What is common to…

… a sports match, a theatre-act, a street-play, a cinema-show, a circus-extravaganza, a musical-concert, a dance-display’…? 
Any guesses…?? 
Yes… it’s the audience! 
Audience are the onlookers who cheer and enjoy the performances. 

>> But they themselves don’t participate. 
Though they might seek to get involved emotionally, a little…

…. they still remain mere watchers and spectators. 

A similar attitude is perhaps strongly seen in our following of Christ. 
>> We seem to have become a people who are mere spectators to the teachings of Christ. 

>> We seem to have reduced ourselves to being mere onlookers of the Gospel values. 
The Gospel of the Day calls us to examine our real attitude and position in being a follower of Christ. 
The Lord declares today, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, but do not do what I command?” (Lk 6:46) 
The Lord is clear to tell that a mere lip-confession that Jesus is the Lord will not suffice in finding a place in the Kingdom.. 
How much do we really mean when we call Jesus as the Lord? 
These days,  “Jesus is Lord” and “Praise the Lord” are phrases that are very commonly used. 

>> Sometimes we use them without being aware of it. 

>> Sometimes we use them without actually meaning it. 

The word, “Lord” – Kurios in Greek – means a possessor or the master of a thing or a sovereign prince or an emperor. 
We call Jesus as our Lord and give praises to Him as the Lord… 

>> But do we really consider Him as the possessor of all our thoughts and plans and aspirations? 

>> Do we acknowledge Him as the Master of our broken past, our worrying present and our unknown future? 

>> Do we enthrone Him as the Prince and Emperor to rule over all our desires and ambitions? 

Very often, “Jesus is Lord” becomes a mere “profession” limited to the lips! 

This aspect of “professing” but “failing to perform” is an aspect seen in various areas of our lives… 
>> Politicians “profess” many promises and oaths… 

…but many fail in their “profession” and indulge in unfair and corrupt practices. 
>> Doctors “profess” an oath of being true to the service of the suffering humanity… 

…but many fail in their “profession” and engage in cheating and swindling patients. 
>> Lawyers “profess” to be honest and guardians of the truth and justice… 

…but many fail in their “profession” and involve themselves in violating the law. 
The religious circles are no exemption to this “cancerous” trend… 
>> Religious “profess” to lead a life the consecrated vows and promises… 

… but many fail in their “profession” and get busy with many worldly concerns and cares. 
>> Priests “profess” to be committed to spreading the Gospel and the love of God to all… 

…but many fail in their “profession” and lose track of the real focus and aim of priesthood. 
>> Husbands and wives “profess” to be with each other in every situation and troubles of life… 

…but many fail in their “profession” and break up in irreconcilable fights and disputes. 

 
>> Christians “profess” to be the light of the world and salt to the earth at the Baptism… 

….but many fail in their “profession” and often become scandals and anti-witnesses. 

The Lord dishes out a challenging message today… 

>> A “profession” without true faithfulness can be a dangerous one. 

>> A “profession” without living up to its demands is highly destructive. 

This is what the Lord reminds us through the parable of the two foundations (Lk 6: 46-49) 
The house built on firm rock remains firm in every storm or calamity. 

>> The house built on loose sand gets destroyed in any storm or calamity. 
Is the “profession” that I make, built…

… on the firm rock of certainty and conviction? 

… or on the loose sand of uncertainty and confusion? 

Christian calling is not a call to remain mere spectators or an onlooker. 

>> A spectator enjoys the fun from far… 

… a participant is fully involved in joy and satisfaction. 
>> An onlooker appreciates a performance without being affected…

… a participant struggles hard for it. 
Christianity is a call to get involved in the realities of life, with the power and love of the Lord. 
Our “profession” to call Him as our Lord…

… ought to get translated into our day to day living. 

… ought to make a purposive choice to do God’s Will. 

… ought to be a preferential option for God’s Word. 
Let us build our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declare Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body.

>> An eye surgery, therefore, becomes one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.
It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye. 
When there is an eye trouble, we need a doctor who knows what he/she is doing because even the slightest mistake can have catastrophic consequences.  

 
The Gospel of the Day focuses our attention on the EYE…

… and the need to have a clear and fine eye!

Jesus says, “Can a blind person, guide a blind person?” (Lk 6: 39)

The Lord has blessed us with the gift of the Eye…

>> We are to marvel at the treasure of creation and the beauty and marvel at the wonders in nature.

>> We are to see the many gifts and talents that we possess in ourselves. 

>> We are also to see the resources and assets in others and to grow in our love for our fellow beings.

This love for the others also, however, makes us…

… to encounter the weaknesses and shortcomings in others!

… to get impatient and irritated with others!

 
Christian love is not blind. 
Christ never says to, “ignore the faults of others.” 

>> But He surely does say, “Take care of your own faults first.” 

That’s why Jesus says, “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly, to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye” (Lk 6:42b)

Look in the mirror!

 Am I quick to see how arrogant people are…when I myself am often given into to anger and quick-temper?

 Am I quick to see how lethargic are people in their spiritual life…when I myself fail to be active and energetic?

 Am I quick to see how corrupt and dishonest people are…when I myself often resort to unhealthy lifestyles?

Sometimes we tend to have a microscopic view when we look at the faults of others…

>> A microscope magnifies an image and displays the view in a much enlarged and amplified manner.

Maybe the following check-list will help us to discern whether I am microscopic in my perception of others:

 Do I blow small things out of proportion and make mountains out of molehills, without realizing its drastic consequences? 

 Do I maximize the sins of others – their faults, their bad habits and their shortcomings, without understanding their contexts and backgrounds and situations?

 Do I come to quick, hasty or negative conclusions without seeking to garner the full truth & the complete information & details?

 Do I unnecessarily get involved in situations where we should not be involved and thus bring upon unnecessary tensions and worries upon ourselves?

 Do I pass along critical stories to others and fail to verify the authenticity of the rumours and even fail to stop a particular gossip from disseminating?

 Do I have a strong bias to find others guilty and often look at the other with eyes of suspicion and doubt and scepticism?

 Do I behave too harsh even when speaking the truth and fail to realize the emotions and the feelings that could cripple the person under guilt?

 Do I add aggravating remarks and sprinkle home-made masalas when re-telling a story about the life or event of another person and thus twist things in the way I want?

 Do I taking delight in condemning others and harping upon the misdeeds of others and thus enjoy a certain amount of pleasure and gratification through this process of character assassination?

Christian charity demands that we seek to correct others and help others in their growth and progress of spiritual health!
But in dealing with the fault of others, what is most needed is: A clear vision!

Psalm 139:23-24 would say: 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 

And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

The order or the sequence in which we go about this process is highly crucial and vital: 

>> First, we judge ourselves. 

>> First, we be hard on ourselves. 

>> First, we ask the Lord to show us our sins. 
Until we do that, the “speck” in our brother’s eye will look like a log to us…

… while the log in us will be invisible!

>> Only then are we ready to find the fault in others and help them to overcome the “spot” in their lives! 

 
This stage of our life will be characterized by the virtues of: 

>> Humility

>> Gentleness

>> Patience     

>> Discretion

Our sins will bother us more than the sins of others!

>> Our failures will disturb us more than the failures of others!

>> Our weaknesses will unsettle us more than the weaknesses of others!

The line is fine and thin: between correcting others and being charitable to others

The line is slender and slim: between helping others and being judgemental on others

Yes, the eye is highly sensitive and an eye surgery, is one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.

>> It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye!

Let us seek for this grace of being compassionate and charitable in dealing with the faults of others!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A legendary story is said of how God sent an angel down from heaven to find the most beautiful thing on earth and bring it back to heaven. 
When the angel observed the lovely flowers, he said, “These must be the most beautiful things on earth”

>> And gathered them up to take with him back to heaven. 
A little further, when he saw a child of wondrous beauty and golden hair and lovely smile, he said, “This must be the most wonderful thing on earth. Nothing could be sweeter than the smile of that innocent child.”

>> And he held the child with the smile, in the arms
But as he moved ahead, he reached a simple cottage…

… where a mother sat in the doorway with her little baby on her lap. 
As he watched her tender and beautiful care for the little babe, he said, “This must be the fairest thing on earth. I will take that mother’s love back with me to heaven.”
When he reached the portals of heaven…

… the flowers had faded and were dead

… the smile on the child’s face had changed into an angry frown

>> But the mother’s love remained unchanged!
Yes, a Mother’s Love is special! 

>> The Mother is precious! 

>> The Mother is truly worth much much love and affection! 

Today, we celebrate the Best, the Most Beloved and the most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mamma Mary! 

 
September 8th. 

>> The Nativity of the Blessed Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Saviour of the World!
But why should we really be celebrating HER? 
“We like the list of qualities and roles of mothers…and truly, we agree that the role of a mothers is very special. 

But why should all that be applied to Mary?” 
>> “Are we not taking away the glory and the honour which is due only to God?” 
>> “Are we not attaching undue festivities and illogical devotions to…well…after all ‘a creature of God'”? 
>> “Are we not over-emphasizing and getting over-emotional and going overboard in magnifying Mary?”

How do we understand Mary and Her importance in our lives and the need to give Her a special honour?

As in the words of Fulton J Sheen, 

“We begin with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! 

>> The less we think of Him, the less we think of Her. 

>> The more we adore His divinity, the more we venerate Her motherhood. 
The less we acknowledge His divinity, the less we have respect for Her.” 
Mary receives and deserves and acquires honour and special respect, solely due to Her Divine Son, Jesus!

We may feel that our mothers and Mary as a mother are not too different… 
But the difference is their children!! 

>> We are just ordinary….but Jesus is not! 

Mother Mary is different and unique and exclusive and singled-out, because Her Child is Supremely Special! 

And this is what the Church teaches through the Readings of today’s Mass, especially the Genealogy that is presented in Mt 1:1-16.
Today’s Gospel has a dual outlook:

1. The Narration of the Birth of Jesus (Mt 1: 18-23) 

2. The Genealogy (Mt 1:1-16) 

The Genealogy with its too complex length and its tongue-twisting names is most of the time, “avoided” and “skipped”.

>> But those sixteen verses of the Genealogy in the Gospel of Mathew contains a treasure and mystery of the legacy of our faith!
The Genealogy is like Archaeology.
>> We look for buried cities…

… and we find crumbled walls
>> We look for ancient treasures…

… and we find dust
>> We look for timeless art…

… and instead find broken pottery! 
>> We look for holy people but we find cracked sinners

>> We look for valiant persons but we find ordinary folk

>> We look for the precious plan of God and instead find often the non co-operation of people!
And our lives are similar too… 
>> We look for peaceful lives…

… but we encounter constant troubles
>> We seek for happiness and success…

… but we meet failures
>> We expect the miraculous interventions of God…

… but often find life hitting hard at us!

But in the history of salvation…and in our own history…. 

>> The Lord of History guides with His Mighty Hand!
In all the ordinariness that is seen…

…. the Mighty God steers and pilots our lives through the thickets & valleys & plains & deserts!
And it is here, that the role of Mother Mary is brought out in full force and in true vigour: She Said YES! 
She said YES to the amazing plan of the God of History…

… and consented for God’s Unique style of saving the world!

>> And with this YES…began Her journey of greatness!
The “Yes” to allow Her body to become the sanctuary of Sanctuaries…

… was repeated at every moment of Her life! 

And it is this Her continual state of saying YES to God’s Will that makes Mamma Mary great and worthy of all respect and honour.

 
The moon does not take the brilliance away from the Sun! 

>> All its light is reflected from the Sun! 
Blessed Mamma Mary reflects Her Divine Child! 

>> With Him, She is the Mother of All!
The Mother is special! 

>> And Mother Mary is the most special among them all! 
Let’s rejoice with Her today. 

>> Let’s thank God for Her today. 

>> Let’s become more close to Her from today!

With Her…

… we will always have our lives secure in God! 

… we are sure to be safe in God’s embrace!

Happy Birthday Dearest Mamma! 

We Love You!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dieticians and Nutritionists offer various advices and tips on how to have a healthy lifestyle 
For example, they point out diverse foods that can be either beneficial or be harmful for good health…

>> Too much of caffeine affects the body. 

>> Certain foods leads to cholesterol and may cause heart diseases. 

>> Fruits and vegetables with vitamins and other nutrients, anti-oxidants etc supply greater energy and vitality.

Many follow this routine and practice in their lifestyle… 

>> Some to reduce; some to maintain! 

>> Some to stay fit; some forced, due to their ill-health!

Whatever be the motive…there seems to be a principle behind this: “Your health is what you eat”
A similar principle can also be perhaps applied to the spiritual realm: “Your spiritual health is what you seek and feed your soul”

The Gospel of the Day says in Luke 6:21, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”

We are given a challenge to inspect and  examine: 

>> How is my Spiritual Appetite? 

>> What is the craving that I have for God and His Kingdom? 

>> Am I really hungering for what matters most in my life and what should take highest precedence in my life? 

Perhaps, some of us have not known real hunger…

… or we have simply got used to getting our food!

 
Hunger to us may only mean…

… waiting for an extra ten-fifteen minutes for food to be served

… not getting the food that I like or not being served the taste that I wish

… missing the regular food-time and then gulping down a meal from a roadside hotel etc..
And because we don’t realize much the importance of the word HUNGER…

…. we perhaps fail to grasp the urgency and the importance when Jesus says: ” Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”!

As a result, probably, we tend to satisfy our hunger…

… through the food of amassing enormous wealth and money 

… through the food of acquiring many titles and positions and power 

…. through the food of many unhealthy practices and habits and addictions
But the Lord says, ” Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”
Filled with what? 

>> Food? Money? Long life? Promotions? A perfect family? A trouble-free life? 

….No, no, no!

Mt 11:28 says, “Come to me…”!
It is in Jesus alone that all our hunger can be satisfied and all our cravings be fulfilled! 
>> If we are hungry…

… let us go and eat of the Bread of Life! 
>> If we are thirsty…

… let us go and drink of the Water of Life! 
>> If we are weary or heavy laden…

… let us go to His Heart and find rest! 
>> If we are guilty…

… let us go to Him, the Saviour and be forgiven! 
>> If we are far from God…

… let us go to Him and be reconciled in His arms!

Yes… in the Kingdom of God, everything begins with a hunger…

… a craving

… a search

… a seeking

This is what St Augustine said: “O God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you!”

Perhaps we need to reverse and turn upside the way we have been thinking and perceiving..
Maybe we have been thinking that riches and material prosperity is that which really matters in life… 

… but Jesus says, ” Blessed are the poor…the Kingdom of God is yours” 

>> Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who is the True Richness and the Authentic Treasure of our lives?
Maybe we have been thinking that we are totally satisfied with great food and our every taste is fulfilled…

… but Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are hungry…you will be filled” 

>> Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who can truly satisfy the hunger and thirst of our lives?
Maybe we have been thinking that we are quite happy in life and all our leisure and entertainments give us so much joy…

… but Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep…you will laugh” 

>> Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who can bless us with true joy and genuine happiness in our lives?
Maybe we have been thinking that we are quite safe when all people praise and flatter us in life, especially when we gain popularity at the cost of some Gospel values or virtues of life…

… but Jesus says,” Blessed are you when people hate you because of Me…a great reward is kept for you” 

>> Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who is worth facing all difficulties and problems in order to be standing up for our Christian values and principles?

Our spiritual health depends very much on what we really seek for and what we feed our souls.

Jesus, the Dietician and the Nutritionist of our Lives, today, wants to make us fit and fine and agile in our spiritual life.

>> Come, let us make the necessary changes in our life so that we may enjoy better health and life…

… in the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

In Lithuania, near the small industrial city called Siauliai (shoo-lay) with a very fascinating hill.

>> This hill is known as the “Hill of Crosses”…

… because it is adorned with literally hundreds of thousands of crosses.

(Estimates put around 100,000 crosses in 2006)
This city of Siauliai was founded in 1236

>> But soon after came under the captivity of a military order called the Teutonic Knights.
This was the time, when the tradition of putting crosses on the hill began

>> Each cross was a prayer to God for freedom!
Over the next many centuries, the city was occupied by many other invading nations…

>> But, during all those difficult decades,  a constant flow of pilgrims made their way to the “Hill of Crosses”…

…. to pray and to plant more crosses!
Three times, during 1961, 1973 and 1975, atheistic  authorities bulldozed the hill.

>> The thousands of crosses were burned or turned into scrap metal, and the area was covered with waste and sewage.
But every time, pilgrims kept coming back and raising more crosses.

 
It was only by 1985, that the ‘Hill of Crosses’ was finally left in peace!

The “Hill of Cross” is the great symbol…

… of the willingness to accept trials and trust in God!

… of the hope and expectation that prayers are always answered!

… of the readiness to face any adversity, knowing that the Lord cares!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us, Jesus, our Crucified Lord…

… reminding of the inevitability of the Cross in the life of a Christian

>> And the need to be persons who are Responsive and Responsible to this “Crucifying Challenge of Christianity!” 

It’s interesting to know that Christianity at its beginning never really had a symbol. 

The “Cross” as a symbol identifying Christ and His followers emerged by the second century…

… and by the time of Emperor Constantine, it was firmly established as The Sign of Christian Faith!
Christianity sometimes is really strange, when compared to other ways of life…
>> While other ways of life propose actualizing oneself and finding salvation through one’s own abilities; 

… Christianity suggests discovering the mystery of God deeper and find salvation in Him!
>> While other ways of life propose casting away all pains and difficulties and living a prosperous life; 

… Christianity suggests accepting sufferings and trials and detaching oneself from vain riches!
>> While other ways of life propose liberality and openness in identifying with the moral trends of the modern world; 

… Christianity suggests swimming against wrong trends and enjoying true love of all children of God!
>> While other ways of life propose easier and appealing techniques and signs which can attract masses of people; 

… Christianity suggests having the tough and the not-so-alluring Cross as a symbol which may even repel people!
Yeah, Christianity is strange..simply because it founder was strange! 
Jesus never demanded popularity. 

>> He never suggested easy paths or compromised His convictions!

 
And Jesus did die in a strange way…on a Cross!
The Cross was a hated symbol in the ancient world. 
Crucifixion must have the most brutal means of execution ever devised. 

>> Unlike modern methods of capital punishment that are designed to produce a quick death…

…. Crucifixion was meant to ensure that the person on the cross would die a slow, agonizing death!

What is the relation of the World and the Cross?
1. THE WORLD IS OFFENDED BY THE CROSS!

Christianity is sometimes referred to…

… as a “slaughterhouse religion” – a religion that worships a Man butchered on the Cross!

… as a “sadistic religion” – a religion that takes pride in announcing its members being washed clean by the BLOOD of a Man!

… as a “stupid religion” – a religion that glories in rendering homage to a God who is killed miserably! 
 It really seems a total offence..a perfect mockery of religion… 

>> The Cross is a Scandal and an Offence to the World!
2. THE WORLD IS JUDGED BY THE CROSS 

The world takes deep pride in being Proud! 

>> The world loves to show off its ability and power and to say that it is capable of being totally independent!
But the Cross shames this notion of the world!
The Cross proves that human beings by themselves can never redeem themselves…

… they have to come to God! 
The cross stands as a silent sentinel proclaiming that you have to come God’s way…

… or you won’t come at all.  
The cross stands in judgment over the sinful pride of the human race. 

3. THE WORLD IS SAVED BY THE CROSS 

In Num 21 we read how Moses made the bronze serpent…

… and how all who looked at it, were saved from God’s wrath! 

>> The very serpents which were symbolic of sin and death now symbolized life and redemption to them!
In Jn 3, we read how the Cross would be lifted up…

…. and all who looked at it, would be saved from God’s wrath! 

>> The very cross which was symbolic of oppression and misery now symbolized life and redemption to all!
Yes, the Cross is a symbol of shame to the world!  

>> But for Christians, it is a symbol of salvation!
The Cross is a symbol of absolute stupidity & absurdness to the world!

>> But for Christians, it’s a symbol of the majestic wisdom of God!
St John of the Cross would say:

 “The road is narrow. 

He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane. 

>> In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.” 

  
Two thieves on either sides, died with Christ on the Cross:

>> One mocked Jesus…

… the other sought Jesus 
>> One took pride in himself…

… the other humbled himself 
>> One lost a golden opportunity…

… the other, won the Prized Paradise! 

The cross with Jesus hanging beckons to each one of one of us now 
We have a choice – like both the thieves… 

>> Are we going to lose a golden opportunity…

… or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise? 
The Choice is ours!
>> ESCAPE FROM THE CROSS…

… OR EMBRACE THE CROSS!!
>> EXIT THE CROSS…

… OR EXALT THE CROSS!!
May we seek the special intercession of Blessed Mother Teresa…

… who will be canonized today

>> That her exemplary life of taking up the Cross of ‘service in action’ may inspire us to also reach out to the poor and needy in our lives!
When we find ourselves struggling with the hardships and trials of life…

>> When we feel even the strong emptiness of God’s presence in our lives…

… We need to be like the pilgrims of the “Hill of Crosses”

>> Planting the crosses of our difficulties on the inner hill of our hearts…

… and thus finding peace, consolation and strength!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

Society is governed by various laws and regulations. 
Every organization, every institution and every establishment has its own rules and legislations.
>> The world, however, also is a strange witness to weird and peculiar laws…

… some known

… many unknown

>> In Oklahoma State of the U.S. …

… you can be arrested for making ugly faces at a dog. 
>> In Vermont State of the U.S….

… a woman must get written permission from her husband to wear false teeth. 
>> In Turkey…

… it is illegal for a man above 80 yrs to become a pilot
>> In Samoa…

… it’s a crime to forget your own wife’s birthday. 

Creepy and unusual, isn’t it? 

>> Well.. each law has its own purpose and motive when it was framed and formulated.
But, when a rule fails to deliver its intended aim and gets devoid of all target, it becomes worthless! 

When a law loses its original flavour and objective, it gets reduced to merely a plain statement!

A similar situation is what is encountered in today’s Gospel passage from Luke 6:1-5.

Here is a law that is genuine and good and was commanded by God Himself… 

>> And all of us know this by heart, when we recite the Ten Commandments: “Keep the Sabbath Day Holy!”

The Sabbath day was initially the seventh day of the week. 

 
In the seven days of creation, it is the day on which God rested from His work. 

And so in Exodus 20, we learn that since God rested from his work on the Sabbath, He wanted His people to take a day of rest on the Sabbath as well. 
This is a great principle, right? 
It is certainly good to get some rest during the week! 
So the Sabbath Law was not a funny or a crazy law like some of the ones mentioned above. 

>> So far, so good!

>> So far, so nice!

But as time moved ahead and as generations passed on…

… Craziness began to find its way into this law!

The Jews were so intent at keeping this law that they began formulating practical guidelines on “how” to follow this law – what could be done and what could not be done. 

They came up with a list of 39 main tasks which could not be performed on the Sabbath. 

>> This list included sowing seed, ploughing, reaping, binding, threshing, winnowing, grinding, sifting, kneading etc etc… 

A Jewish scholar by the name of Yehoshua Neuwirth, mentions some instructions for the present day Jews, in his book titled “A Guide to the Practical Observance of the Sabbath”: 

(Please note: Don’t be amused too much!)

>> If the hot water tap is accidentally left on, it cannot be turned off on the Sabbath.
>> One cannot light a fire on the Sabbath, it is also wrong to turn on electric lights. 
>> If you need to turn on the lights, you can get an automatic timer which will do the job for you.
>> You cannot bathe with a bar of soap on the Sabbath, but you can use liquid soap.
>> A person is not allowed to simply take the item out of their pocket….

… In order to get it out, he has to reverse his pocket so the item falls out! 

… And after that, he has to ask a Gentile to pick up, ‘cos he himself is forbidden to do so!

Are you getting bored with these “excessives”? 

>> Are you getting irritated with these unnecessary “extremes”?

Well.. so too was Jesus! 
He was not just bored or irritated…

… but he was also zealous to restore back the Original Spirit of the Sabbath Law!

Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath is clear to point out to the legalistic Pharisees: 

“You don’t have to teach me about Sabbath rules…

… It is I who have set up it in the first place!
 The Sabbath was supposed to be a day of rest…

… but you’ve made it a day of working hard to keep the law! 
If you have to work so hard to keep the Sabbath, then you’ve totally misunderstood the intention of the Sabbath.”

The Sabbath is giving God the priority…

>> The Sabbath is giving one’s heart to the Lord!

>> The Sabbath is growing in relationship with Him!

>>The Sabbath is a day of taking rest, with the Lord!

>> The Sabbath is restoring our relationship with God!

>> The Sabbath is dedicating more of one’s resources to His Kingdom!

>> The Sabbath is strengthening ties with our family and fellow beings! 

Yes, the Law is important…

… but do I lose focus of its original purpose, like the Pharisees… 

>> Or do I, like Jesus, understand the true meaning and intention of the rules and guidelines in our lives?

Let us truly seek to throw away frivolous practices of any Laws & embrace the Lord of the Law and grow in His love!
>> Love the law…

>> Be zealous to keep the law…

… But not just for the sake of the law!
Rather, to grow in the Love of the Law-Giver Himself…the Lord of Law…JESUS!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most popular words that is increasingly becoming trendy and fashionable and in vogue, especially in the context of the Indian Society…is the word….. CHANGE!
Race for the Change…Be the Change… I am the Change…Change begins with oneself… 

>> These are some of the widespread slogans that are all over the place…
The Webster’s Dictionary defines “Change… as making something radically different or make a shift from one to another.”
Change involves becoming different…

>> Change involves a transformation!

>> Change involves making an alteration!

The Gospel of the Day too presents Jesus with this Crucial and Central theme: CHANGE! 

The Lord is a constant challenge to His followers to adopt a changed lifestyle…

… a lifestyle which is more Divine, a way of life which is more human and a living which is more joyful. 
But He is also very much aware of the basic human tendency…

… to neglect and avoid and overlook any change! 

That is why He very clearly at the end of today’s Gospel says, “No one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘the old is good'” (Lk 5:39) 
With age, wine increases its strength and flavour and the old is therefore preferable. 

Take somebody who been drinking the same kind of wine for years and years and years and someone comes along and says, “Ah, I’ve got a brand new variety here for you.” 

 
“Nah, no, I’ll stick with my old favourite.

>> It’s done me grand favours all through these years… I don’t want to…” 
“Well the new one promises to be great…it’s got new aroma, a new flavour…a special zest” 
“No, no, I’m happy with my old.”

We may either nod with this response…or look down with suspicion…or even just be least bothered… 

But one thing is for sure… 

>> Many of us, certainly do tend to answer in the same way, as this old-wine devotee was…
It’s really true, isn’t it? 

We tend to mellow ourselves down to a comfortable and cozy way of life… 

>> We cultivate a taste and a liking for our undisturbed mode of  timetable and schedules…

Like the old wine, many of our former ways and thoughts and style of living have become mellowed and settled by years of experience and have become so much a part of the fabric of our lives! 
>> Don’t give me the new wine of change… 

… I am happy with my old wine of comforts and calm
>> Don’t give me the new wine of spirituality… 

… I am happy with my old wine of worldly existence
>> Don’t give me the new wine of holy things…

… I am happy with my old wine of living life in the way it pleases me
>> Don’t give me the new wine of the Church teachings…

… I am happy with my experimental philosophy and thoughts

But the Lord, the Best Wine Giver (Jn 2:10), is intent and keen and even is insistent that we abandon Our Old Wines and drink of Him, the New Wine!
You want the new wine of joy and happiness in your soul and consolation of mind and heart? 

>> Then, you will have to abandon the Old Wine of Sin and impure life!
You want the new wine of Justice and Equality and Honesty and Truthfulness in society? 

>> Then, you will have to abandon the Old Wine of corruption and discrimination and cheating!

You want the new wine of True Companionship and Faithful relationships and Genuine friendships? 

>> Then, you will have to abandon the Old wine of company with Satan and give up envy and resentment and hatred!

Are we ready to abandon the Old Wine? 

>> The best wine is being offered… 
(P.S. – For all who are eager to be drunk more of this Best Wine… kindly prepare yourselves well and run to the nearest Church or Chapel… and participate in the Holy Mass. 

>> The Master has prepared the best and most satisfying and sumptuous meal: His Body and Blood in the Most Holy Eucharist!)

God Bless! Live Jesus!