A young priest was set for his first preaching.

>> He had chosen the theme, “Revival in Christian Life”.
 Filled with enthusiasm and zeal, he began his sermon and breaking the Word of God.

>> Within a few moments, the young preacher was able to attract the appeal and attention of the audience.
 

The reason was not just his eloquence in preaching, his depth in reflection and his conviction in speaking…

… it was also a mispronouncing that was drawing the attention of the audience.
His theme was “Revival in Christian Life”.

> But due to his slight speech impediment, it was heard as “Rebible in Christian Life”!
 

The audience did not mind that, as that was also a tremendous message being put across!

Yes, Revival in Christian Life emanates from having a “Rebible in Christian Life – “Re-Bible!”

>> How strong is my Christian Life centred around the Bible- God’s Word and its proper interpretation?

>> How interested am I in having a deeper understanding of His Word and applying it my daily living?

… Or am I a person who gets stuck with my own interpretations and understanding of Scriptures, which fails to evoke any effects in my personal life?
 

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with a group of people, who got stuck in their own “comfortable zones” of interpreting and understanding the Scriptures…

… failing to be open to the True Author of the Scriptures

>> And thus failing to tread the path of mercy, compassion and charity.

The Gospel passage is another Sabbath Day controversy.
Jesus is in the synagogue, teaching and proclaiming God’s Word.

>> His words would bring strength and courage to those in despair

>> His teaching would fill with hope those who were stranded on the peripheries of life

>> His preaching would invigorate those who were sapped of energy and felt themselves rejected.

Among those who heard Him in the synagogue, was a “a man whose right hand was withered” (Lk 6: 6)

It’s not mentioned how did he began to have a withered hand…

… maybe he was born so

… maybe he met with an accident

… maybe he had a sickness which made it so
 

But having a withered right hand had its own implications and difficulties to pose.
Right hand in the Bible, usually refers to..

… being the hand of blessing

… being the hand of strength

… being the hand of labour

So this man with the withered right hand is portrayed as being…

… disfigured in his purpose and goals of life

… pitiable in being rendered weak and sort of helpless

But more than this man with the physical disability, there were also some others, who had a “withered mentality” – the Pharisees

>> They had God, the source and origin of the Law, as their “right hand”

>> They had the privilege of learning and knowing the Scriptures, as their “right hand”

But, unfortunately, we find them with “withered”…

… Their focus on God, the purpose and goal of the Law was “withered”!

… Their opportunity to interpret and understand the Scriptures properly was “withered”!
 

To the man who had the physically withered right hand, Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand” (Lk 6:10)
Probably these words were also directed or perhaps intended more for the Pharisees who were “withered” in their understanding and mentality regarding the Law and the Author of the Law Himself!
Jesus was asking them to “stretch out their hands” which were withered…

… because they failed to understand the basic purpose of God’s Law which was aimed at reflecting on God’s Goodness and to reflect the same in their lives

… because they were stuck to their own rigid and arrogant interpretation of God’s Word and failed to put into practise the real meaning of God’s Word which is to do good, show mercy and extend charity

 

Are those words, “stretch out your hand” being directed to us also?

… Are we failing to centre our lives on the Precious Gift that God has blessed us with – His Holy Word in the Holy Bible – and failing to make efforts to read, learn more and understand God’s Word properly and effectively
… Do we consciously cultivate practices which help us to set apart time (on a daily, regular basis) to read the Bible and reflect and shape our lives, in the light of the Holy Word of God?
… Do we remain rigid, obstinate and closed to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us, through different sermons, write-ups, talks etc. on the Word of God and allow transformations to happen in my life?
… Do we be zealous to learn God’s Word more deeply, to know Him more and to cultivate a personal taste to understand the Scriptures better with self-reflection?
 

Our Blessed Lord invites and exhorts us to have a “Revival in our Christian Lives”

>> And this experience of “Revival” should spring forth from a practice of “Re-Bible”!

May our Blessed Lord help us to have a “Re-Bible” in our Christian Lives and experience “the sweetness of honey” (Ps 119:103) in His Holy Word!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It’s a Friday…

… the scene over a small hillock
>> The mid-day sun shining bright and hot but preparing itself to slowly fade into darkness and tepidity…

A sparse number of people were around…

>> Some indifferent ones gazing from far…

>> Some proud ones standing on the ground…

>> Some broken ones on their knees…

Three were suspended on the Cross…

One of them…

… in Excruciating Pain, yet Majestic and Glorious in His Character and Nobility…

>> With a disposition of Graciousness and Goodness, spelled out into a loud, yet compassionate exclamation: “Father, forgive them…they know not what they do”
 

This cry of the Son of God – Jesus – from the Cross to His Father, on behalf of the sinful & strayed humanity…

… was a statement that summarized His life-long mission: To forgive, to bring back the lost & to give hope to the strayed ones!
 

The Gospel of the Day presents this teaching of the Lord, which He lived in His life and perfectly climaxed on the Cross: To forgive, to bring back the lost and to give hope to the strayed ones!

Last Sunday, the Gospel exhorted us to “deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him” (Mt 16:24)

>> This exhortation is given a practical dimension in today’s Gospel…

… with a strong accent on the need to grow ourselves in the aspect of Active Forgiveness and to make eager and earnest efforts to bring back a lost person and to render hope and optimism to the wayward hearts.
 

Just a few verses before today’s passage, we have in Mt 18: 10-14, the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
The shepherd loves all his hundred sheep…

…  yet, when one gets strayed, he makes “an out-of-the-way effort” to get the lost one back.

>> He doesn’t give up on the strayed.

>> He doesn’t desert the lost.

>> He doesn’t abandon the one gone from his circle.
 

This attitude of “taking an extra pain” and “dripping an extra sweat” would seem weird and strange to a calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modernistic period…

>> Is it not a waste of time to go after the “lost sheep” –  of an obsessed drug-addict or a habitual drunkard or a consistent smoker?
>> Is it just too futile to awaken a “lost sheep” – of a soul in slumber, where there is no focus on spiritual life, where there is slackness of prayer and sacraments and where worldliness and materialism have crept and conquered?
>> Is it of any use to go after the “lost sheep” –  of a couple who are constantly bickering and a family which is broken up with regular fights and misunderstandings?
>> Is there any sense in trying to restore the “lost sheep” – of a community whose members seem disinterested, who are lethargic, who have their own personal and hidden agenda and who always back-talk and back-bite?
>> Is it just not meaningless to revive the “lost sheep” – of a society or a nation where corruption has taken deep-roots in hearts of people and all sincere efforts of transformation often gets dumped into the bin?
 

The True Shepherd however, in all such situations, of the sheep being lost, makes an extra effort in getting them back.
This same Shepherd today invites us, through the Gospel of the Day, to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.
A series of steps are enshrined to make this “seemingly not-so-pleasant” task happen!

1. Engaging in a mutual dialogue     

2. Engaging in a small-group interchange      

3. Engaging in a communitarian initiative
 

Why is it a “seemingly not-so-pleasant” task?
Mt 18:15 says,” If YOUR brother sins against YOU…“
 

Can we read it again…
… YOUR bro sins against YOU….

Now that sounds crazy, isn’t it?
>> Why should I…I be doing that?

Someone hurts me…should I go?

>> Someone wounds me…should I restore?

>> Someone harms me…should I reconcile?

>> Someone kills me mentally…should I patch up?

>> Someone spoils my name…should I take the lead?

Well.. the Gospel of the Day…simply says, ” If YOUR brother sins against YOU…”

…Then….YOU TAKE THE LEAD, TO GET THINGS RIGHT!

>> YES… You!
But we ask WHY?

>> WHY ME?!
 

This WHY may not get answered so easily or convincingly..
But the One who gave this exhortation, makes us to focus our attention back on the small hillock, on the Friday…

>> With the mid-day sun slowly fading into darkness…

… with hands stretched on the Cross with deep pain, crying: “Father, forgive them…they know not what they do!”

Tough words to hear on a relaxed Sunday, right?
Christianity is wonderful…

… but Christianity is also a task!

The Obligation of Sunday duties ought to get actualized and lived in all the other weekdays of our life!

 
Let’s embrace this task of the Lord…

… to forgive, to bring back the lost and to give hope to the strayed ones!

The Good Shepherd preached it…

>> The Good Shepherd lived it in His life…

>> The Good Shepherd perfected it on the Cross.

We, His little Sheep, are now exhorted the same…

Let us break the chains of our ego and pride…

… and in humility and gentleness, reach out to the lost ones!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The story goes of a large castle which lay abandoned for a large number of years.

>> Being considered haunted or jinxed, it failed to have buyers.
 

But a young man, without giving heed to any of those fears, purchased it.
 

The castle had a large attic, with a huge number of things being dumped in it.

>> The man decided to take up the task of cleaning this attic.
 

While cleaning, the man found, in the corner of the attic, a very old vase, fully covered with dust!

>> Taking it in his hands, as he began to wipe it with a cloth, the man discovered that it was a priceless item that he was holding on!

It was a Diamond Vase!
 

Unnoticed, uncared  and undiscovered…

… the Diamond Vase, on being dusted, became a priceless “bonus” for that man.

How often in our lives, we too have many such “Diamond Vases” – unnoticed, uncared  and undiscovered.

>> It’s highly essential that time and again, we dust off the “unnoticed, uncared  and undiscovered” entities in life, to discover their preciousness!
 

One of such “Diamond Vases” are the precious and timeless truths that can be discovered from the Holy Bible.
 

Today we shall attempt to “wipe off” the dust from a precious teaching – the Sabbath  – to reveal its greater implications in our life and to discover its preciousness!
 

The Gospel of the day is another Sabbath controversy.
 

While going through the grain-fields, the disciples of Jesus plucked and ate some of the heads of grain (Lk 6: 1)

>> But this supposedly forbidden “act of work” was “caught” by the Law Policemen – the Pharisees.
 

Probably, the disciples had not thought of the fact that they were now enjoying the status of being “special celebrities” – since they were the close associates of the Rising mega-star – Jesus!

>> And mega-stars and special celebrities always get followed, isn’t it?
Each of their movement is followed… 

>> Each of their talk is taped!
 

Thus, Jesus and His disciples also found themselves being followed and observed, in all their actions and talks!
 

The point of contention was the Sabbath Rule – which as per the Pharisees, rendered the “work of the disciples” – plucking and eating the heads of grain – as being unlawful and therefore, culpable!
 

When we seek to trace the the original purpose of “Sabbath”, we could consider a couple of aspects:
1. The “Law” of Sabbath at Creation

If Sabbath can be considered as a “Law”, then it goes to say without doubt that the Law of Sabbath was a “principle of creation” itself.
Gen 2: 3: “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, He rested from all the work he had done in creation”

>> This “Law” of Sabbath therefore, even precedes the Mosaic Law!
It is very interesting to note the pattern of creation that is mentioned in the Book of Genesis.
The Creation is mentioned as happening on a 7-day format.

>> It can be observed that on all the 6 days, it is mentioned, “evening came and morning followed” (Gen 1:5b, 1: 8b, 1:13, 1: 19, 1: 23, 1: 21b)
>> The phrase or the usage, “Evening came and morning followed” refers to the completing of a day.
But the 7th day doesn’t have this mention!

What is this pointing towards…?
 The 7th day is not complete… it is being continued.

>> It is unending… i.e. Eternal!

Therefore, the 7th Day… the Day on which God “rested” is being continued…. into eternity!

>> So when God calls to “rest” on a Sabbath day, it could be a reference and a reminder to enter “a rest into eternity!”
 

That’s wonderful, isn’t it?
>> The Sabbath becomes a reminder that we are created to “enter into a rest with God” which is eternal and unending!

>> The Sabbath becomes a prefiguration of eternal life – the purpose of all our works and activities!

Can we cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule? 
Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….

… we express our willingness to God saying: ” Yes Lord, I am readying myself for the Eternal Rest that you are promising me”!

… we display our eagerness to God saying: “Yes Lord, I am constantly preparing myself to enjoy an Eternal bliss with You!”
2. The Law of Sabbath in the Mosaic Law

The Book of Deuteronomy explicates this Sabbath Law:

“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labour and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God….

…You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
 

Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Dt 5: 12-15)
The Sabbath Law in the Mosaic Law was a reminder that God was their Rescuer from the land of slavery and therefore, He was their God and they, His people.

Can we also cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule?
Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….

… we are reminded that we were also once, slaves – to sin.

>> But our Blessed Lord, has rescued us from slavery and wishes that we deepen our love, commitment and faithfulness to Him, Our Saviour!
 

… we are exhorted that it is very much possible that we can become slaves again – maybe to sinful tendencies, to money, to power, to position, to various vices etc.

>> But with constant examination of oneself and a renewing of one’s dedication and pledge to God, we can remain as His own people.
 

Knowingly or unknowingly, we have sometimes failed to keep the Sabbath Law or perhaps, failed to attach any special importance to it…
The Sabbath Day, sometimes, becomes…

… just another “ordinary” day for us

… a day to indulge in laziness and lethargy

… a day to complete pending works and even ending up doing extra works!
 

But can we grow beyond such practices and seek to restore the original intents of the Sabbath.

>>  A faithful and dutiful keeping of the Sabbath Law is a vital expression of we, as Christians, being a distinct people – chosen to lead all others towards the Love of God!

May we seek the Grace to uncover many more “Diamond Vases” contained in the Holy Scripture, by wiping off the dusts of ignorance and indifference!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A teacher in her classroom of Second Standard students, once explained and gave a lesson on the ‘magnet’ and its functions and uses.

The next day, the teacher conducted a written test.
One of the questions in this test was:

“My full name has six letters.

My name begins with ‘M’

>> One of my functions is to pick up things.

>> Another function is to attract things towards me.
Who am I?”
 

When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to see the answer that was given to this question by over half the class.

Any guesses as to what answer did the children write?
Hmmm….
They wrote the word – “Mother”!
 

The little children, with their own personal experience had seen and witnessed a Mother being the person..

… who would pick up things ( and especially the children!)

… who would attract to herself (especially the children themselves!)
 
 
>> The name “mother” evokes a lot of feelings and emotions…

… Love, affection, tenderness, self-giving, warmth, kind-heartedness etc…
>> The name “mother” also evokes a lot of characters and functions…

… A life-giver, a care-giver, a consoler, a strength, a forgiver, a refuge…
 

>> The name “mother” also evokes a long list of works and tasks that she undertakes…(from a modern perspective!)
(Hold your breath as we go through this lo…ong list!)
CEO of the Household, Chef, Cheerleader of a family, Housekeeper, Hair Stylist, Bed-wetting Patrol Squad, Keeper of Secrets, Food Tester, Family Therapist, Toddler Wrestling Coach, Laundry Machine, Teacher, Toy Repair Expert, Finance Manager, Art Director, Potty Trainer, Search and Rescue Manager, Champion Tickler,  Day-care Provider, Personal Assistant for the entire family, Wardrobe Stylist, Toothbrush Inspector, Birthday Events Director, Sleep Scientist, Dramatic Story Teller, Professional Singer, Kiss and Hugs Expert, Speech Specialist, Vacation Coordinator & Tour Guide, Mrs. Fix-It, Stain Removal Expert, Bodyguard, Pet Caretaker, Marketing Director….etc etc…..
 

Yes, the list is indeed long…very very long…and we can certainly think of many more perhaps!
 

A simple word – Mother – yet evokes so many powerful functions and feelings.
 

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Most Beloved, the Most Loving and the Most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mother Mary!
 

Our world, in the modern trend, fluctuates between two contrasting approaches towards our Blessed Mother.
 

1. Minimal devotion to Mother Mary
On one side, there is a highly sad and deplorable ignoring of the honour and the status that is due to our Blessed Mother.

>> Many consider Her only as an “egg-shell”, whose role and relevance completely ceased, after having given birth to Jesus
>> Many consider Her as just any ordinary woman, who “happened” to be picked by God, so that He could “use” Her to fulfil His plan.
>> Many consider Her to be worthy of absolutely no extra honour and mock at He

2. Exaggerated devotion to Mother Mary
On the other side, there is a “comfortable” and dangerous trend towards exalting Mother Mary to such an extent that She is sometimes accorded the worship of a Goddess or a Deity!
 

>> Many consider devotion to Her being much more important, much more satisfying and much more easier than to God Himself!
>> Many consider expressing their actions of piety and affection to such an extent that even God is sometimes neglected (especially God in the Blessed Sacrament or in the Holy Word)!

But both these extreme understandings and approaches towards Blessed Mother Mary need to have a refinement, a filtering and a restoration towards the right perspectives!
Towards this end, the name “Mary” could be expanded, in the following manner, to help in having a truer appreciation, a genuine devotion and a deeper love for Her: 

>> MARY  – a Model, an Apostle, a Revolutionary, a Yeast
 

1. Mary – is the Model for every Christian
Her life becomes a wonderful example to every person who wishes to follow our Blessed Lord.

>> She remains the perfect Model of being attentive to the voice of God, being actively response to His call and being faithfully committed to every task entrusted to Her
 

2. Mary is the Apostle-par-excellance
As an Apostle of Her Son and Saviour, She always remained in His presence – either physically or in Her thoughts or through Her constant longing for Him

>> She is the Beloved Apostle who had offered Her whole body, mind and soul to the glory of God and fulfilling His every plan
 

3. Mary is the Revolutionary who dared to do God’s Will
Her Yes to the Plan of God, at the Annunciation and Her continual Yes to His Will, even in the moments of the most extreme suffering had the tenacity and the passion of a True Revolutionary.

>> It is hard to follow God’s Will, especially in some moments of crisis;
>> It requires extreme courage and unfailing commitment to be always walking in the path of God
She is the wonderful Revolutionary who dared to always seek and do God’s Will in Her life!
4. Mary is the Yeast who silently fulfilled Her role in the plan of salvation
In the Bible, the words of Mother Mary are fairly minimal; yet Her few words and above all, Her dedicated life speaks volumes of Her role in the Salvific Plan!
 >> She is the unseen Yeast through whom the mighty Grace of God wonderfully worked to raise up the Author of Salvation!

Blessed Mother Mary is our wonderful and beautiful mother, who deserves our greatest affection and love, in a way that draws us more and more towards Her Son, Jesus.
 

May we be encouraged by the words of St Maximilian Kolbe:

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

May the celebration of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, help us to deepen our love towards Her, and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!
As Fulton J Sheen says:

“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.”
 

A wonderful Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

>> We Love you, Dearest Mamma!
 

Happy Feast day to all Her children!

>> May we deepen our love for Her Beloved Son and our Saviour, Jesus!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A teacher in her classroom of Second Standard students, once explained and gave a lesson on the ‘magnet’ and its functions and uses.

The next day, the teacher conducted a written test.
One of the questions in this test was:

“My full name has six letters.

My name begins with ‘M’

>> One of my functions is to pick up things.

>> Another function is to attract things towards me.
Who am I?”
 

When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to see the answer that was given to this question by over half the class.

Any guesses as to what answer did the children write?
Hmmm….
They wrote the word – “Mother”!
 

The little children, with their own personal experience had seen and witnessed a Mother being the person..

… who would pick up things ( and especially the children!)

… who would attract to herself (especially the children themselves!)
 
 
>> The name “mother” evokes a lot of feelings and emotions…

… Love, affection, tenderness, self-giving, warmth, kind-heartedness etc…
>> The name “mother” also evokes a lot of characters and functions…

… A life-giver, a care-giver, a consoler, a strength, a forgiver, a refuge…
 

>> The name “mother” also evokes a long list of works and tasks that she undertakes…(from a modern perspective!)
(Hold your breath as we go through this lo…ong list!)
CEO of the Household, Chef, Cheerleader of a family, Housekeeper, Hair Stylist, Bed-wetting Patrol Squad, Keeper of Secrets, Food Tester, Family Therapist, Toddler Wrestling Coach, Laundry Machine, Teacher, Toy Repair Expert, Finance Manager, Art Director, Potty Trainer, Search and Rescue Manager, Champion Tickler,  Day-care Provider, Personal Assistant for the entire family, Wardrobe Stylist, Toothbrush Inspector, Birthday Events Director, Sleep Scientist, Dramatic Story Teller, Professional Singer, Kiss and Hugs Expert, Speech Specialist, Vacation Coordinator & Tour Guide, Mrs. Fix-It, Stain Removal Expert, Bodyguard, Pet Caretaker, Marketing Director….etc etc…..
 

Yes, the list is indeed long…very very long…and we can certainly think of many more perhaps!
 

A simple word – Mother – yet evokes so many powerful functions and feelings.
 

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Most Beloved, the Most Loving and the Most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mother Mary!
 

Our world, in the modern trend, fluctuates between two contrasting approaches towards our Blessed Mother.
 

1. Minimal devotion to Mother Mary
On one side, there is a highly sad and deplorable ignoring of the honour and the status that is due to our Blessed Mother.

>> Many consider Her only as an “egg-shell”, whose role and relevance completely ceased, after having given birth to Jesus
>> Many consider Her as just any ordinary woman, who “happened” to be picked by God, so that He could “use” Her to fulfil His plan.
>> Many consider Her to be worthy of absolutely no extra honour and mock at He

2. Exaggerated devotion to Mother Mary
On the other side, there is a “comfortable” and dangerous trend towards exalting Mother Mary to such an extent that She is sometimes accorded the worship of a Goddess or a Deity!
 

>> Many consider devotion to Her being much more important, much more satisfying and much more easier than to God Himself!
>> Many consider expressing their actions of piety and affection to such an extent that even God is sometimes neglected (especially God in the Blessed Sacrament or in the Holy Word)!

But both these extreme understandings and approaches towards Blessed Mother Mary need to have a refinement, a filtering and a restoration towards the right perspectives!
Towards this end, the name “Mary” could be expanded, in the following manner, to help in having a truer appreciation, a genuine devotion and a deeper love for Her: 

>> MARY  – a Model, an Apostle, a Revolutionary, a Yeast
 

1. Mary – is the Model for every Christian
Her life becomes a wonderful example to every person who wishes to follow our Blessed Lord.

>> She remains the perfect Model of being attentive to the voice of God, being actively response to His call and being faithfully committed to every task entrusted to Her
 

2. Mary is the Apostle-par-excellance
As an Apostle of Her Son and Saviour, She always remained in His presence – either physically or in Her thoughts or through Her constant longing for Him

>> She is the Beloved Apostle who had offered Her whole body, mind and soul to the glory of God and fulfilling His every plan
 

3. Mary is the Revolutionary who dared to do God’s Will
Her Yes to the Plan of God, at the Annunciation and Her continual Yes to His Will, even in the moments of the most extreme suffering had the tenacity and the passion of a True Revolutionary.

>> It is hard to follow God’s Will, especially in some moments of crisis;
>> It requires extreme courage and unfailing commitment to be always walking in the path of God
She is the wonderful Revolutionary who dared to always seek and do God’s Will in Her life!
4. Mary is the Yeast who silently fulfilled Her role in the plan of salvation
In the Bible, the words of Mother Mary are fairly minimal; yet Her few words and above all, Her dedicated life speaks volumes of Her role in the Salvific Plan!
 >> She is the unseen Yeast through whom the mighty Grace of God wonderfully worked to raise up the Author of Salvation!

Blessed Mother Mary is our wonderful and beautiful mother, who deserves our greatest affection and love, in a way that draws us more and more towards Her Son, Jesus.
 

May we be encouraged by the words of St Maximilian Kolbe:

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

May the celebration of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, help us to deepen our love towards Her, and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!
As Fulton J Sheen says:

“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.”
 

A wonderful Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

>> We Love you, Dearest Mamma!
 

Happy Feast day to all Her children!

>> May we deepen our love for Her Beloved Son and our Saviour, Jesus!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The town of Feldkirch, Austria in 1799 was faced with the prospects of being attacked by the armies of Napoleon.

>> It was an Easter Day and the sun shone brightly, letting the soldiers of the enemy being spotted.
 

The Town Council was called together, in haste, to consult what had to be done.

> It was a situation of tension.

> It was a time of immense distress.
 

After a long period of discussion, the dean of the Church made a proclamation:

“My brothers it is Easter Day!

>> We have been reckoning our own strength, and that fails.
 Let us turn to God.
Ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands”

It was a hard and (humanly speaking) a risky decision, but they agreed to do as he said.

Thus from the Church towers of Feldkirch, rang the boisterous and joyous peals of the bells, in honour of the Resurrection of the Lord.

 >> The streets began to be filled with worshippers, hastening to the Church.

The enemy army, on hearing the sudden ringing of the bells, were taken aback with surprise and shock.

>> They came to a conclusion that the Austrian Army had arrived in order to relieve the place.
 

So they fled hastily!
 

The town of Feldkirch were saved from the possibilities of destruction and ruin!
 

Divine Providence had rescued a tiny town, who placed their trust in Him, from the deathly clutches of a mighty army!
 
Is my life of faith, characterized by a “Deep Trust in Divine Providence”?

 
The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of the marvels that can be witnessed when one place’s one’s complete trust in the Lord and surrenders one’s life – in action and deeds – to the Providence of the Lord.
 

Our Blessed Lord is fully into His ministry of preaching and proclaiming God’s Word (Lk 5:1)
 

The Word was transforming people…

… and in sometime, a wonderful transformation was to happen to a person, who would become a close follower of the Transforming Lord!
 

The crowds were thronging together, to hear the words of Jesus.

>> But, “standing by the lake, Jesus saw two boats by the lake” (Lk 5: 2)
The Gospel says that, “the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets” (Lk 5: 2b)
 

This verse, though little and appears insignificant carries a mighty message: the message of the Power of God’s Providence.

The fishermen, as we would later read, were Simon and James and John and others.

>> They had toiled the whole night… caught no fish, and were now, dejectedly, washing their nets.
 

The boat was empty – bereft of any fish!

>> But Divine Providence had a mighty plan in this “barrenness”
 

>> The emptiness of the boat allowed our Blessed Lord to enter it, and make it His Pulpit for preaching God’s Word!

>> The vacancy in the boat prompted our Blessed Lord to enthrone it, and make it His platform for calling His First Disciples!
 

Had there been fish in the boat…

… in all probability, the fishermen would be in it, sorting and cleaning the fish..

… and would have left no space for the Blessed Lord to preach from it
 

Had there been a mighty catch that night…

… in all probability, the boat, filled with the fish, would not have been there

… and the vehicle of “catching fish” would have missed the chance to be a “podium for proclaiming God’s Word”

Is my life, at this point, empty and barren… like this boat?

>> Maybe its been a long time I have been watching and expecting, patiently and faithfully, for my boat to be filled.

>> Maybe its being a horrible wait, sometimes even leading to frustration and hopelessness, for my boat to be filled
 

But can I trust Divine Providence, in having a purposive plan for this “emptiness and barrenness”?
 

Later on, Simon would be asked by our Lord to “put out into the deep and let the nets down for a catch” (Lk 5: 4)
 

~ It seemed illogical, pointless and hardly reasonable to Simon.

~ It seemed as a confronting questioning of Simon’s skills and abilities in his field of expertise
 

But Simon “let go” of his own prejudices, tiredness and (possible) humiliation…

… and trusted in the Mighty Providence of the One, who would be His Life and Master!
And this Trust did not fail him!
 

> The net was filled with fish…

>> His mind was filled with feelings of awe…

>>> His eyes were filled with tears of repentance…

>>>> His heart was filled with the joy of surrendering…

Here is a beautiful story of how..

A competent fisherman failed utterly in his field of competence…

… but is initiated into being a competent fisher of people, for the Kingdom of God!
 

As Christians, we do claim to be people of faith and belief.

>> But does this “faith” translate itself into real “trust”?
 

>> When hardships come in life… I may proclaim my faith with my lips.. But do I “trust” Him to take me through?
>> When emptiness fills my life.. I may perform external works of faith..But do I “trust” Him to utilize my barrenness, in the way He wants?
>> When toils of life yield no results… I may persist in saying that I have faith… But do I “trust” Him to grant me the fruits of labour, in His own time and in His own measure?
 

And if I really “trust” in the Lord…

… I would be a person of joy, going about my works without anxieties and radiating serenity and calm…

> even when walking through the valleys of sufferings

> even when sinking in the deluge of pain  

> even when surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty!

Yes, let us “let go” of our own fears, apprehensions, preconceptions and pride in order to “fully trust” in the mighty power of God’s Providence…

… and experience His Awesome and Amazing Care for us!
 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Enthusiasm” is a very remarkable word.
This word, “enthusiasm” is derived from two Greek words:

~~ “en” meaning IN

~~ “theos” meaning GOD
So the word “enthusiasm” literally means, being IN GOD!
 

Therefore, technically speaking…

>> One who is “enthusiastic” is the one who is possessed by God and is passionate about His works

>> One who is “enthusiastic” is the one who is deeply involved in the concerns of God and is zealous for Him
 

The Gospel of the Day is a classic exhibition of our Blessed Lord who displays a lot of “enthusiasm” in His Mission and ministry.
 

The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 4, verses 31 onwards is a description of the activities of a day in the life of Jesus.
This was a Sabbath day.

>> And it is being a very long day for the Lord…
 

The day began with Jesus teaching in the synagogue (Lk 4: 31-32)

>> Amazement and astonishment had filled all those who listened to Him
Then, He cured a man with a spirit of an unclean demon (Lk 4: 33-37)

>> Authority and Power was on display to all those who encountered this healing
Then, He goes to the house of Simon Peter and heals his mother-in-law (Lk 4: 38-39)

>> Personal affection and interest was extended to the chosen disciple of the Lord
 Later, at sunset, He heals the various sick and suffering who are brought to Him (Lk 4: 40-41)

>> Immense compassion and mercy is offered to those in need
Finally, at daybreak, He moves off to a deserted place and proceeds to preach in the other towns (Lk 4: 42-43)

>> Unmatched dedication and commitment for the mission is exhibited by the Lord
 

One of the outstanding features that is noticed in our Blessed Lord is His absolutely tremendous level of “enthusiasm”.

> Nothing seemed to tire the Lord.

> Nothing seemed to deter Him in His works

> Nothing seemed to fluctuate Him in His focus.
 

The reason for this was that He was Enthusiastic – “In God”

The Chapter 4 of St Luke had begun with Jesus affirming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…” (Lk 4: 18)

>> It was this “being in the Spirit” that was the recipe to our Blessed Lord being constantly “on the move” – in Mission with Enthusiasm!

His Presence brought about a wave of happiness and hope

> His Words helped people to find new meaning and purpose in life

> His Works enabled people to find acceptance and forgiveness in life
 

Is my life and the activities that I engage in, also “filled with enthusiasm?”

>> Am I able to live my life in joy and happiness, knowing that I have a God who is deeply in love with me, and takes care of my every need and knows my every movement?
>> Am I able to trust the Lord, especially in moments of crises and calamities, and be a beacon of hope in the darkness of tragedies and be an agent of encouragement in the thick of hopelessness?

Our Christian Faith gives us so many reasons to be joyful…to be thankful… and to be “enthusiastic”
 

When I am “in the Lord”…

… I can always radiate joy

… I can always share love

… I can always spread hope

May we, thus, imitate our “Enthusiastic”  Master, so that every moment of our day can become…

… an opportunity to share a joyful smile and a cheerful word to a sad and gloomy soul

… an occasion to extend the healing hand of compassion and service to those who are in need

… an opening to spread the love of the Lord and to bring people closer to His Gentle and Merciful Heart
 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

(Warning: Kindly read the following first few lines with caution…. the weak-hearted ones especially…)
 

The Sedlec Ossuary is a small Catholic chapel, located beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints in the town of Sedlec, in the country of the Czech Republic.
 

What’s so specially about this Chapel?

>> Or rather, what’s so strange and weird about this Chapel?

The Chapel is estimated to contain the skeletons of around 40,000 – 70,000 people, whose bones have been artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel!

>> The ossuary is among the most visited tourist attractions of the Czech, attracting over 200,000 visitors yearly.
 

Yeah, a Bone and Skeleton filled Chapel!!

>> Bizarre, right?
 

But the wonderful thing about this horrific-looking and ghastly-appearing Chapel is that…

… in the midst of all these dead and lifeless bones, reigns the Cross of Christ, right at the middle of the Chapel!

>> The sight of the powerful Christ in the dead and gloomy atmosphere, is a tremendous sign of Faith and Hope!
 

Yes, God reigns in the midst of every terrorizing event, every bizarre place and every haunting situation!
 

It is this truth that is also boldly testified and witnessed in the Gospel Reading today.
 

Jesus encounters a man possessed by an evil spirit and who was violent and vociferous in his shoutings!

>> He yells and screams, ” You are the Holy One of God!” (Mt 4: 34c)
But there is a strange reply from Jesus…

With much authority, Jesus commands to the evil possessed person, ” Be Silent….!” (Mt 4:35)
 

Why is it that the Lord of all Authority and Power silences the cry of the evil spirits?
They were actually saying the truth that Jesus is the Holy One of God!

>> The demons were giving witness to who Jesus really was…

… and perhaps even acted as great advertisements to the people of the town.
 

Were they not actually making Jesus more popular and making known his fame and power to all?

>> Then, why does Jesus forbid them so strongly and powerfully in their declaration about Him?
 

There could be several factors…. and these factors also teach us, how we need to be aware of the tricks and techniques of the evil one and seek to be wary of those misleading trades of Satan…
 

1.They were more of a distraction than an honest witness
The evil spirit was creating a scene and was taking away the attention of the people from the teachings of Jesus.

>> The evil spirit was creating flutter and chaos in the gathering, to excite curiosity and fear and undue emotions.

>> The evil spirit was moving the minds of the people from the truth to something spectacular and showy.
Do I get trapped in the flashy and glitzy and astonishing aspects of religion and forsake instead the serene and sublime and gentle teachings and wisdom of the Lord?
 

2. They were more into defrauding than rendering genuine witness
The evil spirit was seeking to dominate the senses of the man and acquire total control of the human person.

>> The evil spirit being allowed to speak would have meant that Jesus gave approval to its possession of the man.

>> The evil spirit wanted to prove and demonstrate its power over the faculties and abilities of the person.
Do I allow my senses- my mouth, my eyes, my ears, my body, my thoughts – to be controlled and manipulated by the evil spirit…even evil spirits in the form of drugs, smoking, alcohol, sex, vices, money etc….?
 

3. They were more into deception than giving a true witness
>> The evil spirit liked to present half-knowledge as the Truth, just like the Serpent did to Eve, in the Eden Garden.

>> The evil spirit was a cheater who traps a person into his ways with subtle styles of deceptiveness and falsity.

>> The evil spirit was an expert in disguising himself in the form of many alluring and tempting appearances.
 Do I get trapped into deception of the Evil One, by being caught up in the baits of populist gospel preaching, attractive and easy-go-spiritualities and comfortable and glamorous ways of living?
 
The Lord today wants to encounter the evil forces in our lives…our families…our communities…our world!

>> When we encounter the powerful Saviour, perhaps we too yell..or resist…or say no…or say “I don’t need” etc..

But the Lord wants to overpower the Evil…

>> He commands and orders, “Be Silent…”
 

Let us be open to receive the healing touch of the Lord.
My Life may be filled with bizarre events…

>> My surroundings may be cluttered with many repulsive objects and events…

>> My society or my world may be  tangled with a lot of filth and evil ….
Yet, in the midst of all this…the Lord..the God of all Authority and Power, still reigns supreme!
 

Yes, God reigns in the midst of every terrorizing event, every bizarre place and every
 

September 5th is Teacher’s Day in India.
Teachers mould and shape a child to make him/her a beautiful person with a noble character!

>> Teachers inspire change.

>> Teachers motivate transformation.

>> Teachers stir up conversion!
 

Today the Greatest of all Teachers – Jesus – challenges and exhorts each one of us to adopt and adapt…

… a Transformed way of Living

… a Changed Lifestyle

… a Converted Life!

 >> And allow Him to reign over every situation of our life!
 

Today is also the Feast day of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

>> Let us seek her intercession…

… and be inspired by her love and life, that we may truly see – and like her –  bring the Powerful Presence of God in every situation of our society.
 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Tear down this wall!”

                  

             – Words of Ronald Reagan, President of the USA at a challenging speech, for the reunification of East and West Germany.

November 1989.

>> A historic period in the Life of Germany.
For twenty-eight years, a wall had separated East and West Germany…

>> But finally on November 1989, the wall came down…THE BERLIN WALL!
It was a new beginning… a fresh start…a bright onset!
 

“Tear down the Walls”… is the cry that emerges from today’s Gospel as well!

>> A new beginning is sought… a fresh start is expected…a bright onset is welcomed!
 

The Liturgy of the Readings, from today, helps us to tread the path of Jesus with a new companion…

>> All these days, we were travelling the Way of Jesus, with St Matthew…

… today onwards, we travel with the Gospel of St Luke.
The Gospel of the Day from Luke 4:16-30 is a dramatic one….

>> There are different actions and expressions of Jesus…

… and which teaches us some lessons, that we can take for our life
 

1. The Entry of Jesus into the Synagogue.

Do I allow the Lord into my life and do I welcome Him?
2. The Rising of Jesus to read

Do I enthrone the Lord in my activities and allow Him to be in charge of my works and deeds?
3. The Unscrolling of the book

Do I open my heart to the Lord and be totally open to His Word in my life?
4. The Reading of the Passage

Do I listen to God’s words and be attentive to the various inspirations and insights He renders me?
5. The Rolling up of the Scroll

Do I preserve the Word of God deep in my heart and ponder over it, in the light of my life experiences?
6. The Announcement of Jesus

Do I let the Lord to govern in my life by the power of His revelation and give heed to His exhortations?
7. The Rejection of Jesus

Do I sometimes, fail to understand the Power of the Lord and instead reject and seek to eliminate Him from my life?
 

These dramatic and significant actions of the Lord left the people in the synagogue with a Great Challenge: “To tear down the walls!”
Tear down the walls…

… which failed to bring good news to the Poor and liberty to the captives!

… which were preventing to give freedom to the oppressed and sight to the blind!

… which blocked the passage to access to God’s Mercy and Redemption!

…which kept away the Gentiles from receiving the rights and privileges of the saved people!
 

The dramatic and significant actions of the Lord present before each one of us also with a Great Challenge: “To tear down the walls!”

 

Tear down the walls…

… of Sin: that divide the relationship between God and me!

… of Hatred: that divide the members of the society and of a community!

… of Unforgiveness: that divide the relationship between my fellow beings and me!

…of Discrimination: that divides human beings on the basis of colour, caste and race!

… of Immorality: that divides the interior being of a person and leaves one discontented!

… of Indifference: that divides the world with a sense of hopelessness and lack of emp… of Indifference: that divides the world with a sense of hopelessness and lack of empathy!

 
Building of walls is sometimes…

… a natural offshoot of our egoistic minds and sinful pride …

… a likely possibility of our individualistic tendencies…
>> But with the Grace of God combined with our efforts…

… we can pursue every attempt to “Tear down these Walls”!
 

We need a new beginning

… a fresh start

…a bright onset
 

Let us not Reject the Lord..

>> Rather let us permit Him to Enter… to Rise… to Unscroll… to Read… to Roll… and to Announce His Gospel in our Lives!

 

Let us allow the Lord to take possession of our lives…

… and in the process, “Tear Down many Walls”!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A story is narrated of a group of students who were taken around different places of a village.
They came upon an orange orchard, where an irrigation pump had broken down.

>> The climate was unusually dry and many of the trees where beginning to dry and die, for lack of water.

The man who was guiding the tour – himself a farmer – then took the students to his own orchard.
The students were surprised to see the green trees in this particular fruit garden.
To know the reason, one of the students enquired the guide:

“How is it that trees in your orchard are so fresh and green; you are not even using irrigation!

>> Whereas, most of the trees in this vicinity are dying!”
“These trees could go without rain, even for another two weeks!”, answered the guide…

…” You see, when these trees were young, I frequently and systematically, kept them away from water for some time.
>> This  hardship, caused them to send their roots, deeper into the soil, in search of moisture.
Now my trees are the deepest-rooted trees in this area!
While others are being scorched by the sun…

… mine are finding moisture at great depth

>> And thus, they remain fresh and green!”

The early schooling in hardship…

… helped the trees to find strength in difficult times

>> And thus remained fresh and green!

Christian Life makes us students of this particular school – whose term lasts life-long…

… and seeks to strengthen us, in difficult times.

>> This school… is the School of Suffering!
 

Wait a minute….

Do we already see some people telling in their minds and whispering a thought on their lips…

>> “Oh, Come on.. not again a reflection on pain and suffering”..
>> “Give us something pleasant on a Sunday morning”…
>> “We know God is with us in suffering, but we are tired of listening to the same old groans and tales of pain!”
 

It’s a tough school, right?

>> It’s an avoided school, right?

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

But it’s a reality…

>>  As Christians… we are all enrolled in this Grace-filled “School of Suffering”!

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder by our Blessed Lord on how every Christian has a duty to joyfully be a student of the “school of suffering!”
 

The Gospel of this Sunday is a continuation of last Sunday’s passage (Mt 16:13-20)

Jesus had conducted an opinion-poll to know what people felt about Him

>> And the World declared its opinion…

… Jesus was a great person like one of the prophets and was acclaimed as a Wonderful Man! (Mt 16: 13-14)
 

Then, Jesus sought an opinion to know how His disciples felt about Him

>> And the Heavens declared its opinion…

… Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God and was acclaimed as an Awesome God! (Mt 16: 16)
 

Many of us are satisfied and contented with these two understandings of Jesus:

>> Jesus as a Wonderful Person…

… and Jesus as an Awesome God!
 

But the Gospel of the Day presents the opinion and the understanding of Jesus Himself:

>> He would be the Lord and Saviour, who would suffer many things and be killed and raised on the third day! (Mt 16: 20b-21)
 

>> He is not just a wonderful person: an exemplary human…a compassionate individual…a good personality…
>> He is not just a marvellous God…an astounding Lord… a Merciful Saviour…. a benevolent Master…
>> But He is also the Suffering Servant: The Persecuted Preacher…the Crucified Consoler…the Rejected Redeemer!

This, however, was a great scandal for Peter (Mt 16: 22)

>> He never expected nor wanted nor accepted that His Beloved Master would go through the “School of Suffering”!
 

But Jesus rebukes His prime disciple…

… with a very harsh reprimand, ” Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mt 16: 23)
 

That was a very strong statement made to Cephas – Peter, the rock of the group of Disciples!
 

But Jesus was clear and crisp in His convictions:

” You are not thinking as God does, but as humans do!” (Mt 16: 23b)
 

Jesus wanted Peter and the other disciples…

… and each one of us to know and digest this seemingly “bitter” truth:

Lukewarmness and Slackness might help you slid through to win you certificates in the “School of Comforts”…

>> But, Patient Endurance and Unreserved Commitment alone win will laurels in the “School of Suffering”!
Cheating and Short Cuts might ease you through to gain many trophies in the “School of Comforts”…

>> But, Authentic Dedication and Staunch Loyalty only will succeed in the “School of Suffering”!
Reputation and Popularity might win you many successes and ‘friends’ in the “School of Comforts”….

>> But, Faithfulness to God will be ultimately tested only in the School of Suffering!

This is what the Three Readings in today’s liturgy teaches us:

>> The true follower of Christ…

… will have to deny oneself and take up the Cross. (Gospel: Mt 16: 24)
 >> The True Follower of Christ…

… will seek to be transformed by the renewal of one’s mind. (2nd Reading: Rom 12:2)
 >> The true Follower of Christ…

… will bear all insults & mockery & yet have the Fire of His Word within! (Jer 20:7-9)
 

Every School seeks to achieve a great deal of perfection and quality…
>> The “School of Suffering” too – which is the Christian Way of Life – too seeks to make us perfect and valuable…
>> The “School of Suffering” is a tough school…

… but there is much joy and satisfaction!

 

>> The “School of Suffering” is an avoided school…

… but there is immense value and treasure stored! 
>> The “School of Suffering” is a “wish-it-was-not-there” school…

… but there is plenty of grace and blessings within!
Let us win the Greatest Prizes of Holiness, Saintliness, Happiness and Eternal Life…

… by becoming the wonderful students of this School of Suffering!
 

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

Let’s not be afraid…

>> Instead let us be encouraged, because this “schooling in hardship” alone will help us to find strength in difficult times…

… and thus remain fresh and green always, in the Grace and Peace of the Lord!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!