Dec 13 (Mt 11:28-30)

An old lady was sitting in the park – all alone and dejected.

A young boy – who was sitting on the opposite bench – and was doing some writing work, had been constantly watching this lady who was brooding over some worry.

Finally, after a while, he stopped writing and enquired:

“Madam, I have been observing you. From morning, you have been quite worried.

What’s the matter? Maybe there is some way I can help you

The old lady looked at him and replied: “You know, my son, in life, I have been worried about so many things in life… but most of them never happened!”

The young man was surprised to hear that – “troubled about things, that never really happened!”

So he asked again, “Then why are you troubled now?”

She replied, with a tinge of remorse: “I am worried as to why did I unnecessarily worry so much in my life!”

Funny, isn’t it?

But, are we sometimes like this old lady?

>> Too much worried and disturbed in life…

… sometimes (or perhaps, very often) even about things that have not happened in life?

The call of the Gospel is an invitation by Jesus to “cast all our worries and burdens” on Him.

We read in the Gospel today, the assuring words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11: 28)

Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

>> He is in deep love with us!

“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

The meaning of the name “Jesus” Itself is that…

… GOD SAVES!

As a Beloved Lover, He constantly tugs the strings of our hearts and beckons us to Himself – wanting us to experience His Saving Love!

>> He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who are weary and heavy-burdened!

The Greek word for WEARY is “Kopiao”…

… which means to toil and become weary to the point of exhaustion! .

>> WEARY not only refers to the daily physical strains and struggles we undergo in life, but is also…

… the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.

… the external burden caused by futile peripheral efforts to seek the Divinity.

Many of us, very often, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue by our everyday works and in our striving for salvation.

However, today, the Lord calls all of us – to experience His Resting Presence!

>> “Behold, I stand at the door and Knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”” (Rev 3:20).

“Experiencing His Resting Presence” also means “to learn from Him”…

… especially learning to be Humble and Gentle like Him! (Mt 11: 29)

A proud heart robs the person of spiritual insights

>> It renders a person to look only to oneself; the dependence on the Lord is lost!

A harsh (violent/tough/annoyed/wrathful) heart steals the person of “being at peace”

>> It renders a person to look only at the negativities of life; the attitude of being grateful to God is lost!

Today, let us give heed to the call of the Lord…

… to “Rest in His Presence”

>> And thus to learn to be more “gentle and humble”

Many of us might question: How can I “Rest in His Presence”

>> Many of us might counter: Is it really possible to learn to be more “gentle and humble”?

“Rest in His Presence” can be…

… by making a time for the Lord, in prayer, every day of our life – an act, which we shall never compromise!

… by “becoming aware” of the Presence of the Lord in the activities that we engage in

… by recognizing the goodness in other people and situations of life, and thus being, consciously, grateful to God

Learning to be more “gentle and humble” can be…

… by picking up any of those virtues, and (purposely) doing an act towards growing in the virtue

… by daily examining the conscience, in the practice of that particular virtue, and making amends to try again, even if failed (Let’s remember the Lord Who always rose again, even when He fell many times, on the Way of the Cross!)

… by praying specially to the Holy Spirit for those virtues, and never being discouraged, even when faced with the opposite vice

… by being inspired by the many saints, who went through the phases of vices, but were ultimately able to conquer, and live the virtues

Tensions, worries and problems of life constantly disappoint us!

>> Even our striving to improve our spiritual lives (and the feeling of failure to do so) discourage us!

But the Lord constantly tells us…”Come to Me!”

>> “Never, ever get discouraged, My Child!”

As St Francis de Sales says, “The greatest thing that can befall a soul, beyond sin… is anxiety!”

Let not the anxieties of our life dishearten us…

>> Instead may the Invitation of the Lord – “to Rest in His Presence and to learn from Him”…

… help us to always be at peace in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 12 (Mt 18:12-14)

A mother took her three children to a fine restaurant for a dinner.

>> It was a crowded Sunday and they could only get separate seats.

As food was served, the youngest daughter – 6 year old Mary – who was seated at the far corner of the restaurant…

… loudly enquired from her mother: “Mother, don’t people say grace before meals in this place?”

A wave of silence wrapped the entire restaurant!

The mother did not know how to react.

But soon enough, the manager of the hotel, who was at the counter, said in an assuring voice to the child: “Yes we do. You may start!”

All the people bowed their head in silence

Little Mary closed her eyes, joined her hands and bowing her head…

… in a loud and crystal voice prayed: “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are going to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord… Amen!”

The child found it strange to observe that none of the elders were praying…

… So she went “out of the way”

>> And did something that was very beautiful

>> And taught others an action to be imitated

A child “goes out of the way”…

… in expressing love and affection by trying to imitate the kind acts of the elders

… in trying to help others – giving a hand at the household chores, or doing little works

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by the Lord to re-discover this “forgotten” child-like dimension of our lives: “To go out of the way”!

Jesus, speaking of this worthwhile quality …

… presents to us the image of a Shepherd who goes “out of the way”, in search of the lost sheep.

Jesus says: ” If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray…

… will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills, and go in search of the stray?” (Mt 18: 12)

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 does not give up on the strayed.

>> He doesn’t desert the lost.

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

This attitude of going “out of the way”…

>> “taking an extra pain”

>> “dripping an extra sweat”

… would seem weird and strange to the calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modern period!

We might question:

>> 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 “lost sheep” …

… “goes out of the way”

>> The Good Shepherd makes an extra effort in getting them back!

This Good Shepherd today invites us to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.

A critical danger in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” qualities.

>> As a child, we were free to express our emotions…

… but when we “grow up”, we tend to hold them up all within (only to burst out one day!)

>> As a child, we were easily dependant on those who cared for us…

… but when we “grow up”, we become arrogant towards them and seek ‘independence’

>> As a child, we were able to enjoy and relax in the present moment…

… but when we “grow up”, we get caught up in the snare of the past and shrink with  fear of the future.

The Lord invites us to get back the “lost” child-like faith and trust.

>> We need to realise that we are always little children to our Heavenly Father!

>> He loves to care for us… He longs that we depend on Him entirely!

Yes, children sometimes teach elders great lessons, isn’t it?

Let us be willing  to “go out of the way”…

>> And do things that are very beautiful

>> And teach others actions, that can be imitated!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 11 (Lk 5: 17-26)

There is a popular quote in Hindi, which goes so:
” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain”

The meaning of the words are given below:
>> Bhagwaan (God)  jab (when) deta hain (gives), chappar (roof)  phaad (tear open)  kar deta hain (gives)!

Therefore, literally, in English, this quotation would get translated as:
“When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”

The Gospel of the Day gives a similar scene of “The roof being torn open!”

Our Blessed Lord is engaged in His ministry of teaching (Lk 5: 17)

This is something that we can all learn from!

The Lord…
… though quite popular as a miracle worker
… though very admired for his mighty deeds of healing
>> Always gave a great priority to the “ministry of teaching”

He would always make it a point to “teach” the people

Very often, in our lives (especially those engaged in various Church ministries)…
… we neglect the aspect of teaching
>> We tend to run after works and ministries that are more sensational, popular and “glamorous”!

This verse of the Gospel is a challenge for us to renew our commitment to the “ministry of teaching”…
… about the Kingdom of God
… about ways to lead a Holy Life by prioritizing God above all
… about understanding the true meaning of God’s commandments

As Jesus is engaged in this “ministry of teaching”…
… a great number of Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem (Lk 5:17)

>> The house was fully packed, with people cramming to hear the Lord..
>> The house was, brimming with persons seeking the healing of the Lord…

It was then that a group of people brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed (Lk 5: 18)

>> They came with much expectation to see the paralysed man, whole and well again.
>> They sought with an eager and earnest desire for the Lord of power and healings.

But as they approached the house… their hopes would have gone down!
>> The thick crowd of people would have slimmed their hopes!
>> The massive gathering at the door would have thinned their anticipations!

But when the chips are down, one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had & put it toward the greater good.

>> They came seeking for blessings…
>> They came seeking for the God of blessings…
But it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!

But then they had a hope…similar to the words…” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain!”
>> Yes …”When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”

And so they decided to take on this same principle that God uses to shower His blessings:
“To tear open the roof!”

But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles* into the middle in front of Jesus. (Lk 5: 19)

“Opened up the roof” has other translations…
… “dug a hole through the roof”
…“removed part of the roof”
… “uncovered the roof”

We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof.

But most likely, that was not the case…

As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles

To lower the paralyzed man through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.

Well… picture this…

You’re in this packed house – people crammed to the max…trying to listen to Jesus.
>> All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof.

These people would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house.
>> Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you!

Well… imagine also the people’s responses…

>> They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered!
>> They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot…

They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon!
>> It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!”

But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust!
>> Their “tearing of the roof” was blessed by “pouring down of blessings”.
>> Their “tearing of the roof” was rewarded with a “cleansing of sins”.

                                                                                                                                               
Many of the times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of discouragements, disappointments and distresses?

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and ‘hopeless situations’?

>> Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of problems which seem impossible and unsolvable?

>> Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…
>> Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…

But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “break through the roof” of all such adversities!
>> Then, we will experience the God of blessings also pouring down Graces on us… “Chappar phaad ke!!” (breaking the roof)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 10 ( Based on Mk 1: 1-8)

The Disney movie “The Lion King” features a young lion named Simba.
>> Simba is destined to rule the world!

The movie begins with a scene where Simba’s father takes him to “Pride Rock” (the equivalent of a throne) and shows him his inheritance.

But soon afterwards, a wicked plot by the evil hyenas is set, and Simba’s father is murdered.
>> Simba fled from the place due to fear and uncertainity.

The hyenas seized the throne and with evil, the land becomes desolate and desperate.

It’s in this situation, that Rafiki, a monkey – a wise sage of the land – seeks out Simba.
>> He helps Simba to overcome his fear and aids him in understanding his destiny and person.

He made him realize what was the power and the authority that he was inherent with!

Once Simba realized who he was and what he possessed, and his role in the society…
… he drove way the hyenas Pride Rock and took His place as king!
>> Thus peace and beauty were restored to the land.

It needed a Rafiki – the wise monkey sage- to make Simba realize his worth…
… and his duties!

That’s how it is in our Christian lives as well…

God intervenes in our life – either by Himself directly, or through some other people or situations
>> And makes us realize and recognize our worth and our duties.

The Gospel of the Day is an intervention by God in the life of the people of Israel – through the instrumentality of John the Baptist…
… making the people to realize and recognize their worth and duties.

On this Second Sunday of Advent, the Gospel presented before us, is the starting of the Gospel of St Mark, beginning with…
… “The beginning of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1)

The word “Gospel” is from the Greek word, “Evangelion”…
…. Which means a “Good News”

When St Mark begins by saying, “The beginning of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”,  he is announcing the “good news” that Jesus, the King has come…
… to deliver His people out of every bondage
… to redeem His people and bring them back to His Kingdom.

It was a fulfillment of the words of prophet Isaiah ( as we see in today’s First Reading),
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” (Is 40:1)

(These words of Isaiah were a “good news” to the People of Israel, who had been in captive, and now…
… were to be delivered out of their bondage
… were to be redeemed by having their Kingdom restored)

This announcing of “comfort to the people” is done through the instrumentality of John the Baptist.

He exhorts the people to receive the “comfort of the Lord” by overcoming all their bondages…
… by his words: asking the people to repent of their sin  (Mk 1:4)
… by his appearance: in the resemblance of Elijah, the Prophet – to signify that He was preparing the “way of the Lord” (Mk 1:6)

Are we prepared to give heed to this call of John the Baptist?
… asking us to repent of our sins?
… asking us to prepare a “way for the Lord?”

The Lord wishes all of us to experience “His Comfort” in our lives
>> But this can happen…
… only if we repent of our sins
… only if we seek to prepare a “way for the Lord”

Let’s examine our lives…

What are the areas in my life, that needs the aspect of “repentance”
… with respect to some of my spiritual practices
… with respect to some of my relationships
… with respect to some of the “unhealthy” habits, to which I keep clinging

What are the areas in my life, that requires me to “prepare a way for the Lord?”
… with respect to bringing the “awareness of the Lord’s Presence” in my daily works and activites
… with respect to “repairing” some relationships that needs a conscious effort on my part

Our Christian lives constantly has God intervening in our life…
…. either by Himself directly, or through some other people or situations
>> To make us realize and recognize our worth and our duties.

And today, through the Gospel Reading on John the Baptist…
… the Lord is intervening in our lives!

Let’s give heed…
>> Let’s make the suitable changes….

May this Season of Advent, continue to help us, to experience, the “comfort of the Lord” in our lives…
… and thus may His “Evangelion” – the Good News – find a place to be “born in our hearts” in this Festive Season!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 9 (Mt 9:35-10:1, 5-8)

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

>> The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

1. Always keep the eye on the road…

…to keep the focus

2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…

… to have proper balance

3. Remember, I am always there with you…

… to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…to learn the Art of Mission…

Like the art of cycling…the Apostles are also given some basic principles…

…the principle to keep focus

… the principle to have a proper balance

… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

>> There were crowds of people following Him…

>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

>> The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

> Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus

> Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus

> Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes… “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…

… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve?

… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve…but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…

…with an authority over unclean spirits

…to proclaim the Kingdom of God

… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…

… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…

… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people

… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection

… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

>> Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….

…or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

>> Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…

…or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

>> Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…

… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting.

>> We may feel a little afraid at times…

>> We may sometimes even fall..

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…

… to be focussed on the Lord alone

… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness

… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power

And when we embark on this art of mission…

…Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…

…our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 8 ( Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary)

A priest went to visit a violent criminal who was condemned to death…
… hoping to prepare his soul to die well.

But the man wouldn’t even talk to him.

The priest pleaded and begged him to get reconciled with God…
… but the man’s heart was highly closed!

Finally, as a last resort, the priest entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary and then said to the criminal, “Before I leave, will you grant me one little favor?”

The man, with an intention to get rid of the bothersome priest, said he would.

“Let us then,” the priest responded, “Say one Hail Mary.”

So, together they began to pray that simple prayer…
… “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with You…”

But they hadn’t even got through the first sentence when the criminal turned pale…
… and his voice started to shake.

The priest to continued the Hail Mary…
… and as he finished tears started to flow from the man’s face, and he fell on his knees at the priest’s feet.

As soon as the prayer was done, the man asked to make confession.

He then confessed his sins with a great sense of repentance!

The words, “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you…”
… had ignited the spark of repentance in him!

Yes, that’s the power of the intercession of Mother Mary!
>> She is the refuge of sinners

Her life of Faithfulness to God’s Grace, is an inspiration to all of us…
… to live an Immaculate and Holy Life!

Today, we celebrate the Solemn Feast of the beginning of the faithful life of the Most Beautiful and Loved Creation of God: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother.

Sin is part of every human life.

St Paul testifies to this fact when he says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)

By themselves, human beings are incapable of freeing themselves from sin.

Therefore…
… Everyone needs a Saviour
… Everyone needs a Redeemer

But God, in His infinite wisdom had thought of the most excellent way of redeeming humanity.
>> Salvation was to be accomplished not through any magical power
>> Salvation was to be brought about not through some superhuman force

Rather, the salvation of humanity was to be won by a Human Himself – the most perfect Human.

>> This perfect Human deserved and required the most sinless of all wombs for being born
>> This perfect Human demanded and necessitated the most immaculate of all lives to be nurtured

Thus, God in His perfect wisdom, applied the Grace of Redemption and Salvation to the One He had chosen – Mary of Nazareth.

Therefore…
>> Mary is the first recipient of the Redemption of Christ!
>> Mary is the first fruit of the Salvation, won by Christ!

This is the story of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary.

The Holy Scripture testifies to this Immaculate nature of our Blessed Mother through the words of Angel Gabriel to Her, “Hail, FULL of Grace!” (Lk 1:28)

Thus, the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother points to Her sinlessness, Her being full of Grace, Her perfection in holiness and Her absolute adherence to the Will of God.

But, hey…
… wait a moment!

>> Are not all these things pointing to Mary simply being somebody “too-special” and almost like she being “supernatural”?
>> Are not all these things telling us that Mary was simply just “not like us” and we can never ever achieve or even aspire to be what She was?

Well… Undoubtedly, Mary lived a life that was “too-special” and a life that  was “supernatural” in holiness.

But we need to bring to our mind a very vital aspect…

Though the birth of being sinless, was a gift granted to Her…
… the fact of remaining sinless all through Her life, was Her choice!

Though the birth of being full of grace, was a gift bestowed on Her…
… the fact of remaining always in the Grace of God, was Her choice!

Though the birth of being perfect in holiness, was a gift endowed on Her…
… the fact of remaining holy, was Her choice!

Though the birth of being absolutely adherent to the Will of God, was a gift approved to Her…
… the fact of remaining obedient to His Will, was Her choice!

Like any other human person, She too…
…  went through the crises of life
… faced humiliation and rejection in life
… had to face the rock of uncertainty and doubts of life

But, it was Her radical choice for God and Her absolute preference to the Will of God, that made Her to remain Immaculate all through Her Life.

“Yes, Lord… Thy Will be done” (Lk 1:38) was a chorus that She sang in all the moments of life!

Today, on this Feast day, this our Blessed Mother invites and exhorts us, also…
… to make a choice for God, always, and lead a sinless life
… to always opt for God alone, at all times, and being immaculate in life
… to unswervingly be faithful to God’s Will, and thus seek to be perfect in life

The challenge is great… the efforts required are radical.
>> But we are not left alone in this “pursuit of holiness” (1 Cor 9:24)

Our Blessed Mamma – the Beautiful Lady in blue and white – grace in holiness and immaculate in love – holds our hands and tells us:
“My Little Child, I am with you!
I love you, and together, we shall walk in this exciting path of Holiness…
… towards My Son and Your Brother…
… towards Our Saviour Jesus!”

Yes, may we give heed to the loving call of our Blessed Mother
>> And be fervent and zealous to lead a holier life, pleasing to God…
… as we pray, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You…!”

Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 7 (Mt 7:21,24-27)

What is common to a sports match… a theatre-act… a street-play… a television program… a cinema-show… a circus-extravaganza… a musical-concert… a dance-display…?

Any guesses…??

Yes… it’s the audience!

Audience are the onlookers who cheer and enjoy the performances.

>> But they themselves don’t participate.

Though they might seek to get involved emotionally, a little, they still remain mere watchers and spectators.

A similar attitude is perhaps strongly seen in our following of Christ.

We seem to have become a people who are mere spectators to the teachings of Christ.

>> We seem to have reduced ourselves to being mere onlookers of the Gospel values.

The Gospel of the Day calls us to examine our real attitude and position in being a follower of Christ.

The Lord declares today, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mt 7:21)

The Lord is clear to tell that a mere lip-confession that Jesus is the Lord will not suffice in finding a place in the Kingdom…

How much do we really mean when we call Jesus as the Lord?

These days, “Jesus is Lord” and “Praise the Lord” are phrases that are very commonly used.

Sometimes we use them without being aware of it.

>> Sometimes we use them without actually meaning it.

The word, “Lord” – Kurios in Greek – means a possessor or the master of a thing or a sovereign prince or an emperor.

We call Jesus as our Lord and give praises to Him as the Lord…

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

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

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

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

This aspect of “professing” but “failing to perform” is an aspect seen in various areas of our lives…

Politicians “profess” many promises and oaths…

…but many fail in their “profession” and indulge in unfair and corrupt practices.

Doctors “profess” an oath of being true to the service of the suffering humanity…

…but many fail in their “profession” and engage in cheating and swindling patients.

Lawyers “profess” to be honest and guardians of the truth and justice…

…but many fail in their “profession” and involve themselves in violating the law.

The religious circles are no exemption to this “cancerous” trend…

Religious “profess” to lead a life the consecrated vows and promises…

… but many fail in their “profession” and get busy with many worldly concerns and cares.

Priests “profess” to be committed to spreading the Gospel and the love of God to all…

…but many fail in their “profession” and lose track of the real focus and aim of priesthood.

Husbands and wives “profess” to be with each other in every situation and troubles of life…

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

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

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

The Lord dishes out a challenging message today…

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

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

This is what the Lord reminds us through the parable of the two foundations (Mt 7: 24-27)

The house built on firm rock remains firm in every storm or calamity.

>> The house built on loose sand gets destroyed in any storm or calamity.

Is the “profession” that I make built on the firm rock of certainty and conviction?

>> Is the “profession” that I make built on the loose sand of uncertainty and confusion?

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

A spectator enjoys the fun from far…

… a participant is fully involved in joy and satisfaction.

An onlooker appreciates a performance without being affected…

… a participant struggles hard for it.

Christianity is a call to get involved in the realities of life, with the power and love of the Lord.

Our “profession” to call Him as our Lord…

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

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

… ought to be a preferential option for God’s Word.

The Lord is worthy of the highest commitment…and of our complete involvement.

Let us build our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declare Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 6 (Mt 15:29-37)

Picnics are a time of great fun and enjoyment.

They enrich relationships, nurture relaxation and foster a spirit of joy and peace.

>> Most of us have been part of picnics…either from schools / parishes / as a family / as a community / as a group of friends.

A picnic becomes an occasion to share… to care…and to also dare to know each other more.

The Gospel of the Day is a lovely occasion of a Picnic…

… A picnic with Jesus.

A picnic basically has some essential elements…

1. A nice location

2. Joyful interactions

3. Good food

4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment

Our picnic with Jesus in today’s Gospel passage has all these elements.

Come…let’s join Jesus…

… in this wonderful time of a picnic

1. A nice location:

The mood of a picnic is very often regulated by the choice of the place we make.

It should be something exciting, something scenic and something to involve ourselves in.

The location that Jesus chooses for this picnic is a Mountain (Lk 15:29)

A mountain is certainly an exciting place…

… a scenic location and moves our hearts to get involved in its beauty.

The mountain was one of the favourite places of the Lord.

>> This high altitude place was where Jesus could strengthen His attitude towards His mission.

>> He would spend hours of the night in communion with His Father on the mountains.

And so, He invites us to join with Him on the mountains…

… To relax in His love and to experience the coolness of His presence.

… To raise our thoughts to higher levels and overcome the worldly concerns.

2. Joyful interactions:

Great crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others. They placed them at His feet and He cured them (Mt 15:30)

The picnic with Jesus, on the mountain, becomes an occasion of cure and restoration.

On the mountain, Jesus becomes a fountain of healing and the source of joy.

3. Good food:

Food is one of the best parts of a picnic.

And the Lord lavishes abundant food to all those who were there with Him on the mountain.

Then, He took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples, who in turn, gave them to the crowds (Mt 15:36)

It seemed to be a situation of starvation and hunger.

>> But the Lord converts this grim situation into an occasion of contentment and blessing.

His compassionate love overflows into a lavish multiplication of the loaves and the fish!

4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment:

Every picnic ideally should end on a note of great fulfillment and bliss.

The picnic with Jesus on the mountain, where He healed a lot of people, spoke His Life-giving words and blessed them with abundant food, becomes moments of happiness.

“They all ate and were satisfied…” (Lk 15:37)

It had been a lovely time for the people in this picnic with the Lord…

>> They had the picnic in a nice scenic location of the mountain

>> They had the picnic with many joyful interactions with Jesus, who healed and cured many.

>> They had the picnic with good food, in lavishness, provided by the Lord Himself.

>> They had the picnic with a great sense of satisfaction and deep fulfilment.

The Lord invites us to join with Him in a picnic with Him…

> To go to the mountain of prayer and intimacy with the Lord.

> To have joyful interactions with Him and receive His spiritual, emotional and physical healings.

> To be blessed with the good food of His Holy Eucharist and His nourishing Word.

> To have a great satisfaction in being filled with immense peace and serenity.

Let us enjoy the picnic with the Lord & make our lives a beautiful one…

… to share… to care..

>> And to also dare to know the Lord more and to help each other more.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 5 (Lk 10:21-24)

A lady, who was known to be a devout Christian, was undergoing a long time of suffering.

As she was visited by some of her friends who came to console here, she was heard to be commenting:

“I have a beautiful robin that sings outside my window.

>> This bird strengthens me.”

Then with a bigger smile, she continued:

“I like him, because he sings in the rain!

When the storm has silenced almost, all other birds…

… the robin sings on!

And that’s how my life is!”

The lady – who herself was suffering and going through the storms of life – found great inspiration in the Robin…

… the one which sings, even in any storm or rain!

That’s the life of a Christian!

Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…

… but when the clouds of hardships pour out the rain, can we sing?

The Gospel of the Day, presents Jesus Who is rejoicing in the Spirit…

… “In the same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank you Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth..’” (Lk 10: 21)

Jesus always displayed a great sense of joy and enthusiasm

>> He was a picture of calmness and serenity.

This was owing to His intimate relationship with His Father – His Abba!

He, of course, had His Own struggles…

… Rejection by His own people at Nazareth (Lk 4: 28-29)

… Very often facing the criticism of the people (Lk 5:30)

… Constantly being put under the scanner with questions (Lk 5:33)

… Facing the wrath of many religious leaders (Lk 6: 7, 11)

But none of these “storms” or “rains” prevented the Lord from singing the praises of His Father…

… and rejoicing in the Spirit

And He invites His disciples to also understand the great privilege they have received to experience the Love of the Father:

“Blessed are the eyes which see what you see…” (Lk 10: 23)

As followers of Jesus, we are also given the privilege to always be “people, who rejoice in the Spirit”…

… “people who can sing, even when it’s raining or in the midst of a storm!”

Are we often spending our days in sadness and complaint?

>> Or can we also become conscious of the many blessings, God showers on us… and thus rejoice!

Are we constantly looking for the negatives in our relationships?

>> Or can we also seek to treasure people, just for who they are, and begin to love them more!

>> Are we feeling that life is a burden and thus fail to have peace of mind and lightness of heart?

>> Or can we also begin to understand that as a Christian, we have the privilege to understand how God mightily works in our life, and is constantly showering His Love and Mercy on us!

Let us learn to imitate, Jesus, our Master, Who constantly “rejoiced in the Spirit”

… and thus make our Christian Life, a beautiful witness of God’s Love and Compassion.

Let’s listen to the words of St Mother Teresa of Kolkatta:

“Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls!”

Yes…

>> Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…

… but when the clouds of hardships pour out the rain, can we sing?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Dec 4th (Lk 10: 1-16 and Feast of St Francis Xavier)

A story is told of a blind boy who was flying a kite.

 

He enjoyed this pastime along with others of his own age.

 

A passer-by, knowing him and wanting to mildly tease the blind-fellow, said:

‘Hey, boy! Do you know where is your kite?

You don’t know whether it is on the ground or up in the sky, do you?’

 

‘Oh yes,’ said the blind lad, ‘I do know! It is now quite a fair height up in the air.’

 

How do you know that?’ asked the passer-by, ‘you surely can’t see it.’

 

The boy replied, ‘I can’t see it, it is true, but I can feel the tug of the string!’

 

 

The ‘tug’ of the string help the boy to realise the presence of the kite and to sense its height in the air!

 

 

The awareness of the presence of the Divine power in our lives, is such…

>> One may not be able to always see the presence of the Divine, but the believer can surely experience its power and strength!

 

 

This experience of “the Divine tug of the string” keeps the life of the believer moving forward and helps to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by Jesus to grow deeper in this “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in our life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

 

 

 

After having summoned and authorized  the disciples, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

 

 

In the Gospel of Matthew, the same passage beings with the statement, “Preach, as you go…” (Mt 10:7)

 

Some other translations would read as “As you go, make a proclamation…”

 

 

This is such wonderfully practical, and yet at the same time, a phrase that is often overlooked: “Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

 

 

 

Preaching or Proclamation in our times, is often picturised with a limited understanding.

 

Preaching or proclamation is often understood as that which takes place…

… only from the pulpit or during a service in Church

… only in the form of speaking and explaining the Word of God

 

 

But the words of the Lord are worth noting:

“Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

 

Preach, as you go about doing your daily duties and activities

>> As you go about your responsibilities and works, make a proclamation

 

Preach as you go around meeting different people by sharing His love and joy to all

>>  As you go about engaging in numerous actions, make a proclamation by sharing His presence

 

 

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…

… Whatever we do, may it become an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!

… Whatever work we take up, may it become a moment of preaching God’s amazing providence!

 

 

Such an act of Preaching and Proclamation makes it mandatory that one grows deeper in the “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in the life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

 

 

>>The act of proclamation needs the “awareness” that I am continuing the Great Mission work that has Jesus as the “Initiator”, the “Sustainer” and the “Finale”!

 

>> The act of preaching needs the “dependency” on the Lord to realise that the Lord alone can provide all the graces, strength and courage for the mission!

 

 

 

This is what was epitomized by St Francis, Xavier, whose feast we celebrate today.

 

>> This Patron of the Missions, was filled with a tremendous zeal for salvation of souls and contained in him a contagious enthusiasm of giving Christ to all.

 

 

One of his testimonial statement, while undertaking missionary activity in Japan, goes thus: “Sometimes I have lost my voice and strength altogether with repeating again and again the Credo and the other forms.”

 

 

 

May we give heed to the words of the Dynamic Missionary Saint…

 

>> “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken”

>> “It is impossible to find a saint who did not take the two P’s seriously: prayer and penance”

 

… and seek to grow deeper in our missionary commitment!

 

 

Yes, one needs to feel the “tug and the pull of the Divine Lord”…when one goes through

… hardships and difficulties in being a missionary of the Kingdom,  in hostile situations

… problems and challenges as we seek to live a true Christian life in the modern world

… meaninglessness or emptiness as we go through the ‘deserts’ and ‘darkness’ in life

 

 

And it is this experience of “the Divine tug of the string” that keeps the life of the believer moving forward and to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life!

 

 

Happy Feast of St Francis Xavier!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!