One of the things that, some of us did as children, as we grew up, was to measure our height against a wall.

We know how this method works…

> We stand next to a wall and make a pencil mark of our height.

>> A few weeks or months later, we come back to this place and measure how much we have grown.

Why did we do this?

> In order to see how much we have grown…

>> In order to check how much more we would wish to grow…

>>> In order to know, “How big have we become!”

Today, we need to make a similar “height check” with respect to our God.

“How big is God in my life?”

The way we answer this question will determine how we live as a Christian.

The Gospel of the Day is a great expression of how Mother Mary considered the “height” of God in Her life.

> She realized the mighty presence of the Lord in Her lowly life.

> She understood the huge favour of the Lord bestowed in Her humble nature.

>> And so, with much acclaim and exclamation, Mary cries out, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1: 46-47)

The Angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she been chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God.

>> The angel also declared that her cousin, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age.

In Her deep concern, humility and spirit of service, Mary makes a visit to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth called Mary as Blessed ‘for believing what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled’ (Lk 1: 45)

It’s in this context, that Mary exclaims the Magnificat.

The image of Mother Mary in this hymn of the Magnificat is that of a powerful and courageous lady.

And these are evident in Her words of the Magnificat…

>> He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

>> He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

>> He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

>> He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for He has remembered His promise of mercy (Lk 1: 48-54)

These are not words of mere pious sentimentality or tender words of affection…

>> These are words which express immense bravery and courage!

The mighty works and wonders of the Lord had made Mother Mary to declare…

… Courage in a God who overpowers the proud and the haughty

… Faith in a God who takes decisive action on behalf of God’s people.

… Hope in a God who vindicates the righteous and condemns the wicked.

… Love in a God who liberates the oppressed, the powerless, the poor and hungry.

… Trust in a God who casts away the self-asserting rich and accept the dependable poor.

Mother Mary declared Her strong assertion and powerful claim in a MIGHTY God!

How Big and Mighty and Strong is God in our life?

>> Do we believe in the mighty strength of God even in seemingly impossible situations of life?

>> Do we trust in the awesome majesty of God even when the boat of our lives hits rock bottom?

>> Do we rely in the colossal power of God even when earthquakes of life wreck havoc in life?

The way we live is a direct consequence of the size of God in our lives!

>>> If we have a view of a Shrunken God, then we will live in constant anxiety of the world.

>>> If we have a view of an Insignificant God, then we will live in immorality and casualness

>>> If we have a view of a Tiny God, then we will live in lethargy, disinterest and indifference.

> When we make God small in our lives…

… we offer prayers without faith, worship without awe, service without joy and undergo suffering without hope.

> When we make God big in our lives…

… we live a life of daring faith, fearless obedience, zealous worship and passionate evangelization.

Let us measure the height and check the mark… “How Big is our God?”

With Mother Mary, let us also seek to joyfully proclaim the BIG GOD through the Magnificat – “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There was a little boy, who wanted to meet God.

He guessed that the trip would be very long, so he packed his bag with a lot of chocolates, cookies and his favorite mango juice as well.

He started his journey, and walked for a long time – even in the hot, blazing sun.

Finally, he got tired, and found a park to rest.

In the park, he met an old woman…

… sitting all by herself..

… just staring at some pigeons.

The boy, tired and famished, sat down next to her and opened his bag.

He was about to open his favorite drink, when he noticed that the old woman looked hungry.

>> So he offered her a cookie.

She gratefully accepted it, and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty, that the boy wanted to see it again.

>> So he offered her the mango juice as well.

Once again, she gratefully accepted it, and smiled at him.

The boy was delighted!

They sat there, the whole afternoon – eating and smiling – without saying a word.

Finally, as it grew dark, the boy realized he was too late, and had to rush back home.

As he got up to leave, and had taken a few steps, he turned …

…ran back and gave the woman a loving hug.

When the boy reached the house, his mother was surprised at the deep joy that the child radiated, and asked the reason for it.

The boy answered, ” I had lunch with God!”

Before the mother could say anything, the boy added:

“You know what?

She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman also filled with happiness, reached her house, and was asked by her son, on the reason for it.

The old woman answered, ” I had lunch with God”

Before the son could say anything, the woman added:

“You know what?

He’s much younger that I expected!”

“Sharing” became the wonderful platform, for the two of them, to experience joy, with the essence of Divinity.

Yes, “sharing” is a quality, which is a reflection of the Divine – Who, in Jesus, empties Himself, in “self-giving” and “self-emptying”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful recounting of the “joy in sharing” – through the encounter of Mary and Elizabeth.

Mary, after having received the surprising and confounding message from Angel Gabriel, to be the Mother of the Son of God, doesn’t remain captivated or captured in heavenly bliss.

… Instead She sets out, “in haste” to the town of Judah? to the house of Her cousin, Elizabeth (Lk 1:39)

Heaven had revealed to Her the good news of Divine Favour…

… but, Mary doesn’t swell up in pride

>> Instead, She sets out, in service and humility

Divine Joy and Grace makes Mary to imitate the quality of the Child within Her: To share!

And this act of sharing by Mary, caused Elizabeth, Her cousin, to rejoice and the child, John, to “leap for joy”!

>> Elizabeth testifies to this fact when she exclaimed in a loud voice, “For at the moment the sound of Your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” (Lk 1: 44)

This is an essential dimension of Christian Life: Sharing.

Just as Christ shared…

… by emptying of His glory, and becoming one like us, in all things, except sin

… by being part of human experiences and being a model to live a perfect life

… by taking up pain and suffering to redeem humanity from the clutches of sin

… by giving Himself entirely, with love and deep affection, in the Holy Eucharist

Just as Mother Mary shared…

… by offering Herself in service to her cousin, Elizabeth in her need

… by becoming a model to us, by living a life in total obedience to God’s Will

… by offering Herself to God’s Providence and letting Herself be the Mother of all humanity

… we too are invited, exhorted and challenged to live a “Life of Sharing”!

Our Christian lives must…

… cause us to share our resources and abilities in the service of the family and community we are in

… make us to share our time with those in need – especially of encouragement and consolation

… cause us to share our knowledge and experience to bring more people to faith in Christ

… make us to share our little acts of charity and sharing in the redeeming act of Christ

>> When we share our life with the ones in need…

… we experience joy and satisfaction

>> When we share of our self – time, love, material things or anything – to those in want…

… we experience happiness and contentment.

The world today is much thirsty to receive love and extremely hungry to receive care.

>> Each Christian is expected and invited to imitate Christ and help others to experience Divine Love.

Mother Mary is our model towards this.

>> She made choices to grow in imitation of Her Son and helped others to experience Divine Joy

As the words of St Teresa of Avila…

” Christ has no body but yours,

>> No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

>> Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world,

>> Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,

>> Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world”

May we deepen our resolve to live a “life of sharing”, especially as we approach the Nativity of Christ, so that each of our action may become an expression of Divine Experience for the other!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little six-year-old boy had often heard his Catholic companions reciting the prayer “Hail Mary.” >> He liked it so much that he copied it, memorized it and would recite it every day.

“Look, Mommy, what a beautiful prayer,” he said to his mother one day.

“Never again say it,” answered the mother who was against Catholic practices. “It is a superstitious prayer of Catholics who think Mary as a goddess. After all, she is a woman like any other. ”

From that day on the little boy discontinued his daily “Hail Mary” and gave himself more time to reading the Bible instead.

One day, while reading the Gospel, he came across the passage about the Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady.

Full of joy, the little boy ran to his mother and said: “Mommy, I have found the ‘Hail Mary’ in the Bible which says: ‘Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women.

‘ Why do you call it a superstitious prayer?”

On another occasion he found that beautiful Salutation of St. Elizabeth to the Virgin Mary which said, “Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your Womb”

This little boy, as he grew up…

…. made a serious study of both Protestantism and Catholicism.

>> He found the latter to be the only true religion and embraced it and became one of its most ardent apostles… going on to become a Priest!

Mother Mary is indeed the beautiful instrument chosen by God, to lead many more to His Love.

The Gospel of the Day presents the miraculous incident of the Annunciation of the Good News to Mother Mary.

Mother Mary, at the Annunciation teaches us many things…

1. Mother Mary teaches the supreme goodness of obedience

>> Heaven had chosen a simple girl, Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, the Saviour.

>> When Angel Gabriel was sent to seek Her consent, Mary, after the initial moments of fear, bowed Herself in obedience: “Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to Me, according to Your Word” (Lk 1: 38)

>> This obedience to God’s Will would turn out to be Her fortress and strength – in moments of uncertainty, loneliness, dread and agony.

2. “Faithfulness, thy true Daughter is Mary!”

>> One of the most outstanding qualities to be admired and imitated from our Blessed Mother is “to be faithful”

>> In Mother Mary, we have a person, who remained faithful at all times…

… even when there were dark clouds of unwarranted humiliation looming over her

… even when unforeseen difficulties encountered Her during the birth of Jesus

… even when she encountered many situations which were not understood by Her

… even when life surrounded her with agonising moments and heartbreaking instances

The “Fiat” at the Annunciation would be lived all through Her life

>> This act of being “faithful forever” was a result of the constant choices that She made to listen and obey to God’s Will always.

3. Mary was ready to be moulded and shaped by God

When Mary was entrusted with the greatness of the task, She gave Herself readily to the power of God

>> She didn’t hold back anything; She was complete in Her surrender

It is when we offer ourselves wholly and be ready to be moulded and shaped by the Lord, that He can perform wonders through us.

4. Mary held on to Jesus as the Greatest Treasure of Her life

The greatness and the eminence of Mother Mary came as result of Her single-minded focus and love: Everything for Jesus and in Jesus.

>> When in womb…

… Her sole attention was on Jesus

>> While in the manger…

… Her whole care was for Jesus

>> While in His ministry…

… Her thoughts were centred on Him

>> While on the Cross…

… Her entire self rested on Him

It is when Jesus becomes the Treasure of our life, that our lives gets enshrined in Grace and Holiness

5. Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant, bearing Jesus.

The Scriptures easily point to the fact that Mother Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant

The ark in the OT travelled to the land of Judah and remained for 3 months (2 Sam: 6:1-11)

>> The Ark in the NT, Mary travels to Judah, to meet Her cousin Elizabeth and remained for 3 months (Lk 1:39, 56)

David danced and leaped, and shouted before the ark in the OT (2 Sam 6:14)

>> In the NT, John, the babe, leaped and Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry before Mary (Lk 1: 41, 43)

Inside the ark of the Old Covenant was the manna – the miraculous bread from heaven, the staff of Aaron, the Priest and the tablets of the covenant (Heb 9:4)

>> The NT Ark, Mother Mary had within Her Jesus, the Bread of Life, Jesus, the Eternal Priest and Jesus, the Law-giving Word!

As the New Ark of the Covenant, Mother Mary deserves our highest veneration and honour, which will lead us to a greater closeness and intimacy with the One, She derives all Her praise – Jesus, Her Son and our Brother!

May we embrace Mary, the beautiful instrument chosen by God…

… and be led to love the Lord more!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton is a former Marine Corps sergeant in the US.

On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck load of explosives into the Marine Camp at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, killing 241 soldiers.

>> Nashton, a lance corporal, just 23 at that time, was among those severely injured in the attack.

Nashton had many tubes, running in and out of his body, with grave injuries all over.

>> A witness would say, that ‘he looked more like a machine than a man’.

Yet, he survived!

It is said, that two days after the bombing, while lying on the hospital bed in Weisbaden, Germany…

… in deep pain and agony, Nashton scribbled two words on a note and gave to his commander, Marine Commandant Paul X. Kelley.

The two words on the note read: “Semper Fi”

“Semper Fi” is the Latin motto of the Marines.

It means: “Forever Faithful”!

The pledge of “Semper Fi”…

… strengthened the injured man, in his moments of agony and struggle!

… became the reason for the wounded person, to remain steadfast in the face of anguish!

Every Christian ought to have this pledge to the Lord – “Semper Fi : Forever Faithful” – firmly adhered to Christ and faithfully lived in love.

The Gospel of the Day is the inspiring story of two exemplary persons- Elizabeth and Zechariah – who displayed the courage “to remain faithful” even while staring at hopelessness and despair.

St Luke begins his Gospel, after a brief introduction, with the amazing story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

It’s interesting to note the meanings of their names…

>> “Zechariah” meant “The Lord remembers”

>> “Elizabeth” meant “the oath of God”

Combined, their names would mean, “The Lord remembers His Oath!”

However, life seemingly handed them something quite opposite…

>> Their childlessness caused to seem that the Lord had totally forgotten!

>> The barrenness of Elizabeth caused to seem that the Lord had His memories lost!

How true is this situation in our own lives too?

>> We bank on God’s promises that “He would provide” everything…

… but when some of our expectations fall short, we feel God is just not with us!

>> We feel joyful to know that God’s Providence will guide us through…

… yet, when some unforeseen and sudden mishaps happen, we feel God has forgotten us!

>> We feel assured to realise that God will always shelter us…

… however, when we find ourselves in the thickets of problems and crises, we feel God has left us!

This is where we need to look to Zechariah and Elizabeth and be inspired by their amazing faith.

>> Though life did not move the way they wished…

>> Though many of their honest longings were not fulfilled…

>> Though they had to go through occasions of shame and dishonour…

>> Though all possibilities of hope and expectation was “lost”, humanly speaking…

… they still kept the faith!

… they still remained true to the Lord!

… they still continued to be devout to God!

The Gospel says, “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless” (Lk 1: 6)

Yes, Zechariah and Elizabeth firmly held up the placard of “Semper Fi” – Forever Faithful – to God!

And this is what we too are called to do, in our Christian life of faith – to hold up the banner of “Semper Fi”…

Being “Forever Faithful”…

… even when our life ahead seems uncertain and the road ahead looks too dark

>> By firmly trusting Divine Providence and obeying His Will in our lives

Being “Forever Faithful”…

… even when undeserved sufferings crush our life and unfair behaviour is meted out to us

>> By strongly pursuing the paths of justice and holding firm to the values of the Gospel

Being “Forever Faithful”…

… even when sin traps us and we find it miserable to let go off our evil ways

>> By resolutely making efforts to do away with sinful tendencies and seeking to be holy

The “Forever Faithful” principle of Zechariah and Elizabeth was mercifully looked with favour by God…

… and thus the joyful words were addressed: “…your prayer has been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (Lk 1: 13)

Yes, “the Lord remembered His oath” and announced that He is indeed “The God Who is Gracious” by blessing them with John ( = God is Gracious)

>> Our God is a God Who cares much for His people…

>> Our God is a God Who deeply loves His Own…

This deep care and love, however, deserves our steadfast faithfulness and uncompromising fidelity.

Yes, let our Christian Lives be a life of loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander…

… and may we, firmly hold high the banner – “Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton is a former Marine Corps sergeant in the US.

On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck load of explosives into the Marine Camp at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, killing 241 soldiers.
>> Nashton, a lance corporal, just 23 at that time, was among those severely injured in the attack.

Nashton had many tubes, running in and out of his body, with grave injuries all over.
>> A witness would say, that ‘he looked more like a machine than a man’.

Yet, he survived!

It is said, that two days after the bombing, while lying on the hospital bed in Weisbaden, Germany…
… in deep pain and agony, Nashton scribbled two words on a note and gave to his commander, Marine Commandant Paul X. Kelley.

The two words on the note read: “Semper Fi”

“Semper Fi” is the Latin motto of the Marines.
It means: “Forever Faithful”!

The pledge of  “Semper Fi”…
… strengthened the injured man, in his moments of agony and struggle!
… became the reason for the wounded person, to remain steadfast in the face of anguish!

Every Christian ought to have this pledge to the Lord – “Semper Fi : Forever Faithful” – firmly adhered to Christ and faithfully lived in love.

The Gospel of the Day is the inspiring story of two exemplary persons- Elizabeth and Zechariah – who displayed the courage “to remain faithful” even while staring at hopelessness and despair.

St Luke begins his Gospel, after a brief introduction, with the amazing story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

It’s interesting to note the meanings of their names…
>> “Zechariah” meant “The Lord remembers”
>> “Elizabeth” meant “the oath of God”

Combined, their names would mean, “The Lord remembers His Oath!”

However, life seemingly handed them something quite opposite…
>> Their childlessness caused to seem that the Lord had totally forgotten!
>> The barrenness of Elizabeth caused to seem that the Lord had His memories lost!

How true is this situation in our own lives too?

>> We bank on God’s promises that “He would provide” everything…
… but when some of our expectations fall short, we feel God is just not with us!

>> We feel joyful to know that God’s Providence will guide us through…
… yet, when some unforeseen and sudden mishaps happen, we feel God has forgotten us!

>> We feel assured to realise that God will always shelter us…
… however, when we  find ourselves in the thickets of problems and crises, we feel God has left us!

This is where we need to look to Zechariah and Elizabeth and be inspired by their amazing faith.
>> Though life did not move the way they wished…
>> Though many of their honest longings were not fulfilled…
>> Though they had to go through occasions of shame and dishonour…
>> Though all possibilities of hope and expectation was “lost”, humanly speaking…
… they still kept the faith!
… they still remained true to the Lord!
… they still continued to be devout to God!

The Gospel says, “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless” (Lk 1: 6)

Yes,  Zechariah and Elizabeth firmly held up the placard of “Semper Fi” –  Forever Faithful – to God!

And this is what we too are called to do, in our Christian life of faith – to hold up the banner of “Semper Fi”…

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when our life ahead seems uncertain and the road ahead looks too dark
>> By firmly trusting Divine Providence and obeying His Will in our lives

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when undeserved sufferings crush our life and unfair behaviour is meted out to us 
>> By strongly pursuing the paths of justice and holding firm to the values of the Gospel

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when sin traps us and we find it miserable to let go off our evil ways
>> By resolutely making efforts to do away with sinful tendencies and seeking to be holy

The “Forever Faithful” principle of Zechariah and Elizabeth was mercifully looked with favour by God…
… and thus the joyful words were addressed: “…your prayer has been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (Lk 1: 13)

Yes, “the Lord remembered His oath” and announced that He is indeed “The God Who is Gracious” by blessing them with John ( = God is Gracious)

>> Our God is a God Who cares much for His people…
>> Our God is a God Who deeply loves His Own…

This deep care and love, however, deserves our steadfast faithfulness and uncompromising fidelity.

Yes, let our Christian Lives be a life of loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander…
… and may we, firmly hold high the banner – “Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The early American Indians had a unique ritual in their training of young boys to be brave and strong in their lives.

The evening of the boy’s thirteenth birthday, would consist of the final test, after having learnt hunting, exploration, fishing and other skills.

The boy was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night all alone.

Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe.

But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.

>> When the blindfold was taken off, he would find himself in the midst of the thick woods.. and he would be terrified!

Every time a branch snapped or something fell, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.

> His heart would pound with fear…

> He would seek for some consolation, but would find none..

> He would long to feel safe again, but the wait seemed to be an unending one…

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest…

Looking around, the boy saw the wild flowers, lush trees, and the outline of the path.

Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow.

Guess who it was ?

It was his father!

He had been there all night long.

The boy had been unaware, but the father was always there, to make an intervention, in case of any eventuality of danger.

The protection of the father encircled the child, irrespective of whether the boy was aware or not.

Such (and even more!) is the tremendous protection and security of God, our Loving Father.

In the fullness of time, when God, the Father decided to send His Beloved Son to the earth, for the redemption of humankind, He had to entrust the care of His Precious Child to the protection and care of a human father…

>> And it was St Joseph who was chosen to be assigned this task and responsibility of being the caretaker and protector of Jesus, the Son of God!

The Gospel of the Day introduces and portrays the beautiful personality of St Joseph.

>> It is also an invitation to look to this Great Saint and draw inspiration from his life.

Just as God had entrusted Him to be the protector of the body of Jesus while on earth, St Joseph is also the protector and patron of His Body on the earth today, the Holy Church.

St Joseph in fulfilling his task of being the protector of Jesus, teaches us a few lessons…

He was ever prompt to the voice of the Lord

In his moments of confusion, he was still open to the promptings of the Spirit.

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him…” (Mt 1:24)

>> Am I docile to the inspirations of the Lord, so as to be in greater tune with the Will of God?

His love was attentive to the needs of the Divine Child and the Mother

St Joseph was ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of protecting Jesus and Mary.

He was willing…

…to undergo societal humiliations

… to bear physical hardships of travelling, migration, lack of comforts etc

… to be prudent to the socio-political situations and make decisions in favour of the family

>> Does love prompt me to be attentive and sensitive to the needs of others, and cause me to make sacrifices towards the good of the other?

A willingness to be playing the “backdrop role” in the great drama of salvation

St Joseph, was privileged to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.

Yet, it also meant that Joseph had to stay away from the limelight of glory and be the “silent yet impactful” figure of the salvation history.

> Do I have the courageous humility to take up any role that the Lord entrusts me, in His plan of salvation – be it shorn of fame, littleness in glamour or even subject to awkwardness and uncertainty

He was ready to give up his personal decisions and doubts in obedience to the voice of God

St Joseph was not afraid to shed his own personal concerns, anxieties and even doubts, when asked to be part of the mysterious redemptive plan of God.

>> There were many things that were not understood by him…

>> There were a lot of factors that prompted him to question and confront..

Yet, He had the deep daring to keep them all aside – because he was convinced that God’s mighty hand was at work, in them all.

> Am I willing to place my faith in God and follow my vocation faithfully, even though circumstances around me maybe uncertain, the future looks bleak and my own reasonable thinking may see situations and people as being illogical, unscientific and irrational?

As St. Alphonsus Liguori says:

“We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father.

If the King of kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can!”

The Lord protects us, no matter how fearful the external situations are…

>> He is the loving Father, who is always with us – we realise or not!

St Joseph gave heed to the voice of the Lord…

… and positively responded to the task that was entrusted to him by God, despite hardships and trials…

Shall we also not trust in Heavenly protection, and in turn, be a protector and defender to each other?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most common & natural styles of engaging in a conversation with a stranger, is getting to “know more” about the person.

This process to “getting to know more” about the person includes:
…getting to know His/Her name…
…getting to know His/Her occupations…
…getting to know His/Her interests and likings…

The Gospel of the Day is an introduction to the person of John the Baptist.

An attempt is made to ” know more” about John…
>> His name… His occupations… His interests and liking.

The Fourth Gospel introduces the person of St John the Baptist to us.

He is a person of great enthusiasm, of a passionate zeal and of a fighting spirit.

Some Priests and Levites came to him to ask, “Who are you” (Jn 1: 19)

John the Baptist was quite clear and convinced of the answer to this question.

>> He admitted that he was not the Messiah. (Jn 1: 20)
>> He admitted that he was not Elijah. (Jn 1: 21)
>> He admitted that he was not the Prophet. (Jn 1: 21)

>>> He testified that he was the voice crying in the desert. (Jn 1: 23)
>>> He testified that he was the one exhorting to ‘make straight the way of the Lord’. (Jn 1:23)
>>> He testified that he was the witness to the Light that was coming to enlighten the world. (Jn1: 8)
>> He testified that the One coming after him was ranking ahead of him (Jn 1: 15)

>> A deep conviction of “who he was” guided all the actions of John the Baptist.
>> A powerful knowledge of “his role in life” was the strength of mission for John the Baptist.
>> A clear cut awareness of “what was his mission” was the secret of success for John the Baptist.

Do I possess such kind of a deep and “anchored” conviction in my Christian Life?

John the Baptist was questioned, “Who are you” by many people.

He had an answer for it… and that made Him not to waver or get bogged down by situations.

Life often throws this question to us – “Who are you?”

>> When we face emotional crisis in our relationships and social interactions, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…
… “Who are you?”

>> When things in life do not go the way we wished or expected and somehow the future appears bleak, we are encountered with this question, deep within us…
… “Who are you?”

>> When in the castle of interiority, we experience a barrenness and a feeling of isolation from the Lord, we are encountered with this question, deep within us …
… “Who are you?”

Failing to find an answer to this question, can sometimes….
… plunge us into a deep struggle
… make us to fear life and people
…. crush our hopes and aspirations.

We may tend to think…
… “What really is the purpose of my life??
… “Why should I continue to life in this manner?”
… “I wish I could just be free from all this web of pain and tensions!”

Yes, life will at many times, throw this question at us – “Who are you?”

Today, St John the Baptist, exhorts & challenges us, to not get too disturbed when we are faced with this provoking question in life.

>> Our faith and strength, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Light.
>> Our hope and courage, like St John the Baptist, ought to be Jesus, the Messiah.

>> I am God’s Child….
… in this is my true identity.

>> I am the witness to the True Light…
… in this is my true role in life.

>> I am a Voice in the wilderness…
… in this is my Christian duty and obligation.

>> I am dependant on the Grace and Mercy of the Lord…
… in this is my authentic hope and faith.

May St John the Baptist, whom we have come to “know more” today, become an inspiration and a challenge, as we march forward…
>> with faith and love
>> through the valleys and mountains
>> and wilderness and oasis
… through these days of the Season of Advent, preparing for the Coming of Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was December in the year 1903.

After several attempts, the Wright brothers – achieved success in getting their “flying machine” off the land.

They were very much thrilled!

They telegraphed this message Katherine, their sister, informing her of the great invention:

“We have actually flown 120 feet! Will be home for Christmas”

The sister was also super-excited.

She rushed to the editor of the local newspaper, to share the great news and showed him the telegraph message.

The editor glanced at the message and said:

“How nice! So the boys will be home for Christmas!”

Oh! The Editor had completely missed the big news – that man had flown for the first time in history!!

How often is this our experience too in life – Missing the Important Points and settling for lower ones!

We fail to give attention to the most important things of life?

>> Instead, we get carried away by some other less priorities of life!

This is so true, especially with respect to the Word of God?

>> The Lord promises so many wonderful things in His Holy Word..

… but often, we miss the point.

Something similar had happened to the people of Israel as well…

>> God had promised them of the coming of the Messiah…

… but they missed the point..

… and thus, failed to recognise the Saviour He came!

God had promised that Prophet Elijah of old would return…

… but they missed the point…

… and thus, failed to recognize the Prophet when he came!

This is what Jesus points out to His disciples in today’s Gospel, when He says:

“I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognise him; but did to him, whatever they pleased” (Mt 17: 12)

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, had come, preaching the message of repentance and conversion of heart (Mt 3:1)

The Gospel says that John the Baptist…

… wore a clothing made of camel’s hair

… had a leather belt around his waist

… had food of locusts and wild honey (Mt 4: 4)

This appearance was very similar to that of Elijah, the Prophet (2 Kings 1:8)

But in their encounter with John the Baptist, the people failed to recognise him as the “Elijah who was to come”

And thus John the Baptist came to be …

… rejected

… derided

… finally killed!

Many times in our life, we too “miss the point” in our encounter with the Lord…

>> He gives His Beautiful Word to us…

… but we fail to be encouraged by It and live by It

>> He makes many wonderful promises of assurance and guidance…

… but we fail to live a life of trust and confidence

>> He offers Himself wonderfully in the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Eucharist…

… but we fail to derive the necessary fruits from Them

Today, the Gospel invites us, to look at God’s Promises, God’s Word’s and God’s Will…

… and discover the true purpose of it in our lives.

This is more true as we prepare for Christmas…

Jesus is the BIG POINT of the Christmas

>> Let us dare not “miss Him”!

May we prepare our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life…

… and seek to live, in total accord with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Children are an interesting lot!

They love to play, to quarrel, to engage in arguments, to tease, to show love and affection etc…

Children indeed amaze us…with their simplicity, innocence, curiosity and their power of wonder.

Jesus in the Gospels time and again invites us to grow in our spirit and spirituality of being like a Child!

The famous artist, Picasso, once said:

“All children are artists.

The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up..”

>> Many of us, as we age in years, tend to lose many of the good qualities and merits of a child.

>> Many of us, as we mature, tend to fritter away the precious pearls of simplicity and openness of a child

>> Many of us, as we advance in life, tend to paint our inner innocence with many external shades of duplicity.

But the Gospel of the Day shows us another dimension or rather, warns of a distortion in this striving to be a child…

One can easily stray away from the path of being child-like and transgress into the danger of being Childish!

Child-likeness is a beautiful virtue which is to be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our love of God!

>> Childishness is an ugly vice which is to be weeded and cast away to grow in our relationship with God!

What is child-likeness?

>> To be like a child is to possess a kitty of trust, faith, innocence and straightforwardness.

>> To be like a child is living in the present moment with a deep sense of wonder and admiration over life.

>> To be like a child is to have a faith which is matchless and a great amount of dependence on the One who cares!

But what is childishness?

>> Childishness is a child-like behaviour which has grown sore and strays away from honest qualities of life.

>> Childishness is having selfishness at its core: a vice that wants the world around to always dance to its tune!

>> Childishness is sticking on to ignorance and unwillingness to learn from people and situations!

>> Childishness is being glued to being stubborn and adamant at all aspects to suit one’s desires and comforts!

>> Childishness is being unmindful of the value and preciousness of people, things, feelings and situations.

This danger of Childishness can sometimes creep into our spiritual life and can hamper and cause havoc in many areas of our Christian life.

How can childishness in spirituality become a dangerous ploy?

Childishness in spirituality…

… can make people to suit teachings for one’s own desire, at the cost of the Truth.

… can prevent people from being open to receive new insights from the Divine.

… can cause people to remain obstinate and block the moving of the Spirit.

… can prohibit people from recognizing the providential care of God.

And this is what we come across in today’s Gospel Passage: the exposition of the Childishness of the people!

Our Blessed Lord says:

“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children…” (Mt 11:16)

Two persons who had committed themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom are under the scanner today – John the Baptist and Jesus.

>> John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.

>> John did not drink wine, and he and his followers fasted regularly. He baptized people in the Jordan River.

But John also preached repentance and gave a clarion call to turn away from one sins!

> And this irked the people…

The elders of the Jewish community dreaded him because he recognized the corruption of the priests, and publicly called them to repent and be baptized.

They refused, because they wanted to keep their power, their wealth, their full stomachs and their fine clothing!

>> Jesus went around the cities and towns healing the sick and curing the lepers and doing many mighty works.

>> Jesus shared in the table-fellowship of many people regularly. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus also challenged people to let go off their sinful and corrupt lives and turn to God in penitence!

> And this annoyed the leaders…

The Pharisees hated him because he preached with much authority and his new understanding of the law was highly challenging!

They rejected Him, because they wanted to stick to their traditions, empty hearts and their inhuman practices!

Jesus and John both would have hit high on the popularity charts if they had “lightened up” or “played nice” or “would have allowed things to be little more easy”!

But both of Them did not budge…

This is what Jesus says:

“We played the flute for you, you did not dance;

We mourned to you, you did not weep.” (Mt 11: 17)

This reaction by the people to Them was a song of derision… a tune of mockery…a melody of ridicule!

>> John the Baptist and Jesus, both, failed to let this Spiritual Childishness to overpower Them and to give in to silly demands!

We all can fall victims to spiritual childishness or we ourselves can fall into the trap of being spiritually childish!

Let us beware of the dangers of this ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS …

… and seek the grace of God to make efforts to rather be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an interesting legend of how a mother was cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas.

Not a speck of dust was left and even all the spiders were banished from their cozy homes in the ceiling.

It was Christmas eve and the Christmas Tree and the Crib was also decorated.

But, at the farthest end of the attic, the spiders, after having been chased away and taken refuge in that corner, were feeling miserable.

>> They too wished to see the Christmas Tree and especially have an encounter with Baby Jesus.

>> But they were afraid, since the mother of the house would chase them away.

The oldest spider among them, however came up with a proposal, that they could perhaps peep across the side door and have a glimpse of Baby Jesus.

So, the spiders, silently crept out of the attic, down the stairs, across the floor and waited in the crack in the side door.

But suddenly the door opened was opened by someone, and the spiders, in fear, ran to the room.

But all them still desired to see the Christmas Tree from close.

>> So they decided to make a bold attempt…

… They quietly crept over the whole Christmas tree.. over every branch and twig, till their desire to see its beauty was fulfilled.

But to their dismay, each of them had left their webs behind.

When Child Jesus saw the Christmas Tree marred by the spider webs, He was in a dilemma.

On one side, he was impressed by the simple desire of the spiders…

… on the other side, he did not want the mother of the house to be offended.

So He touched the spider webs, and they all turned to sparkling and shimmering, silver and gold!

(This is probably the origin of hanging colourful tinsels on our Christmas Trees, and sometimes even including a spider!)

One of the important dimension seen in this legendary story is the intense desire of the spiders and their willingness to take the chance…

… to be bold in their attempts and even be ready to risk their lives to have their Divine longing fulfilled.

Such is to be the readiness of every Christian…

>> Having an intense desire

>> Being willing to take chances

>> Being bold

>> Ready to even risk their lives

…  in defence of faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ.

This is reflected in the words that Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force” (Mt 11: 12)

This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible.

What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?

The Greek word for the word “violence” is “biazo”.

This word “biazo” is described as “using power to forcibly seize” i.e. “laying hold of something with a POSITIVE aggressiveness”.

In the context of the Kingdom of God, it refers to the fact that ” the share in the heavenly Kingdom is to be sought for, with the most ardent zeal and the most intent exertion”.

>> Historically, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the Kingdom was rejected by the Jews – the chosen race, and the Gentiles gained access.

>> In our own times, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the entry to the Kingdom causes the people to suffer, undergo hardships and even bear hostility.

That’s why Jesus would say in the Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5: 10)

St Ambrose beautifully describes the meaning of this violence:

“We do violence to the Lord…

> not by compelling Him but by weeping before Him

> not by provoking by injuries, but by entreating with tears

> not by blaspheming through pride, but by sorrowing through humility.

We attack him, not with swords, nor staves, nor stones…

…  but with meekness, good works, chastity.

These are the weapons of our faith, by which we strive in our contest.

But in order that we may be able to make use of these arms in doing violence…

>> let us first use a certain violence to our own bodies

>> let us carry by storm the vices of our members

…that we may obtain the rewards of valour.

For to seize the Saviour’s Kingdom we must first reign in ourselves”

St Francis de Sales speaks of a similar “violence” when, filled with a deep zeal to conquer back Geneva from the clutches of Protestantism, he says:

“We will breach the walls of Geneva with our ardent prayers and storm the city with mutual charity”

This then is the zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts…

>> A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom…

… and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!

>> An aggressive passion that is willing to let go of any attachment or sinful desire…

… that comes in the way of being worthy of the Kingdom!

>> A blazing fire that rages across every wicked and evil action..

… and seeks to restore holiness and sanctity of life!

Yes, Christian Life is a warfare…

… against the forces of evil

… against our own worldly desires!

That is why the Church on earth who are living – who struggle against sin and devil and “the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12) is called as the “Church Militant” (“Ecclesia Militans”)

May our Blessed Lord ignite our “often tired, dreary and weary” lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm, so that we may energetically prepare for His coming into our lives!

The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him

This will cause us to leave behind…

… our webs of vain desires

… our webs of sinful pleasures

… our webs of undue attachments

But our Master will touch all those webs and turn them to sparkling and shimmering blessings and graces!

God Bless! Live Jesus!