“Compatibility” is a term that is increasingly becoming a common word in our everyday vocabulary, thanks to the widespread usage of computers and mobiles.

Compatibility refers to the a state in which two things are able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict.

>> It is the capacity for two systems to work together, without having to be altered to do so.

Eg. A computer which has a Windows 98 Operating System (the very old version) will not be able to support many of the latest programs and softwares…

>> It is because of a “compatibility” issue.

Eg. A mobile, like the old Nokia 1100, without an Android-base, will not be able to have many of the new applications like WhatsApp or Viber etc…

>> It is because of a “compatibility” issue.

This compatibility issue can also appear in our spiritual life…

>> When we are not in proper terms with God, we fail to understand many of His plans for us.

>> When we are not in line with God’s Will, we lose out on grasping many of His aspirations for us

And that is why the Lord will tell, in today’s Gospel, “Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in Me!” (Jn 15:4b)

The modern trend is often to “do things by one’s own capability!”

With the advancement in science, technology and communication…

… human beings seems to be becoming more and more independent and self-reliant.

This tendency, however, also hampers a Christian’s understanding of God and His “undeniable” Role in the affairs of the world.

God is often forgotten and sidelined…

… when there is economic prosperity!

… when there is abundance of luxury and comfort!

.. when there is a “false sense” of surety that “all is well” in life!

But when such “materialistic comforts” are lost…

… people rush to God and “cry out for His Favour!”

The Lord, however, in today’s Gospel clearly points out…

… that “unless we remain in Him, we can never be truly successful!”

God is the only Foundation on which can be built the Towers of Success!

>> God is the only Compass that can lead to the proper destination of Joy in the journey of life!

This “remaining in Him” requires “Compatibility!”

Are we ready to be “compatible” with the Ways and Commandments of God?

Very often our life is not “compatible” with the requirements of Jesus, and His Gospel!

• Our thought-pattern often fails to be “compatible” with the teachings of the Church….

• Our relationship with others, often fails to be “compatible” with the command of love of all…

• Our personal following of Jesus, often fails to be “compatible” with our dual mind of seeking also the pleasures of this world….

A great deal of “incompatibility” is often experienced by us, in the spiritual realm.

• Let us seek to “update” our lives with the love and power of the Holy Spirit.

• Let us pledge to “upgrade” our lifestyles with the convictions and truths of the Holy Gospel.

Let us thirst for Him.

>> Let us long for Him.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

For several years, a woman had been having trouble getting to sleep at night.

The reason was that she feared burglars (thieves).

One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate.

When he got there, he did find a burglar.

“Good evening,” said the man of the house. “I am pleased to see you.

>> Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you.”

“Anticipating troubles” is one of the greatest troubles that is faced by people!

It is said that “If pleasures are the greatest in anticipation, just remember that this is also true of trouble.”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus warning us of this danger of increased anxiety levels and troubled moments and instead invites to lead a life of peace.

>> Jesus says in Jn 14: 27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”

The context of this statement of Jesus is the discourse at the Last Supper.

Jesus informs of his imminent going away from the disciples, which made them sad and anxious.

• They had placed their hopes in Him.

• They had offered their lives to Him.

But His announcement of departure caused worry and anxiety to the disciples.

But Jesus, who knows their hearts and gauges their emotions assures them, ” Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give it to you” (Jn 14:27)

The disciples entered into an anxiety-mode as their hearts got wearied with what was to come immediately.

>> But Jesus invites them to go beyond such peripheral worries, and be assured of a peace that comes as a result of trusting in Him, the Lord of all future!

• When one is imprisoned in the immediate worries of life, one fails to enjoy the true freedom of peace and joy

• When one is landlocked amidst the borders of impending fears and troubles of life, one is unable to move out to experience real inner tranquility and serenity

Are we finding ourselves often in situations, when our “hearts are troubled” (Jn 14:27b) and as a result, “troubled to the point of losing sleep?”

Jesus, the Master Doctor of hearts, is ready with remedies…

• He would give us the tablet of His peace which would subside our fears

• He would give us the tonic of His soothing Word which would calm our troubles

Troubles will, without any doubt, always haunt us…

>> Problems will, for sure, often beset us…

But we need to grow in our understanding that in all this, Jesus, is in perfect control of our lives.

Let not the “burglar of anxiety and trouble” steal away all our peace and joy in life!

Instead, May Jesus, the Master of our hearts, take complete charge of our lives

>> In Him, we shall experience fervent joy.

>> In Him, we shall live with true peace.

Today is the First of May.

>> The Church commemorates St Joseph, the Worker.

We look up to St Joseph, the Worker, who was able to fulfil the duties entrusted to him, with a sense of immense trust and faith in the Lord.

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

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

Let us seek the intercession of St Joseph, who was able to fulfill the duties entrusted to him, with a sense of immense trust and faith in the Lord…

… in order to seek for the higher and heavenly longings of life!

Happy Feast of St Joseph, the Just Worker in God’s Plan of Redemption.

>> Glorious Blessings of Jesus, his Precious Child – the Way, the Truth and the Life

>> Heavenly Intercessions of Mary – his loving Spouse and our affectionately protecting Mother

God Bless! Live Jesus!