Pompeii was an ancient Roman town-city near the modern Naples, in the region of Campania in Italy.

This city was greatly devastated – destroyed and buried – by nearly 13- 20 feet of ash and pumice, in the volcanic eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The dreadful eruption killed the inhabitants of the city and buried it under tons of ash.

During the excavation, plaster was made use to fill in the voids in the ash layers that once held dead bodies. This made way for one to see the exact position that the person was in, when he or she died.

Several years later, as the construction workers were laying a foundation for a building outside the city of Pompeii, they found something very strange…

They found a corpse of woman, who probably had been fleeing from the eruption, but had got caught in the shower of hot ashes!

The weird part was that the woman’s hands clutched jewels, which were preserved in a very good condition!

>> The jewels were all hers… but death had rendered them useless for her!

That perhaps, is the common bottom-line of many of our lives, isn’t it?

Treasures of this world are just not a wise investment…

… they can neither be taken with us at the end of life

… neither can they be enjoyed for, but a few years on the earth

These are the sentiments and the teachings that are transmitted by the Lord in today’s Gospel.

Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19: 23)

The Gospel goes on to say that, “when the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished…” (Mt 19: 25)

It is fairly understandable, that just like the disciples, we too find ourselves in a state of amazement, wonder or even shock, at the words of the Lord concerning richness.

>> Could Jesus “really” mean that the rich won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

>>Was Jesus meaning that all wealth is categorically bad and therefore to be dumped off?

One of the prevailing dominant notions with respect to riches, in the Old Testament was that, they were considered to be a sign of God’s special favour.

There are several references for the same…

>> In Gen 24: 35: “Abraham’s servant tells Laban, ‘The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy.’

>> In Job 42:12: “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.”

>> In Prov 10: 22: ” It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.”

But the Old Testament also very clearly points out that these material blessings ought to be undoubtedly accompanied by a concern and care for the poor…

In Ps 132: 15: “God will bless Zion with abundant provisions and satisfy her poor with food”

In Ps 37: 11: ” The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace”

Thus the teachings of the Scriptures point to a greater responsibility that is placed on the rich.

>> This responsibility finds it onus on discovering God as the greatest treasure and richness of one’s life.

The Prophet Habakkuk gives beautiful expression to this clarion call:

“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls,

… yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” (Hab 3: 17-18a)

This then is the spirit of “richness” that Jesus, the culmination of the Laws and the Prophets calls forth for.

• A “richness” that rests not on material wealth… but on God, the Source of all wealth and prosperity

• A “wealth” that doesn’t pride on external glory… but on the Lord, the giver and provider of every richness and gift

Our lives sometimes gets so pre-occupied and anxious with….

… garnering of material wealth

…planning on amassing greater resources

… harvesting mighty fields of glory and richness

>> that God gets pushed out of life and the Source and Sustainer of all goodness finds no place in our hearts and minds!

But Jesus makes us to realize that unless I discover, maintain and hold on to the Lord as the Supreme Treasure of our life and consider all other riches and wealth as flowing from His Mercy with a duty towards sharing it with the needy and the disadvantaged.

• Instead of clinging on to worldly wealth…. may we cling on the Lord, who alone can help us to find the true meaning of our lives!

• Instead of holding on to material glory… may we hold on to the Kingdom of Heaven, where alone can we find the perfect peace and happiness!

As goes a beautiful quote:

“A person is no fool to give up what he cannot keep, in order to gain what he cannot lose.”

May we give heed to the exhortation of the Lord to “give up” things that do not count and instead to “take up” the greater priorities of our Christian life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Here is an incident that has been reported in the newsletter named “Garabandal Journal” dated January/February 2007.

It was the year 1995 in the month of October.

Pope St John Paul II, on the evening of the last day of his visit to the United States, was scheduled to make a passing visit at St Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.

The timetable of the day had been so tight and hectic that the plan was to simply greet the seminarians, as they stood outside the seminary, on the steps.

But on reaching the seminary, the Saintly Pope expressed an unplanned desire: to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament in the Seminary Chapel.

This act of the Pope took all by surprise!

The security personnel quickly flew into action.
>>A quick sweeping of the securities in the building was done with extra attention paid to the Chapel where the Holy Father would be praying – to see if anything untoward was there or if any human presence was there.

For this purpose, highly trained dogs were engaged, which would detect any human presence.

These dogs had been trained to locate living people especially in crushed buildings after earthquakes and other disasters.

These clever and intelligent canines quickly made through their rounds in the various portions of the buildings – halls, offices, classrooms.

Finally, they were sent to the Chapel.

They went along the aisles and passed the pews and finally into the portion of the Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved.

On reaching the tabernacle, the dogs sniffed and whined and growled loudly!

They refused to leave that place!
>> They seem convinced that they had discovered Someone there and remained firmly in that place, refusing to leave!

The dogs were indeed right, isn’t it?

Our Catholic Faith firmly tells us that in the Blessed Sacrament is the Living Person – Jesus Christ!

((There could be perhaps objections raised as to how could the dogs “sniff” the Living Presence when the Catholic Teaching is that the ‘accidents’ of bread i.e. the external aspects do not change, and only the ‘substance’ of the matter changes in the Eucharist.

But the fact that this incident occurred also needs to be explained!

>> Perhaps this needs to be considered as a “miraculous” event whereby the Real Presence of the Lord was also detected ‘physically’

>> Perhaps, the dogs, though lower in reason, were ‘miraculously’ blessed with the knowledge of their Creator and Maker

>> Perhaps, just as human beings need not always have an external sensory experience to know the presence of another human being, these dogs also, at that moment, had a sort of an ‘intuitive’ feeling of the Presence))

In the light of this incident – whether we believe it to be true or not, whether we consider it to be authentic or not – it is good to examine and ask ourselves:

What is the strength of our faith and the weight of our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist?

The Gospel of the Day beautifully presents the teachings of Jesus on He being the Bread of Life and makes a radical challenge to our faith and belief in His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you…
… For My Flesh is food indeed and my blood is drink indeed” ( Jn 6: 53-54)

These were very powerful and shocking words from Jesus!

When we go through the “feelings dimension” in the words of Jesus in the 6th Chapter of Gospel of John, we find a progressive growth in the intensity.

· Jn 6: 1-15: In the multiplication of the loaves…
… Jesus has a tone of compassion, of glory and of gratitude
>> “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”

· Jn 6: 16- 21: In the incident of the walking on water…
… Jesus has a tone of assurance and of authority
>> “It is I. Do not be afraid”

· Jn 6: 22-41: In the Introduction to the Bread of Life discourse…
… Jesus has a tone which evokes further thought and food for consideration
>> “I am the bread that came down from heaven”

· Jn 6: 42 – 52: In the further explanation of the Bread of Life discourse….
… Jesus has a tone of emphasis and slowly causes people to feel offensive and uncomfortable
>> “.. the bread that I will give is my flesh…”

· Jn 6: 52 – 58: In the clarification to His Words on the Bread of Life Discourse…
… Jesus has a tone that provokes shock and even induces disbelief and disapproval
>> “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood… For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink”

As the teaching on the Bread of Life progresses, the tone changes from a mild and serene nature to a shocking and challenging one!

We notice five progressive levels here:
1. A tone of compassion – that makes people to feel good

2. A tone of assurance – that makes people to feel more secure

3. A tone of introspection – that makes people to think deeper

4. A tone of discomfort – that makes people to be at the crossroads

5. A tone of shock – that makes people to make radical decisions

And this progression is what made the Jews to question in astonishment and bewilderment: “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” ( Jn 6:52)

Today, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist challenges us – a challenge to move progressively, through higher levels of faith and trust, in knowing Him

· In our faith-life, initially, we may be content to just have Him as the One who satisfies us
>> We feel good and encouraged

· Then, we are happy to be knowing Him and basking in the comfort of His graces
>> We feel secure and wish to remain in this contentment.

· A little later, we are made to reflect a little deeper on the perspectives of our life
>> We feel introspected and consider the level of our relationship

· As the relation progresses, we are made to feel discomforted since there arises some challenges to our way of thinking
>> We feel challenged and go deeper into finding the priorities of our life

· Finally, we are provoked into making radical decisions in life and called to have a commitment in life
>> We feel the need to make a radical choice and to remain firm and sturdy in that dedication.

At what level of faith and trust are we in?

· Can we let go of the factors – sinful acts, prejudiced mindsets, lethargic feelings – which prevents us from making a progression to the higher level?

Jesus – truly, really and substantially – present in the Holy Eucharist invites and challenges us to grow deeper in our faith in Him.

Shall we positively respond to this loving longing of the Lord?

May the words of St Angela of Foligno inspire us:
“If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament…
… I am sure that the thought of Christ’s love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“ The right temperature at home is more surely maintained…

… by the warm hearts and cool heads of those who live there…

… than by electric thermostats”

This quote very rightly corresponds to the other popular quote:

“ A house is built with bricks and beams…

… A home is built with love and dreams!”

.

Family Life is an important component of every society.

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an occasion to dwell on a reflection on our families…

… and some of the basic essentials that needs to be part of every family (community included as well!)

The Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 19, has an interesting structure or a progression with respect to the topics discussed and the persons involved.

The chapter begins with a discussion on the institution of ‘Marriage’. (Mt 19: 2-10)

>> Jesus explains the importance of this sacred bond and a strong exhortation is given on the need to do away with divorce.

The chapter proceeds, as we see in today’s reading, with a discussion on ‘little children’. (Mt 19: 13-15)

This discussion is followed by an incident in which a ‘young man’ encounters Jesus ( Mt 19: 16-22)

The Chapter will finally end with an exhortation by Jesus to have maturity as an ‘adult’ is making choices for the Kingdom of God! ( Mt 19: 23-30)

>> Thus, the Chapter 19 of Matthew is a travel through a FAMILY context…

… starting from MARRIAGE…and the need to avoid DIVORCE…

… to little CHILDREN

… to the problems of a YOUTH

… and finally ending with the choices as an ADULT.

In today’s Gospel, we have the discussion on Little Children. (Mt 19: 13-15)

Though its a short passage, the Gospel gives us enough food for thought…

… especially in the context of a family or a community life.

We see four different groups or sets of people in today’s Gospel Passage, and we can learn some aspects from each of those sets…

>> Three of them give us a positive quality which is to be inculcated

>> One gives a negative quality which is to be avoided in life.

1. Firstly, the Gospel begins with the statement, ” Little children were brought to Jesus…” (Mt 19: 13a)

Probably the parents, the elder brothers/sisters or the guardians of the children would have brought them to Jesus.

>> So we see here, the First set of people… Parents, Guardians, Elders etc…. and they teach us the First Positive Quality – the Spirit of Responsibility!

They were Responsible in caring for the good and future of the children.

It was an ancient practice that children would be brought to Rabbis to be blessed and prayed over.

>> This first set of people teach us to be responsible for the growth of others in our family and in our communities.

2. The Second set of people are obviously the Little Children.

These little ones teach us the Second Positive Quality, needed in a family or a community – the Spirit of Receptivity!

Children display a great sense of receptivity and openness.

>> They are able to accept the affection, the care, the love and the blessings that are given to them.

>> They do not close themselves to the good things in life.

We too need to cultivate this Spirit of Receptivity, to be open to the actions, thoughts, views and feelings of others in our family and our community.

3. The Third Set of people display a negative attitude which we need to avoid.

>> When the children were brought to Jesus, the Disciples refuse to accept them and want to keep them away (Mt 19: 13b)

They show a Spirit of Rejection!

They perhaps felt that these children would be a nuisance to Jesus and His ministry.

>> They felt it as a waste of time and energy to entertain the children.

Little things in life were considered to be a useless and futile activity.

We need to avoid this Spirit of Rejection…

>> In our families or communities, we can have this attitude towards those who don’t do any work or fail to contribute anything.

We often fail to understand the importance…

… of little tokens of love

… tiny expressions of care by our family and community members

>> And we, instead, tend to reject and avoid them.

4. The fourth Set is represented by Jesus Himself…

… and he presents the Spirit of Restoration and Redemption.

He does not reject…

… rather, He accepts and seeks to redeem the little children.

He seeks to restore the little ones who are rejected…

… who are avoided and who are not given the due importance.

In our lives, we too need to be having a Spirit of Redemption and Restoration…

>> To redeem the ones who are at the periphery and who fail to get any attention

>> To Restore the ones who are broken and abused and are shunned!

Thus, the this powerful Gospel passage teaches us…

>> To avoid the Negative Quality of the Spirit of Rejection…

Rather…

>> To adopt the positive qualities of…

… The Spirit of Responsibility,

… The Spirit of Receptivity

… The Spirit of Redemption and Restoration!

Let us seek the Intercession of our Blessed Mother that we may avoid the tendency to Reject People…

>> And instead, we may be…

… Responsible towards others

… Receptive to others

… and Redeem and Restore the lives of others!

>> And thus build happy and loving homes!

Yes, let us always remember:

“It takes hands to build a house…

… But it takes hearts to build a home!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Henry Ford is the founder of the Ford Motor Company.

>> He manufactured the first automobile that was affordable even to the middle class – an object of expensive curiosity turned into a practical conveyance.

Ford had a happy married life with Clara Jane Bryant.

On their golden wedding anniversary, a reporter asked them:

“To what do you attribute your fifty years of successful married life?”

“The formula,” said Mr. Ford, “is the same formula I have always used in making cars – just stick to one model!”

Being faithful and loyal is undoubtedly the hallmarks of a successful relationship.

But we live in a world, where divorce is becoming an increasingly common term and phenomenon.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus engaged in a conversation with the Pharisees and clarifying and shedding light on the concept of faithfulness and fidelity in relationships.

When we hear the word Divorce, we primarily associate it…

…. with a man and woman, in marriage, seeking divorce.

But Divorce is not merely limited to spousal relations.

>> In fact, divorce is on the increase everywhere….

There is divorce…

… between the parents and the children

… between siblings and family relations…

… among the members of a religious community and congregation..

… among the members of the Church…

… within the society itself.

There is also a great divorce within one’s spiritual life…

… One is separated and torn apart between serving God and serving the World!

In all these cases of Divorce…

… the one basic factor that is lacking is that of Commitment and Faithfulness.

When there is a decrease in commitment and faithfulness, the gravity of divorce and separation, increases!

It could be…

… in the spousal relation

… in the family relation

… in the community relations

… in the societal relations

… or even in our personal spiritual relationship with God!

When we fail in faithfulness, we succeed in separation…

>> When we are complacent in commitment, we are in danger of divorce…!

Today, let us look into our personal spiritual relationship with God…and examine…

>> Are we separating ourselves from God?

>> Are we being divorced from God?

Apparently, we may feel that these questions are not for us…

>> But let’s go a little deeper into ourselves…

… Are we really serving God as our master? … as the Only Master?

… Or are there times, when we fail in our faithfulness, and become complacent in our commitment…?

We need to give the first place to God…

… in our personal lives , our family lives/ our religious and priestly consecration.

But are there occasions, when for some time at least, we keep God away…

… to satisfy our sinful pleasures?

… to answer our egoistic tendencies?

… to fulfill our worldly sinful desires?

… to gratify our evil personal agenda?

If the answer is yes…

… then we are not on God’s side!

The Lord demands a total commitment and dedication to Him.

>> God hates divorce!

In Baptism, we have entered into a covenant with Him.

>> Am I in danger of being divorced or separated from our Beloved Covenant Partner?

The little acts of unfaithfulness & infidelity are the ones that slowly shreds a relationship into pieces.

>> Lets tighten up our spiritual lives, and re-dedicate our commitment and faithfulness and consecration to the Lord.

He is a God who cares deeply for us

>> He is Loving parent who sees to all our needs

>> He is a lover who is intensely passionate about us

Shall we not remain in His loving affection by being more faithful and committed to Him and Him alone?!

Let faithfulness and loyalty be the hallmarks of our successful relationship with the Lord.

Let’s say…

>> Yeah to Jesus and His Kingdom…

… and Nay to Satan and the World!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Life here on earth with our fellow human beings, is an Opportunity and a Challenge.

>> An Opportunity…

… for it gives the chance to learn from each other and to grow with each other.

>> A Challenge…

… for it dares us to live at peace with one another and to be in harmony with each other!

Living together sometimes is described in terms of the experience of “Porcupines on a cold winter’s night”.

>> The cold makes the porcupines to huddle together and get closer, to keep warm…

But as soon as they get close to another…

… they start jabbing and poking each other with their spines and that forces them to move apart;

Thus they are forever coming together and moving apart… in a kind of slow dance.

As the saying goes:

“To dwell above, with saints we love…Oh, that will be glory!

But to dwell below, with people we know…Well, that’s another story!!”

The Gospel of the Day deals with the aspect of Forgiveness…

… which is the key for a harmonious living together.

The Apostle Peter comes to Jesus with a question we have all sought to ask one time or the other….

A person had done wrong and Peter had forgiven him.

The same person had hurt him again and he had forgiven him.

>> He did it again, causing a deeper wound and Peter had forgiven him again.

>> He did it again and offended him harder and Peter forgave him again….but this time he was losing his patience!

Don’t I have a limit for myself to bear…?

>> Should I go on bearing hurts?

>> Don’t I have feelings which are sensitive?

So Peter comes to Jesus with a question we can all understand:

“Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother?” (Mt 18: 21a)

He wanted to know when do you quit turning the other cheek to the one who hits you on one cheek!

Peter must have thought what answer the Law provided: The Law suggested to forgive three times (Amos 1:3-13).

But Peter wanted to do more; he wanted to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees and the Scribes…

>> So he says, “Is it enough to forgive seven times?!” (Mt 18: 21b)

Wow! That’s double the requirement plus one!

>> Seven – the Perfect number!

But the Lord, Who loves to keep challenging, instead of elevating Peter’s huge numbers…

… throws out an even bigger one.

He says, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Mat 18:22).

Literally it can refer to 490 times…..but it’s a mere expression to mean , “an unlimited number!”

Now is this demand of the Lord something really practical and viable?

Or is Jesus turning out to be “one of those many idealistic teachers who love to talk in the air…

… but nothing which is practical or really feasible and doable!?

The Lord has a solution and an insight…

… with the help of the Parable of the Unforgiving servant.

>> If God were to forgive us only a limited number of times…

… how many days would we have survived?

>> If God were to withdraw His Grace after an “x” number of times…

… how many situations would we have endured?

>> If God were to stop granting us pardon after a period of time…

… how many blessings would we have been denied?

>> If God were to keep an account of all our sins and transgressions…

… how many of us would have been alive today?

Forgiveness does not mean justifying the bad behaviours of people!

>> Forgiveness does not mean supporting the evil deeds of our fellow beings!

>> Forgiveness does not mean encouraging the faults or situations of wrongdoing or hurts!

>> Forgiveness does not mean not correcting and reproving the misdeeds and carrying out our duties of rectifying!

But Forgiveness does mean liberating the people from guilt and condemnation in our hearts!

>> Forgiveness does mean to have no ill feelings and grudging emotions against the ones who have hurt us!

>> Forgiveness does mean seeking to love them, praying for them and avoiding occasions of putting them down!

>> Forgiveness does mean to refuse to harbor their mistakes deep in our hearts, though we are wounded & hurt!

Life is an opportunity and a challenge….

>> An Opportunity to become more Divine…

… to become more forgiving…to become more Loving…!

>> A Challenge to let go of our ego…

… to cast away our hurtful and wounded feelings…to go beyond our aches!

Let us seek God’s Grace to Live Up to this Challenge and to Grab this opportunity!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Saare jahaan se acha!” (“Better than the entire world!”)

These were words, exclaimed by Rakesh Sharma – with a jubilant face and an excited voice – high up in the outer space.

>> The first man to go up to space from India, was replying to the query by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, as to ‘how the nation looked from the outer space’.

“Saare jahaan mein acha!” (“Better than all in the entire world!”)

These were probably the Words, exclaimed by God – with a Radiant Face and a Splendid Voice – transcending the entire universe, looking at Blessed Mother Mary.

>> These triumphant words are proclaimed and repeated by the entire Church in unison and acclamation!

Rakesh Sharma stated India to be the Better than the Entire world!

>> God declared Blessed Mother Mary to be better than all in the Entire World!

Sentiments of Patriotism and Sentiments of God’s Abundant Grace and Mercy join hands on this day

>> The 15th of August…

… the Independence Day of India and the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary!

This day has much to teach us… much to thank the Lord… and much to exhort us!

>> This day has much to be nostalgic… much to be joyful… and much to be hopeful of!

The Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary celebrates Jesus, the Son-King sharing His Glory with His Mother.

Human kingdoms have followed the tradition of the son who is the King of the Land, crowning his mother, as the Queen of the Kingdom.

The Old Testament bears witness to this fact:

>> King Solomon on assuming charge of the throne, after King David, raised his mother Bathsheba to his side, to be the royal queen (1 Kings 2: 19)

The Assumption of Mother Mary is one of the four Marian Dogmas that the Catholic Church pronounces.

A dogma is a doctrine that is solemnly proposed by the Church as formally revealed in Scripture or Tradition.

The four Marian Dogmas are:

1. Mary as the Mother of God

2. The Perpetual Virginity of Mary

3. The Immaculate Conception of Mary

4. The Assumption of Mary into heaven

The declaration of the Dogma of the Assumption of Mary is as follows:

“By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

This Dogma of the Assumption was proclaimed on November 1, 1950, by Pope Pius XII in the Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus”

This proclamation was not defining something new in the Church…

… rather it was an official recognition of the centuries-old belief on Christians about the Assumption of their Heavenly Mother.

The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most important feasts of our Lady.

The Assumption was the reward God granted to our Blessed Mother for the Right use of Her Freedom!

Freedom plays a vital role in the destiny…

… of a person

… of a family

… of a society

… of a nation

… of the world!

>> Mamma was invited to be the Mother of God by Angel Gabriel…

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma felt the need to be a Helper of the Needy by her cousin Elizabeth …

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma was to be a model of Patience in difficulties at the birth of Jesus …

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma was requested to be a Silent Contemplative during His boyhood …

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma sensed an urgency to be an Intercessor before God at Cana …

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma was called to be a Serene Bearer during the Passion of the Lord…

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

>> Mamma was called to be a Model of Prayer at the Upper Room…

… in true freedom, She said Yes!

A responsible use of freedom is a sign of true and authentic spirituality and is a pathway to greater glory!

>> Freedom is not simply doing what we want…

… Freedom is assuming responsibility for ours and others’ lives!

>> Freedom is not simply getting our pleasures fulfilled…

… Freedom is fulfilling our tasks in the best way possible!

The Assumption of Blessed Mother Mary is an invitation and a challenge for each one of us….

… To focus our attention on things of heaven & transcendence and not get fixated with cares of this world!

… To live a life of holiness and purity and seeking to do God’s will at all times and in every situation!

… To share with the pain and passion of the Lord and become partakers in the salvation of the world!

… To realize that to be Holy & a Saint is a call of every Christian & we need to prioritize our life on them!

We need to be reminded that Mary had exclaimed, “Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38)

Mary was an ordinary human being.

>> She too had Her ordinary and humble beginnings.

>> She too went through common life’s struggles and strains.

But through these “ordinary” circumstances…

• God “raised” Her to the Heights

• God “assumed” Her into Glory

… simply because She “found favour with God” and lived a life worthy of that call

>> In total submission, humble obedience and loyally faithful!

This then is our call too…

>> As Baptized Christians, we have “found favour” with God.

We dwell in “ordinary” circumstances of life – with hardships and pains.

But if we also…

• seek and live the Will of the Lord at all times

• constantly submit to what He wants

• and dutifully bow to His mercy and grace

… the glory which Jesus has “won” for us at Resurrection, can be ours!

God’s plans are indeed wonderful…

>> In the “Story of the Fall” a mother (Eve) had been involved intimately with a man (Adam) and humanity fell into the sea of sin!

>> In the “Story of the Rise”, a Mother (Mary) was involved intimately with a Man (Jesus) and humanity is promised to “assume” to the skies of glory!

Are we ready to co-operate with God’s plans in our lives, just as Mother Mary did…

… and thus receive the “Privilege of Assumption into Glory” just as Mother Mary received?

Today is a BIG Day..

… a Day to thank the Lord for Mamma’s Holiness and Her exemplary Life of Responsible Freedom …

… a Day to thank the Lord for our nation’s freedom and her valiant freedom fighters!

Let us become mindful of our Loyalty & Obligation to our Nation…

… safeguard the Precious Gift of Freedom!

Let us become conscious of our Responsibility & Duty to the Lord…

… grow in the Prized Treasure of Holiness!

May Blessed Mamma intercede for our Beloved Nation India…

>> And may we hold Her loving hands…

… as we seek to grow in Holiness and making the best use of our freedom as Children of God!

>> A very Happy Time to Blessed Mamma reigning with Her Divine Princely Child…

… and a Happy Feast to all of us, Her little ones on the earth!

>> A Very Precious Future to Mother India, on her Independence Day…

… and a Precious Day to all of us, her beloved citizens!

God Bless! Jai India! Live Jesus!

A little boy once came to his Daddy, one night.

He confessed a mistake that he had done during the course of the day.

Then kneeling at Daddy’s feet, the child, with hands folded, prayed with tears:

“Dear God, make me a man – like Daddy – wise and strong.

I know You can!”

This innocent gesture touched the father very much.

>> He had a profound realization of his deep limitations and the child’s high expectations

Then when the child had slept, the father knelt beside his bed.

Confessing his sins, and praying with a low-bowed head, made this prayer:

“O God, make me a child – like my sweet child here – pure, guileless, trusting in You with a faith sincere.

I know You can!”

We all grow up in life – physically, socially, psychologically etc

But sometimes this “growing up” fails to preserve the “growth” that is already witnessed in little children – openness, sincerity, trust and spontaneity.

Can we dare, as adults, to “grow” into being a Child?

The Gospel of the Day is an elegant presentation by Jesus on the “necessary attitude” that is required for a valid entry into the Kingdom of Heaven: a child-like nature.

Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18: 3)

One of the grave dangers in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” traits.

A child is someone who is born with many inherent qualities.

But in the process of “becoming an adult”, we abandon many of those.

This ‘abandonment’ could be because…

… of the upbringing in the society or the culture we live

… or the various experiences that we go through as we grow up

As a child, we would be free to express our emotions

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

As a child, we would trust and depend easily on those who care for us

.. but as we grow up, we become fearful or disbelieving towards those same persons

As a child, we would be eased to live in the present moment, enjoying and relaxing

… but as we grow up, we fall into the trap of the past and cringed with the fear of the future.

This “growth” process also affects our child-like faith and trust in God our Father.

Jesus presents the beautiful imagery of a Shepherd who goes behind the lost sheep.

>> The cry of that sheep which has been strayed pierces the heart of the shepherd

>> The dangers that the sheep which was lost is exposed to frightens the shepherd

Such is the deep longing and craving of our Heavenly Father towards us – we, who sometimes turn out to be the lost sheep by losing our child-like faith and confidence.

A popular song from the Hindi movie “Three Idiots” has the following line:

“… Give me another chance, I wanna grow up once again…”

The Lord invites us to have a “renewal of our minds” and to retrieve back the ‘lost’ child-like faith and trust.

It takes courage and dare to make efforts to let go of our “matured egoistic” tendencies in order to depend more on our Heavenly Father.

The process usually is encountered by resistance…

• Why should I depend on someone… I am mature enough to think for myself

• Why should I become humble… I have my own desires to be satisfied to

These could be some of the thought-patterns that one stumbles into, in giving heed to the call of the Lord to ” be like a child”.

Our Lord Himself is the greatest model and example in learning to have a “child-like” faith…

St Paul tells in his letter to the Philippians, ” ..though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, a thing to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave…. becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2: 6-8)

As St Maximilian Kolbe says, “If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother!”

May we be privileged to be graced with the gift of being “like children” and thus be able to firmly trust and relax in the arms of our Caring and Loving Heavenly Father!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an incident mentioned in the life of King Richard I, who ruled England in the late 12th century.

>> He was known as ‘Richard the Lion-Heart’ for being a great military warrior and leader.

However, once, while returning after the Third Crusade, he was captured by Leopold V, the Duke of Austria.

>> He was handed over to Henry VI, the Roman Emperor.

This king demanded a very huge amount for his release

The price of ransom was 1,50, 000 Marks…

… equivalent of nearly three tons of silver.

This was an enormous demand.

But the people of England spared no efforts in getting their king released.

>> Extra taxation was imposed

>> Huge contributions were obtained

Finally, after many months, the money was raised…

… and the king returned to England.

A huge “ransom” was paid to get the King released

( This is probably also the origin of the English phrase – “A king’s ransom” – which means “a large amount of money”)

Centuries ago, however, on the face of the earth, this act was reversed…

… One Man – The King of Kings – took upon Himself a “ransom” to save His people

>> He spared no efforts in getting His people released..

… by suffering on the Cross

… shedding His Blood

… giving up His life

… and rising from the dead

Have we fallen in love with this King Who gave Himself up for us?

>> Are we willing to live our life in obedience to His commands Who ransomed His life for us?

The Gospel of the Day presents an interesting, yet a ‘not-too-familiar’ passage of Jesus and His disciples being asked to pay the Temple tax.

“When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the Temple tax?” (Mt 17: 24)

What was this Temple tax?

The Temple tax was …

… a symbolic gesture in gratitude for what the people of Israel owed to God, for their redemption from slavery in the land of Egypt.

It was a Jewish tax with its origins seen in Ex 30: 12-16:

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel… The half-shekel shall be an offering to the LORD.”

This offering was to be an “atonement money”, which would be used for the service of the meeting tent (Ex 12: 16)

In later centuries, this half-shekel was adopted as the amount of the Temple Tax – the one that all Jews were supposed to pay once a year for the upkeep and maintenance of the Jerusalem Temple.

>> “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God” (Neh 10:32)

The Temple Tax was thus an “atonement” money

>> It was a “ransom” money!

It is fascinating to note that the incident of this “ransom/atonement” money is mentioned immediately after Jesus spoke of His Passion and Death.

Jesus told His disciples in Mt 17:22-23:

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day”

The incident of the Temple tax, which is the atonement/ransom money, is mentioned…

… immediately after Jesus speaks of His Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Is there any connection between these two incidents?

The Temple tax was in gratitude for the redemption of Israel from slavery

… Jesus would now free all people from the slavery of sin by His Death and Resurrection

The Temple Tax was paid as “ransom” money…

… The Blood of Jesus would now be the “ransom” that will be paid for redemption of humanity.

Jesus did not resist His disciples from paying the Temple Tax…

… as we would see in the incident of the miraculous catch of the fish with a coin in the mouth (Mt 17: 27)

But the perfect payment of the “tax”…

… would be done by Jesus Himself – by His Sufferings, Death and Resurrection!

Jesus would not just pay the tax…

… He would also give His Life completely, as a sacrifice!

Thus, He would becoming the “tax” – the ransom and the atonement money!

>> 1 Tim 2:6 says, “Jesus gave Himself as a ‘ransom’ for all”

>> Mk 10 45 says “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ‘ransom’ for many”

((The word “ransom” is to be seen from a positive perspective:

>> When a student has to get good marks, one has to “ransom” one’s free time, personal desires and work hard in order to achieve success

>> When a mother wants to take care of her sick child, she “ransoms” all her personal time, wishes and comforts and “offers the ransom” for the good health of her little one!”))

It is interesting to also note that this incident of the Temple Tax brings reminds us of the former occupation (trade) of two of the disciples of Jesus:

1. Matthew… who was a tax collector (Mt 9:9)

(Probably that explains why this incident is mentioned only in the Gospel of St Matthew)

2. Peter… who was a fisherman (Mt 4:18)

(That’s why Jesus asks Peter to “go to the sea, take the first fish that comes up, and open the mouth to find a coin…”)

Matthew and Peter could represent any of us…

>> Maybe we are collecting a lot of things in life…

… but still not finding peace in life!

>> Maybe we are fishing in the waters of life for contentment and satisfaction…

.. but fail to have a catch!

>> Maybe we are occupied with material dimensions at our “own tables”…

… or find ourselves at the receiving end of not being accepted and being looked down by others

>> Maybe we are putting in a lot of effort to fish for success, yet finding none…

… or find ourselves drowning in a sea of sin, hopelessness or despair

Whoever we are..

>> The Lord extends His loving invitation…

… to leave our “tables of collection” and follow Him!

… to cast away our “nets of fish” and follow Him!

He has become the “Ransom”…

… in Whom we can find the ‘collection’ of all joys and contentment of life!

… in Whom we can witness the ‘great catch’ of salvation and redemption!

By this great act, He gave the “Ransom”…

… for our freedom from captivity!

>> By His humbling sacrifice, He paid the “Atonement money”…

… for our salvation for eternal life!

Yes, let us fall in love with the Man Who gave Himself up for us!

>> Let us be willing to live our life in obedience to His commands Who ransomed His life for us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Here is an interesting conversation …

… between two friends – Isa and John

Isa, an intelligent and faithful Muslim expressed an interest in understanding the faith of his Catholic friend John and asked him to take him for the Holy Mass.

After the Mass, John asked Isa what he thought of it.

Very slowly and thoughtfully, Isa said, “Do you Catholics really believe that thing, that small piece of bread , is not bread but Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, we do” said John

“Your Church teaches that God is really present there?”

“Yes”

“The priest at the Altar said, body and blood, soul and divinity. You really believe all that?” came the next curious query from Isa.

“Yes, we do” replied John, growing defensive.

Isa then made as if to say something, but refrained from saying it.

John assured him that he would not be offended.

Finally, hesitatingly, Isa said, “I don’t really understand your faith!”

With a relief, John calmly said, “I can understand how you feel. It sounds very shocking, I know”

“No, you don’t understand. That’s not what I mean. You will take it as an insult, but I don’t mean it to be”, explained Isa.

“I promise that I will not take it as an insult. But I really want to know what is on your mind.”, clarified John

“Well then. . . . I don’t think you really do believe that. I don’t mean to say you’re dishonest, but . . . .”

“Hmmm… I think I know what you mean. You can’t really understand anyone who believes something so shocking.

You don’t see how one could ever get down on one’s knees before that altar, right?”

“No” enlightened Isa, “I don’t see how I could ever get up.

If I believed that little thing that looks like an ordinary round of bread was really Allah Himself, I think I would just faint.

I would fall at His feet like a dead man!”

Those words hit John like a lightening.

Here was a man, not of his faith, but who seemed to truly understand the mighty power of the Little White Host – the Holy Eucharist!

• He had been a Catholic all his life.

• He had been receiving the Holy Communion for many years.

But never before had he ever thought that the Eucharist could actually be so powerful!

Is my Catholic Faith, in the Holy Eucharist, in the lines of John…

… believing yet not really passionate

… professing faith, but not fully convinced

… theoretically doubting and practically not living

The Gospel of the Day is a continued discourse by Jesus, on the Bread of Life and is a strong reminder to revive, refresh and renew our Faith in the Lord – especially in the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Gospel passage begins with the verse, “The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven'” (Jn6:41)

We notice here a sharp change in attitude and approach of the people..

• At the start of the Chapter, when Jesus had multiplied the bread and the people had their satisfied fill, they were extremely excited, enthusiastic and energized with respect to Jesus. (Jn 6: 1-15)

>> They were overawed by His spectacular miracle

>> They were keen to crown this “Bread-Giver” as their King

• But as we progress through the Chapter, we observe that the people are antagonized and annoyed by the words of Jesus that ‘He is the Bread from Heaven

>> They were scandalized by His comparison to being greater than even Moses, whom alone they had considered to be the bread-giver in the wilderness

>> They were lethargic and disinterested in accepting the teaching of Jesus because they knew of his earthly origins and his family background

The result: Jesus, the Bread of Life failed to be understood and be accepted!

• Their hardheartedness and their supposition that “they knew Jesus” prevented them from accepting the Bread of Life!

• Their unwillingness to be open to the truth and their pride in failing to realise that Jesus was someone who transcended earthly ties, caused them to be blinded in receiving the power of the Bread of Life!

Do these factors prevent us also from understanding and accepting Jesus, the Bread of Life in the Most Holy Eucharist?

>> Am I being ignorant of the teachings of the Church and thus fail to realise the depth and the worth of the Holy Eucharist?

>> Do I feel that “I know a lot of things” and that the teachings concerning the Holy Eucharist are just “not reasonable” or “do not sound logical” or are “too childish”?

Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is the greatest treasure, the mightiest force and the most supreme source of love on the earth.

But how many of us really make efforts…

… to strengthen this faith?

… to grow in this awareness?

… to nurture this conviction?

St John Maria Vianney said, “If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy”

Every participation in the Holy Eucharist ought to make us die…

Perhaps, physically we are yet to attain that height of sanctity

But we ought to die…

… to our sinful ways of life

… to our pride and other vices that can cripple us

… to our selfish desires that denies giving the Lord the prime place in life

As Catholics, we profess and take pride that we have a Living God, “truly, really and substantially” present in the Holy Eucharist.

But…

>> Can we live a life worthy of this Blessed Presence?

>> Can we be truly zealous and passionate in our love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist?

St Francis de Sales says:

“When the bee has gathered the dew of heaven and the earth’s sweetest nectar from the flowers, it turns it into honey, then hastens to its hive.

In the same way, the priest, having taken from the altar, the Son of God (who is as the dew from heaven, and true son of Mary, flower of our humanity), gives him to you as delicious food.”

May Jesus, the Bread of Life, present in the Holy Eucharist inflame the sparks of our faith and may it blaze briskly, in devotion and service!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Two men were once seriously disputing the relative importance of faith and works…

… when they came to a ferry (boat) over a river.

As they started across they asked the ferryman his opinion on the subject.

>> Was faith alone enough in life?

… or was also works of faith important for a good Christian life?

In answer…

… the boatman, who was a strong believer in God, pointed to his two oars.

“One,” he said, “I will call faith, the other, works.

>> If I pull only on this one oar – the right oar – I get nowhere, but go round in a circle.

>> Just so if I pull only on the left oar.

But when I pull on both oars, then the ferry moves across the river.”

That was indeed a very sensible explanation, describing the relationship of faith and works.

The Gospel of the day is the incident of how the disciples fail to heal the boy and how Jesus intervenes to cure and teaches the importance of possessing strong faith.

These two incidents show contrasting dimensions…

On one side, immense glory being revealed and the Divine splendour being manifested

>> On the other, lack of faith being exposed and the failure in the Kingdom ministry

On one side, the three disciples basking in the light of heightened faith and devotion

>> On the other, the other disciples being lost in the darkness of inability to put the faith to effectiveness

And how often is this the experience of our own lives too…

There are some moments when we experience the loftiness of God’s glory and power

>> There are other moments when we fail miserably to evoke His presence and are unable to feel His

There are some times when faith makes us to feel that everything is so glorious and wonderful

>> There are other times when our faith hits rock-bottom and our spiritual life loses its sheen and all seems so miserable

This is the reality of our lives – contrasting experiences of glorious faith at some instants and miserable lack of trust at other

But the Gospel of the day ends with an encouraging exhortation by Jesus to have a strong and sturdy faith – the faith the size of a mustard seed

>> “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt 17:20)

When the disciples were unable to bring about a healing to the epileptic boy, the Lord sure did rebuke them for their “lack of faith”.

But after having healed the child, He does not linger with the reproaching or admonishing attitude…

…. instead as a loving friend and a caring master, gently but firmly encourages them to be stronger in their faith.

This is the approach that He has towards us too…

>> He knows that we have our weak moments and situations of disbelief and doubts

>> He knows that there are periods when our faith is merely on the lips and not really from the depths of our hearts

>> He knows that there are times when annoying circumstances encroach our faith-life and all our efforts in devotion meet with bitter conclusions

Yet, with firmness and fondness, Jesus invites us to keep seeking to grow in our trust in Him and have faith of the size of the mustard seed.

Let us pull on on “both the oars” of faith and works…

… so that the the ferry ‘of our lives’ may moves across the river!

God Bless! Live Jesus