Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, once said:

” Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand!”
Among the many mysteries, that causes wonder, which we seek to understand (though more often, causes doubts!), is the Mystery of Evil. 

So often do we ask these questions of mystery…

>> “Why does evil exist in a world that was created good?”

>> “Can evil have any meaning; rather, is it not spoiling our existence on earth?”

>> “How long are the good to suffer with the presence of evil all around?”

Today our Blessed Lord opens His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives, by the explanation of the Parable of the Weeds. 

It’s noteworthy to know some interesting facts about this parable…

1. Sowing weeds in someone else’s field, was a way take revenge on the other and to express one’s hatred and anger!
Something similar to today, people…

… breaking the glass of the houses of those whom they don’t like

… disfiguring the walls of the house of the people whom they hate

2. The weeds that Jesus speaks of in the parable, were highly similar to the wheat that was sown.

>> It was almost impossible to distinguish the two, in their initial stages.
3. Seeking to pull up the weeds would definitely destroy the wheat plant

>> This was because, their roots would get inter-twined.
Any attempt to pull up the weeds, would also cause harm to the good plant.

It is in the light of these points, that our “doubt and perplexity” about the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds grows:

>> “Why does evil exist in a world that was created good?”

This is where the Lord challenges every Christian to understand…

… that some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…

… but are to be boldly lived!

 

… that some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…

… but are to be bravely challenged!

 

…. that some problems in life cannot be completely solved…

but are to be fearlessly encountered!

As we take time to digest this fact, let us also spare a thought for the seed of wheat that was sown by the Sower.
 For the Sower, the Seed of Wheat was priceless… special…!

He had sown it with a lot of love, care and affection.

>> And so, He would do everything in His power, to make sure, that He loses nothing of it, in the attempt to get rid of the weeds.

The Sower is God.

>> And the Bible, throughout, speaks about how the seed that is sown – the wheat – is precious to God…

… the lost sheep is passionately sought until it is found (Lk 15: 1-7)

… the lost coin is ardently searched till it is found (Lk 15: 8-10)

… the leftover pieces of loaves are devoutly gathered up (Mt 14:20)

… the rejected short man, hiding on the tree, is assigned a new chapter in life (Lk 19: 1-10)

… the nearly-stoned woman, caught in the act of adultery, is given new life (Jn 8: 1-11)

… the impulsive fisherman, called as the rock, and who denied three times, is accepted back (Jn 21: 15-19)

 

We are the precious Wheat.
Jesus opens our hearts and minds to have a “realistic understanding” of life. 

>> We need to be patient with ourselves and with others…

… in dealing with sin and with evil tendencies
Of course, as humans, we do many times… 

… bite our teeth in anger glaring at the inhumanness in our society and the world

… lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying

… go mad in encountering silly disputes and indifferences in our families & communities

… have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

 
But the Lord says.. “Hold On”….

 

Surely, we have our emotions and feelings when we come across unjust situations..

 

But the Lord says:

” Do your best…and leave the rest to Me!

 Aim for perfection….but give not into despair because of devastations!”

 

 

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility…

… and even the obligation to seek to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

 

But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…

…either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the Church.

 
The Lord, the Final and the Supreme Judge, will make sure, that “Good finally triumphs over the evil!”

>> “The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will collect out of His Kingdom, all who cause others to sin and evildoers…

… the Righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of Their Father!” (Mt 13: 41, 43).
As the national motto of India says: “Satyam eva jayate” (Truth alone triumphs!”)

Let us have recourse to the Awesome and Ultimate Power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

 
Today, let us seek the intercession of Great Saintly Doctor of the Church , St Alphonsus Liguori – the Patron Saint of Theologians – on his feast day.

>> His life was lived in purpose and clarity, seeking the Will of God, in the midst of the many confusing and deviant ways of the world

>> His being was filled with determination, despite the many heresies and anti-faith philosophies that cropped up in his time.

As we thank the Lord for another month in our lives, let us offer this new month of August into the Providential Hands of our God…

… knowing and trusting that He will ultimately cause “Everything for our good” (Rom 8:28)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jesus in the Gospels loves to use simple, tiny and insignificant objects, to project His message of the Kingdom! 
Today He uses the example of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven in describing the Might of the Kingdom!

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!

The mustard seed & leaven would’ve hardly received any attention in the normal sense…

>> But Jesus, the Master Artist paints these li’l objects into the Mighty Canvas of the Kingdom & delivers a powerful message…
>> The Kingdom of God has its humble beginnings…

… but it develops into a Powerful Force!
>> The Kingdom of God often starts very insignificantly…

… but it expands into a Huge Reality!
>> The Kingdom of God initiates in an unnoticed manner…

… but it enlarges into an Influential Entity!

Little Is Much when God is in It!

The mustard seed develops into a Tree, which renders shelter to the birds of the air (Mt 13: 31-32)…..

• The sinners find a solace in this Tree….

• The sick encounter support in this Tree..

• The rejected have a remedy in this Tree…

• The cast-outs meet consolation in this Tree….

• The prostitutes experience peace in this Tree…

The leaven which is little, makes the whole mass of dough to rise (Mt 13:33)…

• The rod in Moses’ hand – a shepherd’s ordinary crook – became a mighty symbol of God’s Power

• The jawbone with Samson – a decaying useless bone – became an instrument of killings thousands of enemies!

• The stone in David’s hand – an unnoticed stone – became the means of conquering the gigantic Goliath!
Little Is Much When God is in It!

>> We live in times when many things are explained or rejected in terms of science, psychology, post-modern modern philosophies and assorted spiritualities 
>> We live in times when Material values and worldly attitudes are corroding our lives.
>> We live in times when ethical Principles and traditional virtues often get kicked into the backyard!

Times are bad. 

>> Times are worsening. 

>> Times are sickening… 
Times, are even, sometimes seen hopeless and scary and terrifying!

>> But we also ought to realize that…many things, that cannot be discovered and understood through the microscope of science and modern theories can be discovered by looking through the eye of faith!

Massive things can be seen and achieved by looking through the miniscule eye of Faith!

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!!

Today we celebrate the Feast of a Great Saint – St Ignatius of Loyola…

… the founder of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuit Fathers.
He was a man with a lot of worldly ambitions and gripped with seeking vain glory.
But an incident, wherein, he was bed-ridden, as a result of a leg injury, brought a transformation in his life.

>> Not finding any other books to read, he was handed over the “Life of Saints”, which made him to prompt himself to ask a question: “Why am I using my life just for myself? These people did so much good during their time on earth. Why can’t I?”
St Ignatius was at the “bored and unexcited” phase of his life…

… yet the Lord would use “that” situation, to bring a transformation in his life.

Maybe, many of us are also going through a “bored and unexcited” phase of our life…

… feeling uncertain about the future

… experiencing worry about the past

… troubled by the anxieties of the present.
Yet, the Lord is with us…

… to transform us and to renew us!

What is needed is our self-giving…

… little and small as we are: let us offer our lives to the Lord

… broken and disturbed as we are: let us give ourselves to the Lord

>> Little is much, when God, is in it!

Yes, our efforts and attempts to spread God’s Kingdom may be just minor…

  … like the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.
But let us always realize and trust:

>> Little Is Much When God is in It!!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the common yet interesting legendary stories goes thus…
Archimedes was a Greek scientist – a young man of 22 years old – renowned for his work in mathematics, mechanics and physics.
One day Archimedes was summoned by the king Hiero of Syracusans to investigate if he had been cheated by a goldsmith. 

>> The king said he had given a goldsmith the exact amount of gold needed to make a crown. 
However, when the crown was ready the king suspected that the goldsmith cheated some silver into the crown, keeping some of the gold for himself.

>> The king then asked Archimedes to solve the problem. 
Struggling to find the answer to the problem, Archimedes decided to freshen himself with a bath.
With his clothes off, as Archimedes immersed himself into the bathtub.

>> And as he lowered himself, the water level in the bathtub rose and overflowed…
This phenomena, of the “water overflowing” caused Archimedes to realize: the amount of water displaced depended on how much of his body was immersed into the bathtub.

>> This simple observation helped him to get the solution to his problem.

This discovery excited him so much that he jumped out of the tub and ran through the streets naked…

… shouting ‘Eureka, Eureka!’ 

>> A word in Greek which means, ‘I have found it! I have found it!’.  
What about us?

>> Have we had a “Eureka – I have found It” experience?

A discovery transforms Life!

 Every age has its own discoveries and inventions which have transformed the lives of human beings.

 

These could be the discovery…

… of logical thought, of using stone tools, of fire…

… of domestication, of the wheel, of mathematics and other sciences…

… of metalworking, of language, of paper and the printing press…

… of many medicines…etc etc…

 

>> A discovery, indeed, transforms Life!

 

Discovering God, as the Supreme Treasure of One’s Life is the Greatest Transformation, one can ever have! 

>> Have I discovered God as The Most Important and Matchless Treasure of my Life?

 

 

The Gospel of the day presents three parables (Mt 13: 44-52)…

… which speak on the Kingdom of God and an Invitation to each one of us to discover Its Pristine value!
1. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure:

 The olden days had the practice of hiding one’s treasure like jewellery or money in the field…

… especially in contexts of wars or natural calamities or foreign invasions. 
Sometimes, this hidden treasure remained unclaimed or forgotten…

… and was discovered by some “lucky” persons! 

>> The Parable describes one such person who discovered a treasure.

 
According to the Palestinian laws of that time, the mere finding of a buried treasure did not entitle the finder to possess it, unless he also owned the property in which it was found.

>> The Discoverer of our Parable does that…

… Gives up everything, for the Matchless Treasure!

 

>> King Solomon gave up all offers of wealth, long life or vengeance on enemies…

… for the Treasure of the Wisdom of God! ( I Kg 3:9)

>> The Samaritan Woman, was “lucky” to meet the Thirsty Man by the well… 

… and she discovered Him to be the Treasure of her life! (Jn 4:29)

 

The parable dares to offer ourselves totally for the sake of the Discovery of the Kingdom!

 

 

2. The Parable of the one in search of Pearls

Pearls were the most costliest and the most sought-after.

>> The trader of our Parable is on a Mission…a clear-cut mission, to discover the Fine Pearls… He is single minded in His search… He is focused on what he wants, in his task.

 

He has an amazing passion and a dedication to discover the best!

 

>> Jacob of the Old Testament was resolute in receiving a Pearl of blessing from the Angel of God (Gen 32:27)

>> Mary Magdalene was persevering in her search for the Lord, the Pearl of her life ( Jn 20:11)

 

The Parable dares us to be totally dedicated and zealous in our Discovery of the Kingdom!

 3. The Parable of the Fishing Net

 This parable is an invitation to accept the hard and unpleasant realities in our life and to make the necessary changes and amendments.

>> Not everything is goody-goody when it comes to spiritual life…

>> Not all is well when we consider the life in the Church…

>> Not all is ok in our personal or family or societal life!

 

We need to strive to cast away the unwanted elements…

… and thus be willing to live a purified and sanctified life!

 

>> The People of Nineveh gave up their sinful life to embrace a life in God Yahweh (Jon 3:5)

>> Zacchaeus was boldly able to throw the unwanted aspects of his life after encountering Jesus (Lk 19:8)

 

The parable dares us to cast away the unbecoming aspects of our life, in our Discovery of the Kingdom!

 

 

These 3 parables when applied to our personal spiritual life, would also give us the 3 key Virtues, that forms the basis of a True Spirituality:

1. Renunciation: “The parable of the Hidden Treasure” is a call to renounce our everything in order to Possess the Kingdom. (Mt 19:21)

2. Longing: “The Parable of the one in search of the pearls” is a call to have an intense thirst and longing for Jesus and His Kingdom!

 3. Humility: “The Parable of the fishing net” is a call to humble ourselves and acknowledge our limitations and weaknesses so as to grow in perfection of the Kingdom!

 
 Let us discover…

>> A true Spirit of Renunciation…

>> A fervent heart of Longing…

>> A gentle mind of Humility…

 

Yes, a discovery can transform life!

>> King Solomon discovered the need to boldly choose the Wisdom of God over all other things (I Kg 3:9)

>> Paul discovered a great Trust in God’s Providence by saying, “all things in life happens for good! (Rom 8:28)

 

 Have I discovered God as The Most Important and Matchless Treasure of my Life?

Let us seek the Lord, more fervently and deeply…

… immersing ourselves into the waters of repentance and new life

>> And thus coming out of it, with an excited shout of discovery: 

“Eureka, Eureka! I have found It!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Hello…

>> Let’s check our phone please….
Do we have a Miss Call from Jesus?
The world is fast-paced. 

>> Some of us are always on the move

>> Some of us are always on our feet
From very early dawn to very late dusk… 

… we’re frenzied with activities & works & efforts & exertions.

Life gives us ample excuses to get busy, isn’t it?

Our cultures sometimes even measures our worth by how busy we are… 

….determines our significance by how much we accomplish… 

….assesses our importance by how well we meet the expectations of others!

We are often under the yoke of proving to be ‘Somebody’ by what “we do”…

…than by what “we are”!
In this busy dizzy frenzied life…

… The Lord calls our attention to Himself: “Check your phone please…. Do you have a Miss Call from ME?” 

We celebrate today the Feast of St Martha.

The moment St Martha is mentioned, our minds immediately paint a picture of a working lady, in the kitchen… 

>> Perhaps a little irritated and vexed, that she alone has to do the serving for Jesus, the Guest.
She is also considered, often, in low tones, in comparison to her sister, Mary.

But on this her feast, we shall try to look closer into the life of this Saint… 

… who sadly often remains touted only as an irritated and perplexed kitchen-lady…

>> And instead learn some important lessons from this Lovely Saint, for our Spiritual Life: 

1. The Hospitable Martha 

The first images of Martha is of one who loved to serve and attend to the needs of the Lord. 

>> Jesus found a home and a resting place in this house of Bethany (Lk 10:38)
2. The Complaining Martha

This popular image of Martha is a reality in this down-to-earth Saint. She is naturally worried, that she is left alone in serving the Divine Lord.
She even tends to demand the Lord to ask her sister, Mary to help her (Lk 10:40)
3. The Loved Martha

The Apostle of Love, St John, describes Martha as “the one who was loved by the Lord”(Jn 11:5)
4. The Sorrowful Martha

At the death of her brother Lazarus, Martha expresses deep sorrow and grief.
>> Her simple humanness comes to the light once again. (Jn 11:19)
5. The Trustful Martha

Though her brother died, the coming of Jesus to her home, was a great occasion for Martha to express her trust and confidence that the Lord can work wonders and great signs. (Jn 11:22)
6. The Believing Martha

Martha rose to the occasion when Jesus demands an expression of faith…
>> Parallel to Peter’s Faith Confession (Mt 16:16), Martha articulates her belief & conviction (Jn 11:27)
7. The Bold Martha

An often overlooked fact is that Jesus was often under the ire of the Pharisees and the Elders of the Law – some of them even plotting to kill this “emerging Reformer and Restorer” of the Law.
Jesus was at a constant risk to His life.

>> And yet, the Bold Martha is courageous and daring to accept the Lord into her home and to render him a shelter and a safe haven.

St Martha serves an inspiration to us, involved in much work and yet seeking to find a home in the heart of the Lord…
St Martha becomes a model to us…

>> Having human frailties and weakness…

… and yet wanting to tread the path of Holiness.

St Martha proves to be an example to us who gets discouraged by worries and brokenness in life…

… and yet wanting to honour to the Lord with a life of faith and strong belief.
The key is … “To Pay Attention To The Lord”
St Martha perhaps..

… had one Missed Call from the Lord: ” Martha Martha, you are anxious about many things” (Lk 10:41)….
>> But the next time onwards..she was ready to answer…!

Hello…

>> Let’s check our phone please….
Do we have a Miss Call from Jesus?

Happy Feast of St Martha!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 One of the most famous persons who had been greatly impressed and influenced by the Holy Bible was Mahatma Gandhi.

 

He once made a statement, which would make all of us…

… to examine deeply our level of love for the scriptures

… to make relevant changes in order to match our lives with the teachings of the Bible

 

 

This statement goes thus:

 “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet.

>> But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature!”

 

 

Now, that indeed is a mightily powerful statement isn’t it?

 

 

That’s an intense statement..

.. of, on one side, our Sacred Scripture being acknowledged…

>> as having tremendous power to transform

>> as having remarkable force to bring about changes

 

… and yet, on the other side, We, the caretakers and promoters of the Bible – the Christians – being people…

>> who give very minimal respect and reverence

>> who fail to find the worth of the treasure that is in possession!

 

 

Well, it is left to each one of us.. to examine, in the light of this statement, whether…

… the Holy Bible has become a constant and regular companion of my life

… the Sacred Scriptures have become a catalyst for effecting personal transformation

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful explanation, by Jesus, of the Parable of the Sower and through it, a reminder for us to revive our delight in and our dedication to, in living the Word of God.

 

 

The famous author Mark Twain once said:

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture which they cannot understand;

>> But as for me, I have always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me most, are those which I do understand.”

 

 

The passage in consideration – the explanation of the Parable of the Sower ( Mt 13: 18-23) – is surely one which has come very often under our scanner of reflection and meditation.

 
We almost know each of its elements in detail:

• The Sower sows the seed

• Some fall on the wayside and birds devour them

• Some fall on the rock and after a quick sprouting, wither away

• Some fall among the thorns and fail to grow, suffocated by its choke

• Some fall on the good seed and yield – a thirty, a sixty and a hundred fold

 

We also have understood its applications in our life

 

Yet, very often, its implications fail to take root in us and we remain indifferent or casual regarding the Seed – the Precious Word of God!

 
Today, therefore, the Lord once again seeks to awaken our minds and shake our lethargic minds, in seeking to revive our love and enthusiasm for His Word.

 

 

Here are some of the practical pointers for self-introspection, towards this objective…

 
1. What is my reading habit with respect to the Bible – God’s Word…?

 

>> Have I read the Bible fully, atleast once?

 … If YES… why not make efforts to read “the beautiful expressions in God’s love-letters”, once again

 … If NO… why not make a bold step to try to read the Bible fully, at least once.

 

• One could perhaps, start with some of the easier books/sections of the Bible.. maybe, the New Testament, or the Psalms etc…

 

• Sometimes we might feel too bored or disinterested to pick up the pages of the Old Testament – some passages might seem even disturbing or distressing.

 

Yet, when we understand that those were some of the societal manners that existed back then, and Scriptures were written by human authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in concrete life-situations, we would be able to appreciate them much better
We also need to understand that the Old Testament has a “typology”…

… a way of reading Scripture, in which a person or event in the Old Testament foreshadows a greater person or event in the New Testament.
This way of a “typology” reading will help us to have a greater appreciation for the Old Testament, and also help us to understand the depth of the Biblical Truth.
 

>> Can I set apart, daily, at least a few minutes to read the Bible?

 

>> Can I make genuine efforts to memorize at least a few verses from the Bible?

• These verses can be invoked in our moments of prayer, in our moments of needing spiritual strength, in our moments of deepening the faith etc.

 

 

2. What is my effort and dedication in putting into practical effect, the Bible – God’s Word…?

 

>> Am I a person who only simply reads the Bible – without making efforts to understand it, or one who fails to try to put into practice what I learn from God’s Word?

 

>> Is my love for the Word of God only finding expression in forwarding ‘Daily Bible Verses’ through social media sites/apps, emails or sms’s or do I also try to apply and live those verses in my day-to-day activities?

 

>> These days, we have access to – especially through the internet and many magazines and books – an innumerable amount of Bible Study material, explanations on the Bible, sermons and reflections etc.

• Do these become a springboard for me to personally learn more and deepen my spiritual bond with the Lord of the Word; or do I only take these, without making any personal reflection and use it for giving sermons, talks etc.

 

>> Has the Word become a personal and intimate life-giver for me and do I have a deep thirst to know and grow more in the Word?

 

 

 

As Christians, we are privileged and prized – to possess the Precious Book of God’s Salvific acts – in the Holy Bible.

 

As it is said, “The BIBLE contains B(asic) I(nstructions) B(efore) L(eaving) E(arth)”

 

 

The Bible…

… is a treasury of immense love

… is a source of unmatched transformative power

.. is a supplier of unparalleled strength and grace towards salvation

 
Do I treat it just an ordinary piece of literature, a lifeless object to be just decorated (or in some cases, dusted and dirtied) and a book of sacredness but still untouched and unexplored…

 

…or can I discover It to be the mighty Source, containing the immensity of God’s Power and encountering the Lord Himself, “Who is the Word – that became flesh and dwells among us”?

May we seek the intercession of St Alphonsa, whose feast we celebrate today…

… and pray for the grace to grow in our understanding of our Faith and the love of the Lord!

Let us cease to treat the Holy Bible – God’s Word – as a mere piece of literature…

… rather, discover that it ‘contains enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet’.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Let’s begin our reflection today with one verse prior.. 

>> Jesus in Mt 13:9 says, “He who has ears, let him hear!”

Two ones are two. 

>> Two twos are four. 

>> Two threes are six. 

>> Two fours are eight, 

>> Two fives are ten….
Remember having learnt the multiplication table by constant, loud repeating until you knew them by heart?
When we hear what we say, it gets into our heart….

>> It’s vital to hear well, so that it gets drilled into our heart!

It is interesting to notice how the Bible often uses some part of the human body to make an important spiritual observation or illustrate an principal Biblical truth…

… as does this verse: “He who has ears, let him hear!”

“God has given us two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk.”

The Bible talks in many places about this very practical and crucial habit of listening. 
Jesus, the teacher-par-excellence, reminds His listeners to become aware of the Importance of hearing…and hearing it fully and well!

Jesus lived in times when technological advancements were still a distant reality. 

>> Memory Chips, Recording Devices, Video Capturing Units were nowhere in use. 

To Communicate a message and instill it in the memory of the people was not an easy task…. 

>> But Jesus is the great illustrator..the Master Story Teller!

He loved to use common and practical examples to get His point through…

>> He would see the field…

… and proclaim the Parable of the Sower and related parables….
>> He would see the sheep…

… and enlighten with the Parable of the Good Shepherd…
>> He would see the vineyard…

… and impart the Parable of the Vineyard…
>> He would see the many day-to-day items…

… and convey the Parables of the Mustard Seed, the Salt, the Light, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Lost Coin….etc….

Jesus painted pictures in the minds of His listeners…….A classical artist indeed!

But why Parables?

Jesus says, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been granted to you, but not to them!” (Mt 13:11)…

… and quotes Isaiah, “they look but they do not see and hear but do not listen or understand!” (Mt 13:14)

Is Jesus wanting to keep the people away from believing? 

>> Certainly No!

Let us look to Prophet Isaiah to get clarity on this verse…
Prophet Isaiah was ridiculed and mocked by his listeners for being too plain and simple in his message!

>> His critics in fact, even accuses him of talking childish language.. “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast??” ( Is 28:9)
And despite this simple and plain talk, his listeners failed to listen…

… they became hard-hearted!

And it is in answer to this cold response, that He encountered from people especially the Pharisees, that Jesus quotes prophet Isaiah, “You shall indeed hear but not understand.. you shall indeed look, but never see!”

>> What a pity…

… when we hear, and yet pretend not to have heard!
>> What a tragedy…

… when we see, and act as if we are blind!

It happens all too often in our lives too…

      • Smoking is dangerous to health… but people still puff up their lives in smoke!

      • Drinking is harmful to good living…but people melt away their lives down the drain!

      • Seat belts and helmets save lives… but people don’t use and risk their lives in accidents & disasters!

>> We know…

… yet we fail to act
>> We see…

… yet we are blind
>> We hear…

… yet we are deaf!

Our Conscience acts similar….

>> The first time we do something we know is wrong, we feel a stab, warning us…

>> The next time we do the same wrong thing, the stab becomes a little less intense….

>> But if we continue in this way, our conscience becomes deadened and we no longer feel any guilt at all…

As Jesus spoke Parables to unbelievers, they resisted His message and their hearts became more hardened!  

>> To those who are open to the truth and those who are spiritually eager…

… the Parables are a great teaching.

>> To those closed in their minds and inflated in pride… the Parables are mere kids stories to be discarded!

Jesus wants us to hear…and know..and discover Him!
Are I really hearing? 

>> Am I really seeing?

>> Am I really open to discover the Divine Truths?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step….

>> The construction of a magnificent building is initiated by the laying of a single brick or a stone…  

>> The art of composing a lovely song starts with gathering of the first strains of melody & lyrics…

>> The discipline of writing a spectacular novel commences with penning down the first few words…
There is power in the first step. 

>> There is magic in the first act. 
And…

… there is much potential in the Sowing of a Little Seed…

We are once again encountering the familiar Parable of the Sower in today’s Gospel Reading… 
The Master Sower is back in the Field, broadcasting the Seeds

>> The Seed is the Word of God.
The Seed is little. 

>> It is tiny. 

>> It is small.
But it can become big. 

>> It can become powerful. 

>> It can become very influential.

The Word of God is powerful…

… but it is in the form of a Seed.

>> It however, contains within it, all the potentials of a new life and fruitfulness!

The Seed has a tremendous potential….

… the potential to be the Living Bread (Jn 6:51) – to sustain life, and to strengthen the weak and fragile.
… the potential to be a Bubbling Fountain (Prov 13:14) – issuing forth pure water that refreshes, cleanses and purifies the dirt of sinfulness.
… the potential to be a Powerful Hammer (Jer 23:29) – building and reconstructing broken and shattered lives.
 … the potential to be a Thick Golden Honey (Ps 19:11) – sweet to the taste and satisfying the spirit in moments of distress and pain.
… the potential to be a Bright, Shining Lamp (Ps 119:105) – exposing the darkness and releasing the light of His purity, holiness and righteousness upon humanity.
… the potential to be a Sharp Two-edged Sword (Heb 4:12) – helping to discern between the good & bad, the holy & the profane and the pure & polluted!
… the potential to be a Mirror ( Jam 1:23) – challenging us to look into our interior and also reflecting the attributes of the Most High God in whose image we are created!
Yes, the Seed has a tremendous potential!

The Divine Sower, today, invites us to share in His Divine Work of broadcasting the Seed…

… and helping it realize its full potentials.

The Prophet Jeremiah was called to this purpose… “to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jer 1:10)

Today we gaze at the Family Photo of our Beloved Saviour…

… and specially recall and cherish the Blessings of God, bestowed on the privileged Grandparents of Jesus & the Parents of Blessed Mother Mary – St Anne and St Joachim…

… on their Feast Day.
Hardly anything is known about Saint Ann and Saint Joachim.

>> But one thing, we know with certainty: The legacy of their daughter, Mary – the Woman entrusted by God the Father to become the Mother of God.

 

 It was their teaching, upbringing and example that helped Mamma Mary…

… to say Her Fiat – Yes, to God.

… to stand firm in the midst of unforeseen events.

… to be strong in the face of immense pain and sufferings!

 
Yes, God chose two simple individuals – Anne & Joachim – to help in His Plan for the Salvation of the world.

>> The little, the tiny and the small become mighty in the Hands of God!

A harvest of manifold blessings, begins with the little, the tiny and the small…

… even as simple as a single Seed!

Let us not be afraid to Sow the Seed in our own situations & circumstances.

Happy Feast of Mamma’s parents to all.

>> May their Li’l Divine Prince bless us! Live Jesus!

Friends love to communicate often…

>> Close relationships always seek for intimacy and closeness.

 

This is our common understanding and experience with respect to Human Friendship.

 

 

The same principle holds good for Divine Friendship too.

>> The Lord loves us & seeks intimacy with us…

… and we who love the Lord, also wish to be closer to Him!

 

 

But do we really know what we are asking for, when we say, “we want to be closer to Him”?

 

 

A mother ‘always’ (hopefully the word “always” still holds good in our society which is sadly losing its way, with respect to traditional values and ethics)

… seeks for the good of her child.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day, presents one such caring mother, who aspires and seeks the best for her children.

 

The mother of Apostles James and John, requests the Lord to grant her children a privileged place in the Kingdom. (Mt 20: 20-21)

 

In her tenderness and affection as a mother, she sought her children be always close to the Lord…

>> But the Lord replies…. “You do not know what you are asking”! (Mt 20: 22)

 

Did she really know what it meant to be ‘Close to the Lord’?

 

And what about us?

>> Do I really know what it means to be ‘close to the Lord’?

 

 

St James enjoyed a privileged place in the Band of the Apostles of Jesus.

 

He was in the Core Group… one of the Three – Peter and John being the other two…

… who had the opportunity to be with the Lord in some of His special and extraordinary moments.

>> Raising the dead daughter of Jairus…

>> Transfiguration on the mountain top….

>> Moments of praying and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane….

 

James was indeed physically close to the Lord..

>> But the Lord today invites James and his brother John…his mother…the disciples…

… and each one of us…to really realize the meaning, of asking to be closer to Him.

 

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… making changes in our lifestyle, to be in accord with the Will of God!

>> Look at the lives of St Joseph… St Paul… St Peter…St Matthew

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… To get out of comfort zones &taking risks in life, for Christ’s sake!

>> Look at the lives of the Good Samaritan…Nicodemus…Simon of Cyrene

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… giving up a sinful life and amending our ways to seek for holiness!

>> Look at the lives of Zacheaus, the Woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan Woman, the Good Thief

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… embracing sufferings that come our way, seeing the Providence of God!

>> Look at the lives of Mother Mary……St John the Baptist….St Stephen…. St Paul

 

 

In asking to be close to the Lord, we also say that…

… Yes Lord, I will share in your cup of suffering.

… Yes Lord, I will join you on the way of the Cross

… Yes Lord, I will unite with your death on the Cross!

 

 

The mother of John and James realized this…

>> That’s why we find her….at the Foot of the Cross (Mt 27:56)

 

The Mother of James and John understood.

>> She got close to Jesus.

>> She remained till the end.

>> She drank the Cup!

 

 

John, also realized this…that’s we find him… at the foot of the Cross (Jn 19: 26-27)

St John understood.

>> He got close to Jesus.

>> He remained till the end.

>> He drank the Cup!

 

 

James also realised this… that’s why we find hi… killed by the sword, in witness to Christ, His Master (Acts 12:2)

 

St James understood.

>> He got close to Jesus.

>> He remained till the end.

>> He drank the Cup!

 

 

The Lord also promises..

He who shares my cup…also shares my Glory!

>> He who shares my cross..also shares my Rising!

 

 

The Apostle James, went close to the Lord… drank the Cup…

… and he shares in the Joy of the Lord

 

 

Today, he intercedes and invites and beckons us, to come closer to the Lord…

… and partake in the Lord’s Joy and Glory!

 

 

Shall we also seek to be close…really close…to our Jesus, our Beloved Friend?

 

 

Happy Feast of the Apostle James!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Thriller Movies have a great audience…>> Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity. 

>> Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand.
Our age loves to be tingled with breathtaking visuals and magnificent signs.

Check out the number of videos and movies and songs we have on our gadgets…

>> Look at the wide range of photos that we shoot and the selfies we click (which perhaps never we may see again!)

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation.
A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….

>> “We seek for greater external signs and wondrous miracles, even to believe in God!”

The Lord, therefore, thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign…”

Signs are not bad.

>> Symbols are not without meaning. 

>> External expressions are not unwarranted. 
They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

The Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…

>> Moses’ rod became a serpent; 

>> Red Sea parted so that God’s people could cross.

>> Water flowed from a rock when Moses struck it.

>> Manna fell from the sky to feed God’s people.

>> Baalam’s ass spoke.

>> Aaron ‘s rod blossomed.

>> The sun stood still at Joshua’s command.

>> Gideon’s fleece became wet and dry according to his request to the Lord. 

>> Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain … ”
Many many examples are available!

  
But when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions…they divorce from their intention!
>> When signs stop being an aid to increase in faith…

… they lose their meaning
>> When symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding…

… they fail in their purpose.

And this is the reason Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…
>> They sought a sign, in order to test…

… but not to believe
>> They asked a sign, in order to satisfy curiosity…

… but not to trust
>> They demanded a sign, in order to scheme evil talks…

… but not to have faith!
Signs become mere external fancies. 

>> Miracles become mere magic shows

The Gospels are not alien to such false and untrue demands…

• At the Birth of Jesus, King Herod sought to see Baby Jesus…not to worship…but to kill Him!

• At the Temptation, Satan tempted to change stones to bread….not to believe…but to lure Him!

• At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Him to perform a sign…not to save Him..but to mock Him!
Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.

>> “…but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!” (Mt 12: 39)

The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles. 

>> Jesus also did.
The Prophets of Old, even performed the great miracles of raising the Dead. 

>> Jesus also did. 
The Prophets of Old, however, were never able to raise themselves from the dead. 

>> But Jesus rose!

Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so was Jesus in the belly of the earth!

>> But Jesus rose….and that has become indeed, the Greatest Sign of all times!

The Pharisees demanded a sign…

>> Jesus answered with a sign…

… the greatest of them all: His Resurrection!

And yet……yet, DID THEY BELIEVE? 

>> The answers can be speculated.

But the question before us is…

>> Am I believing?

>> Am I believing and living, the Power of the Resurrection in my life?

>> Have I reduced the reality of Jesus being Alive, to a mere expression of the lips?

>> Do I also display this Sign in my life, my activities, my words etc – that Jesus is Risen?!

Let us not be carried away by mere External Glitz and Glamour…

>> Let us open our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!

>> Let us become aware to see that He is Risen, and Alive and Working…in amazing ways, in our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most baffling and mysterious aspect in our world is the active & dynamic presence of evil in this world.

Today the Lord Jesus ventures into opening His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives….
Last Sunday, we were with the Generous Sower, who was madly liberal in sowing on different types of soil and which had their corresponding results.

>> This week, we are back to the field…. But our deliberation is not on the Sower or the Seeds…but on the presence of Weeds among the Wheat.

Let the botany in us, focus today on The Weeds…. the Irritable Weeds!
Botanically named Lolium temulentum, the weeds are also called Darnel or Tares. 

>> These weeds have a characteristic of making one feel poisoned with drunkenness, when consumed.  

>> They also have the deceptive characteristic of bearing a close resemblance to Wheat. In fact, these weeds are also called as False Wheat!
So the enemy in the parable…is a Learned Deceiver… 

He sows this deceptive and misleading weed among the innocent and harmless wheat!

But the Lord, the Ultimate Judge gives out a strong, yet strange command, “Let the weeds not be pulled up, lest the wheat be uprooted with them; let them just grow together until harvest!” (Mt 13:29-30)

>> Some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…

… but they are to be boldly lived
>> Some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…

… but they are to be bravely challenged
>> Some problems in life cannot be completely solved…

… but they are to be fearlessly encountered

Here is another hard reality to be digested: 

God uses the very wickedness and injustices of evildoers to perfect his Elect.

>> As the saying goes: “God writes straight, even with crooked lines!”

The triumph and prosperity of the wicked are short-lived…

  …whereas the reward of the Christian who suffer from their wickedness is everlasting. 

Hard and Unpopular and even Impractical statement, right? 

>> But Facts remain facts – we consent or not!

This leads us to a vital aspect of our Practical Christian Living: To be Patient with ourselves and with others…

… in dealing with sin, with unacceptable practices, with unalterable addictions, with evil tendencies, with horrifying obsessions and with abominable disgraces.
Often…

… we lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying

… we have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

… we bite our teeth in anger glaring at the atrocities and inhumanness in our society and the world

… we go mad in encountering silly disputes and appalling indifferences in our families & communities
But the Lord says: “Hold On….!”

>> Do your best…and leave the rest to Me! 

>> Aim for perfection….but be not saddened by scandals…

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility and even an obligation to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

>> But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…

… either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the church.

>> The Ultimate Eliminator is the Lord Himself…

>>The Supreme Conqueror is the Lord Himself!

Is it all too abstract, theoretical & impractical talks?… 

… NO!

St Paul gives an assurance in Romans 8:26-27: 

” The Spirit comes to our aid in our weaknesses. He Himself will intercede for us, when we co-operate with Him.”
And God Who is all-powerful shares His Omnipotence with us…

… in the Holy Sacraments

… in Prayer

… in the Bible

… and in the Church
Let us tap this power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

>> Let us try to do our utmost….but let us also permit to encounter disappointments…!

>> Let us strive for the finest….but let us fret not too much over failures and frustrations…!
The Lord knows all. 

>> The Lord sees all. 

>> The Lord has the perfect solution to all.

St Faustina would say…”our sins and weaknesses and miseries are like little sticks, before the burning furnace of the Love of God”. 

Let us throw our little sticks into this burning furnace…

>> Let God be God in our Lives – the Ultimate Judge and Defeater of all Evil!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!