It was a one-day convention on inner-healing.

The people who were participating were given helium-filled balloons, and told to release them, at some point during the prayer service, when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts.

>> Through the day, there were some balloons that ascended.

But by the end of the day, it was found that more than forty percent of the balloons were unreleased.

The reason: Those people were unable to let go off their inner bitterness and sorrows.

What about us…

… Are we in a position to let go of our balloons, in order to witness our joy in the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…

… with two instances of rejoicing:

>> The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience

>> Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy’.

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

>> They had enjoyed success in their ministry…

>> They had a sense of satisfaction in the works that they had done…

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.

So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10: 17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives….?

… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!

… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

Our Blessed Lord, however also tells the Disciples to go beyond the peripheral joys and happiness in life; instead to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10: 21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4: 4)

Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the Joy in the Lord and Rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy…

… in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?

… even in the midst of hardships, knowing that we have a God who is deeply caring for us?

… thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments?

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentment in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…

… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation

… knowing that God is the greatest reason to be happy and the treasure of life Who deserves every glory

Can we let go our ‘balloons of sorrow and worry’ in order to display Christian joy and happiness in life?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

God is the Great Gift Giver!

>> He loves to lavish gifts on his creation…and especially on Human Beings, the Crown of His Creation!

Among the gifts that He has showered, one of the greatest gifts is…

… the Gift of Freedom!

God has bestowed this precious treasure of Freedom to each and every human being.

>> God regards the worth and value of this gift.

>> God respects our yes or no, to this gift!

The Gospel of the day presents to us a classic example of Freedom being lavished, but sadly being squandered away.

>> The towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were given the freedom and the choice to become part of the Kingdom of God…

… but they chose to reject and refused the Saving Message.

The Gift of Freedom is a double-edge entity:

The gift of freedom can be used….to obtain life!

>> The gift of freedom can be misused…to obtain death!

The gift of freedom can be abused well…to receive curses!

>> The gift of freedom can be utilized well…to receive blessings!

The gift of freedom can be exploited destructively…to acquire sadness!

>> The gift of freedom can be employed constructively…to acquire happiness!

The triple cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum failed to use, utilize and employ constructively their freedom…

… rather, they misused, abused and exploited destructively their opportunity to find peace and salvation.

And Jesus has harsh words reserved for such kind of an attitude – “WOE TO YOU!“

The word “woe” in Greek is “oh-hoo-aai” or “ouvai”!

The figure of speech is onomatopoeia – it means what it sounds like.

>> It is a word of pain!

>> It is the sound someone makes when they are hurt or are grieved.

When the Lord proclaims a WOE over these cities, there’s a great deal of anguish amplified with a sense of pain.

>> The Lord was pained that these cities received wonderful opportunity to hear God’s saving message…

… but failed to turn to God in repentance.

>> The Lord was pained that these cities received great chances to see God’s miraculous deeds and wonders…

… but failed to turn to God in penance.

>> The Lord was pained that these cities received exclusive occasions to receive God’s salvific graces…

… but failed to turn to God in humility.

The Lord today challenges us to make an examination of our lives:

God lavishes many graces on me through regular chances to hear God’s word through the Bible, retreats, recollections, talks, spiritual magazines etc…

>> Am I using these chances to grow in my spiritual life?

… Or am I wasting away many of such chances?

Is freedom used?

>> Or misused?

God showers many opportunities for me to avoid sin…

…. by giving me inspiring and holy thoughts

… by a constant urging to be good through my parents, superiors, family and community members and other people in my life…

>> Am I using these opportunities to foster my holiness?

Or am I frittering away much of such opportunities?

Is freedom used…?

… or misused?

God bestows many occasions to become a powerful witness to His love and His Gospel through different means like…

… preaching the Word

… celebrating or participating in the Eucharist and in the other Sacraments

… helping others in their needs and difficulties, praying for various people

… living a integral life in the society based on the Gospel values etc.

>> Am I using these occasions to strengthen my Christian life?

Or am I throwing away many of such occasions?

Is freedom used…?

… or Misused?

The example of the three cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum is before us and the condemnation of Jesus, because of their lackluster response is also before us.

>> Freedom is the great gift of God…

… and God totally respects the use or the misuse of this precious gift.

Are we going to use this Gift to gain life, blessings and happiness…?

… or are we going to misuse this Gift to receive death, curses and sadness?

Today let us seek the special intercession of St Maria Faustina- the Great Saint of Mercy – on her Feast Day.

Let us give heed to the words of our Blessed and Merciful Lord, as mentioned in her Diary:

>> “God never violates our free will.

>> It is up to us whether we want to receive God’s grace or not.

>> It is up to us whether we will co-operate with it or waste it”

May we always make the proper and responsible use of our freedom, and thus experience the Joy promised by the Lord in the diary of St Faustina…

>> “… when you are obedient I take away your weakness and replace it with My strength.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Some prayers are very popular.

>> Some of them remain very much fixed in our minds.

>> Some of them also awaken instant sentiments of faith, inspiration and love.

One such prayer, which many of us would agree meets the above conditions is:

The Prayer of Peace – “Make me a channel of our peace”

>> Popularly attributed to St Francis of Assisi.

Today we celebrate the Feast day of this peaceful and powerful saint – St Francis of Assisi.

St Francis of Assisi probably is one of the most popular saints in the entire world.

>> The name of this saint invokes so many pictures and words to our minds – nature, animals, poverty, renunciation, cross, stigmata, surrender, trust…

Another aspect of this Great Saint that is highlighted is the Deep JOY that he lived in his life.

We often live in a world “robbed” of true joy and cheerfulness…

>> People today aren’t very happy in life…

The Gospel of the Day is the incident of Jesus sending His Disciples on the mission journey.

The disciples were expected to be messengers of peace…

… “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house’” (Lk 10:5)

Being a ‘messenger of peace’ required that the disciples be joyful and cheerful people…

>> They were to preach the Good News primarily by their life…

…. And this life ought to have been a reflection of joy and peace!

We too are invited to be “messengers of peace”

>> And preach the Good News primarily by our life…

… making our life a reflection of joy and peace!

However, very often, we lose our sense of joy and plunge into disturbances, when encountered by the troubles of life.

Queries on why there is no joy or happiness will evoke some of the following replies:

>> “You don’t know the struggles what I’m going through.”

>> “How can you expect me to be cheerful when my marriage and family is falling apart?”

>> “God seems miles away from me, and you want me to cheer up?”

>> “My kids drive me nuts.”

>> “I’ve got cancer. How can I rejoice?”

>> “People have mistreated me and I’m not going to be happy until I get even.”

>> “If I had more money, I’d be happy.”

Do I identify myself with some of the above replies…..?

If yes, then the Saint of the day, St Francis of Assisi today challenges us to rise above these our concerns and to find the Treasure of True Joy and the Wealth of Genuine happiness in God!

We turn to an incident from his life for our reflection today…

One winter day St. Francis of Assisi with Brother Leo, and the bitter cold made them suffer keenly.

St. Francis called to Brother Leo, and he said:

“Brother Leo, even if we in every country give a great example of holiness and integrity and good edification, nevertheless… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And when he had walked on a bit, St. Francis called him again, saying:

“Brother Leo, even if we give sight to the blind, heal the paralyzed, drive out devils, give hearing to the deaf, make the lame walk, and restore speech to the dumb, and bring back to life a dead man…note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And going on a bit, St. Francis cried out again in a strong voice:

“Brother Leo, if we knew all languages and all sciences and Scripture, if also to prophesy and to reveal the secrets of the consciences of others… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And as they walked on, St. Francis called again forcefully: ”

“Brother Leo, even if we could speak with the voice of an angel, and knew all about the treasures in the earth, and knew the qualities of birds and fishes, animals, humans, roots, trees, rocks, and waters… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And going on a bit farther, St. Francis called again strongly:

“Brother Leo, even if we could preach so well that should convert all infidels to the faith of Christ…note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

Now when he had been talking this way for a distance, Brother Leo in great amazement asked him: “Father, I beg you in God’s name to tell me where perfect joy is.”

And St. Francis replied:

“When we, soaked by the rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger, and we ring at the gate of our House, and the brother from inside comes and says angrily: ‘Who are you?’

And we say: ‘We are two of your brothers.’

And he contradicts us, saying: ‘You are not telling the truth. Rather you are two rascals who go around deceiving people and stealing what they give to the poor. Go away’

And he makes us stand outside in the snow and rain, cold and hungry, until night falls-then if we endure all those insults and cruel rebuffs patiently, without being troubled and without complaining, and if we reflect humility and charity…

… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And if we continue to knock, and the brother comes out in anger, and drives us away with curses and hard blows like bothersome scoundrels, saying; ‘Get away from here, you dirty thieves-go to the hospital! Who do you think you are? And if we bear it patiently and take the insults with joy and love in our hearts…

… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!”

And if later, we still cry loudly begging them to open for us and he grows still more angry and says: ‘I’ll give them what they deserve.’

And he comes out and beats us so much that he covers our bodies with wounds–if we endure all those evils and insults and blows with joy and patience, and bear the sufferings patiently for love of Christ…

… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And now hear the conclusion, Brother Leo.

>> Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ.

‘I will not glory save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

PERFECT JOY IS ONLY IN THE CROSS!

This incident of St Francis of Assisi, might sound too ideal for us…

And the approach and attitude of the Great Saint might seem too utopian for us…

>> Still, it is possible to grow in our understanding of True Joy and Peace in God alone..

… and making the Cross as the True Source of our Solace and Consolation!

Let us seek the Intercession of this Wonderful Saint in being an instrument of joy & peace

“Make me Lord, a channel of your peace…”

Happy Feast Day!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is a non-fictional self-help book by Napoleon Hill named ‘Think and grow rich’.

There is a lovely story in this book, which goes thus….

A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation which made it necessary for him to make a decision which insured his success on the battlefield.

>> He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered his own.

He loaded his soldiers into boats, sailed to the enemy’s country, unloaded soldiers and equipment…

… then gave the order to “burn the ships” that had carried them.

Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, “You see the boats going up in smoke! That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win!

>> We now have no choice – we win, or we perish!”

History says that they won the battle!

Any person who wishes to find success in any undertaking much be willing to “burn his ships” and to cut off all sources of turning back…

>> Only thus, can one be sure of maintaining a “burning desire” to win!

The Gospel of the Day highlights on this aspect of making a complete commitment to the cause of the Kingdom of God…

… and being prepared to face any challenges in being faithful to this dedication!

Jesus says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62)

Our Blessed Lord speaks of three areas of “giving-up” in our Christian life…

1. The “Giving-Up” of personal security

The Lord says, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Lk 9: 58)

The life of Jesus was characterized by a lack of personal security.

>> It is to this life of “poverty” that our Blessed Lord invites each one of us too….

… in the sense of knowing that our Loving Father will provide for us, with our genuine co-operation

… in the sense of not being anxious or over-worried over the concerns of life

… in the sense of depending on the Lord for the necessities of life

2. The “Giving-Up” of personal gains

The Lord says, “Let the dead bury the dead” (Lk 9: 60)

This was in response to the man who said, “let me go first and bury my father”.

This statement was a common way of saying, “Let me wait until I receive my inheritance from my father!”

It was an excuse of “economics and finance” that the man was trying to furnish, to evade the Kingdom responsibility!

>> Jesus calls us to a life of “obedience” to his Will…

… in the sense of letting go of personal gains and profits for His sake

… in the sense of curbing our selfish wantings and cravings

3. The “Giving-Up” of personal relationships

The Lord says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9: 62)

This was in response to the man who said, “I will follow you Lord, but first let me say farewell to my home”

>> Jesus calls us to a life of being “chaste” to His Divine Love…

… in the sense of prioritizing Him above all other relations

… in the sense of giving the Lord the first place in life

We ought to have a “burning desire” as the missionaries of the Kingdom, to spread God’s Word and make Him loved more!

Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“Consider that people are like tea bags.

>> They don’t know their own strength until they get into hot water”

It is essential, therefore that we “burn our ships” of comfort and personal wishes…

… so that we can be better imitators of Him, Who demands that we be zealous in our journey towards perfection.

Let’s give heed to the words of St Jerome:

“Good, better, best.

Never let it rest.

‘Til your good is better and your better is best.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

All of us love to have friends who make life more interesting and joyful by their presence.

>> The journey of life gets more easy and exciting with the presence of friends.

Our spiritual journey too follows this concept…

God, the author of life, in His all-powerful Wisdom, has blessed each of us with a friend.

A friend who accompanies us.

>> A friend who strengthens us.

>> A friend who helps us….

This friend is known as “The Guardian Angel“

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of “The Guardian Angel”

The Church in her teachings affirms and assures that “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by watchful care and intercession of the angels. Beside each believer, stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 336)

From the first moments of our existence, the Guardian Angel has been with us…

At our birth, the Guardian Angel was elated at the dawn of a new life…

>> At our Baptism, the Guardian Angel was pleased to have us join God’s Family…

>> At our Confession, the Guardian Angel was delighted to have us back to God’s holiness…

>> At our Holy Communion, the Guardian Angel rejoiced in us, receiving the Loving Lord…

>> At our Confirmation, the Guardian Angel was joyful in us, being strengthened in the Spirit…

>> At our Marriage, Profession/Ordination, the Guardian Angel was happy with our way of life..

>> At every stage of our life, the Guardian Angel guides us with God’s Holy Inspirations…

>> In our final moments, the Guardian Angel will be with us to strengthen and console us…

At every step of our life, God has blessed us with this beautiful companion to “to guide and protect us through life and to lead us safely to our Eternal Home.”

The Lord wants each one of us to be walking in His presence and be safe from the snares of the Evil.

>> And for this purpose, He has blessed us with a the beautiful image of the Guardian Angel…

An Angel is a being, a person – one who has an intelligence and a free will.

>> An Angel thinks…but clearer than we do

>> An Angel loves… but dearly than we do

How does a Guardian Angel guard us?

>> Through gentle inspirations…

In the hard moments of doubts and confusion…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with words of clarity and understanding.

In the dark situations of hopelessness and resignations…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with the light of God’s hope and strength.

In the narrow tunnels of losing faith and giving up…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with comforting words and counsels.

In the unfaithful times of going away from doing God’s will through sin…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with strong urges to come back to God’s ways.

In the daily moments of facing a choice of doing good or bad…

The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with showing what is more beneficial and valuable.

The Guardian Angels do not force us. The Guardian Angels do respect our free wills.

But the Guardian Angels do long for us to always walk in God’s power and presence.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is an opportunity for us to increase in our devotion and fondness for this “friend” whom God has blessed each one of us with.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is also an opportunity for us to increase in our duty and responsibility of becoming a guardian, a friend and a guide to one another.

>> There are many whom we know who struggle with difficulties

… problems…faith-issues…financial difficulties

… mental problems… emotional breakdowns

The Feast is a reminder to each one of us, to become a Guardian to all…

Jesus, through the Gospel of the day on this Feast day says… “See that YOU DO NOT DESPISE one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Mt 18:10).

“Not despising” someone not only includes avoiding putting down or humiliating or causing scandal to others etc…

… but on a positive sense, means to encourage, promote and strengthen one another.

A true friend is the one who really cares…

… when the whole world despises.

We have a responsibility to be a True Guardian to each other in our life on the earth.

God has also blessed each one of us, with a True Friend, in our Guardian Angel.

>> Let us grow in reverence and love for our Dear Spiritual Friend.

Let us invoke the assistance of this friend in our works, on meeting people, while going to different places etc.

Let us grow in our awareness, as St John Vianney would say:

” When we are walking in the streets, let us fix our eyes on Our Lord bearing his Cross before us; on the Blessed Virgin who is looking at us; on our Guardian Angel who is by our side.“

Happy Feast to our Dear Friend, the Guardian Angel …and to each one of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!