108 is a free telephone number for emergency services in India, currently operational in around 22 States of the country.

The 108 Emergency Response Service is a free emergency service providing integrated medical, police and fire emergency services.

It’s interesting to see that there are different versions to tell why this number 108 is chosen as the ’emergency number”.

One explanation (which some of us would have seen in the form of WhatsApp msgs or multimedia photos) is this…

…. ‘108’ is a number derived from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10, verse 8.

What is Mt 10:8? “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons”

This message of the Gospel reaches out as an aid and help in times of emergency to those in trouble and difficulty.

The Gospel of the Day contains this “emergency verse” in the mission commission that Jesus entrusts to his chosen Twelve.

Jesus has already inaugurated His mission of spreading the Kingdom of God.

This mission is characterized especially by reaching out to those in need and those in tribulations…

• To the sick, with the medicine of healing and comfort

• To the suppressed, with the balm of acceptance and love

• To the sinner, with the comfort of forgiveness and mercy

The chosen Twelve are also entrusted with this same commission of bringing the Kingdom of God to the lives of people: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (Mt 10: 8)

The Kingdom of God becomes a sign and symbol of bringing healing and wholeness to people.

This is the mandate that is entrusted to each one of us, as well, as Christians.

The Gospel of the Day invites us to adopt some important traits in our life as a Christian: Being a source of encouragement in the “emergency” situations of the lives of people.

>> Can I be a person who can be reached out, in consolation..

… when people undergo problems, crisis and face difficulties in life?

>> Can I be a person who can be an encouragement…

… when people pass through the lowly valleys of discouragement and despair in life?

>> Can I be a person who can be a healing balm and a soothing medicine…

…when people face immense heartbreaks and painful moments in life?

Jesus is an answer and solution in any “emergency” situation.

• It is in Him we find our strength.

• It is in Him we find our remedy.

Today we seek the Intercession of St Ignatius Delgado

St Ignatius Delgado was a Dominican Priest and served as a Missionary in Vietnam

>> He was among the many martyrs who watered the soil of faith in Vietnam, with their blood.

He was canonized by Pope St John Paul II in 1988.

May the intercession of this Faithful and Bold Missionary…

… help us to defend the Truth, even in times of emergency!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jesus is strange!

>> And he loves to do strange things!

“Dare to be different” is a call which echoes very much through the corporate sector today, and also in many areas of our life!

And Jesus, certainly, is a model and an example for each one of us, in this Daring to be Different!

And this strange Jesus, this Daring Jesus who loves to do things differently…

… throws up a classic example for this, in today’s Gospel Reading, by choosing The Twelve Apostles – twelve strange persons to be His Daring disciples.

We could have a short litany of adjectives to describe or portray these Twelve…

Let’s get set with a mini-dictionary…

… Ordinary, Mundane, Shy, Absent-minded, Introvert, Prejudiced, Inhibited, Hated by society, Craver of power, Zealous in quick actions, Betraying Characters, Sceptics, Unsteady Temperaments, Cynical….

The list is long, right?

Maybe, some of us, also very much possess these characters and traits!

>> Is it True?

But, with all these varied personalities and natures, Jesus, the Daring Master, chose His twelve, having these characters…!

The Lord loves to transform and change…

>> He changed the water into wine…

>> He transformed a few loaves of bread and fish as food for thousands…

>> He changed the raging sea to calmness and serenity…

>> He transformed sicknesses in people to good health and new vigour…

>> He changed the static and inhuman view of the Law to a dynamic and loving perception…

Yes, the Lord loves to transform and change…

And this Lord, who loves to transform and change, also worked wonders with the Twelve!

These Twelve, with their varied personalities and characters, were handed on the Charge to continue the Gigantic Task of their Daring Master…

… to be the Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God;

… to be with Him and to be sent out,

… to have authority over unclean spirits and drive them out,

… to cure every disease and illness and to preach!

These chosen lights were to cast their rays over the rest of humanity, in all nations.

Are we also hearing the Call of the Lord, to be the Ambassadors of His Kingdom…

… in the place where we are

… in the state of life, that we are in?

Let’s not be worried about our nature or temperament or character or weaknesses…

Yes, the Lord is strange, and He loves to do strange things…

… He is CRAZY over us!

The Lord also loves to transform and to change…

… He is Willing to TRANSFORM us!

The only thing that He needs from us is…

… our Consent

… our Willingness

… our Openness!

Let no negative feelings come in the way of this Deep Desire of the Lord…

>> As Israelites in Hosea 10:1, Let us not boast on our prosperity or our richness; let our hearts not remain divided in our loyalty

… Let us instead plough a new ground…seeking the Lord…

The Kingdom of God is a vineyard….it needs labourers

The Kingdom of God is a net…it needs fishermen

The Kingdom of God is a field…it needs sowers and reapers

The Kingdom of God is a flock…it needs shepherds!

Yes, the Lord is calling.. the Lord is desiring.. the Lord is wanting…

Are we hearing?

Let this not remain a Missed Call!

Let’s pick up…and answer…

… and Co-operate with the Strange Master, to Dare to be Different!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A commonly heard story goes thus….

A small town had been “dry” for years.

>> i.e. ‘without any bars or consumption of alcohol’.

But some of the business people, decided to build a bar in that town.

The local Christian group were however alarmed and concerned at this latest development

>> They decided that they would have an all-night prayer to ask God to intervene.

Work on the construction of the bar, progressed right up till the week before opening…

…. when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground!

The owners of the bar, enraged, filed a case against the prayer group – to sue them in court.

>> They claimed that the prayers of the group was responsible for the destruction of their bar!

>> They claimed that the people in the church were ultimately responsible for the ruin of the building – either through direct or indirect actions or means.

The prayer group members however appointed a lawyer to defend themselves

>> They vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s devastation in its reply to the court.

The judge after the initial examination of the case stated thus:

“I do not know how I am going to decide.

But no matter how this case ends, one thing is clear:

>> It appears that we have some bar owners who believe in the power of prayer…

… but an entire praying congregation that does not!”

How true is not this the case, even in our lives?

>> People who are expected to be having more faith…

… often are seen to live a life of unbelief and distrust in God

>> People who are “inside” the praying circle and the group of faith…

… often have difficulties to simply trust in the power and workings of God

The Gospel of the Day presents before us an incident where this contrast is brought forth…

>> A group of people – the Pharisees – who were intellectually deeper in the scriptures and were expected to know more about the Messiah…

…. failed to recognize and acknowledge the Messianic Power of Jesus

>> The other group of people – simple and ordinary crowds – who followed Jesus and were effortlessly attracted to Him…

… publicly acclaimed and appreciated the mighty deeds of Jesus

The Gospel passage begins with the incident of a man – dumb and demoniac – who was brought to Jesus (Mt 9: 32)

>> When the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke ( Mt 9: 33a)

There were two reactions to this same incident: One was of marvel; the other was of contempt!

>> The crowds – simple and ordinary – who were attracted to Jesus “marvelled and said: ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel'” (Mt 9:33b)

>> The Pharisees – knowledgeable and intellectual – who often looked to find loopholes in the ministry of Jesus and trap Him, said: “He casts out demons by the prince of demons” (Mt 9: 34)

The same incident – Jesus healing the dumb and demoniac man – was observed and experienced by two different groups…

…. but they generated contrasting reactions and divergent responses!

>> One of them marvelled; the other mocked!

>> One of them had found a reason to praise God; the other found a reason to deride Jesus!

Is this not the case, often , even in our lives too?

>> Very often is this not the phenomena seen with respect to prayer…?

>> People who go to Church seem to be believing less in the power and providence of God…

… people who stay away from pious devotions, often acknowledge the influence of the Divine!

>> People who go regularly to Holy Mass and the Sacraments, often live superficial lives…

… people who stay away, seek to live better and more honestly.

What does this mean?

>> Not that we should stay away from our pious actions, devotions and our activities of faith

>> Not that people who don’t display faith have more reasons to live a good life

But these are reminders and alarms from the Lord…

… to examine our life and activities of faith!

… to check whether my prayer life is actually translated to a living trust in God!

Do the prayers that I make and the devotions that I engage in:

>> Cause me to believe and trust in the providential power of the Lord, knowing that He works out all things for our good…

… or do they just remain mere lip-services and an exercise and custom that I go through, without having any effect on me?

Do the Sacraments that I participate in – especially the Holy Mass and Sacrament of Reconciliation:

>> Cause me to have a life-transformational experience, every time, and become moments to encounter the Living Lord and His mighty love in my life…

.. or do they become routine rituals and casual ceremonies that I go through, without allowing the Lord to cause any effect or change in me?

Do the sermons that I hear, the reflections that I read and the Bible and other books that I meditate…

>> Cause me to reflect on my life, examine my conscience and let go a life of sin…

… or do they merely become aids to help me give pointers for ‘powerful’ sermons and feel a sense of external satisfaction, without taking decisions to also live a life of holiness and sanctity?

As Christians…

>> It is our duty to know more about the Lord and learn deeper about the elements of our faith…

… but we also need to grow in our life of holiness and live the faith in our practical lives

>> It is our duty to understand Scripture more and know learn about the Church and her teachings…

… but we also need to allow the Scripture ‘to read our lives’ and to help to love, spread and defend the Church and her teachings to others.

Which group of people are we in…

>> “Knowing theoretically much about the power of God and scriptures” but failing to recognize and acknowledge His power…?

>> Or simple and ordinary in our faith and belief – seeking to know more about God and scripture- but above all, recognizing, acknowledging and thanking the Power of God in life?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little boy had to walk around 2 kms to his school, through the congested and bustling city.

His mother had arranged a servant to accompany the child – while going and coming back from school – to ensure the child’s safety.

>> For this the servant was paid 30 rupees a day.

But when the child reached Third Standard (Grade 3) of school, he rebelled and told his mother:

” I’ll walk myself to school!

And if you give me 10 rupees a day, I will be extra careful. The rest of the money we can save and we all will be better off!”

After sometime of pleading and begging, the little boy finally got his way.

>> For the next three years, he walked himself – back and forth from school.

Years later, at a family party, the boy bragged about his independence and boasted to his family about how he had taken care of himself as a little boy, travelling alone to school.

His mother, on hearing the story, laughed and said:

“Did you really think you were alone?

>> “Every morning when you left for school, I left with you. I walked behind you all the way.

>> Every evening when you got out of school, I was there. I set my eyes on you and protected you.

I always kept myself hidden; but I was there and I followed you all the way home.

>> I was always there for you, especially when you needed me!”

Similar is the case of God as well, in our spiritual walk…

…. We are never left alone

… We are always followed by the Lord!

>> There are moments when we think we can manage alone

>> There are other times when we feel there is none with me, in our journey

But the Lord always walks with us…!

He is the “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”

>> He is the God Who is “Kind and Full of Compassion!”

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful incident of God walking with His people, especially in their moments of pain, loneliness and helplessness…

>> A God who accompanies…

… the official whose daughter had died: by bringing life and smile to his family (Mt 9: 18-19, 23-26)

… the woman with haemorrhage: by cleansing and restoring her to health (Mt 9: 20-22)

The Gospel focuses our attention on the “walk” of two persons:

1. The official whose daughter had died:

“An official CAME FORWARD, knelt down before Jesus…” (Mt 9: 18)

2. The woman with haemorrhage:

“A woman suffering haemorrhages CAME UP BEHIND Jesus….” (Mt 9: 20)

The official came walking ‘forward’

>> The woman came walking ‘from behind’

Both were persons in distress and despair

>> Both were suffering physical agony and mental anguish

Human life is characterised in these two persons…

>> The way “forward” is often an uncertain and blurred path, filled with distress and despair

>> The way “from behind” had often been an experience of physical agony and mental anguish

Loneliness plagues us in this walk of life… Hopelessness often overtakes our walk of life!

This arduous walk of life, sometimes causes…

… some of us to give up and call it quits

… some of us to drown ourselves into addictions and unhealthy habits

Some even wish to make it “all alone” in life, thinking I can manage everything by myself

… abandoning even God!

But the official and the woman in the Gospel today show us the way:

>> When the path of life becomes tough with distress and despair…

>> When the journey of life is filled with physical agony and mental anguish…

… “walk forward” towards Jesus – surrendering the future – and plead for help and mercy: like the official!

… “walk from behind” towards Jesus – leaving the past – and touch Him: like the woman!

It is then that we experience and feel the power of the “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”

>> The “forward step” of the official towards Jesus, surrendering his future…

… helped him to experience the mighty touch of the Lord in the life of his daughter (Mt 9:25)

… Life was restored; smiles were brought back; good news was spread all over!

>> The “behind” approach of the woman towards Jesus, letting go her past…

… helped her to experience the healing and sanctifying touch of the Lord (Mt 9: 22)

… Bleeding was ceased; courage was praised; faith was blessed!

The incidents in today’s Gospel passage, invite us…

… to surrender our future to the Lord: knowing that He will render all things for our good, if we trust and co-operate with Him

… to let go of our past to the Lord: knowing that He will touch and heal us, of all our former wounds, if we seek Him with deep desire and longing

Yes, in our walk of life, the Lord tells us:

“Do you really think you are alone?

>> “Every morning when you rise, I am with you. I walk behind you all the way.

>> Every evening when you rest, I am there. I set my eyes on you and protect you

I sometimes seem hidden; but I am there and I follow you all the way.

>> I am always there for you, especially when you need me!”

Let us grow in our trust and faith in the Lord and “walk” with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

When the first missionaries went to Japan, a young Japanese boy wanted to learn English.

The missionaries handed him a copy of the Gospels and asked him to translate to his native language.

(The boy – an avid reader – had never heard about Jesus and considered the book as being just one of the “many books that he had read”)

After a few pages of translation, the boy became very agitated and restless.

Approaching the missionaries, he said to them: “Who is this Man about Whom I have been reading in this book? This Jesus!

>> You call Him a Man… but to me, he appears as a God!”

The boy was under the impression that he was reading a book about a famous Man…

… only to discover that he was actually encountering The Great God in the Book!

Yes, a genuine and honest encounter with the Word of God always causes a great impact on people…

>> Some either feel greatly drawn by the Divine…

>> Some however, also feel a great sense of denial and refusal of God’s Ways

The Gospel of the Day presents this dual-reaction to Jesus, the Word of God…

… an initial sense of rejoicing and enthrallment

… and later, a purposeful rejection of the Divine Ways and Will

The Lord arrives in His hometown.

>> On the Sabbath, He taught in the synagogue.

The Gospel mentions a juxtaposition of feelings of the listeners…

First, there is a great expression of marvel and wonder:

“Where did this Man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to Him? What deeds of power are being by Him?” (Mk 6:2)

But this feeling quickly vanishes…

The feelings of wonder and amazement get distorted to feelings of contempt, condemnation and outright rejection:

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not His sisters here with us?” (Mk 6:2)

What was the cause of this sudden and dramatic change of mood of the listeners?

• It was simply because Jesus was “just one of them!”

• It was simply because Jesus was “too acquainted to them!”

Familiarity often breeds contempt!

• When one is too close to the Divine, one has to be also aware that there are greater possibilities of losing the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”

• When one is constantly handling Divine objects, there is also the greater chance of losing the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent”

How many of us are prone to this danger….

Priests and the Religious constantly handle Divine objects and perform many spiritual exercises…

• Daily Holy Mass… Frequent recital of the Psalms in the Divine Office Prayer… Regular Adorations and administering and receiving of the Sacraments… Recurrent handling of the Bible, liturgical articles, reading and hearing Church teachings and life of saints….

Do all these help one to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord…?

>> Or do these cause one to lose the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”… ?

Many Christians are engaged in a number of spiritual activities on a regular basis…

• Holy Eucharistic celebration… novenas… recital of the Rosary and other pious prayers of devotion… forwarding of devotional messages, pictures and videos through emails and WhatsApp and social networking tools…

Do all these help one to grow in spiritual life….?

>> Or do these make one to lose the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent” … ?

The people failed to recognize the worth and value of Jesus due to “too much familiarity”.

However this familiarity was only “external and peripheral”…

Such kind of a familiarity had, in fact, caused them to be ignorant, contemptuous and prejudiced…

>> Ignorant… of the fact that amidst them was the Promised Messiah who was to save the world!

>> Contemptuous… of the fact that “one of them” could actually possess so much of wisdom and power!

>> Prejudiced… of the fact that “this ordinary Son of a carpenter” could ever be the Son of God!

Yes, how often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…

… due to our ignorance

… due to our contempt of things

… and due to our prejudiced mindsets!

We are invited today to “open our eyes” and to realize the worth and preciousness of God’s grace that we have been blessed with…

Each of us… personally… as a family… as a community… and as a Church, have been blessed and graced with immense favours and kindness from the Lord.

• True that we have a lot of difficulties to face in our life…

• True that we have much to complain in the maze of the many crisis we undergo..

Yet amidst all this…

Can we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and gratitude for the Lord’s Guiding Presence with us, always… and learn to grow deeper in our love for Him?

A genuine and honest encounter with the Word of God always causes a great impact on people…

>> Some either feel greatly drawn by the Divine…

>> Some however, also feel a great sense of denial and refusal of God’s Ways

What is our Reaction and Response to Jesus, the Word of God?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A man, occupying an important and influential position in the society was often criticized for his honest and just way of dealing things.

Once his friend enquired of him: “Why don’t you give fitting replies to your critics?”

To that the person replied:

“In my native town lives a widow who has a dog.

Whenever the moon shines, it goes outside and barks all night.”

The friend, confused on that example, asked: “ I didn’t get you…

… what is it about the dog and the moon?”

“Oh,” the man continued, “the moon went on shining — that’s all.”

Our lives our often marked by a number of criticisms and condemnations.

>> People often make “their own” yardsticks, to measure others actions, and to find a way of criticizing others!

People make “their own” measuring tapes, to determine the deeds of other people, and thus find ways to put down other people!

Are we also sometimes in the category of those who “criticize and condemn” others?

The Gospel of the day is an invitation to examine this common human tendency of assessing others’ manners and conduct based on “standards and measurements” that are set by ourselves.

• Do I evaluate the action of another person based on my own “prejudiced” mindset… or do I measure it with the yardstick that God uses?

• Do I critically analyse other people’s attitudes from my own “biased” perspective… or do I gauge it with the benchmark that God proposes?

In the Gospel, we see the disciples of John who come to Jesus with a critical query:

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mt 9:14)

It is interesting to note the reason that the disciples of John use here, in order to ask put forward their question…

It would be something like this…

“We, the disciples of John… we follow our Master in leading an ascetic and hard life.

We fast often times during the week… we live a hard life.

Look at the Pharisees too.. they fast twice a week, which is more than the stipulated requirement of the Law.

We engage ourselves in so much of fasting.

But look at your disciples…

They are only found to be enjoying life!

Who don’t they fast… like we do… ??”

>> They had perhaps made “their own” yardsticks to measure the actions of the disciples and found a way of criticising them!

>> They had perhaps made “their own” measuring tapes to determine the deeds of the disciples, and thus found ways to put them down!

But the Lord asks them to change this their “yardstick” and “measuring scale” of judging other people.

Jesus gives an example of the bridegroom and the context of a marriage.

Marriage is the time of joy and celebration… not of mourning or being sad.

It is a time of feasting.. and not fasting!

>> A time of feasting on God’s tremendous Providence and Grace!

>> A time of feasting on the Love and Compassion shown by the Lord!

The Lord makes a challenge….

… consider and evaluate situations from the “eyes of God” – in the way that God sees.

… assess and measure people in the “manner of God” – with the approach that God takes.

It is said that when God measures a person, He puts the tape around the heart, and not the head!

The attitude of “criticizing and complaining” is a constant temptation.

We may perhaps, also be victims of the same.

>> But let us always remain “true to ourselves, and honest in what we do”

Let the Charity of God always radiate in us and thus know for sure…

… “the moon of God’s Love always goes on shining!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An elderly man was having a celebration of his 90th birthday.

The man, who lived a life of integrity, was looked up by many, as a good Catholic.

At the birthday celebration, one of the youngsters asked him: “What message would you like to leave to the Christian Youth?”

The elderly person – with some struggle to speak – spoke the following three phrases:

“Look to Jesus!

Listen to Jesus!

Learn of Jesus!”

These three simple phrases are important keys for us to be Faithful Followers of Christ.

The Gospel of the Day – the Call of Mathew to follow Jesus – is a presentation, of Mathew beginning this journey of Faithfully Following Christ, by…

… “Looking to Jesus, Listening to Jesus and Learning of Jesus”

The Gospel today begins with the verse:

“…Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.

He said to him, “Follow me!” (Mt 9:9)

For the religious elite of the Society, this calling of Matthew, the tax collector was a shocking experience!

>> Tax Collectors were among the most hated people in the Jewish Society.

Tax collectors were generally despised and tainted and stained on three different aspects:

1. Nationally Traitors

A tax collector, “sold himself”, to the foreign Roman government, and was a betrayer of the Nation.

>> One of the top-most nation-betrayers!

2. Morally Corrupt

Each tax collector had the right from the Roman government to gather taxes.

The more he gathered, the more he could keep!

>> One of the top-most dishonest people!

c. Religiously Unclean:

The constant contact of the tax collectors with the Gentiles made them religiously suspect.

>> One of the top-most impure class!

And it is this Matthew, a tax collector…

… that Jesus invites to “Follow Him”!

The Journey of ‘Faithful Following’ had begun for Mathew…

>> He began to ‘look to Jesus, listen to Jesus and learn from Jesus’

Mathew would open himself to the Love of the Lord….

1. He opened His heart:

Matthew became a new person.

Accepting Jesus, meant…

… turning away from his old-ways

… forsaking a good deal of income

… rejecting some of his corrupt business people

2. He Opened His Home:

Matthew was excited to share his new-found Love, with others too.

The transformation in one person, became an opportunity, for many others…

… to experience God’s enterprising love

…. and be challenged to undergo a change!

3. He opened his hands:

Matthew also opened his hands & worked for the Lord.

“It could be said, that when Jesus called Matthew, he left his job to follow Christ, but he took along with him, his pen!”

>> And this would later help him to pen the Gospel…the Gospel according to St Matthew!

The call to be a Christian is not an easy one.

Like Mathew, we too have to…

… constantly seek to listen to the voice of the Lord, in the midst of our “busy schedules”

… have the courage to “leave our tables” and begin to depend on the Lord

… continually “face criticisms and comments” from others, and yet be faithful

As Pope Benedict XVI says:

“If you follow the will of God, in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge…!

>> Go on, trusting, in the One that loves you.”

Yes, we all can find…

… rest in His Heart

… welcome in His Home

… and strength in His Hands!

May we constantly seek to ‘Faithfully Follow Jesus’, by always:

>> “Looking to Jesus…

Listening to Jesus…

and Learning of Jesus”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Harbour” is a place on the coast, where ships may moor in shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures.

The word “harbor” is also used to speak about a keep a thought or feeling, (typically a negative one) in one’s mind, especially secretly

The Gospel of the Day is an expose by Jesus, on how a group of people “harbour” wrong thoughts in the mind.

>> It is an exposition of this evil side of life that often empowers human hearts, and pops its head up, especially when encountered by goodness and holiness.

The Gospel is the healing of the paralytic, when Jesus comes into His own town.

Seeing the paralytic being brought on the stretcher, and admiring their faith, Jesus had said, “Courage child, your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9: 2)

However, some of the scribes got irked hearing these words and said, “This man is blaspheming”

But Jesus, who knows the hearts of people…. who reads the thoughts of all.. said:

“Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Mt 9: 4)

Another translation of this verse would read:

“Why do you harbour evil in your hearts?”

The Lord exposes the evil intention of the Scribes in questioning His action of cleansing the paralytic.

For the paralytic, it was a great moment…

… of being cleansed from sin, and being restored to holiness

… of having a very personal encounter of the Saviour and receiving wholeness

It was a sacred time…a holy instant!

But where there is the presence of Holiness, evil finds itself disturbed and distances itself!

>> Evil cannot exist beside the Sacred!

Human life often finds itself engaged and engrossed with evil things…

>> The pull to be bad constantly lurks in human minds…

>> The urge to be sinful often prowls in human hearts…

Therefore, when the paralytic was encountering goodness and holiness, the evil side in the scribes popped its head up, and questioned and quizzed our Blessed Lord.

The same question that Jesus asked the scribes is now thrown to us:

“Why do you think evil in your hearts?” or “Why do you harbour evil in your hearts?”

• Am I a person who is unable to tolerate the good things happening in other people’s life?

• Am I someone who gets irked and irritated when the other person prospers in happiness?

We sometimes adorn the walls of our hearts with many filthy stuff – uncharitable thoughts, indecent words and jokes, hurtful views of people or crude perspectives of situations.

The Lord feels hurt and sad by this our “harbouring of evil in our hearts”

Are we ready to throw of all those unbecoming stuff from our hearts, and place the Divine Mercy of the Lord, enthroned in our hearts?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There are many dramatic incidents mentioned in the Bible, and especially in the Gospels.

Today’s reading in one such highly dramatic and gripping episode.

>> Jesus, liberates two persons from the power of the demons and banishes the band of demons into a herd of pigs!

The demoniacs in today’s Gospel, lived among the tombs, and were extremely fierce and ruthless! The demons had taken great possession of them, and were totally bound to these satanic forces!

There are several aspects we could consider in this gripping scene:

a. Denial of the Presence of the Evil:

One of the simple strategies that Satan is succeeding today, is in the aspect, that many seek to underplay his power or even deny his existence.

Psychological Advancements and Reasonable Thinking would probably dilute the fact of the existence of Satan or Demoniac Powers or Evil forces!

To negate the very existence of evil itself, is an acknowledgement of the presence of Satan!

>> But the Gospels are clear in telling the fact that evil forces, Satan and the Devil do tamper with human lives &situations, and are on the spree to capture human beings into sinful ways of living!

We pray in the Our Father.. ” but deliver us from evil…”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear, (#2851) “In this petition (of the Our Father), evil is not an abstraction, but refers to a person, Satan, the Evil One, the angel who opposes God. The devil (dia-bolos) is the one who “throws himself across” God’s plan and his work of salvation accomplished in Christ.”

b. Jesus is shown to be in total control over Demoniac and Satanic powers!

The Gospel of Matthew clearly demonstrates, the various ways in which Jesus is powerful.

He liberates people from leprosy, he heals sicknesses, he calms the storms…

… and now, He casts out demons and frees the captives from their chains!

c. Sin has a power to keep people clinging to it

The people of the town, though having, witnessed the mighty deliverance by Jesus, now request and plead Him to leave their area.

Usually, those who encounter the Might of Jesus, seek for more of His presence. But these people, happy with their life, now find a disturbance in Jesus!

>> They probably realize that they’d have to make amendments in their life, to accommodate the Liberating Presence of Jesus in their lives!

Now let’s come to us…

1. Do I downplay the power & techniques & tactics of Satan and evil forces, and rather seek to offer human and natural solutions for supernatural problems?

Pope Francis would say, “Maybe Satan’s greatest achievement in these times, has been to make us believe that he does not exist, and that all can be fixed on a purely human level.”

Yes, “The presence of the devil is on the first page of the Bible & the Bible ends as well with the presence of the devil, with the victory of God over the devil.”

2. Am I able to trust in the Mighty Liberating Force of the Lord, who has complete control over all satanic and demoniac forces?

3. Do I seek to run away from the Lord & His teachings, especially, since it forces me to change my old pattern of lifestyle?

>> Do I seek comfort & pleasure, in living a sinful life & even make justifications & adjustments, in spiritual life, so that the Lord only remains a passive force in me?!

The World is a witness to many satanic and evil forces…

>> Sinful ways of living, Loose immoral lives, Injustice, Corruption, Hypocritical practices, Inhuman abuses etc….

It’s time to renew the Spiritual Combat

…in our personal lives, our family lives, in our communities, our societies and in the whole world!

Let the Lord of all Liberation and Power, be our strength and courage!

Amos 5:14 says, “Seek good…and shun evil…that you may live!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It takes years to build a character, but a moment to lose it…

>> It takes hundreds of efforts to build a relationship, but a moment to lose it…

>> It takes manifold of words to be known as a good speaker, but a couple of words to doom that title…

People cash on one bad remark…

… but thousands of consoling and good words are forgotten!

>> People talk bad on one negative incident…

… but forget many good deeds and honourable moments!

This is our experience. This is our real life.

Something similar was and is experienced by an Apostle too.. St Thomas.

He made one remark of doubt….

… and ever since, has been branded, “The Doubting Thomas!“

Often when some raise doubts or make queries, they are remarked, “Don’t be a Thomas!”

Am I too judgmental and Critical of People?

This is more often the Human Way.

But God’s ways are spectacular!

Humans remain judgmental, knowing just external factors!

>> God remains merciful even after being fully aware of internal factors!!

But if St Thomas doubted…

… He has also gifted the Church, with one of the Most Explicit Statements of Faith, and has given us all…a Simple yet powerful Prayer: “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).

When we see the Life of St Thomas, he also had his share of weaknesses, just like all the other apostles!

But let’s not exaggerate the weakness of a person…

>> Rather, let’s focus on Christ and His Mercy and Power. “Christ chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world, to shame the Strong!”(1 Cor 1:27-28)

Human weakness becomes the channel for God’s Grace and Holiness to flow…

>> Holiness is not a human effort…but is God’s grace…

>> Holiness is a gift!

A Gift is given, not earned…but once received, one must live a life worthy of that Gift!

It is God who gradually transforms the weak and lowly, into His Image and Likeness, more and more, when we co-operate with His Grace!

St Thomas…surely doubted…

… but more than the Resurrection of His Lord, he probably doubted the words of his companions.

He knew them well.

>> He knew how most of them were shallow in their faith, and how easily they would get excited at some flashy events!

And therefore.. St Thomas doubts..

>> He doubts the words of his companions… he chooses to trust none, but the Lord Himself!

And the Lord…who sees the hearts of all…is Himself eager to clarify Thomas’s doubt, perhaps more than the Apostle himself!

>> As he greets the group of Apostles, Jesus addresses Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands….do not be unbelieving, but believe!” (Jn 20:27)

What would have been going on, through the mind of Jesus, at that point?

Probably, the Lord was having a naughty smile & was only glad to oblige Thomas’s stubborn request!

>> Doubtless, He was not offended by the Thomas’ suspicion, but only wanted to get back his faith in Him!

Did Thomas touch the Lord?

The Gospels do not specifically mention about this touching…(though many of the popular pictures of the Saint do so!)..

>> But the Lord surely did touch Thomas!

Thomas was deeply touched by the Lord’s gesture!

>> Thomas was humbled by the Lord’s humility

>> Thomas was overwhelmed by the Lord’s magnanimous presence and sparkling gaze!

The Shadows of Doubts were cast away….the Glorious Light of Faith and Belief was shining bright…

… “My Lord and My God!!“

Doubt is not the opposite of Faith…

… it is an element of Faith!

I am not alone in my doubts and fears…

>> There are Apostles and Saints and Great Holy People, who have gone through this crisis.

“Lord, I do believe…help my unbelief – let this be our genuine prayer!

May we always pray, that we grow in our faith, to live & even to Die for the Faith…

… just like St Thomas, the Great Apostle of Faith proclaimed not just with his lips but also with his life & death, “My Lord and My God!”

Happy Feast of Faith and Belief, Boldness and Courage to all!

God bless! Live Jesus!