main persons of the New Testament for some research purpose or study.

But for a moment, let’s once again have a look at that long list of names…
>> Recall to our minds the lives of these persons….

All of them had to face some sort of trouble in their lives…
>> Some hitches and dilemmas, were a part of all their lives.

Now, if each of them, were to be placed on trial, as in a court…
… and judged according to our standards and our human yardsticks…
… perhaps, most of them would be been condemned and convicted.

>> Some of them would have been humiliated in public
>> Some abused with insults and foul language
>> Some perhaps would be stoned or even put to death!

This is Human Judgment.
>> But in the Light of God’s mercy and by God’s way of judging….we know the story of all their lives!

Human Beings are least equipped to judge, but their judgments are miserable & condemnable…. >> God is fully equipped to judge, but His judgment is praiseworthy & encouraging!

That’s the difference in Judgment between Human Beings and God!

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus says, “Do not judge!” (Mt 7:1)

We need to clarify what does the word JUDGE mean…

>> The Jury makes judgements.
>> The schools make judgements on students.
>> The company people make judgements on candidates in an interview or in cases of promotion/demotion.

All these may not constitute the judgement that Jesus means.

Judging, in the sense that Jesus meant…
… is condemning!
>> It is to have a negative and pessimistic attitude to human beings and condemning and rejecting them outright and absolutely!!

We could consider “Judge not” from three aspects:
1. We are unworthy to pass a final judgment on any person or situation:
>> Let God be God and let us, as human beings know our status and our limitations.

2. We are not to judge the motives of other people:
>> Human beings see only the external…
… God sees the heart of the person!

3. We are not to be petty faultfinders:
We need to cease having a “microscopic vision”, in order to scan and scrutinize the faults and weaknesses of others.

We need to make an honest examination of our lives…
… Am I being culpable of the fault of rashly “judging” others…

>> Do I…
… blow small things out of proportion…?
… maximize the sins and faults of others and minimize mine?
… come to quick, hasty and negative conclusions?
… pass critical stories to other?
… have a strong bias to find others guilty?
… be too harsh even when speaking the truth?
… dilute an unkind remark by saying, “I was only joking.”
… say something critical and then trying to cover it up?

Even after this examination, if there is a tendency to judge…
… then there is one person we can be critical of… yes, Our Own Selves!

Yes, let us be correcting…
… our actions
… our thoughts
..  our behaviours
… and seek to purify our lives, rather than indulging in mud-slinging on others!

St Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint, speaks on rash judgments:
“Bees seeing mist or cloudy weather, go back to their hives to prepare honey.
So too… the thoughts of good persons, do not judge about confused objects or hazy actions of neighbours.

Rather to avoid falling into such occasions, they withdraw themselves into their hearts…
… to prepare there, good resolutions for their own improvement!

It is the occupation of an idle person, to be busy with scrutinizing the life of another!”

May we shun all rash judgments and leave all to the Mercy of God…
>> May we cultivate a spirit of humility and gentleness and imitate our Merciful Father! (Lk 6:36)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

Schools seek to achieve a great deal of perfection and quality…
>> Excellence in Education…..
>> Superiority in Sports…
>> Class in Character…
>> Eminence in Everything!

In this process…the School also conducts various examinations & tests & exercises….
… to filter the quality, to achieve higher results & to bring out the best….
>> Some fail…
>> Some just manage to pass…
>> Some succeed with flying colours.

We have all gone through this schooling process in our childhood days.

But Life…especially Christian Life, makes us students of a ‘particular’ school…whose term lasts for life-long!!
>> This school… is the School of Suffering!

Wait a minute….

Do we already see some people telling in their minds and whispering a thought on their lips…
>> “Oh, come on.. not again a reflection on pain and suffering”..
>> “Give us something pleasant on a Sunday morning”…
>> “We know God likes to be with us in suffering, but we are tired of listening to the same old groans and tales of pain!”

It’s a tough school, right?
>> It’s an avoided school, right?
>> It’s a “wish-it-was-not-there” school, right?

But it’s a reality….
>> As Christians… we are all enrolled in this Grace-filled “School of Suffering”!

The Gospel of the Day is a gentle reminder by the Lord that as His Followers, we need to be willing to be trained in the “school of suffering” and be committed to Jesus, Who is our model on the Way of the Cross. 

The Gospel passage begins with Jesus enquiring what people felt about Him:
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Lk 9: 18)

The world declared its opinion..
>> Jesus was a great person like one of the prophets and was acclaimed as a Wonderful Man!

Then, Jesus sought an opinion to know how His disciples felt about Him:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Lk 9:20)

The Heavens declared its opinion…
Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God and was acclaimed as an Awesome God!

Many times, most of us are just satisfied and contented with these two understandings of Jesus….
>> Jesus as a Wonderful Person…..and Jesus as an Awesome God!

But the Gospel of the Day goes on to present the opinion and the understanding of Jesus Himself…
>> He declares Himself as the Lord and Saviour, who would suffer many things and be killed and raised on the third day!

>> Jesus is not just a wonderful person…an exemplary human…a compassionate individual…a good personality…
>> Jesus is not just a marvelous God…an astounding Lord… a Merciful Saviour…. a benevolent Master…

But He is also the Suffering Servant… …the Persecuted Preacher…the Crucified Consoler…the Rejected Redeemer!

Many times, we are unable to digest this “dimension” of the Life of Jesus…
… A suffering Jesus!
… A Crucified Jesus!

In the Gospel of St Matthew, we see Peter who was unable to accept this suffering dimension of Jesus…
.. and he would react: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you!” (Mt 16: 22)

The mentioning of Suffering, Cross and Death became a great scandal for Peter…
… He never expected nor wanted nor accepted that His Beloved Master would go through the School of Suffering!

But Jesus was clear and crisp in His convictions:
” You are not thinking as God does, but as humans do!” (Mt 16: 23b)

Jesus wanted Peter and the other disciples and each one of us to know and digest this seemingly “bitter” truth…
>> Lukewarmness and Slackness may help you slid through, to win you certificates in the School of Comforts..
.. but, Patient Endurance and Unreserved Commitment alone win will laurels in the School of Suffering!

>> Cheating and Short Cuts will ease you through to gain many trophies in the School of Comforts…
.. but, Authentic Dedication and Staunch Loyalty only will succeed in the School of Suffering!

>> Reputation and Popularity will win you many successes in the School of Comforts….
… but, Faithfulness to God will be ultimately tested only in the School of Suffering!

The true Follower of Christ…will have to deny oneself and take up the Cross. (Lk 9: 23)

Every School seeks to achieve a great deal of perfection and quality…

The School of Suffering too, which is the Christian Way of Life…
… also seeks to make us perfect and valuable…
>> Holy in Deeds….
>> Pleasing to God…
>> Eminent in Purity!
>> Sanctified in Words…
>> Worthy of Eternal Life…

>> The School of Suffering…is a tough school…but there is much joy and satisfaction!
>> The School of Suffering…is an avoided school…but there is immense value and treasure stored!
>> The School of Suffering…is a “wish-it-was-not-there” school… but there is plenty of grace and blessings within!

Let us win the Greatest Prizes of Holiness, Saintliness, Happiness and Eternal Life…
… by becoming the wonderful students of this School of Suffering!

Our Great Mentor and Master and Teacher and Tutor – Jesus – is in perfect charge of this School of Suffering..

Let’s not be afraid… let’s not be dismayed.!
>> Instead, let us be encouraged… let us be enthusiastic!

>> The rationalist says:
“Give me Christ without the cross.”

>> The ritualist says:
“Give me the cross without the Christ.”

>> But the Redeemed says:
“A Cross-less Christ, my Savior could not be;
A Christ-less Cross, no refuge is for me
But Oh, Christ crucified, I rest on Thee”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

“Double Negative” is a grammatical construction in which two negative words are used in the same clause, to produce a positive force, usually for some particular rhetorical effect”

Eg: “He did not say nothing”….means… He said something
“There is not nobody who will go”… means.. There is somebody who will go

Of course, in the English language, such usages are not common and also sounds a bit odd.
>> They are even considered as bad speech

But in the Greek language – the language of the New Testament –  the “double negatives” are used to add an extra emphasis

One important and notable scripture verse using this concept of “double negatives” is… Heb 13:5

The verse says:
” Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “NEVER will I LEAVE you, NEVER will I FORSAKE you.”

In the Greek translation of this verse, there are a total of 5 negatives that occurs in this sentence…
… 2 “double negatives” and 1 negative!

Literally translated, it would read, “The Lord will NEVER, NO, NOT EVER, NEVER leave NOR forsake us!”
>> It is one of the strongest negative ways that the Bible says that ” He will be with us forever!”
>> Five negatives with a very positive message!

This is the wonderful truth that God pronounces and promises to each one of us…
… that He is always with us
.. that He would always care for us
… that He would always provide for our sustenance

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful invitation and reminder by the Lord…
1. To keep our lives free from the love of money and be content with what we have
2. To know that God is with us, always, providing for our all our needs

Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life…” (Mt 6:25)

One of the immediate doubts that could raise in our minds would be:
Was Jesus saying that money is bad?
… Did He mean to say that we must not work hard to earn money, and make our lives comfortable?
… Did He say that it would be sinful if I plan and work for a good future – for me and my family?

Most certainly no!

The Lord is not against money…
… nor is He against working hard and earning money for one’s life
… nor is He opposed to plan for the good of our future and of the ones we care for

>> Laziness is condemned by the Lord… (Mt 25:26)
>> Unplanned ventures are not encouraged by the Lord… (Lk 14: 28)

But yes, the Lord is deadly against money, wealth and treasures taking possession of a person!
>> Jesus is opposed to riches, wealth and money…
… when they become the priorities more than God and His Kingdom
… when they became greater possessions than doing what God wants in life

Instead the Lord wants that we make Him as the Greatest Treasure and Wealth of our life!
>> “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all others things will be added unto you” (Mt 6: 33)

Jesus wants that He becomes our entire possession!
>> He longs that our entire lives be centred on Him!

Towards this endeavour, Jesus promises that “He will be with us”
>> He assures that His Care and His Providence will always take us through…
… Even the birds of the skies are fed
… Even the wild flowers are clothed in splendour
… Even the grass of the field are clothed so very well

It is towards this Trust in His Providence, that the Lord invites each of us.

There was a particular student of the Bible, who one day came excitedly to his old aunt.

He had learnt something new in his Bible class and came to share with her:
“Auntie, you know that verse in Hebrews – Heb 13: 5 – that you so often quote: `I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’
Well, I have found out today that there are five negatives in the Greek there in that verse, and it reads like something like this: `I will never, never, never, never, never leave thee.’ ”

“Oh, you Bible scholar” said the old lady amusingly,  “those five times may be needed for you!
For me, just one of them is enough!!”

The Lord keeps assuring and telling us always, “I am with you… I will care for you!”
>> Let us grow in our trust in Him…
… and seek to make Him as the Wealth, Possession and Treasure of our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 1558-1603.
>> She was probably England’s greatest and most controversial Queen.

As she lay on her death bed, the nation’s best doctors battled to save her life…
… but in vain!

When she was told that she was going to die, the unfortunate Queen began to weep.
>> She sobbed and said: “I will give millions for an inch of time!”

She had lived 70 years of pursuing wealth, fame and pleasure
>> She had servants to cater to every whim
>> It is said she had 10,000 dresses in her wardrobe with atleast 2000 pairs of gloves alone!
>> She was the queen of the kingdom which was considered to be “one on which the Sun would never set”

Yet, this apparently powerful and rich Queen of England, died – pleading for “An Inch of Time”

This is the reality of our earthly lives….
>> No matter how materially rich we are…
… none of these would count as being important, when death arrives!

>> No matter how popular and fame we acquire while on earth…
… all of it would be reduced to nothingness, when the end comes!

The only thing that would matter, would be…
… Have we made God as the ultimate treasure and meaning of our life and live by His Will?
… Are we humble enough to acknowledge and depend on the Providence of God?

>> The sooner we realise this, the more meaningful would our lives be…
>> The further we delay, the deeper would be the moments of anxieties in life!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reminder by Jesus to have an examination of the “longings of our hearts” and to set right “first things first”!

Jesus says: ” Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth….” (Mt 6: 19)

Every human being has an innate longing and a craving to go beyond transitory, transient and peripheral aspects of life.
>> It is this dimension that is described in terms of…
… longing for eternal happiness
… desire for peace and serenity
… yearning for the Absolute
… deep thirst for God etc…

There is a search for the Eternal….. a pursuit for the Everlasting.. in every human being!

However, very often in this quest, human beings go astray and go off track, by falsely seeking for the Eternal, in mere peripheral objects.

>> These objects vary for different people…
… It could be wealth, power, prestige, sex, drugs, other addictions, worldly attachments etc.

We often build up for ourselves castles and mansions in this physical world…
… and remain under the false pretence, that my life is comfortable and everything is very good.

Our hearts & minds gets set on “things of this world“ and we remain deceived with peripheral joys and temporary happiness and tranquility!

But today, the Lord warns us: “Have we stored up treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves can steal?!” (Mt 6:19)

Jesus points to the fact that one must not have treasures “that would not last”

In this reference, he points to three entities: moth, rust and thieves.

1. Why moth?
Rich and extravagant dresses and garments were often expressions of wealth.
>> And moths loved to treat on such “ornate” dresses and garments

Garments, in the Bible, also refer to the dignity of a person, a symbol of righteousness and the sign of salvation
>> Moths eating such garments, point to the loss in spiritual agility and vigour!

2. Why rust?
Grains were also considered as a sign of prosperity and thus they would be stored in storehouses (as the parable of the rich fool suggests – Lk 12: 18b)

The Greek word used for ‘rust’ is “brosis” which literally means “an eating”
>> This could refer to how rats, mice, worms, and insects could eat away at these storehouses of grain!

>> If the wealth consisted of jewellery, then this ‘eating away’ could refer to “rust” (= the product of a chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with water vapour to form the oxide of the metal).

3. Why thieves?
Gold, precious metals and other costly goods would be another sign of richness.

They would be hidden by keeping them safe in the houses etc.
>> The most common method that was done was to find a secret place in the field and in the dark of night, a hole would be dug and the treasure would be buried.

But thieves would lurk around at night and watch where people would bury their treasure…
… and then go and dig it up.

The phrase “where thieves break in” could be literally translated “where thieves dig in.”
>> The houses of those times were constructed of mud; so thieves would often dig through the walls and steal the treasures!

Thus, our Blessed Lord warns against having our riches that ‘would not last’…
… those which could be consumed by moths
… those which could easily be eaten up or be rusted
… those which could be stolen and plundered by thieves

Instead the Lord says: “Store up treasures for yourself in heaven” (Mt 6:20)

We need to ask ourselves:  Are we rich in what matters to God?

St Paul says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but be transformed by a renewal of your minds..!” (Rom 12:2)

Time and again, we like to stroll along in life, thinking, that…
…  spiritual life, relation with God, Divine thoughts, holy practices, devout rituals are just not “happening” things!
>> We feel that  they are too boring
>> We feel that they are reserved for the older generation people
>> We feel that they are not meant for the 21st century generation!

But.. for a moment..we need to pause and think…

We may not be thinking too seriously about our spiritual lives…
… But Jesus was really quite serious….
>> That’s why He DIED on the Cross…!

His bleeding death was real….His agony and pain and sufferings, for the sake of our sins, was real!

HE WAS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT OUR SALVATION…!

…But, AM I SERIOUS ABOUT THIS LIFE, THAT HE WON FOR ME?

How long are we going to fool ourselves…?
>> Falsely inflating our egos and satisfying our craving desires…
>> Being satisfied with worldly pleasures…
>> Seeking momentary happiness…

Where our heart is..there will be our treasure! (Mt 6:21)

Lets dwell deeper on the words of St Augustine:
“God, you have made us for yourself…. and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.”

All our earthly and material wealth will never give us  “an extra inch of time”…
… but our spiritual longings and faithfulness, by God’s Mercy and Grace, will win for us “the reward of Eternity!”

Yes, let us soar like eagles, in our longings for God..
… .and not just be satisfied, like chickens, picking up tiny grains of worldly pleasures!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

A devoted and affectionate father came into the room of the hospital, where his eight-year-old son was at the dying phase of his life.
> The child was affected by an incurable disease.

The child, sensing that he was not going to get well asked his father: “Daddy, am I going to die?”

“Why, son…” asked the father “… are you afraid to die?”

The child looked up into the eyes of his father and replied: “Not…. if God is like you, Daddy!”

The child had a tremendous confidence and trust in his father…
… and was being initiated to experience God also as a Loving and Caring Father.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful initiation by Jesus to help us to know, grow and deepen our understanding of God as being a Loving and Caring Father.

Today’s Gospel passage begins with Jesus issuing a warning on the danger of making prayer a mere “lip-service”
>> “In praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do….” (Mt 6:7)

What was Jesus meaning by the clause “heaping up empty phrases as the Gentiles…”?

One of the notable Gentile groups at the time of Jesus, were the Romans, under whose occupation the Jews were living.

It’s noteworthy to see some of the aspects of the ancient pagan Roman prayer:
1. All sacrifices and offerings required an accompanying prayer to be effective.
>> It was declared that “a sacrifice without prayer was thought to be useless and not a proper consultation of the gods.”

2. Prayer  – the spoken word was considered the single most potent religious action.
>> And knowledge of the correct verbal formulas were the key to efficacy.

3. An accurate naming was vital for tapping into the desired powers of the deity invoked.
>> Hence public religious ritual had to be enacted by specialists and professionals faultlessly…
… even a small a mistake would require that the action, or even the entire festival, be repeated all over!

( A historian named Livy reports of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at the Latin festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer…
…  the festival had to be started all over!)

The Greek word used for “empty phrases” is “battalagesete”.
>> It means to stammer, babble, talk gibberish, or to repeat the same things over and over mindlessly!

With this in background, Jesus emphatically declares that prayer is not about “heaping empty phrases”.

In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)

Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”

>> No!

The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…
>> The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)
>> Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!
>>Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)
>> Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)

Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.
>> Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported

>> When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…
… to praise God and understand His mighty works
… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence
… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for  our intentions

>> Prayer is not rattling off a few external words and feel satisfied in having done that…
… It is opening up, in dependence, the interiority of our hearts, to the One Who knows all!

>> Prayer is not going through a series of stipulated and organised system of words…
… It is allowing the heart to “mean what is said”, and to cause the lips express what the heart feels!

It is to this effect that Jesus says “Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him” (Mt 6:8)…
… and teaches us the beautiful prayer – “The Our Father”!

Jesus presents the beautiful understanding of God being a Loving and Caring Father…
… The Father, in heaven, Whose Name we acknowledge to be most Holy and Worthy
… The Father, Whose Kingdom becomes the target to Which we ought to aspire
… The Father, Whose Will is to become the compass and blueprint of our life
… The Father, Whose providence nourishes us with daily bread for our sustenance and well-being
… The Father, Who extends His Immense Mercy to us, which we receive only if we forgive in turn
… The Father, Who strengthens us in our moments of trials and temptations
… The Father, Who rescues us from all evil by tenderly holding us in the palm of His Hand

Yes, Jesus wants us to understand and experience God as a Loving and Tender Father.
>> Let us cast away every fear and every anxiety!

May we throw ourselves into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father
>> May all our thoughts and deeds, be aimed to do His Will and give glory to His name!

God Bless! Live Jesus

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru, India

A father and his little son were on a journey.

They stopped mid-way to have lunch in a restaurant.

The father sat down on one of the stools at the counter and lifted the boy up to the seat beside him.
>> They ordered lunch.

When the waiter brought the food, the father said, “Son, we’ll just have a silent prayer.”

Dad got through praying first and waited for the boy to finish his prayer…
… but the boy just sat with his head bowed and eyes closed for an unusually long time!

When he finally looked up, his father asked him:
“What in the world were you praying about all that time?”

With the innocence and honesty of a child, he replied:
“How do I know?
It was a silent prayer!”

Very often, prayer, for us, is associated with “words”!

But True Prayer goes beyond words…
… it is about a relationship!
… it is about being in communion with God!
.. it is about getting in grateful touch with the One Who knows all and cares much!

Such are the sentiments teachings that are reflected in today’s Gospel which presents Jesus’ teaching on Prayer.
Jesus begins today’s Gospel with a strong warning:
“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them…” (Mt 6:1)

Prayer is one of the most common practices of piety that most of us undertake.
>> However, very often, it is seen that our prayers consist more of blabbering empty and meaningless words, than actually praying!

Our practise of praying could perhaps take different forms and structures, depending on our own experiences of life and the outlook towards life.
>> Let’s have a quick list of the some of the ways in which our prayer has perhaps, taken shape…
(without any offence to any group/persons/professions!)

1. Prayer as a politician
We bombard God with many empty promises, saying that if you fulfill my petitions, I will perform some deeds and good works for you.

Many times during elections campaigns, we hear many political speeches…
… laden with juicy words, stylish phrases, heart-rendering narrations and sensational emotions.
( It’s only time which can tell, to what extent, did these speeches actually have authenticity in them!)

>> Does my prayer tend to have such “political” overtones…?

2. Prayer as a Lawyer
Prayer is used mainly as means to achieve some intentions and we bring our good actions, as witnesses to win our case.

We tell God that we have performed so-and-so good things and try to argue and win the case against Him

3. Prayer as a Frustrated Critic
>>  We seek more to discuss things on why things don’t happen in life, and what are the demerits of wasting time in prayer, rather than seeing the goodness and blessings the Lord has showered in our lives.

Prayer time is spent more on questioning God and blaming Him…
… rather than praising Him for His Providential care

>> Is my prayer time merely “a time of complaint and criticism”?

4. Prayer as an Accountant
>>  We seek to tally our demands and claims, and discuss the accounts of our many works with the Lord, to achieve our desired targets and goals.

Prayer becomes a time of statistical brainstorming with discussions on “give and take” policies and devising plans to tap “the budget of God’s blessings”!

>> Is my prayer a “mere statistical interaction” with God?

5.  Prayer as a Programmer
>>  We bring before the Lord, neat sheets of a programmed life –  and expect the Lord to give the desired output, in response to my commands.

Like the computer which follows the software codes, with precision, we punch in our codes of “wants and demands” to the Lord and expect Him to follow it, like a foolproof software or program.

>> Is my prayer a “fixated coded-sheet” with only demands and wants?

6. Prayer as a Kidnapper
>>  We hold God at ransom, and threaten that ‘if You do not fulfill my aspirations, I will leave You and will even abandon Your Church and its practices, and bring to an end all the good works that You have begun in me’!

We take the upper hand in prayer and expect God to follow all what we say – in the way we want, in the time that we demand and in the manner we expect!

>> Does my prayer become a means “to kidnap” the goodness of the Lord?

We need to examine our lives and see, whether our prayers remain stuck to these (or even other similar) categories.

Surely, each  of these categories of prayers emerge out of one’s own life experiences
>> The Lord doesn’t judge us on the basis on it

But, the Lord Who seeks perfection in us… wishes, wants and demands…
… to have a higher and a more perfect understanding and practise of prayer.

Through today’s Gospel, Jesus points to the essence of Prayer..
>>  Prayer is lifting up of one’s heart and mind to God, with an intention to seek and do His Holy Will.

Prayer is not about “my feelings”….
…. It is about “His Feelings”

Prayer is not achieving something or fulfilling a task…
…It is about spending time with the One Who loves us most

As St. Bonaventure says, “When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than proceedings from the mouth”

Today, let us examine, our prayer life…
>> Are my prayers mere lip-service
….or real expressions, emerging from the depth of our hearts?

St John Mary Vianney says,
” Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”

May the Lord help us…
… to purify our prayer habits
… to give us a deeper taste to be in His Presence
… to realize that He is in complete charge of our lives
… and that our task is to always seek to conform to His Will!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS
   Bengaluru, India

The Year 1989 saw the collapse of the Berlin Wall, Germany.
> This wall was the barrier that divided the nation from 1961 to 1989.

After the collapse of the Berlin Wall, there would have been, perhaps, no person in all of East Germany, who was more despised …
… than the former Communist dictator Erich Honecher.

>> Being the secretary of the Communist Party, Erich Honecher was the prime organiser of the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and, in this function, bore responsibility for the “order to fire” along the inner German border.

However, after the collapse of the wall, Honecher had been stripped of all his offices.

Kicked out of his villa, the new government refused him and his family, new housing.
>> The family of the Honechers were rendered homeless and destitute.

It was at this stage, Pastor Uwe Holmer, Director of a Christian Help Centre decided to take a bold step:
Feeling that it would be wrong to give them a room, in the Help Centre, which was meant for even needier people…
… Uwe Holmer decided to take the family of the Honechers into their own home!

Holmer’s children had suffered the wrath of the rule of the Honechars..
>> 8 of his children had been turned down for higher education, due to their discriminatory policies.

But now, Holmer – filled with God’s Mercy –  decided to care and accept their personal enemy – and perhaps one of the most hated men in Germany!
>> Many people turned against Holmer for his decision
>> Many felt angered in having given refuge to an enemy

But Holmer, the Christian, was convinced of what he was doing…

>> It was indeed an unnatural move…
>> It was undoubtedly an unconventional step…
.. But it was so much Christ-like!

He put into practise what Jesus had taught on the Sermon of the Mount, as we see in today’s Gospel:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Mt 5:44)

It is said that some books/thoughts are to be just tasted…
>> Some are to be just swallowed…
>> While some others are to be chewed and digested!

Well… here is a teaching that is certainly not too easy to digest:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!

Sometimes when we hear the word ENEMY…
>> Our thoughts go to some enemy of the nation or some social criminal…
>> Or perhaps, some of us, may think of some person who has harmed us deeply or cheated us, and has turned to be an enemy…

But if we analyze our lives closer… we may observe that we all have many enemies in our lives..

An ‘enemy’, is defined by the Oxford Dictionary, as “a person or thing, hostile or opposed to something; that harms or weakens someone/something”

A little closer look into our lives will probably make us to discover that…
>> Perhaps, many people fall into this definition of being an “enemy”…
… Many in our family or our community
… Many in our friends circle
… Many in our workplaces
… Many in the society

We get so easily offended when our egos our hurt..
>>  We feel a sense of resentment when we are not treated as we feel we ought to be…
>> We experience bitterness when other people do not fall in line with the way we think…
… there are often so many tussles and mental games…
… and we have so often grudges against all these people!

All these are our “enemies”!
>> This list of enemies in our life..though apparently unnoticed, is perhaps deeper….

But, today the Lord says: “Love those enemies..and pray for them”!

Humanly speaking, of course, it seems only a theoretical advice – seemingly impractical!
>> But the Lord wants us to be perfect!

We also know one thing…
… If this was not possible, the Lord would have never said it!

The Life of Jesus Himself was a proof for it…
… Lovingly inviting even all those who hated and detested Him, to experience His Love
… Constantly reaching out with the call of repentance, to those who wronged Him
… Giving His life for all of us, who offend and hurt Him

The call of the Gospel “to love our enemies” is a high demand…
>> It is indeed a huge challenge…

Yet, with the grace of the Lord…
… Lets pick up this challenge of the Lord…and seek towards perfection!

St John Paul II says, “Don’t fear to be the saints of the Third Millennia!”

Let’s not remain in idealistic talks and thoughts…
… rather, lets translate the words and challenges of the Lord, in our practical and daily life.

May we identify the “enemies” in our life…
… and seek Divine Assistance and the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, through the instrumentality of our lives,
>> May we dare to “receive into our homes” those who, though deserve to be punished, but still are worthy of the Mercy of the Lord!

“Misericordes Sicut Pater” –  “Be merciful, like the Heavenly Father” (Lk 6:36)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India