“Stage Fear” is a common phenomenon found among many.

This is the anxiety or fear aroused in an individual, when asked to perform in front of an audience.

One of the prominent reasons for this “Stage Fear”…

… is the lack of self-confidence.

This lack of self-confidence could be due to…

… a physiological factor; since the body is made to react to a stimulus

… or since the person of unsure of his/her presence before the audience

… or being unsure of the content (of the performance – song/speech etc) to be presented

However, if these factors could be overcome, and if one is filled with self-confidence…

… then “stage fear” would never be a problem!

As Christians, many of us face a “stage fear”…

… the fear of living in the world by practicing the Christian Virtues, and witnessing our life as a Christian!

St John the Baptist is a beautiful model, presented to us…

… a person who was filled with self-confidence, by knowing clearly His Mission in Life

>> And thus being a person, without an iota of “stage-fear”!

The Gospel of the Day is an introduction to this personality 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 conviction in my Christian Life?

>> Or do we sometimes get affected by a “Stage Fear” in our Christian Living?

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 enter into a “Stage Fear” mode!

We may even 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 dependent on the Grace and Mercy of the Lord…

… in this is my authentic hope and faith.

As the words of the beautiful song goes…

>> “Who am I?…

… I am YOURS!”

May St John the Baptist, whom we have come to “know more” today, become an inspiration and a challenge, as we march forward in this New Year 2018…

>> with faith and love

>> through the valleys and mountains

>> and wilderness and oasis

… and thus filled with confidence, overcome any sort of “Stage Fear” in our Christian Living!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A medical thermometer, also known as the clinical thermometer, is used to measure the temperature of the body.
>> This device helps us to check the heat in the body…

When the heat goes up, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we have fever.
>> When the heat goes low, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say we that have gone cold.

When the heat remains average, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we are normal.

The thermometer helps us to examine and check our physical health and vigour.

Our spiritual life also needs such kind of a thermometer to check our spiritual health!

The heat levels however, give a different indication, unlike the physical bodies…

When we are filled with God’s power and enthusiastic, the thermometer shows a high level.
>> When we are cast down with problems and spirits are low, the thermometer shows a low level.
>> When we are lacklustre and just pulling on with life, the thermometer shows a lukewarm level.

What is the level on our Spiritual Thermometer at this point of time??

We are on the first day of the New Year…and on the 8th day after Christmas –  the Octave Day.

We notice that the hustle & bustle of Christmas, the celebrations & merriment of the Festival are slowing waning down…

The Crib and the Christmas Tree and the stars which were brightly shining have faded away…
>> The large number of people in Church for Christmas have reduced to a slender one today…
>> The joy and devout mood of the faithful which was on high, has slowly reduced…

Is the message of Christmas slowly being left behind…?

But the Church still dynamically and emphatically keeps up the True Spirit of Christmas.

This Octave Day of Christmas, fittingly celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a reminder to this fact…
…that Christmas is not a one day event; rather a celebration for life.
…that spiritual exercises and movements can’t be limited; rather need to overflow everyday

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a dogma of the Church and the devotion to Mary is one of the great treasures of the Church.

However, often there are many doubts arising and controversies created over Mary, being considered and called as the Mother of God.

But the logic is pretty simple and easy to understand actually…

Premise 1: Mary is the Mother of Jesus

Premise 2: Jesus is fully God and fully Man

Conclusion: Mary is the Mother of Jesus, the fully God and fully Man.

And therefore, Mary is the Mother of God!

In honouring Mamma Mary with this title, we acknowledge, and give glory to Jesus, fully God and fully Man.

In addressing Mamma Mary with this identity, we proclaim and declare emphatically the divinity and humanity of Jesus.

Thus, the Title – Mary, Mother of God – is great proclamation of the our basic aspect of faith – Jesus is both God and Man!

The Motherhood of Blessed Mamma has many implications for us…

1. We are assured of a Maternal protection and care in our journey towards the Lord, when we face crises, problems and difficulties.

2. We are challenged to respond to God’s inspirations, just as She said “Yes” to God’s call to be a partner in the salvation of the world.

3. We are invited to be faithful and committed in being united with Jesus, in the face of any hardships and troubles that come our way.

4. We are exhorted to totally committed and focussed on Jesus and Him alone and to make His Life as the aim, the goal and the foundation of our life.

On this first day of the New Year, the Lord invites us to check &examine our Spiritual Health on the Spiritual Thermometer….

Am I fervent and zealous in my commitment and consecration?
>> Am I passionate and ardent in my Love for Jesus, my Lord?
>> Am I charitable and caring in my dealings with my brothers and sisters?

Blessed Mamma, the Mother of God invites us to hold Her hands and march forward joyfully and fervently on the Path of Faith & Love.

Wish you a Very Happy Feast of  Blessed Mamma!

Wish you a Blessed and Holy New Year 2018!

May we always Live Jesus! God Bless!