A young man was to be sentenced to the prison for a serious offence.

>> The judge had known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his late father.

His father was a famous legal scholar and the author of an exhaustive study entitled, “The Law of Trusts.”

“Do you remember your father?” asked the magistrate.

“I remember him well, your honour,” came the reply.

Seeking to probe further, the judge said, “As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?”

There was a groaning pause.

Then the judge received an answer he had not expected.

“I remember when I went to him for advice.

He looked up at me from the book he was writing and said, ‘Run along, boy; I’m busy!’

When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying “Run along, son; the writing of this book must be finished!’

Your honour, you remember him as a great lawyer.

But I remember him, only as a lost friend!”

The magistrate muttered to himself, “Alas! He finished the book, but lost the boy!”

The busyness of the father resulted in the boy failing to receive love, and thus ended up into bad ways of living.

• Every person longs for love…

• Every person longs to be cared for…

The father in this story, achieved great success in his worldly life, but failed miserably to love and care for his son.

However, in absolute contrast, we have our Heavenly Father, who is deeply in love with us, His children, and who never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

Our Heavenly Father is also busy… but busy in loving His children, and expressing His constant care.

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts, “… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)

This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…

… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”

Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.

• Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…

• Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…

• Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.

All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.

But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially, Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely…

Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!

• It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…

… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)

His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

• It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…

… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)

His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!

Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…

The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.

May we, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.

• He is busy.. but busy expressing His tender love to us.

• He is busy writing… writing His letters of His precious love to us.

May we be privileged to hear:

“Wow!! He finished his/her life, and gained eternal life!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A Christian who was known for his deep faith in God was going through an extremely sorrowful time.

>> In the time of recession, he had lost his business

>> His beautiful house was made to be vacated

>> Adding to that, he also lost his precious wife to death

Yet, he steadfastly held on to his faith.

One day, while he was out, walking in search of employment, he stopped to observe some people who were doing stonework on a large church.

He observed that one of them was chiseling a very small triangular piece of rock.

“Where are you going to put that small triangular stone”, he asked curiously.

The watchman replied:

“Do you see that little groove, right atop the tower?

>> Well, I’m shaping this stone down here, so that it will fit in up there!”

Tears filled the man’s eyes, as he walked away hearing those words.

>> For God had spoken to him in his troubled situation of life, as he felt the Lord reminding him: “Well, I’m shaping the stone of your life, down here on earth, so that it will fit in up there in heaven!!”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life, and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!

Not negating the actuality of the darker side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)

Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.

> He had come into the world to die!

>> Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.

To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…

“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)

This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.

Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.

To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

>> The pain is too excruciating…

>> The pain causes to think that everything within is being pulled out, with a piercing pain…

>> The pain sometimes makes the person to even cry out ‘I wish this never happened to me’ ….

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…

>> The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!

>> The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!

This is indeed a higher spirituality… a higher level of holiness…

>> To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain

>> To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.

It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

>> He is with us to hold our hands

>> He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.

When life chisels the rock of our life with pain…

>> When problems chip away the bits of consolations in us…

… With hope, trust, faith and strength,

>> Let us be remind ourselves the assurance of the Lord: “Well, I’m shaping the stone of your life, down here on earth, so that it will fit in up there in heaven!!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A young man had joined a new parish.

After a couple of Sunday Masses, he went across to an elderly person, whom he had observed to be quite joyful and in good cheer.

The young man asked him: “I have been noticing over the last couple of weeks that you radiate a great sense of joy.

Is there any particular philosophy that you follow, which makes you always rejoice?”

To that, the elderly man, smiled and reaching out to his shirt pocket, handed the young man a small handwritten-card and said: “Have this for yourself, and you will never be sad!”

The young man, curious to know what it was, read the words on the card:

“Fret not – God Loves you! (John 13:1)

Faint not – God Holds you! (Psalm 139:10)

Fear not – God Keeps you! (Psalm 121:5)”

Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not!

>> These were three assuring phrases that the man had made the philosophy of his life

… and those words, kept him always joyful and in good cheer.

Life is very often “uncertain!”

>> Such uncertainties, often put us through tensions or anxiety or in an “uncomfortable” state of mind!

However, the Lord always assures us in such “uncertain” situations: “Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not!”

The Gospel of the Day presents the disciples undergoing “an experience of uncertainty”…

… and Jesus assuring them with hope and courage.

Jesus told His disciples, “A little while and you will see me no more; again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:16)

But these words of Jesus put the disciples into a state of dilemma

>> They failed to grasp the meaning of the words of Jesus and were confused!

They began to have a discussion on the phrase of Jesus – “a little while”

>> “What does he mean by ‘a little while'”? (Jn 16: 18)

>> How long was this “little while” going to be?

>> How does He define the phrase “a little while”?

If they knew exactly how long this “little while” would last…

…. then they would have been more courageous and patient

But now the disciples find themselves to be confused and in dilemma.

However, Jesus the Good Shepherd, knew the confusion of His little sheep

>> Jesus, the Master, knew the perplexity of His simple followers

But He doesn’t define the phrase “a little while”

>> He doesn’t say that it is a particular moment of time, that can be considered as a countdown!

>> He doesn’t refer to it as being an exact measure of time, to which one can count and gauge!

Instead, Jesus defines “a little while” in terms of an experience…

…an experience of weeping and lamenting turning into rejoicing

… an experience of sorrow turning into joy (Jn 16:20)

Is our life today in a state of crisis and confusion?

> Is our life today passing through waves of troubles and the deserts of anxiety?

>> Is our life today moving along the rough terrains of calamities and the valleys of brokenness?

Then the Lord assures us…

… “In a little while” and things will be fine!

… “In a little while” and the sunshine will appear again!

We might complain… How long is this “little while”!

>> We might argue…. this “little while” is being too agonizing!

But the Lord invites and challenges us to look to Him, telling us…

“I too have had my painful and agonizing moments… in My life and especially on the Cross

I too had My experience of feeling ‘how long is this little while going to last’…

But I stood firm and patient in trusting the Will of My Father…

… I held on the mighty Providence of my Father and knew that a bright morn awaited Me”

Yes, Jesus, through the Gospel wishes to encourage us and strengthen us…

… in sufferings, to love Him strongly!

… in hardships, to trust in Him deeper!

… in uncertainties, to depend on Him greater!

Surely, life will take us through many experiences of “uncertainties”

… We may tend to lose our patience!

… We may feel like giving up!

… We may want to quit!

But let us turn to the Lord for strength, grace and courage…

… and listen to Him whispering to us…

“Hold on my Child! I am with you….embracing you in my arms!

In Me, your weeping will be changed to rejoicing

In Me, your sorrow will be turned to joy!”

May the assurance of the Lord: “Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not”…

… be our hope and confidence!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A law-school professor was telling his class what to expect of the final examination.

“The question paper will be nearly 14 pages long” he explained, “ and it will take at least four hours to answer all the questions!”

Hearing that, the entire class groaned with murmuring.

As the class grumbled, the Professor added, with a tone of consolation:

“Don’t be worried.

>> In this tough exercise of the examination, all of you will be in the same boat!”

At this, one student, with a naughty grin spoke up:

“Yeah, Sir… We all will be in the same boat.

>> Just that, the name of the boat would be Titanic!!”

(Titanic was the name of the boat that had a tragic end – sinking into the ocean after a crash with an iceberg and leading to the death of nearly 1500 people in the year 1912)

This little humorous incident (without being too critical or analytical), when looked from a global spiritual perspective, points out a grand and complex reality:

There are many examinations in life, which tends to drown our life!

To some questions of life, answers will be found.

>> But to many, there will be a mysterious silence.

Humanity does not have an answer to all questions in life.

Yet, life encourages us to walk ahead, with trust and hope.

As Christians, this trust and hope finds a greater meaning and strength, because we have the assurance and promise of the Lord that He is with us, and the Answers to the Examinations of Life will be revealed to us…

… in and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of the Day is this assurance of Jesus that even though many things are not understood in life, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us, in time and as needed, the mysteries of life and of our faith.

The Lord had been with the disciples for quite some time and had instructed them on many teachings.

>> Even at the final discourse, in the context of the Last Supper, Jesus teaches His chosen ones many things.

Yet, He still has many more things to tell and teach.

But like a loving parent, who knows the grasping power of the child….

>> Like an understanding teacher, who realises the comprehending capability of the student…

Jesus knows, that the disciples would not be able to understand still further His teachings.

And so He says, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (Jn 16:12)

But He does not leave the Disciples in this state of hanging in mid-air…

• He assures them of the Might Power that will follow His going away from the disciples.

• He promises them that the Holy Spirit will descend on them and they would realise, gradually, the power and depth of His teachings!

“But when He comes, the Spirit of Truth, He will guide you to all truth” (Jn 16: 13)

Our lives too remains a blank question-paper, with questions hurled at us, and answers found wanting!

Situations and circumstances put forward many uneasy, awkward and even unanswerable questions to us.

>> We look for answers.

>> We seek for solutions.

Sometimes we get.

>> But many times, we fail to obtain.

It may lead us to desperation.

It may even lead us to anxiety.

But the Lord assures us…

… that He has the answer to every question in the world

… that He has the solution to every problem of our life.

But not all will be told to us, or revealed to us, at once.

They will be conveyed to us, at the appropriate time, in the appropriate situation.

From our part, what is simply needed is…

… an openness to His Spirit

… a trust in His Divine Providence

… a constant seeking to know His Will

The underlying principle for this simple, yet, seemingly hard to practise philosophy of life, is the fact that “God Loves Us” immeasurably, and that every moment of our life, is taken care by Him.

• His glory fills the heavens and the earth.

• His knowledge permeates in every event of life.

Life will constantly place before us “tough exams”

>> We may sometimes complain and grumble

In frustration, we may sometimes even feel that “lives may turn out to be like the Titanic!”

But let’s not lose hope…

>> May we rather, seek to grow in this faith and trust in the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the wonderful SMS’s that has been read and circulated by many of us, perhaps….

“Life is like having a cup of coffee…

You sit by the window, lift the cup, take a careless sip…

… and find no sugar!

Too lazy to go for the sugar, you somehow manage with that sugarless cup.

On finishing, you find undissolved sugar crystals, settled at the bottom!

That is life!

>> We don’t make any effort to value what is around or within us.

So look around…

… Maybe, the sweetness you are looking is much closer than you think!”

How often is our spiritual life also lived similarly…

·   We go through the rigours of spiritual practices…

… but they sometimes become mere routines

·   We perform many chores of religious exercises…

… but they sometimes turn out to be ritualistic.

Spiritual life becomes tasteless…

>> Spiritual life loses its fascination…

But Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day invites us to never lose the dimension of hope…

… and instead calls us to Live a Life in the Holy Spirit!

The context of the Gospel is the Last Supper Discourse.

Jesus recognizes that His Disciples are very much upset and sad, that He would be leaving their presence.

But the Lord…

… Who will never abandon us

… Who always keeps the best for us

… Who always keeps us safe in His care

>> Assures to His Disciples and to each one of us:

“It is to your advantage, that I go away.

For if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you.

But if I go away, I will send Him to you” (Jn 16:7)

The Lord strongly exhorts His Disciples to not fill their hearts with sorrow…

… rather to fill their hearts and minds with hope and courage!

Jesus, Himself lived a Life of Hope and Courage!

What was the recipe of His Hope and Courage?

1. A life, that was lived in perfect communion with His Heavenly Father…

… seeking union with the Father through moments of solitude in prayer

… raising His Heart to the Father in gratitude and thanksgiving at every situation of life.

2. A life, that was lived in absolute obedience to the Will of His Father…

… willing to shed any personal comforts or desires to be faithful to the mission entrusted

… readiness to undergo any amount of pain and suffering, even death, to be totally committed

3. A life, that was lived in total conviction of the Power of the Holy Spirit

… causing Him to give an absolute assurance to His Disciples that they would always be strengthened

… making Him to instill hope and courage to “the lost, the least and the last!”

Jesus hands over this same recipe to us, to Live in Hope and Courage…

… and thus discover true joy and happiness in life.

a. When we seek to live in Communion with the Heavenly Father…

… in intense moments of prayer

… with a heart of thanksgiving

b. When we seek to being obedient to God’s Will…

… even at the cost of some personal comforts

… ready to bear sufferings to be faithful to Him

c. And when we live in a conviction of the Power of the Holy Spirit

… being assured that He will always strengthened

… being instilled with hope and courage

… It is then…

>> that we will experience real joy and happiness

>> that we will treasure heavenly experiences in our hearts

Life grinds us through many tasteless moments and situations…

>> We get upset easily…

>> We tend to get defensive…

>> We get into a mode of being lethargic…

But the Lord says… “Stir up your lives!”

“Stir up your lives” to savour the sweetness of joy, peace and serenity…

… to taste the joy that is guaranteed by obeying God’s commandments

… to taste the peace that is assured by letting our lives be symphony of service to others

… to taste the serenity that is promised by always abiding in the loving presence of the Lord.

The “sugar crystals” of Hope and Courage often lie undissolved at the bottom of our lives..

… Shall we “stir up our lives” and enjoy the sweetness of God’s Love?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Every Christian is expected to be a witness to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, in one’s everyday life.

In a random survey conducted, as to why many Christians don’t speak about Christ to others, some of the common answers given by Christians were as follows:

1. “I am not sure what I have to say!”

2. “My lifestyle doesn’t match what Christ expects of me!”

3. “I may not be able to give convincing answers, when questions are asked!”

4. “I am not sure if will be called as a hypocrite – or living by double standards!”

5. “I don’t really care about speaking about Christ etc…”

6. “I think it is not my duty. It is the duty of the leaders of the Church. First let them do…”

And prominently…

7. “I am afraid what others will feel…!”

8. “I feel anxious if I will be rejected and be sidelined by all!”

What about us?

>> Do we witness to Christ, daily?

>> Do we speak about and witness the Love of God to people?

What answer do we have?

The Gospel of the Day is an assurance and an invitation by Jesus to live by the Power of the Holy Spirit…

… and thus be a “Witness of Jesus and His Kingdom!”

One of the primary tasks of Jesus, as he left this world, was to “Strengthen His Disciples”

He knew very well, how each one of them would go through periods of crisis, after His Departure.

When things go on well, life seems to be easy…

… But when hardships and loneliness creeps in, life seems to be too difficult!

>> As long as Jesus was with them, the disciples would have an easy life…

… But with the departure of Jesus, they would have to face a difficult life!

And so Jesus prepares them by assuring them of how the Holy Spirit would strengthen them:

“When the Counsellor comes, Whom I shall send you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth… He will bear witness to Me, and you also are witnesses..

>> I have said all this to you, to keep you from falling away!” (Jn 15:26-27, 16:1)

Jesus knew that all his disciples had weaknesses …

>> Some would be unsure of what answer to be given when questions were asked

(Like Peter who would deny Jesus, when questions were asked – Lk 22: 54-61)

>> Some would only worry about their own positions and comforts

(Like the disciples at the Last Supper, who would discuss the one who is great among them – Lk 22: 24)

>> Some would be afraid of the people and the society around

(Like the disciples who would run away and abandon Jesus – Mk 14: 50 )

>> Some would prefer to choose riches and money, than Jesus

(Like Judas who would betray the Lord for the sake of money – Mk 14: 10-11)

And despite these weakness and fragilities, the Lord did not give up on them

>> He invited them to “Be open to Receive the Holy Spirit and thus to Live a Powerful Life of Witnessing!”

We too have our own weaknesses in witnessing to the Lord, in this modern society…

>> Some of us…

… are not sure of what answers to be given to questions that are asked about faith

>> Some of us…

… like to remain in our own comfort zones

>> Some of us…

… are afraid of “what other people will think” and if I will “lose my name and esteem in the society”

>> Some of us…

… give more importance to the false promises of the world, and don’t make a clear-cut choice for God and His Kingdom (Mt 6:33)

To each of us too, the Lord invites to “Be open to receive the Holy Spirit and thus to Live a powerful Life of Witnessing!”

>> Yes, He doesn’t give up on us.

Let us renew our commitment to the Lord, everyday..

… and by His Spirit, with boldness and courage, “Stand Firm for the Gospel Values”

Let us “Speak about Jesus Christ” – by thought, by word, by deed!

May the words of St Rose Venerini, whose feast we celebrate today, be an inspiration for us:

(St Rose Venerini was a pioneer in the education of women and girls in 17th-century Italy and the Foundress of the Congregation who are called as the Venerini Sisters. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2006)

“I find myself so bound to the Divine Will that neither death nor life is important:

>> I want to live as He wishes and I want to serve Him as He likes, and nothing more!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Mr George Crane was a popular newspaper columnist, psychologist and physician in the United States.

He speaks of an experience of a wife who came into his office, full of hatred toward her husband.

Seeking a divorce, she blurted out, “I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has caused pain to me.”

Dr. Crane suggested an clever plan “Go home and do this…

Act as if you really love your husband.

Pretend and tell him how much he means to you.

Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible.

Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him!

And, after you’ve convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bombshell!

Tell him that you are getting a divorce.

That will really hurt him!>> Hurt him to the core!”

With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, “Wonderful indeed! That is a superb way of settling scores with the one who hurt me the most!”

So off she went, doing what was told, with enthusiasm, acting “as if”

She showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing…

After two months, when she didn’t return, Dr Crane called. “So, are you ready now to go through with the divorce?”

“Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I discovered I really do love him.”

· Her actions had changed her feelings.

· Her “affectionate” motions done with revenge, resulted in “loving” emotions with sincerity!

· Her “acting” in actuality helped her to rediscover her lost love.

That’s the power of love!

Love is the best medicine for any sickness which cripples human life!

And the reason for this amazing power of love is simple:

True Love flows from the heart of the One who is Love… God!

Genuine Love gushes forth from the fount of the One who is Love Incarnate… Jesus!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful exposition of Jesus revealing His love for us. He says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love” (Jn 15:9)

Jesus speaks of three dimensions of love in this Gospel passage

1. A Love that is obedient

Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (Jn 15: 10)

Jesus remained in the love of the Father, by doing His commandments.

And he enjoins the same principle of Obedient Love to His disciples too.

· The one who loves, also obeys…

· The one who loves, also follows the commands…

Do I have a love that is obedient…?

… happy to undertake the various duties and responsibilities entrusted to me and fulfilling them to the best of my capabilities.

2. A Love that is sacrificial

Jesus says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15: 13)

Jesus showed the depth of His love by undertaking the highest sacrifice of His own life.

And he enjoins the same principle of Sacrificial Love to His disciples too.

· The one who loves, also offers and foregoes some luxuries and securities…

· The one who loves, also gives up many of the comforts and personal desires…

Do I have a love that is sacrificial?

… willing to lay down one’s bias and prejudices, dying to one’s evil inclinations, putting to sword one’s bad habits that takes away from God and making adjustments of one’s self-desires to make way for God’s plans in life.

3. A Love that is fruitful

Jesus says, “.. I chose and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… ” (Jn 15: 16)

Jesus showed the quality of His love by displaying the fruits of compassion, tender mercy, an accommodating heart, gentleness and generosity.

And he enjoins the same principle of Fruitful Love to His disciples too.

· The one who loves, also bears fruits of patience, kindness, self-control and faithfulness…

· The one who loves, also lives a life that radiates the fruits of joy, generosity and peace…

Do I have a love that is fruitful?

… bearing fruits that witness God’s love by promoting unity and harmony and attracting many to the tender mercy of the Lord by a live of passion and zeal.

The Lord has loved us tremendously… with a love that is obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.

Each of us is to possess this same treasure of love.

· Love binds every brokenness..

· Love joins every divorced situation…

· Love unites every ruptured circumstance…

May the Lord enable us to be filled from His fountain of love and share His joy and peace to a world that is broken and seeks for consolation, comfort and calm!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Boxer Rebellion or the Boxer Uprising was an anti-imperialist uprising which took place in China towards the end of the 20th century.

It was initiated by the Militia United in Righteousness (Yihetuan),known in English as the “Boxers,” and was motivated by proto-nationalist sentiments and opposition to foreign imperialism and associated Christian missionary activity.

The well-trained, athletic young men were referred to as “Boxers,” because of the martial arts and physical exercises that they practiced.

On one such occasion, during this Boxer Rebellion, some insurgents captured a Christian mission school and blocked all the gates but one.

In front of that one gate, was placed a Cross – flat on the ground.

Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot.

Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free.

But the eighth student – a young girl – refused to commit the sacrilegious act.

Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad.

Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad!

The example of the one brave and faithful child inspired others to also be bold in their defence of faith.

These children, strong and courageous, laid down their lives, to be obedient to their faith.

Fear of death could not strangle their faith!

>> Fear of persecution could not suppress their conviction!

The Gospel of the Day is a mighty invitation by Jesus to remain steadfast and bold even in the face of persecutions in defence for our faith in Him.

And this steadfastness is in imitation of Jesus, our Master, who Himself underwent a miserable series of pain, persecution , suffering and humiliation, and yet remain totally faithful to His Mission.

Jesus says, “If the world hates you, realise that it hated me first… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15: 18, 20b)

The Lord is very clear in His teaching and preaching:

>> Friendship with Jesus would mean hostility from the world.

>> Non-compromise with Jesus’ teaching would result in antagonism from the world.

Our Lord Himself had to undergo this pain of rejection, persecution and opposition throughout His life…

>> At His birth, King Herod sought to terminate His life

>> After Baptism, Satan sought to tempt Him out of His mission.

>> During His ministry, the Pharisees and Scribes would misunderstand and misjudge Him

The Lord alerts His disciples that the same will be true in their lives too, if they too chose to remain faithful to their vocation.

As a follower of the Lord, we too need to be aware that sufferings and hardships on being Christian is sure to come our way.

What is our attitude and disposition to these trials that we face because of our faith in Christ?

Do we be bold and courageous…

… even when we are to face isolation or seclusion due to standing firm in our values and principles in the Lord?

Do we live our life in joy and calmness…

… even when we have to face misunderstandings and become an object of laughter, or called as “old-traditionalist” as a result of being staunch in following the Gospel values?

The world constantly ensnares us with temptations to abandon the Cross…

>> The evil one very often traps us with hardships to dilute our faith in the Lord…

Are we going to yield in to such temptations and enticements…

>> Or are we prepared to face any amount of difficulty, to uphold our Faith in the Lord?

Are we going to stamp the Cross of Christ and Faith in Him…

>> Or we bold and courageous to sustain our witnessing to Jesus in the world?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Gospels are a beautiful account of the many narratives, describing the works, teachings and life of Jesus.

We get a glimpse to various images and facets of the life of Jesus.

>> These various images of the Lord, help us to relate to Him in a much more intimate and closer manner.

>> These various images of the Lord, also help us, in turn, to imitate Him and to live more and more like Him, in this world.

The Gospel of the Day… just six verses… Jn 15: 12-17, on a closer reading, presents a number of images of the Lord.

These images will help us to…

… form a closer bond with the Lord

… imitate the Lord better in our lives

Image 1: Jesus, the Lover…. inviting us to be His lovers!

The Lord says, “… love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn 15: 12)

>> Jesus is our Lover!

He is the Love-incarnate, and He expresses His deep love to us at every moment of our life.

Do we experience the Lord as a Lover…?

… intimately and passionately loving us, even in the midst of problems of life

… assuring His faithful support to us at every situation, even if we have been unfaithful

Image 2: Jesus, the friend… inviting us to have Him as our best friend!

The Lord says, “… I have called you friends… ” (Jn 15: 15b)

>> Jesus is our Friend!

He is the One who shares everything that He has with us and does not keep any secrets in this Divine friendship.

Do we experience the Lord as our Friend…?

… constantly walking beside us, sharing our every emotion – joy, sorrow, hateful feelings, frustration, silly thoughts, stupid doubts, unseen jealousies etc

… on whom we can rely on, in any situation of life – may not get an answer in every problem, but surely being strengthened in having a shoulder to lean on and hands to hold onto!

Image 3: Jesus, the brother…inviting us to share in His Sonship!

The Lord says, “… I have told you everything I have heard from My Father” (Jn 15: 15)

>> Jesus, the Son of the Heavenly Father, is our Brother!

We are raised to a status of being “sons in the Son”!

We are given the privilege to address God – not as any impersonal being, or a distant reality.. but as our Father – a loving Daddy, a caring Parent!

Do we experience the Lord as our Brother…?

… the One who reveals the secrets of the Heavenly Family and bids us to have a closer union with the Divine Family

… the One who asks us to cast off our fear of God as being some strict rule-keeper and instead to cherish His Fatherly affection and fondness

Image 4: Jesus, the Master… inviting us to give heed to His commandments!

The Lord says, ” This is command: love one another” (Jn 15: 17)

>> Jesus is our Master!

We are obliged to obey the order of the Lord and carry out His plans and wishes faithfully.

Do we experience the Lord as our Master…?

… giving heed to His commandment of being an instrument of love and harmony in our life situations

… being faithful, in little or big things, to please the Master at all times

Image 5: Jesus, the Intercessor… inviting us to cast our concerns to Him!

The Lord says, “.. whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you” (Jn 15:16b)

>> Jesus is our Intercessor!

By His Holy Sacrifice, He has become the mediator and intercessor for the entire human race, before the Heavenly Father (1 Tim 2:5)

Do we experience the Lord as our Intercessor…?

… bringing before Him our concerns and the needs of the world, knowing that intercession is a very powerful means of alleviating the struggles and problems of the world

… becoming a prayer-warrior and helping the grace and intervention of God to be felt by people who are in distress and trouble

Image 6: Jesus, the Missionary.. inviting us to be co-workers in His Project Kingdom!

The Lord says, “you did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” (Jn 15: 16a)

>> Jesus is our model Missionary

The mission that was entrusted by the Father, is now shared by Jesus to all of us, and we become partners and collaborators with Him

Do we experience Jesus as our model Missionary…?

… knowing that He is the ideal and perfect missionary and that I must seek to imitate Him, in bringing God’s reign in the lives of people

… realising that it is a huge honour and a big responsibility that is placed on me, to be a co-worker and teammate of the Lord.

The Gospel presents these powerful images of the Lord to grow closer to Him and to reflect these images, in our contexts.

Let the words of St Clare inspire us:

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.

If we love things, we become a thing.

>> If we love nothing, we become nothing.

Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation.

>> This means we are to become vessels of God´s compassionate love for others. ”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A story is told of a lady who was very much zealous in telling about Jesus Christ to the world.

This lady was blind and illiterate…

… and yet found different ways to spread the Gospel.

One day, she went to a Missionary Priest and asked for a copy of the Bible in French.

When she got it, she asked the missionary to underline John 3:16, in red, and mark the page, so that she could find it.

(Jn 3:16 = “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son…that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life!”)

The missionary wanted to see what she would do with this Bible that was marked with red…

… and so he followed her.

The lady went in the late afternoon to a school…

… and made her way to the entrance.

As the school children came out, she would stop one of them and ask if he knew how to read French.

If the boy would say “Yes” she would ask him to read the verse that was marked in red.

Then she would ask, “Do you know what this means?”…

… and then go on to tell him more about Jesus Christ and living a Life in the Lord!

The missionary priest would later testify that this lady led nearly a couple of dozen boys to become missionaries of the Lord!

As followers of Christ, each of us are bound to tell the world about the Precious Life of “Living in God!”

How well are we doing our Duty of Proclaiming God to the world?

>> Am I a Faithful Apostle?

Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of two Apostles St Philip and St James…

>> They lived a faithful and courageous life as followers of Jesus…

… and made Jesus more known to the world by their faithful life!

The Apostle St Philip was a native of Bethsaida, on Lake Gennesaret.

>> He was among the first disciples of Jesus (Jn 1:43)

(a) At the miraculous feeding of the multitude, it was to Philip that Jesus asked, “Where shall we buy bread that these may eat?” to which Philip replied, “Two hundred denarii worth food will not be enough for them to have a little” (Jn 6:5)

(b)  When through Greeks came to meet Jesus, it was Philip whom they met and it was he who reported to Andrew and they both went to Jesus (Jn 12: 21-22)

(c) It was Philip who told Jesus, in the Upper Room, “Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us” (Jn 14: 8)

The Apostle St James is called as the Younger or the Less, because he was the second of that name who was an apostle of Jesus – distinguishing him from James the Greater, the son of Zebedee

>> St James the Less was also called as James the Just and is sometimes also called as the “Brother of the Lord”

(a) He is the author of one of the Epistles in the New Testament

(b) He was also ordained as the Bishop of Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Day (Jn 14: 6-14) presents Jesus declaring Himself as “The Way, the Truth and The Life” (Jn 14: 6)

>> These two Apostles, St Philip and St James by their life, gave a faithful witness to Jesus – “The Way, The Truth and The Life!”

We are called and challenged, by these Apostles to do the same as well…

Being ready…

>> to embrace Jesus as The Way…

… seeking to follow only His paths and doing His Will

… being bold to stand firm in the face of hardships, while walking on the Way

Being ready…

>> to embrace Jesus as The Truth…

… wanting to let go a life of dishonesty and hypocrisy in our actions of life

… determined in the conviction to live for Christ and His virtues in day-to-day life

Being ready…

>> to embrace Jesus as The Life…

… willing to utilize all our talents, gifts, resources in life for the glory of God and His Kingdom

… being brave to let go off anything which prevents us from living a life for the Lord

The Apostles St Philip and St James…

… were greatly purified in their following of the Lord, through various persecutions and hardships

>> And finally, gave their life in martyrdom to the Lord and His Kingdom!

When there is determination and passion for God, we look for ways and means, to preach about God and His Love to the world!

>> No blindness can prevent us from showing people “the vision of Divine Life”

>> No illiteracy can stop us from declaring to people “the Word of Life!”

Let us wait at the “entrances of people’s life” and…

… point the “the red and passionate Love of the Lord” to the world!

Wish you a Happy Feast of the Apostles – St Philip and St James!

>> May we too, seek and work to be His True Apostles and thus live to be a Saint!

God Bless! Live Jesus!