A. What is it?

>> “Gaudium et Spes” is one of the four Major Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.

>> It was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on Dec 7, 1965 – the day the Council ended.

>> The title “Gaudium et Spes” is a Latin phrase which means “The Joys and Hopes”

>> It is the longest of all the documents of Vatican II

B. What does it speak of?

>> The chief focus of “Gaudium et Spes” is on how the Church is to seek to provide meaningful answers to the questions people have about life.

The following are the major highlights of this important document of Vatican II

Introduction: The Situation of Men in the Modern World

>> Traditions and values are being lost. Moral conflicts are escalating as a result of a false way of living, and people’s moral conscience is playing less role. Oppression and neglect for the poor is escalating.

>> The world is capable of acts that uplift life and acts that destroy life. There is an addiction to material things. Yet, there are many who desire to know what the purpose of life is.

>> “Gaudium et Spes”, addressing all people of the world, confidently proclaims that Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, is the answer to all the perplexing questions that plague humankind today

Part I: The Church and Man’s Calling:

>> To be a human and Christian today is to read the signs of the times, seek common values and proclaim Jesus Christ.

I. The Dignity of the Human Person: The dignity of being human, stems from being created in God’s image. There is a law of love written in our hearts – an inner voice that calls us to love God and humanity. In following Jesus, we learn to love in such a way that our truest self is revealed.

II. The Community of Mankind: God creates humans to be together. Human community reflects Trinitarian community. We must learn to love and respect those who think differently than us. Each of us is responsible to fulfill the call to live justly, and to walk in love always.

III. Man’s Activity throughout the World: A person is truly valued by “who they are”, not by “what they do”. Whatever is done to promote justice and dignity is infinitely more valuable than what is technologically created. The hope of the world rests in love.

IV. The Role of the Church in the Modern World: The Church is the sign of the presence of God. The Church exists because of God’s love for us. The Church’s greatest responsibility and challenge is to promote and attain unity. We need to enter into honest discussion with mutual love and respect. Christ was, is, and always will be the Center of the Church. A concise Ecclesiology of the Church as “leaven” in the world is manifested.

Part II: Some Problems of Special Urgency

I. Fostering the Nobility of Marriage and the Family: Society is harmed by polygamy, divorce, free-love, excessive self-love, and improper use of birth control. Sacramental married life is a covenantal love of man and woman, created by God. Love in marriage is Divinely Ordained and is expressed through holy sex and lived out, in raising a family. All life comes from God and is therefore, Sacred.

II. The Proper Development of Culture: Growth in natural human and social science, as well as communications and technology, provide a means to change culture positively and negatively. The Church must remain faithful to its Traditions and be responsive to its universal mission.

III. Economic and Social Life: There is more than enough available to the world to provide for the needs of humanity. A just world seeks to provide opportunity for all to grow intellectually and morally. The concept of work also implies, how we can serve one another.

IV The Life of the Political Community: Authority must function as a moral force and not as a tyranny. The truest duty, politically, is to oppose injustice, oppression, and intolerance. The work of the Church is to preach the Faith and teach social doctrines. The Church has the right and responsibility to pass moral judgments on society when the salvation of souls is at stake.

V The Fostering of Peace and the Promotion of a Community of Nations: Peace is not the absence of war. Peace is directly relevant to people’s ability to love. Peace requires sincere respect for others and an effort to see that the basic human needs of others is met. Peace flows from Christ. Peace is not possible where these exist: injustice, economic inequality, thirst for power, or disregard for human life.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Gaudium et Spes” appeals to all people to not be afraid of seeking to find the “true meaning of life”

>> We are often lost in the uncertainties, worries and cares of the world. The Document calls to “go deeper” and thus live a meaningful and purposeful life

>> This meaning is to find its fullness in a “Life in Christ” – Who is “the Key, the Censer and the End of all of human history” (GS, 10).

2. The Church is called to be a sign of unity

>> Today an honest and critical analysis of the Church can make us to confess that there a lot of factors of disunity: language, rite, social-status, caste, region etc

>> We are challenged to resolve these differences – despite the mighty challenge before us – so that we can truly witness ourselves as “The One Body of Christ!”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Gaudium et Spes” for this Season of Lent?

1. Discovering Jesus as the “Greatest Meaning of our Life” and thus like the disciples have the “Eureka-shout” – “We have found the Messiah!” (Jn 2: 41)

2. Be a person who fosters unity and facilitates reconciliation

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Make an honest examination of life and draw a list of the priorities of our life; and thus check if God tops the list.

>> If not, what we need to do to have “First things First” – God as the Most Important Person and Goal of my life

2. Everyday make an “Examination of Conscience” and have the courage to forgive and be reconciled with those to whom we are not in good terms.

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Second Vatican Council Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World “Gaudium et Spes” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Full Text of Gaudium et Spes can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html

A. What is it?

>> “Sacrosanctum Concilium” is one of the four Major Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.

>> It was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 4 December 1963.

>> The title “Sacrosanctum Concilium” is derived from the opening lines of the Document and means “This Sacred Council”

>> Liturgy was the first topic that was discussed at the Second Vatican Council

B. What does it speak of?

>> The purpose of “Sacrosanctum Concilium” is to achieve greater Lay Participation in the Church’s liturgy.

>> This Constitution on the Liturgy is divided into 7 chapters:

1. General Principles for the Restoration and Promotion of the Sacred Liturgy

>> Jesus Christ is the Source of the Sacred Liturgy, which is the public worship of the Church. The sacred liturgy allows us to experience the heavenly liturgy on earth

>> The faithful must come to the liturgy with the proper dispositions, by fully, actively, and consciously engaging in the liturgical celebration – participating both internally and externally. Both Clergy and Laity must be instructed in the nature and practice of the liturgy since It is a communal event.

2. The Most Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist

>> The Holy Eucharist perpetuates the sacrifice of the Cross.

>> At every Mass, the Lay Faithful join the Priest in offering the Divine Victim, and in doing so, they must offer themselves also that they might enter into a more perfect communion with God and each other.

>> The “Treasures of the Bible” must be lavishly poured out at every Mass. The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist form a single, united act of worship.

3. The Other Sacraments and the Sacramentals

>> The purpose of the Sacraments is threefold: Give worship to God, Build up

the Body of Christ, and Sanctify humanity.

4. The Divine Office

>> The Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours, is the public prayer of the whole Church.

>> It offers Praise to God, intercedes for the entire world, and sanctifies each day and must be prayed with attention and devotion so as to nourish piety and personal prayer.

5. The Liturgical Year

>> The Church unfolds the entire Mystery of Christ throughout the liturgical year in order to allow the faithful to receive the Riches of Christ.

>> The Church honours the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints by celebrating their feast days and acknowledging their merits, examples, intercession, and love.

6. Sacred Music

>> Sacred music is a “treasure of inestimable value” that gives Glory to God and helps to sanctify the faithful. It also enhances prayer and contributes to the solemnity of the sacred liturgy.

>> Gregorian chant retains “pride of place” in the liturgy, but other kinds of sacred music are allowed and encouraged.

7. Sacred Art and Sacred Furnishings

>> Works of Sacred Art must be protected and cultivated so that they may be “worthy, becoming, and beautiful signs and symbols of things supernatural.”

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. The Document calls for a “full and active participation” by all in the Sacred Liturgy

>> In our local language/parlance, we sometimes say, “I am going to SEE Mass”. This statement/attitude is to undergo a revolutionary change, as we are all PARTICIPANTS at the Holy Mass.

>> The “passivity” during liturgy has to be transformed to an “active participation”, so as to derive the full fruits of the Sacred Mysteries.

2. “Sacrosanctum Concilium” speaks of retaining sound tradition whilst being open to legitimate progress

>> The Document provides a balance between two strong extreme trends seen today in the Church (a) Make Liturgy “relevant” by making it appealing or sometimes, sadly, even entertaining (b) Make Liturgy insular and almost museum-like, with a rigid fixation on mysterious details.

>> The history of the Liturgy, down through the centuries, shows organic development and the Document affirms and exhorts to understand the True Nature of Sacred Liturgy: It is the saving action of Jesus Christ in his Church.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Sacrosanctum Concilium” for this Season of Lent?

1. Give the Holy Eucharist the greatest and the highest place in our life of Faith

2. Prepare well to participate in the Holy Mass

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Make sure to attend Mass on all Sundays and Days of Obligation, and to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, as often as possible (personally as well as a family/community)

>> Fall in love with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, so as to derive strength and power from this “Source, Strength and Summit” of our Life!

2. Read the Scriptures (1st Reading/Psalm/2nd Reading/Gospel) before going for the Holy Mass

>> Look into how these Readings affect – personally and practically

>> Offer all the situations of one’s life, at the Holy Mass.

>> Receive Jesus – in the Word and Eucharist – with much devotion and love

>> Learn to Live (practise) the fruits of the Eucharist, in day-to-day life

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Second Vatican Council Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy “Sacrosanctum Concilium” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Full Text of Sacrosanctum Concilium can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

A. What is it?

>> “Deus Caritas Est” is an Encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI released on Jan 25, 2006 (Feast Day of St Paul).

>> The title “Deus Caritas Est” means “God is Love”. It is sub-titled “De Christiano Amore” (Of Christian Love)

>> The title is derived from the First Letter of St John: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (I Jn 4:16).

B. What does it speak of?

>> The Encyclical can be seen as a progression with two major portions:

I. The first part presents a theological and philosophical reflection on the different dimensions of “love” – expressed in the Greek words for love: Eros, Philia, Agape. It explains some essential facts concerning God’s Love and the intrinsic connection of this Love with human love.

II. The second part speaks of the charitable activities of the Church as an expression of Love which draws its power from contemplative union with God. It also refers to the Church’s threefold responsibility: (1) Proclaiming the Word of GOD (Kerygma-Martyria) (2) Celebrating the Sacraments (Leitourgia) (3) Exercising the Ministry of Charity (Diakonia).

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. The deep meaning of “Love” is called to be reflected up

>> The term “Love”, one of the most used and abused words in today’s world.

>> Sometimes the term “Eros” is completely rejected as being negative, in favour of “Agape”

>>The Encyclical, however, says that “Eros” – Ascending Love – and “Agape” – Descending Love – can never be separated. The more the two find the correct equilibrium in their different dimensions, the more the true nature of love is realized.

>> Even if “Eros” is at first mainly desire, in drawing near to the other person it becomes less and less concerned with itself, increasingly seeks the happiness of the other, bestows itself and wants to “be there for” the other. It is then that the element of “Agape” enters into this love.

>> In Jesus Christ, the “Eros-Agape” reaches its most radical form and this is today to be experienced in the Holy Eucharist

>> If one wishes to give love, they must also be able to receive love. Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink anew from the original source – Which is Jesus Christ – from whose pierced heart flows the love of God..

2. The Church must display the Love of God through charitable works

>> The Church is called to proclaim the Word of God, celebrate the Sacraments, and practice the Ministry of Charity – all of which are equally important.

>> For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity… but is a part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Deus Caritas Est” for this Season of Lent?

1. Deepen the conviction of one of the most fundamental truth of our life: God is Love and This Love is lavished upon us, at ALL times and in ALL situations of our life

2. All our actions – big or small, duties or volunteering – all should be done “with love and for love”

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Contemplating more on the powerful aspect that “God is Love and He Loves me just as I am”, so as to do away with a “fearful/punishing” image of God that we have often created in our lives.

2. In all the works that we do, consciously offer it to the Lord and say a simple prayer like: “Lord, I do this action for you, with Love. Let all glory be to you!”

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Full Text of ‘ Deus Caritas Est’ can be found at:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html

Remember the school-going days…

… when there was the (usually considered as) “terrorizing” subject called as Mathematics?

One of the questions that would frequent in a Mathematics question paper, would be questions of the type: “Prove that…”

Sme examples of these theorems or statements “to be proven” would be…

>> “Prove that” the sum of two even integers is even.

>> “Prove that” the square root of two, is an irrational number.

Such examples of proof require a precision in the logic and methodology, so as to arrive at the proper conclusion of the facts.

The Gospel of the Day presents a similar question of “prove that” nature.

> The Examiners posing the question: The people in the crowd

> The student facing the question: Jesus

> The statement to be proved: Prove that You, Jesus, are the Messiah, the Son of God.

> The nature of proof required: Through signs and miracles.

This student, Jesus has faced such similar tests many times before.

>> Many times in His life, He has been worked up by many to prove His status…

>> Many times in His life, He has been demanded things to prove His authority…

He is an experienced student.

On the Mount of the Temptations… (Lk 4: 1-13)

Satan demanded Jesus to “prove that” He was the Son of God…

… by working a miracle

… by bowing to Him

… by jumping down

While at ministry…

… the Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Jesus to “prove that” He had the authority to forgive sins. (Lk 5:21)

… the disciples of John asked Jesus to “prove that” He was indeed the One who was to come or whether they should look for another (Lk 7:19)

… some in the crowd asked Jesus “to prove that” He worked wonders and even drove out demons by His own power, by asking for a sign from heaven (Lk 11:16)

The Student, Jesus….has already faced many such “to prove that” situations!

Today’s Gospel once again puts the Student, Jesus to the test “to prove that” He is the Messiah by a demand for signs!

Am I also a person who is guilty of making Jesus a student, by putting Him “to the test” by asking Him “to prove” many things in life…?

>> In times of sicknesses and pains…

… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Healing God.

>> In times of financial difficulties…

… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Provider God.

>> In times of mental tensions and worries…

… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Caring God.

>> In times of spiritual aridity and emptiness…

… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Living God.

Of course, from a human perspective…owing to our limitations and weakness, we do sometimes ask some signs or miracles or some wonders.

>> But these demands for sign and miracles should not become THE criteria for proving God’s Existence or even His Presence…

>> These demands for some external manifestations and wonders should not become THE yardstick for proving the might and power of God…

> We should not be holding God at ransom, by demanding signs

> We should not be hijacking God and demand miracles.

We rather need to look back into our lives, and see the various moments and the times when…

… He has caressed us with His affection

… He has nurtured us with His love

… He has filled us with His presence

The Lord gives to the people in the crowd, the signs and examples of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba.

The people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba…

… were gentiles

… were not the chosen people

… were not people who had a first-hand experience of God.

Yet, when they heard the preaching of Jonah and saw the glory of Solomon…they believed!

They did not demand miracles.. they did not demand signs….yet, they believed!

The Lord through today’s Gospel makes us to realize the worth and the value of the many wonders and the signs He has already worked in our lives.

> We sometimes might tend to take God’s blessings “for granted”

> We sometimes might tend to not consider God’s graces as “something big”

> We sometimes might tend to not able to even see something “special” in God’s favours .

Today is a chance for us to have a retrospective into our lives and see the many, maybe tiny and small, wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives…

None can say, “I have no miracles in my life!”

>> From our birth, to our upbringing, our education, our formation, our works, our surroundings, our people…etc….. at every step, we have many miracles and signs of God!

The hand of the Lord is very much at large in our lives.

We don’t need to become a people which poses God with “prove that” type questions!

Let us see… Let us realize..

… and Let us thank!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ You should be brave and courageous always and everywhere…

>> For Heaven helps those who put their trust in God…

… and implore His Help in humility and love!”

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A. What is it?

>> “Evangelii Gaudium” is an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis in the year 2013

>> The name “Evangelii Gaudium” stands for “Joy of the Gospel” – the principal theme being the “need for a joyful proclamation of the Gospel to the entire world.”

>> This Exhortation was written in response to the Bishops Synod held in March 2013, with a focus on “New Evangelization”

B. What does it speak of?

>> The Exhortation is divided into 5 major chapters:

i. The Church’s Missionary Transformation: It calls for renewal and rethinking the way every person and every institution – from the Pope and the Roman Curia down to the parish and its parishioners – live their faith.

ii. Amid the Crisis of Communal Commitment: Some challenges of today’s world are discussed: economic matters, modern culture, new religious movements and moral relativism. It also presents two errors commonly faced by Christians: (a) the “attraction of Gnosticism” – a faith, whose only interest is a certain set of ideas and bits of information (b) “self-absorbed promethean neo-pelagianism” – a feeling of being superior to others, with ‘a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism’, because they observe certain rules.

iii. The Proclamation of the Gospel: Christian life is to be based on knowing and experiencing God’s love, mercy and salvation offered to all through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The document also presents a long section about the importance of homilies at Holy Mass – an opportunity, given for priests, each week, to encourage Catholics to live the faith.

iv. The Social Dimension of Evangelization: “Evangelii Gaudium” says that the heart of the Christian moral message is love for one another, which must motivate Christians to share the Gospel, help the poor and work for social justice.

v. Spirit-filled Evangelizers: Spirit-filled Evangelizers are those who are “fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit” and who have “the courage to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with boldness – in every time and place – even when it meets with opposition”. The Exhortation presents Mother Mary as the model of faith and fidelity, and also as a strong Woman and Mother who shared many of the joys and sorrows facing people today and, therefore, understands the challenges they face.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. A call is given for establishing and renewing a personal encounter with the Lord

>> Many times as “Cradle Catholics” we fail to nurture a “Personal Relationship” with the Lord. Our faith remains stuck to old-practices that we have been doing “from childhood”.

>> A personal relationship with God alone can help us to live in Joy and Peace

2. All Christians are called to be actively participating in Evangelization

>> The one who has experienced the Love of God, cannot but preach and evangelize. “A true missionary, who never ceases to be a disciple, knows that Jesus walks with him, speaks to him, breathes with him, works with him. Mother Mary is the Model Missionary “Who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life, opening our hearts to faith by Her Maternal Love.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Evangelii Gaudium” for this Season of Lent?

1. The Virtue of Joy in our day-to-day Christian Living, by building a “Personal Relationship with God”

2. Willingness to be open to the Holy Spirit at all times like Mother Mary, and being a Missionary Disciple in any situation of our life

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Cultivating the spirit of “praise and thanks” in every situation – not only joyful – but also in depressing and threatening moments of life.

2. Seeking the help of Blessed Mother Mary and imitating her by “treasuring the Word of God in the heart” and thus bearing fruit.

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Evangelii Gaudium” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Full Text of ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ can be found at:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html

In the centre of London stands an iconic building – St Paul’s Cathedral.

This majestic structure is built in the shape of a cross…

… with a large dome crowning the intersection of its arms.

>> At 111.3 metres high, it is one of the largest cathedral domes in the world.

Climbing up 259 steps inside the dome, one reaches the “Whispering Gallery”.

The speciality of this gallery is:

>>When one stands on one side of the circular gallery, and whispers…

… these soft tones of sound can be heard, on the other side – even 30 metres away.

The sound bounces back many times on the smooth walls of the dome…

… and the whisper can be heard even at a far distance.

What is said, even in the lowest of tones, can be heard, on the opposite side of the dome.

In the spiritual realm, the entire space is like this “whispering gallery”…

… even the lowest of tones, are heard by our Loving God.

>> No matter how low we whisper, He hears!

>> No matter how silent be our prayer, He hears!

Are we able to have such a trust and confidence in our prayer life?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful initiation by Jesus to help us to know, grow and deepen our understanding of God as being a Loving and Caring Father…

… as the One Who listens to our every prayer – including the ones whispered in the lowest of tones!

Today’s Gospel passage begins with Jesus issuing a warning on the danger of making prayer a mere “lip-service”

>> “In praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do….” (Mt 6:7)

What was Jesus meaning by the clause “heaping up empty phrases as the Gentiles…”?

One of the notable Gentile groups at the time of Jesus, were the Romans, under whose occupation the Jews were living.

It’s noteworthy to see some of the aspects of the ancient pagan Roman prayer:

1. All sacrifices and offerings required an accompanying prayer to be effective.

>> It was declared that “a sacrifice without prayer was thought to be useless and not a proper consultation of the gods.”

2. Prayer – the spoken word was considered the single most potent religious action.

>> And knowledge of the correct verbal formulas were the key to efficacy.

3. An accurate naming was vital for tapping into the desired powers of the deity invoked.

>> Hence public religious ritual had to be enacted by specialists and professionals faultlessly…

… even a small a mistake would require that the action, or even the entire festival, be repeated all over!

( A historian named Livy reports of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at the Latin festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer…

… the festival had to be started all over!)

The Greek word used for “empty phrases” is “battalagesete”.

>> It means to stammer, babble, talk gibberish, or to repeat the same things over and over mindlessly!

With this in background, Jesus emphatically declares that prayer is not about “heaping empty phrases”.

In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)

Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”

>> No!

The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…

>> The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)

>> Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!

>>Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)

>> Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)

Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.

>> Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported

>> When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…

… to praise God and understand His mighty works

… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence

… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for our intentions

>> Prayer is not rattling off a few external words and feel satisfied in having done that…

… It is opening up, in dependence, the interiority of our hearts, to the One Who knows all!

>> Prayer is not going through a series of stipulated and organised system of words…

… It is allowing the heart to “mean what is said”, and to cause the lips express what the heart feels!

It is to this effect that Jesus says “Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him” (Mt 6:8)…

… and teaches us the beautiful prayer – “The Our Father”!

Jesus presents the beautiful understanding of God being a Loving and Caring Father…

… The Father, in heaven, Whose Name we acknowledge to be most Holy and Worthy

… The Father, Whose Kingdom becomes the target to Which we ought to aspire

… The Father, Whose Will is to become the compass and blueprint of our life

… The Father, Whose providence nourishes us with daily bread for our sustenance and well-being

… The Father, Who extends His Immense Mercy to us, which we receive only if we forgive in turn

… The Father, Who strengthens us in our moments of trials and temptations

… The Father, Who rescues us from all evil by tenderly holding us in the palm of His Hand

Yes, Jesus wants us to understand and experience God as a Loving and Tender Father.

May we realize that in the spiritual realm, the entire space is like a “whispering gallery”…

… and even the lowest of tones, are heard by our Loving God.

>> No matter how low we whisper, He hears!

>> No matter how silent be our prayer, He hears!

Let this be our trust and confidence in our prayer life…

… and thus throw ourselves, into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father!

God Bless! Live Jesus

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ He prays well, who is so absorbed with God…

… that he does not know he is praying!”

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A. What is it?

>> Humanae vitae is an encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI on July 25, 1968 (We are nearing the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of this Encyclical)

>> “Humanae Vitae” means “Of Human Life”

>> The Encylical is subtitled as “Regulation of Birth”

>> In the wake of the sexual revolution of the 1960s, Humanae Vitae was presented to the world, and today it is considered as a “Prophetic Literature”.

>> This is especially in the light of how, over the next decades, there has been an increase in the sexualization of culture, increased legalized abortion, the growing tensions in marital relations, and thus has led to deep wounds to the concept of family life.

>> The Encylical clearly affirms that the Church “does not… evade the duty imposed on her of proclaiming humbly but firmly the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical.” And so, like Christ, the Church “is destined to be a ‘sign of contradiction.'”

B. What does it speak of?

>> Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae re-affirmed the Church’s prohibition of artificial contraception, gave the approval on natural family-planning (NFP) methods, and upheld the Church’s teaching on conjugal love and responsible parenthood.

>> Drawing from Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition, the Encyclical exhorts how God Himself has designed the nature of married love – it is “total, faithful and exclusive”. The marriage act has both unitive and procreative aspects- which cannot be separated (Thus, artificial contraception is immoral).

>> Every marriage act is a participation in the Divine Act of “giving life”. Hence, it belongs in the context of committed love (sealed by marriage) and openness to life.

>> The Encyclical very powerfully demonstrates that Human life came from God, belongs to God, and goes back to God (“You are not your own” – 1 Cor 6:19). This is in direct opposition to the modern-day dictum: “This is my life, my body, my choice!”

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. The Encyclical re-affirms the Church’s uncompromising stance with respect to morals and faith – upholding Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition.

>> As a Christian, am I ready to be a “sign of contradiction” in standing for the Gospel Virtues, even if it means, facing isolation and rejection, unpopularity and being branded as “traditional and old-fashioned”?

2. Humanae Vitae stands in direct contradiction to the “easy and free” trends of looking at sex, marriage and family life.

>> Am I aware of the “Preciousness of my body” and how, all what I do with my body, ought to be “life-giving” and giving sole glory to God? Any contrary that I do, is a sin, and so I need to let go any “habits or tendencies” that is harmful to the body, which is “… a Temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 3:16),

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Humanae Vitae” for this Season of Lent?

1. Becoming aware that Life belongs to God and that Love is Sacred

2. Growing in the conviction that I need to be uncompromising to the teachings of the Church, despite the “comfortable trends” around us

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Pray to be faithful to the Virtue of Chastity and to always do actions that “promote and nurture life”

2. Read Articles 2331-2400 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) to get a better understanding of the Church’s position on sexuality.

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Humanae Vitae” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Full Text of ‘Humanae Vitae can be found at:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

Children studying in school have to time and again undergo a particular experience: The experience of facing their parents with the report card of their examinations, to get it signed.

The report card has a particular column, which requires the parent or the guardian of the child, to assess the marks card and then put in the signature of approval.

It’s interesting to note the varied experience of children before getting the report signed….

Those children who have done well and are confident of having performed up to the expectation of the parent, stay fearless and secure.

>> They remain cheerful, joyous and unafraid!

Those children who are not sure, what would be the reaction of the parents, undergo a tremendous level of anxiety and nervousness

>> They remain apprehensive, tense and uneasy!

Those children who know that they have performed extremely badly and are guilty of having let down the expectations of their parents, experience higher levels of guilt and misery and some even casualness or indifference!

>> They remain distressed, listless and remorseful.

This experience for the children is similar to a “trial of judgement”

The Gospel of the Day presents the scene of the Last Judgment…

And probably, before the throne of Judgement, the people of the world would also be going similar feelings as that of the children waiting with the report card – feelings of cheerfulness or apprehensiveness or remorsefulness etc..

The passage presents the Son of Man seated in His majestic and awesome glory and all the nations awaiting His judgement. (Mt 25: 31-32)

The sheep, placed on the right side, are the chosen ones to enjoy the bliss of the Kingdom.

>> The goats, placed on the left side, are the condemned ones to suffer the fire of punishment.

One of the important aspects to be observed in this passage of the scene of the Last Judgement is the manner in which the Lord looks at human actions…

The Bible says, “Humans look on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7)

One of the common question that both the groups, the sheep as well the goats, posed was: “When did we know…”

The sheep were taken by surprise, at the occasions which the Lord found them doing good…

>> They remained unaware of those situations, though they did the good in God’s sight.

>> They remained unaware of those occasions, though they did the needful in God’s sight.

The goats are taken by surprise, at the occasions, which the Lord found them missing to do good…

>> They remained unaware of those situations, where they failed to do the good in God’s sight.

>> They remained unaware of those occasions, where they missed to do the needful in God’s sight.

> We may not realise the occasions of doing good…

>> We may not realise the occasions of having missed doing good…

We may externally engage in many good works, but it may fail to find approval in the Lord’s sight.

>> This calls for cultivation of an inner disposition to do good.

>> This calls for building of an inner character to be charitable.

Ø From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks…

Ø From the abundance of goodness within, good actions flow…

Ø From the abundance of kindness within, kind conduct emerges…

Ø From the abundance of love within, charitable behaviours proceed…

Let this season of Lent be an occasion to grow in cultivating love deep within.

>> Let this season of Lent be a time of forming a character of goodness and kindness.

The Day of Judgement is certainly to be a glorious one…

If we fail to build up a character of goodness and charity, we may go through feelings of anxiety or fear or even dread!

>> But trusting in the mercy and compassion of the Lord, let us, as the little children of our Heavenly Father, be hopeful and confident!

Let’s prepare ourselves well, to be optimistic in getting the Report Card of our Life, signed with approval, by our Heavenly Father!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Put aside all anxious thoughts…

… and be at peace!”

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