One of the key issues that every society faces is that of “corruption”!
How many are the times when we hear comments as…

>> “We wish for a corruption-free society”

>> If corruption were to be rooted away, our country would sprint towards development”

>> “Corruption is the greatest menace that our society faces today”
 

Every good leader, therefore, seeks to do away with this menace of “corruption”

Yes…

… every corruption of power and authority warrant a strong opposition

… every failure and misuse of laws, traditions and customs gives rise to strong opposition.

 
The Gospel of the Day is a strong opposition by Jesus to the corrupt and at times, inhuman and oppressive authority of the leaders of His time – the Scribes and the Pharisees.

 

The Gospel begins with the statement, ” Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

 

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

>> Jesus brings aside the people to Himself to address to them something…

 

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

 

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

 

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

 

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.

>> They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

 

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted, but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

>> They would despise unwashed hands, but they would bypass filthy hearts!

 

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

>> He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.

>> He slams the Scribes and Pharisees for their misleading interpretation of purity.

 

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:

“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

 

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

 
The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

 

Their authority was to used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…

… only emphasise bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life

… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

 

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

 

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

 

Shall we make a self-introspection….

>> I may be appearing to be clean outside…but is my heart pure and holy?

>> I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…but am I a barn of devilish actions within?

>> I may be appearing to be very good to all…but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

>> I may be appearing to be successful…but am I decaying interiorly with unchastity and deceit?

 
Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…

… defiled with sin?

… impure with unhealthy thoughts?

… sullied with evil intentions?

 

Let us seek the intercession of St Bakhita whose feast we celebrate today.

>> This saint from Sudan, was canonised in the year 2000, is a powerful symbol of love and forgiveness.

>> She rose above the corrupt characters in her society and displayed the fruits of love and forgiveness.  

Yes…

… let us join our Lord in opposing every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 The microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.

 

The basic microscope is an optical instrument that uses a lens or a combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects – especially of objects that are too small to be seen by the unaided eye.

 

>> Microscopes are used in industrial processes, in investigation of living cells, in comparative studies of chemistry and geology, and in diagnostic medicine.

 >> Biologists and doctors use microscopes on cell samples, on small organisms, and on chemical structures, to classify and analyze them and their functions.

 

 

When we consider relationships, it won’t be wrong to say that there are many who use microscopes in their dealings and interactions.

>> Microscopes to focus on the mistakes and negative aspects of others

>> Microscopes to magnify and enlarge the faults and failures of others

 

 

Perhaps, some of us are also guilty of having such a “microscopic” view of the defects and imperfections of others.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

 

 

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

>> Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

 

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging”

 

Our judging…

… should not be rash

… should not a final opinion on a person or situation

… should not be a means to putting down other persons

… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

 

 

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

 

 

Do I…

>> Enlarge the negatives of others—their faults, mistakes and petty ways?

>> Come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?

>> Get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?
>> Gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?

>> Have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?

>> Be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?

>> Add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
>> Set aside an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”

>> Speak something critical and then try to cover it up?

>> Be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?
>> Have pleasure in condemning others?

>> Report the truth in order to hurt and not to help?

 >> Put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

 

 

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

 

 

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

 

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – be it a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…

 

2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

 

 

Many of us may have perhaps, a tendency to use a “microscope” in finding the faults and failures of others.

>> We tend to focus ..

>> We tend to magnify…

>> We tend to relish looking closely!

 

 

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

>> Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

 

 

May we focus the lens of our microscopes from looking at the “faults” of others and instead shift to concentrate more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations.

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“All that glitters is not gold” is a popular expression…

 

> It means that not everything that is shiny and superficially attractive is valuable.

> It means that though something “appears” to be spectacular, it need not be so.

       

 

The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow”.

 

The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…

“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)

 

 

This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.

 

 

The meaning of this place name ” Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”

>> This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.

 

This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.” 

 

 

The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would surely make the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of Commerce very proud!

 

It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

“One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”

 

 

It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!

 

Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!

 

>> However fertile the land…

… there were still many who were badly ailing!

 

>> However fruitful the land…

… there were still many who were painfully ill!

 

>> The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!

>> The choicest of fruits couldn’t guarantee them flawlessness in wellbeing and strength!

 

Yes…

… All that Glitters is not gold

 

 

Indeed…

… never judge a book by its cover

… the cowl (large hood) does not make a monk!

 

 

Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”

 

 

And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)

 

>> They had their riches…

… yet they reached out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!

 

>> They had their resources…

… yet they ran out seeking Jesus, the source of all supplies!

 

 

Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret…

>> Rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally etc

>> Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc

>> Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc

 

Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…

… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord

… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord

… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord

 

 

The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.

>> Though their land had plenty, they did not fail to humble themselves…

>> Though their land was rich, they did not fail to realize their basic needs..

>> Though their land was famous, they did not fail to assume lowliness…

 

 

Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?

>> Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?

 

 

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…

…a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!

…a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!

 

 

May our lives truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign’!

>> May our lives be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A story is told of a rich man who had three sons. This man, in his old age wanted to divide his property. But he felt, he would hand over the entire inheritance to one of his sons, than to all, as this would ensure better continuity of the family glory. 
So in order to choose, the wisest among them, he conducted a simple test.
Calling the three of his sons, and handing them a hundred rupee note, the father said:

“You see our storehouse (godown) that is at the far end of our property.

I want each of you to take this money and buy whatever you want and fill the storehouse to the maximum. 

The one who fills it, the most, would be the winner of this test and the worthy inheritor of my property.”
The first son went and purchased fire-wood for that amount, and tried to fill the storehouse. It reached to half the level.
The second son went and bought hay (dried grass) and tried to fill the storehouse. It reached to nearly 70 percent level. 
The youngest son, however, went to the nearby shop… got a candle and a matchbox.

>> He then went to call his father and two brothers and went to the storehouse.
The storehouse was all dark and quiet. 
The youngest son, stepped inside, and striking the match-stick, he lit the candle. 

>> Soon enough, the entire storehouse was filled…. Filled with light!
(It’s needless to say, who was the winner of the test, isn’t it?)

Well, our Christian lives are also to be such…

… filling the dark and empty situations of life and of this world, with the Light of Christ! 

This is the call of the Gospel of the Day.

>> Jesus says, ” You are the salt of the earth” ” (Mt 5: 13) and “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 14)

 
In ancient Greece, salt was considered so valuable it was called, “theon”, divine.

>> The Romans believed that nothing was of more value than salt except the Sun. Roman soldiers were even paid in salt (‘Salary’ comes from the Latin word ‘salarium’, and has the root ‘sal or salt.’

>> An ancient Near Eastern custom still practiced among some Arabs today is that a pact of friendship is sealed with a gift of salt.

 
This call of the Gospel has gained significant importance and urgency in our world today.

 

We live in times and generation when the need to be a “salt” and “light” has gained tremendous urgency…

 

The world is losing a taste for things of everlasting value and instead relishes more of transient materials.

>> Can I be a “salt” in such situations giving the taste of eternity and goodness, to revive lives and to orient them towards the real joys of life?

 

 

The world is fast degrading and losing values in various areas like moral life, social situations, cultural integrity and religious fervour.

 >> Can I be a “light”, casting away the darkness of ignorance and shedding new illumination and radiance for the revival of sanctified lives?

 

The world today, and even the Church, sometimes, is sadly deeply getting corrupted and there are strong strands of infection and contamination affecting various core dimensions.

>> Can I be a “salt” which rubs in consciousness for transformation and change and be a healing agent to prick the conscience of people to lead an integral life?

 

The world and even the Church, sometimes, is easy on closing the eye to the evils that are constantly rising, and fails to be a powerful voice for justice and peace

>> Can I be a “light” which casts its powerful rays on the dark shades of wickedness and expose the inhuman elements of the society, helping towards a harmonious and pleasant world?

 
“Salt” and “light” are symbols of purity.

>> To be the “salt” and “light” in the world, demands a high level of perfection and holiness in our lives.  

 
May we be willing to rise up to the challenge of being the “salt of the earth” and “light to the world” so that our Christian values can be preserved and the love of God may shine forth to the world…

… and may we fill the dark areas of life with the Light of Christ, and thus be winners in the contest of life, and so please God, our Father! 

 
God bless! Live Jesus!

Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!
It was the year 1673 in Portugal.

>> A young man of 26 was on the verge of taking a strong and serious decision.
He was just a little over a decade, as member, in the Congregation of the Society of Jesus.

>> His superiors deemed it right to send this vibrant and dynamic person to the missions in India
It was a dangerous mission… 

…It was a difficult mission
>> A destiny was to be shaped

>> A decision had to be made

The mother of this young and fervent person, feared the life of her beloved son.

Years back, she had experienced the mighty healing touch of the Lord, in the recovery of her son, from the point of death.

>> She had then, vested her son for a year, in a dress worn by the Jesuit fathers.
 

But now, she was afraid of losing her son again…

>> She knew mission to India meant death…

>> She knew mission away from the native was fatal…
She tried her best to persuade and influence to prevent him from going to the land of death…

But her son was determined….

>> He had decided to give up His life entirely for the Lord – body, mind and spirit
With deep courage and conviction, he answered: 

“God, who called me from the world into religious life, now calls me from Portugal to India”

>> He had set His eyes on the Kingdom of heaven…

… and not limited by earthly life…

>> He had set His heart on the designs of God’s Will…

… and not restricted by human desires…
 

He had made a decision…

…a decision to shape destiny…according to God’s Will!

Just two decades later, on 4th February, 1693, this brave and committed person was executed for the sake of Christ.

The name of the person is St John de Britto, whose feast we celebrate today.

He followed the footsteps of his Beloved Master who had echoed the words:

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it only remains a seed; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24)
 

To be a witness for the Kingdom of God is the call and duty of every Christian.

> It is a decision to be made…

>> It is a decision to be nurtured..

>>> It is a decision to be lived…
Christ made this decision of being entirely and wholly dedicated to His mission
 

Jesus had many occasions and chances to escape from this dedication…
He could have chosen to enjoy popularity and fame arising out of His mighty deeds…

>> But He made a “decision” to not compromise on the truths and convictions
He could have chosen to dilute some of His teachings and make life more “cosier”…

>> But He made a “decision” to remain firm and grounded on the fundamentals of eternity
He could have chosen to forego some of His values and have some “adjustments”…

>> But He made a “decision” to be faithful and loyal to the mission and duties entrusted to Him

Our life as a witness for Christ and His Kingdom is sometimes greatly influenced and prejudiced…
>> We sometimes don’t mind being a little relaxing on some Church teachings…
>> We sometimes don’t mind making some adjustments to remain popular and not have a bad name…
>> We sometimes don’t mind diluting some values in order to appear as secular and sociable…

The Church is often under tremendous pressure to change some of Her moral teachings…

>> The Church is often under blatant attacks to alter some of Her time-and-tested values..
 

Most often, the motive behind all such attacks are a ‘life of ease’, a ‘life of comfort’, a ‘life of personal satisfaction’ etc…
 

Christ today, however, needs witnesses who are willing to undergo pains and persecutions…

The Martyr St John de Britto gave up His native land…His personal desires.. His family ties… His very life itself…

… all for the sake of Christ and His Love

… all for the sake of the Kingdom and its values

… all for the sake of His Church and Her teachings
 

In his words, ““Not to answer the vocation as I ought, would be to provoke the justice of God”
 

Let us be true and faithful to the vocation we have received and the way of life we have chosen…
 

Christ needs martyrs who are willing to…

… live His teachings

… teach His teachings
 

Christ needs martyrs who are willing to give up their…

… physical life in the face of being persecuted for Him

… economic life and depend on Him as the true treasure

… social life to bear insults and humiliations to live His values
Yes, Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!

Are we – you and I – ready to shape our destiny as per God’s Holy and Perfect Will?
What is our decision?
 

Happy Feast of St John de Britto!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

Today, we are going to meet an astonishing son of an astonishing father….
The astonishing father is King Herod the Great…
>> He has been described as “a madman who murdered his own family”

>> He has also killed great many rabbis

>> He was one “prepared to commit any crime in order to gratify his unbounded ambition”

>> He is known as the “the greatest builder in Jewish history”.
In his days, he held at least three architectural world records: the largest palace (Lower Herodium), the largest plaza (Temple Mount) and the largest royal portico (Temple Mount).

His astonishing son is King Herod Antipas               
He succeeded his father, and served as tetrarch (appointed by the emperor Augustus to rule over one quarter of his father’s kingdom) from 4 B.C. until 39 A.D., almost exactly the lifetime of Jesus.
Like his father, Antipas had great political wit, knowing how to work situations to his advantage. 

These two Herods have been responsible for two astonishing events of murders recounted in the Gospels…

>> King Herod the Great ordered the slaying of the innocent children at the birth of Jesus, the King of the world!

>> King Herod Antipas ordered the beheading of the innocent John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, the Lamb of God!

The Gospel of the Day recounts this horrific incident of the murder of John the Baptist.

The popularity of Jesus was soaring high…
The people were excited with His preaching and healing ministry.

>> Some accepted Him.

>> Some rejected Him.

>> Some were skeptical about Him.
But in any case…He was being known everywhere.

When this news reached the ruler of the land, King Herod Antipas, he got terrified. (Mk 6:16) 
 

His guilty conscience pricked him hard..

>> He knew that, unlike the common opinion of the public….

… this famous person was not Elijah

… this famous person was not any other prophet.
But he instead considered this famous person to be John, whom he had beheaded.

The weight of this sin was so heavy on him, that he failed to see any other possibility.

>> The stench of this sin was so strong, that he failed to sense the fragrance of Divinity.

We live in times when the world is progressively losing the “sense of sin”.
St John Paul II in His Apostolic Exhortation ‘Reconciliatio et Paenitentia,’ warns that “the loss of the sense of sin is a form or fruit of the negation of God: not only of the atheist, but also of the secularist”

The two King Herods in the Gospels – Herod the Great and Herod Antipas – represent people who have “lost this sense of sin”

Is my life trending towards this tendency?.. a loss of the sense of sin?
>> Am I afraid to even encounter this word “sin” and use alternative words to speak about it?

>> Am I waning in consciousness of faults and failures that can cripple my spiritual life?
 

The Lord came to this world, primarily, as Saviour of the world…
A Saviour…

… salvation from sins

… healing for our wounds

… redemption from our transgressions

The Church has often been accused of being obsessed with matters of sin and transgressions..

>> In this process, many a times, Her teachings have been diluted, misinterpreted and misquoted.
 
The Church offers the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation to gain back the innocence and grace of being God’s Holy Children.

Are we faithful in seeking His grace through this powerful sacrament?

… a sacrament of healing

… a sacrament of empowerment

Are we aware of the tremendous powers this sacrament carries…

… in making our life more happy?

… in ushering in, greater strength in us?
We are also invited to make “the examination of conscience” a part of our daily life and routine.
>> A regular and daily check up of the state of our life, our spiritual sphere can be a great strength and force to help us live a holy and sanctified life.

A sinful conscience can make us to astonishing and cruel deeds…like the King Herods

The Lord today invites us to purify ourselves, through the power of His love and redemption…
 

May we offer and surrender our lives to the One who can purge us away from sin and help us live a sanctified life!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most meaningful flowers is the Lotus.
This flower has been one of the most ancient and deepest symbols.

 
The Lotus flower has a number of unique properties….
… It grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty.
… At night the flower closes and sinks underwater while at dawn it rises and opens again.

… It has a quality of self-cleaning and always remains free from dirty particles

… Its leaves are such that they remain always dry
Untouched by the impurity, the lotus symbolizes purity of heart and mind.

>> The Lotus becomes a metaphor for a person consecrated to the Lord.
 

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord…
On this day, we also celebrate the Consecrated Way of Life.
>> Consecration is giving oneself to the Lord wholly.

>> It is seeking to be pure, completely, in heart and mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents St Joseph and Mother Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple.
 “When the days were completed for their purification, according to the Law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22)

We are on the 40th Day after Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus.

The Book of Exodus spoke of the need of this presentation and consecration of the first-born child…
“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb…
If your son ask you later on, ‘What does this mean’, you shall tell him, ‘ With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the land of slavery….’ ” ( Ex 12: 2, 14)
       

>> The act of presentation in the Temple represented fulfilling of God’s command..
>> The act of presentation in the Temple recalled God’s deed of deliverance from slavery…
>> The act of presentation in the Temple reminded the deep love of God for His people…

The presentation of the Lord in the Temple, is also another reminder of the “ordinariness” of the Lord, in His incarnation…
>> Jesus was known as the child of “ordinary” human parents!

>> Jesus took birth and grew up in “ordinary” conditions and circumstances!

>> Jesus lived His life in an “ordinary” family situation!

At Baptism, all of us are also consecrated to the Lord…

>> Some of us, have also made a deeper consecration by the profession of religious vows…
 

The meaning of this consecration, also, derives from the consecration of the Lord…
>> We are “ordinary” by our sinful nature…

… yet the Lord exalts us, to live a pure and holy life.
>> We are “ordinary” by our human nature…

… yet the Lord wishes to join us, with His Divine nature
>> We are “ordinary” in our deeds and works…

…. yet the Lord wants us,  to be His Kingdom partners

 
Our consecration is….

… a deep call and invitation to live a Holy Life

… is a loving obligation and sacred duty to be fully committed to Him

… is a binding and necessity in belonging to the Lord wholly and totally
 
This is a day of the Consecrated Life…

… a day to renew our commitment and zeal for the Lord

… a day to rekindle the fire of our love and faith in the Lord

… a day to restore our initial enthusiasm and interest for the Lord

… a day to revitalize our knowledge and comprehension of the Lord

Each of us…whether single or in family life…whether a priest or a religious…

..belongs to the Lord and to Him alone!
>> We are all consecrated and offered to the Lord.

The Lotus represents beautifully this our consecration and offering to the Lord…
 

We may grow in the muddy waters of evil, scandals, violence, corruption etc…

>> Yet, can we rise above all this, and bloom in beauty, with God’s strength?

In the night of our life, we may sink and feel dejected, broken, sad, depressed, worried etc…

>> Yet, can we open up again, and blossom in loveliness, with God’s graces?
 

In our worldly interactions, we may get spoilt with dirty particles of sin, evil, bad habits etc…

>> Yet, can we free ourselves from all these, by the redeeming power of God’s love?
In our material affairs, we may get wet and drenched with desires for pleasures and luxury…

>> Yet, can we remain dry and unsullied, by the tremendous saving force of God’s holiness?

Let us hold the hands of St Joseph and Mamma Mary, and renew our consecration to the Lord.

We belong to the Lord…

>> Let us live this consecration!

>> Let us give witness to this consecration!
 

Happy Feast of the Presentation of our Blessed Lord to all of us, His Consecrated People.

*God Bless! _Live Jesus_!*

*- Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS*

*_Bengaluru, India_*